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Credit: ITMAs Omicron becomes the most common variant in the Orlando area and COVID-19 cases continue to spike with incoming holiday crowds, it seems Universal Orlando Resort has decided to make some changes.
Related: CA Indoor Mask Mandate Expected to Be Reinstated This Month
At Universal Orlando Resort, Guests have not been required to wear a mask while indoors or outdoors at the Parks. Whether you were walking in CityWalk or enjoying Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, Guests would periodically hear a reminder that urged them to wear a mask while inside, as well as signage on stores. Now, it has been confirmed that, as Walt Disney World Resort did months ago, Universal Orlando Resort will be going back on its mask mandate this Friday, December 24.
The new mandate states that Guests and Team Members must wear their masks while indoors, at attractions, and in queues, regardless of their vaccination status. Universal (@UniversalORL) noted the change in a public announcement.
Update from Universal Orlando Resort
Update from Universal Orlando Resort pic.twitter.com/Kr14xkBh0c
— Universal Orlando Resort (@UniversalORL) December 22, 2021
The announcement says:
UNIVERSAL ORLANDO OPERATIONS UPDATE
The health and safety of our guests and team members is always our top priority. As a result, face coverings will now be required, effective Friday, Dec. 24 at all public indoor locations within Universal Orlando Resort for both quests and team members regardless of vaccination status – including restaurants, shops, and indoor hotel public areas.Face coverings are also required at all attractions from the moment guests enter the queue to when they exit the experience.Â
We will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as needed.
Orlando Informer (@OrlandoInformer) also made the announcement on their Twitter account, stating:
BREAKING: beginning this Friday, December 24, #UniversalOrlando guests and team members will once again be required to wear face coverings indoors, in queues, and on attractions, regardless of vaccination status.
BREAKING: beginning this Friday, December 24, #UniversalOrlando guests and team members will once again be required to wear face coverings indoors, in queues, and on attractions, regardless of vaccination status. pic.twitter.com/E7O7ZKhOvb
— Orlando Informer (@OrlandoInformer) December 22, 2021
With the Christmas holiday crowds taking over the Orlando theme parks at the moment, this choice was likely made to ensure that all visiting Guests and Team Members are protected.
Inside Universal (@insideuniversal) also reported on the news.
Due to the increase in COVID cases, Universal Orlando is now requiring facial coverings at all public indoor locations for Guests & Team Members Starting Fri, Dec 24 – regardless of vaccination status.
Due to the increase in COVID cases, Universal Orlando is now requiring facial coverings at all public indoor locations for Guests & Team Members Starting Fri, Dec 24 – regardless of vaccination status.
— Inside Universal (@insideuniversal) December 22, 2021
As holiday crowds roll in, we are starting to see 90-minute queues become normalized, as well as extended queues being utilized.
This change means that masks will be required on the following, as well as inside any indoor location:
Universal Studios Florida Rides
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem Rides
- Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
- Transformers 4D: The Ride
- Race through New York, Starring Jimmy Fallon
- Revenge of the Mummy
- Fast and the Furious Ride
- Woody Woodpacker’s KidZone
- Woody Woodpecker Nuthouse Coaster
- E.T. Adventure
- The Simpson’s Ride
- Kang & Kudos Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
- Men In Black Alien Attack
- Escape from Gringotts in Diagon Alley
- Hogwarts Express
Related: Disney Park Announces Mask Mandate Rules May Change Again
Universal Studios Orlando – Islands of Adventure Rides
- Flight of the Hippogriff
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Pteranodon Flyers
- Jurassic Park River Adventure Ride
- Jurassic World VelociCoaster
- Cat in the Hat Ride
- High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train
- Caro-Seuss-El
- One fish, Two fish, Red fish, Blue Fish
- Doom’s Fearful
- Incredible Hulk Coaster
- Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
- Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-rat Barges
- Dudley Do-Right Ripsaw Falls
- Skull Island: Reign of Kong
Please be aware that as Universal Orlando Resort is based on private property, they have the ability to make their own rules and regulations for Guests. Failure to comply with this new mask rule will have you removed from the Park.