Universal Studios Issues Statement on Out-of-State Visitors

in Universal Studios Hollywood

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Credit: Universal

When Universal Studios Hollywood announced that it would be opening its gates to Guests after a year-long theme park closure, it came with one significant caveat. The park would only be open to those Guests who live in California. That left many wondering when they would be able to come back and visit sites like Hogsmeade and Springfield.

Hogwarts Express
Credit: ITM Krysten S.

This week, the news was released regarding an addendum to California Governor Gavin Newsom’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. The California Department of Public Health has shared that fully vaccinated travelers could come back into the state for specific events and activities limited to only California residents.

Related: 14-Year-Old Boy Tragically Falls to His Death at Orlando Park

That revised plan begs the question, does going to Universal Hollywood count as an “event or activity” that would be allowed to welcome vaccinated out-of-state Guests?

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Credit: Universal

Per the local Southern California newspaper, the Orange County Register, the California Attractions and Parks Association issued the following statement:

“Amusement parks’ responsible reopening plans are guided by the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy which was recently updated with an addendum to Blueprint Activity & Business Tiers Chart. This addendum now allows fully vaccinated persons from out of state to visit or attend activities or events that were previously restricted to in-state visitors. As vaccinations become more widespread and state guidance evolves, individual parks may update their own responsible reopening plans in accordance with state and local public health regulations.”

Related: Changes Coming to Toy Story Mania! Location at Disney World Resort

It indicates that vaccinated out-of-state Guests can visit Universal Studios Hollywood should the park revise its plans. However, the theme park also released a statement about California’s pandemic regulations.

Universal Globe
Credit: Bailee A. Inside the Magic

A Universal Studios Hollywood spokesperson stated:

“While visitation to our theme park is currently available to California residents only, we are assessing next steps to implement changes to previously released guidance and will share updated information when it becomes available.”

Related: Disney Park Completely Unavailable For Seven Days as 1.7 Million Visitors Descend on Orlando

Disneyland Resort has also not yet indicated that they will allow out-of-state Guests. Both theme parks are constantly reevaluating the COVID-19 situation in California with the guidance of state and local health officials so that these decisions can be changed at any time.

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Credit: Disney

Unfortunately, that means that out-of-state Guests hoping to visit the Southern California Universal theme park will have to wait a little longer. Governor Newsom has previously stated that he would like the California economy completely opened by June, which could be a marker for when theme parks like Universal Studios will begin to allow out-of-state Guests once more. However, only in-state visitors are permitted until Universal Studios Hollywood indicates otherwise.

How do you feel about Universal’s decision not to allow out-of-state Guests? Let us know in the comments!

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