Universal chief expects significant operational changes when the Orlando parks reopen

Apr 22, 2020 in "The Walt Disney Company"

Posted: Wednesday April 22, 2020 3:35pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

John Sprouls, CEO Universal Orlando Resort has told the new Florida Reopening Task Force that he expects some significant changes to operations when the parks reopen.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, he told the panel in one of today's meetings that they will likely be temperature screening of employees and possibly guests, and also the possibility of recommending masks.

Rides will be disinfected during regular operations, virtual queuing will be used wherever possible, lines will be modified to reduce crowding, and outdoor queues will be used in preference to indoor queuing space.

None of these suggestions are new, but the comments are the most recent from high-placed figures in the Central Florida theme-park community.

Walt Disney World President Josh D'Amaro is also part of the panel, but we are yet to hear any comments from him on behalf of Disney. The Task Force is expected to present its findings on plans to reopen Florida to the Governor Ron DeSantis by Friday.

Discuss on the Forums

Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox

The MomAug 02, 2022

WDW made an announcement about lifting all Covid restrictions, etc so if they reinstate them another thread will be created to enable discussion.

correcaminosAug 02, 2022

You ever go to Epcot? WS stores are not all open. Not even close. Lots of dining missing. Tons of shows missing No trams at Epcot or DHS. We had a lovely time but the missing and restrictions stand out. Pretending something is back to normal isn't the same as it actually being back to normal.

DisneyDebRobAug 02, 2022

I thought I contributed greatly to the downfall of the thread. Giving myself to much credit i guess.😎

disneyfiremanAug 02, 2022

All closed? I saw just about all dining open. There are shows. And cultural reps are there. There is a thread in here about it. Not sure about the trams. I knew they are running MK. And Epcot I think. I didn’t see any store closed. And as for all shows. Yes some are not on. But many are. Either way. It was a great time. Genie plus works great. Loved the whole visit.

hopemaxAug 02, 2022

The thread was closed too long! DisneyDebRob - About 2,000 results

DisneyDebRobAug 02, 2022

As for the hand sanitizers being removed , IMO its a bad idea but maybe im just speaking for myself. Im a clean nut. I do taje sanitizer with me and use it acter everything. Ive been sick almost every time i return home from a trip and since ive been taken my own, i think one time I didn’t feel good out of the last 10-12 trips. Sure there are a lot of bathrooms and wasking is much better but for me that needs to clean after i leave a store, attraction, monorail,bus,skyliner,etc it comes in handy. Not taking it out of my backpack after doing any of those things and getting some was convenient. But thats me. Oh and welcome back everyone..even you #hopemax. πŸ˜‚

Angel ArielAug 02, 2022

I’ll be shocked if those ever go away.

AEfxAug 02, 2022

I won't be ready to declare the "end of pandemic restrictions" until they remove park reservations. I mean, that's why they are there, right? It wasn't just an opportunistic way to further lock down people into ridiculous levels of vacation planning. Amirite?

correcaminosAug 02, 2022

For some that's not an easy option.

correcaminosAug 02, 2022

It's why we won't return to AKL anytime soon. As AP and DVC I'm more patient on the rest. Oh and those darn patk reservations and hopping at 2pm. Still annoyed with that. Disney is getting there but missing lots still.

LilofanAug 02, 2022

Even when trams were running I followed the crowd to walk to our cars instead of waiting for the tram.

Andrew CAug 02, 2022

All of this is why my Disney focus is currently with DCL.

correcaminosAug 02, 2022

Dining, stores, shows etc all closed. Lack of cultural reps. Lots missing we enjoy. Plus no trams in two parks and some transportation missing.

DCBakerAug 02, 2022

Trams have not returned to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios.