Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a qualifying purchase, I will receive a small commission from those purchases.
We’ve been waiting weeks for the answer to the question, “when does Universal Orlando open?” Well, we have that answer with the Universal Orlando reopening guidelines.

Universal Orlando presented their reopening plan to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force on May 21, 2020. The Task Force approved the proposal and sent it to the Governor for final approval.
The proposal set the opening date of June 5, 2020 for the general public with soft openings on June 3rd and 4th. The park originally closed it’s doors in mid-March to stem the spread of the coronavirus (COVID19).

Universal Orlando Reopening Guidelines
- June 1: open to team members for a dry run
- June 3-4: open to annual passholders and invited guests
- June 5: open to general public
- Guests and team members will be required to wear masks
- Temperature checks will be performed upon entering CityWalk; guests with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher will not be able to enter
- Staggered parking
- Managed and reduced daily park attendance
- Managed and reduced attraction ridership, show attendance and restaurant seating. Some areas and events may remain closed for now.
- Increased cleaning and disinfection of food locations, ride vehicles, restrooms and other frequent “touch points” that go beyond Universal’s already aggressive cleaning procedures
- Social distancing practices at all locations through the parks, within attractions and queues and at restaurants
- Use of virtual lines at select attractions
- Cashless payments and “no touch” policies where possible
Universal’s resort hotels are an important part of the guest experience. Reopening plans are being finalized and details will be shared soon.

All Universal guests are urged to follow CDC guidelines and conduct temperature checks prior to their arrival. Guests should evaluate their own risk before they visit – and it is not recommended that older adults or individuals at high-risk with serious underlying medical conditions visit the destination. People who show no symptoms can still spread COVID-19 if they are infected. Any interaction with the general public poses an elevated risk of being exposed to COVID-19 and Universal cannot guarantee guests will not be exposed during their visit.
For information on CDC guidelines, click here. For more information about Universal Orlando’s policies during this time, visit Universal’s website. Due to the evolving nature of this situation, details are subject to change without notice.
What’s Opening?
- Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal’s Volcano Bay will open* to the public beginning June 5 with limited attendance
- Universal CityWalk will continue its limited operation with additional venues* and extended hours
*Available attractions, experiences and venues will be shared soon.
HOURS OF OPERATION (subject to change)
- Universal Studios Florida: 9AM-6PM
- Universal’s Islands of Adventure: 9AM-6PM
- Universal’s Volcano Bay: 10AM – 5PM
- Universal CityWalk Orlando: 8AM – 10PM
OTHER ITEMS TO NOTE ABOUT THE IN-PARK GUEST EXPERIENCE
- UOR strongly encourages all guests to download and utilize the Official Universal Orlando Resort App for their visit. With the app, they’ll be able to make cashless transactions, order food and beverage from select dining venues, utilize Virtual Line for select attractions, and more.
- UOR will convert all menus to single-use in dining venues.
- Mobile Food & Drink Ordering will be available for select venues in the parks and Universal CityWalk as UOR works to make contactless options available for guests. Mobile Food & Drink Ordering and available venues can be accessed through the Official Universal Orlando Resort App.
- Select rides and attractions will utilize Virtual Line – which allows guests to select a time to experience an attraction via the Official Universal Orlando Resort App so they’re minimizing the time they’re actually waiting in Guests can access Virtual Line while onsite at the theme parks and can view available attractions through the app.
- Guests will be required to use hand sanitizer before boarding ride vehicles. For any 3-D attraction, Universal Orlando team members will individually hand out 3-D glasses instead of guests having to pick them up themselves.
- There will be staggered spacing on ride vehicles and in queue lines to help place distance between groups. Please note that this may cause wait times to be longer than usual.
