Universal Reminds Guests Social Distancing Is Reduced

Universal Orlando Resort has just made a big change, and now, it is being announced to Guests!

Related: Universal Orlando Says “We’re Getting Closer to Normal”

Recently, the CDC refined some of their COVID-19 rules and regulations, noting that social distancing could be reduced to 3 feet instead of 6 feet. The Florida Health Department also said that temperature checks were a waste of resources, and were not needed. We first heard that Disney World would be ridding themselves of temperature checks, but social distancing would remain at 6 feet for now. But then, Universal announced that they would be adhering to the science behind both of these changes. 

The news was first released by local Florida news source ClickOrlando, who released a statement from Universal Orlando Resort:

“The health and safety of our guests and team members is always our top priority. We continue to review the CDC guidelines and work with local health officials as we update our health and safety protocols,” a Universal spokeswoman said in a statement. “Based on guidance from government and local health officials, as of Thursday, May 6, we are implementing three feet of social distancing throughout our destination and are no longer conducting temperature checks. All other existing health and safety protocols will remain in place.”

When Guests enter Universal, they must enter through the moving walkway which leads them to Universal CityWalk. From there, you can either go left to Universal’s Islands of Adventure or right, to Universal Studios. There has been a message playing as Guests enter the moving walkway to remind them of Universal’s COVID-19 measures, and now, that message has changed!

Thanks to Orlando Informer, we can hear the new message, which tells Guests to stay three feet apart at all times.

Here’s the brand-new safety message that now greets you at Universal Orlando. Today’s the first day of no temperature checks and three-foot social distancing.

Here's the brand-new safety message that now greets you at Universal Orlando. Today's the first day of no temperature checks and three-foot social distancing. pic.twitter.com/2SD9BUw8Jf

— Orlando Informer (@OrlandoInformer) May 6, 2021

By reducing the amount of space needed to be shared between parties visiting Universal in half, means that, theoretically, Universal could double their capacity to 70%! According to Governor DeSantis, the theme park does have the right and is eligible to do so, so it will be interesting to see if they do decide to move forward with increasing capacity.

As someone who visits Universal often, I can say that although social distancing by 6 feet is difficult when walking in the park (just as it is for Guests at Disney World), but in the queue, the social distancing markers are typically respected, so it will be interesting to see how lines shrink to half the size now that distancing is reduced.

We have also seen the same three-foot rule begin at Orlando International Airport, so it seems that slowly, a lot of big tourist destinations are looking to return to some form of normal!

Click here for all the COVID-19 rules at Universal Orlando Resort.

What do you think of Universal reducing their social distancing in half to three feet?

Thinking of traveling to Universal Studios? Connect with Academy Travel, the Earmarked Diamond professional Travel Agents. They can screen your plans for a peak vacation at any Universal Park and give you the go-ahead on free vacation planning to enhance your trip! Contact them today at 609-978-0740 or by clicking here.