From face masks to temperature checks — how Universal’s Orlando theme parks have re-opened in a new post-Covid era

AS Universal Orlando parks reopened this week, the message from the booking agent was loud and clear.

“Make sure you bring a face mask,” she insisted. And she was not joking.

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Arriving at the extensive theme park resort — home to Harry Potter, Transformers, Marvel superheroes and much more — was a sharp introduction to the “new normal” waiting for guests this summer.

Face coverings are now required, as they will be at Walt Disney World when it reopens next month.

Temperature checks on arrival, social-distancing markers on the walkways, cashless payment systems and virtual queuing via an app all play their part too at the theme park capital of the world just now.

The parks — among the first local victims of the lockdown — have been shuttered since March 15, and their reopening is both cagey and careful.

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It all starts with those masks. You will be turned away without one, as you will if your temperature tops 38C on the screening outside the main entrance.

There is a designated area where you can take face coverings off for a breather, and you can also eat and drink mask-free.

But otherwise, get used to this aspect for the foreseeable future.

They are not the most comfortable things to wear and, when you remember Florida can hit 35C in summer, your face will be taking an all-day sauna.

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At least the queues are much shorter than usual — for this initial phase at any rate. Universal promises it will “ramp things up very slowly” in attendance terms, and we are unlikely to see heavy crowds for the time being.

The message is clear — not everyone is going to get in during this cautious phase of reopening.

Universal hotel guests with park tickets will always be admitted but, after that, there will be a daily limit beyond which the Park Full signs will go up.

A spokesman said: “A reservation is not needed in order to visit the theme parks. Please note that, since we’re limiting attendance, there may be times when the parks reach capacity and additional guests will not be admitted.”

So it seems people with tickets might be turned away at times.

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And while Universal also insists “any restrictions will be subject to change,” it is not the most reassuring statement when you have just arrived from Manchester or Heathrow (assuming we get the green light to fly to the US once again).

But you can beat the odds by booking a Universal hotel room. Check in early and you have the best part of two full days to flash your room key with your park ticket and avoid the possibility of being shut out.

In my case, around £70 got me a comfy night at Universal’s Surfside Inn & Suites as well as that all-important plastic key card that actually helped me bypass the long temperature screening queues at the main car park.

It was all done on arrival at the hotel where, with a little coloured wristband and a hop on to the shuttle bus to the Universal Orlando transport hub, I was in pole position for all the regular theme park excitement in barely 20 minutes.

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Even better, hotel guests are allowed in an hour early each day to enjoy the two Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter, meaning you can get some of the big-time rides, such as the new Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, done before the majority arrive.

Another essential thing to know in advance is that some of the most popular rides, including Harry and Co, can only be accessed via the virtual queuing system.

This is actually a clever and relatively pain-free way to guarantee a ride without having to stand in a long line for what might seem the length of a Potter film. But it does requires a bit of effort and plenty of patience.

Start by downloading the Universal App, and then use it immediately on park entry by going to the rides section and finding the Reserve Virtual Line Pass button for an attraction.

Click it and wait to be assigned a time to return to the queue and gain entry with a QR code. The PS here is that the virtual queue system is still a work in progress. Sometimes it goes offline with the strain of thousands trying to access it at once (and there will still be thousands in the park, just not the usual high number).

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Sometimes it shows “No more reservations today”. And sometimes it comes back to life late in the day.

It is all part of the fact that for now this is a moveable feast, part and parcel of our virus-restricted world that we now have to deal with on a daily basis — even on holiday. That’s where plenty of patience stands you in good stead.

Universal staff are very willing to help where they can, but much of this is new to them, too. Cut them some slack when you think you’ve got the short end of the virtual stick, and you’ll find they are more keen to help.

Finally, don’t be “That guy” (or gal) who thinks the rules don’t apply to them.

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Do keep your face mask on. Do observe (the hundreds of) social-distancing markers. And remember to be considerate to the people around you.

More than ever, it is vital that we need to be Covid-19 respectful. Flout the rules and you will be asked to leave.

Now, get out there and have some good, clean, virus-free fun.

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