Universal's "Getting Closer to Normal" Guidelines

[OrlandoGuy]

Yes, I realize that. But Disney line numbers are at the low end for even their own restricted access, at least according to Touring Plans which ranks Disney line averages in a 30 day period, so they're (Touring Plans) still comparing Disney
apples to Disney apples, rather than comparing them to Universal which doesn't have reservations.

That’s by design though—reservations are still fully booked, but the relaxed ride capacity restrictions is resulting in shorter waits.

I did just drive by Volcano Bay and it was nice to see the stairs full of people like everything was finally back to normal. Good for Universal since they probably won’t take the PR hit Disney would if they lifted all their restrictions.

 

[HandsomePete]

Yes, I realize that. But Disney line numbers are at the low end for even their own restricted access, at least according to Touring Plans which ranks Disney line averages in a 30 day period, so they're (Touring Plans) still comparing Disney
apples to Disney apples, rather than comparing them to Universal which doesn't have reservations.

Right, because Disney has been increasing capacity on rides too. Tower of Terror went every row in mid-May.

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

I'm likely going to visit Universal in the late afternoon/evening only for the rest of the summer unless crowds somehow dissipate before Labor Day. When I went at the beginning of May before social distancing was reduced and temperature checks were removed, it already felt crammed in many spots throughout the resort. Now that attendance is even higher and masks are optional, I suppose I'm back to my pre-pandemic normal of waiting to visit until the after 4PM Express benefit kicks in

 

[RFRees]

Telling others not to go to Universal if they don't feel comfortable is fine. Great advice.

But the fact is we're still in a pandemic; Universal has a responsibility not just to make a profit or make people comfortable, they have a responsibility to reduce their contribution to the spreading of this virus. Tens of thousands of people are still contracting Covid-19 every day, and thousands will die this week.

It's easy to say, "well don't go to a theme park then." That's not thinking about the child who goes, gets covid, and spreads it back home to others who didn't go to that theme park.

If we were able to criticize Universals decision to hold one last Mardi Gras last year when other businesses were shutting down, I see no reason why we can't criticize them now for essentially eliminating all precautions.

 

[Brian G.]

But the fact is we're still in a pandemic; Universal has a responsibility not just to make a profit or make people comfortable, they have a responsibility to reduce their contribution to the spreading of this virus. Tens of thousands of people are still contracting Covid-19 every day, and thousands will die this week.

The positivity rate nationwide is less than 3% which puts the pandemic under control and Orange County has met the "less than 5%" threshold for lessening of the guidelines. They've followed local governments and CDC guidelines. All the science is pointing towards it being okay. We can't say "Trust the science" and balk at it at the same time. (Same way "Screw the science" people can't come and tout it now, too).

It's easy to say, "well don't go to a theme park then." That's not thinking about the child who goes, gets covid, and spreads it back home to others who didn't go to that theme park.

Children are at the lowest risk of COVID, but that doesn't mean risk-free. Vaccines for younger children seem to be coming soon. With that said, it's up to the parents to determine what is best for their child. Not Universal. Not Disney. Not any theme park or business - let alone us for that matter.

If we were able to criticize Universals decision to hold one last Mardi Gras last year when other businesses were shutting down, I see no reason why we can't criticize them now for essentially eliminating all precautions.

Because last year is not the same as this year... We have treatments. We have vaccines. We have a pandemic more under control. It's not over, but it certainly is not just beginning like it was last March.

 

[snayberry]

Next weekend can't get here soon enough. This will be my first time back at the parks with the relaxed mandates. I'm fully vaccinated and ready to enjoy my vacation.

 

[RFRees]

Because last year is not the same as this year... We have treatments. We have vaccines. We have a pandemic more under control. It's not over, but it certainly is not just beginning like it was last March.

The average new cases of COVID-19 this week in May 2020: around 20,000.
The average new cases of COVID-19 this week in 2021: around 20,000.

We're still in a pandemic. Just because we're in a better place doesn't mean we're in a good place.

It's not that I'm worried about kids. Yes, covid doesn't send kids to the hospital (often), but they can spread the virus to others who didn't visit the park.

The science I'm following will also tell you that there's millions of people who haven't been vaccinated, who will lie and walk around maskless. The science will tell you that these same people can and will contract COVID-19 by doing reckless things like going to a theme park and sitting next to another unvaxxed person at an attraction like Bourne who is also not wearing a mask. This was true in 2020, and it's true in 2021.

One of the great things we learned in 2020 is that social distancing and masks helped reduce the spread of COVID-19. It's as if this is now out the window because of access to vaccines.

 

[Brian G.]

The average new cases of COVID-19 this week in May 2020: around 20,000.
The average new cases of COVID-19 this week in 2021: around 20,000.

We're still in a pandemic. Just because we're in a better place doesn't mean we're in a good place.

And, it's not that I'm worried about kids. Yes, covid doesn't send kids to the hospital (often), but they can spread the virus to others who didn't visit the park.

Its not apples to apples though. In 2020, those numbers were rising exponentially. In 2021, its declining steadily.

 

[RFRees]

Its not apples to apples though. In 2020, those numbers were rising exponentially. In 2021, its declining steadily.

We both agree, we're not out of the woods, but we may be soon.

But to me that means businesses should be responsible enough to help us get out of the woods sooner, not slow us down.

Don't get me wrong, I'm healthy and fully vaxxed. I've gone to Universal a dozen times since the pandemic and I'll probably go again soonish. I just wish they were forcing these liars to wear masks indoors.

 

[graspthesun]

Don't forget that in May 2020, most states and cities were still under heavy restrictions and now the restrictions are mostly gone.

As much as we want to believe that Universal should be keeping us healthy, they're a subsidiary of Comcast, a publicly traded company. Publicly traded companies have a legal obligation to maximize shareholder value and they can only do that by hitting the gas as hard as they can as soon as they feel it's not going to backfire on them.

 

[RFRees]

Don't forget that in May 2020, most states and cities were still under heavy restrictions and now the restrictions are mostly gone.

As much as we want to believe that Universal should be keeping us healthy, they're a subsidiary of Comcast, a publicly traded company. Publicly traded companies have a legal obligation to maximize shareholder value and they can only do that by hitting the gas as hard as they can as soon as they feel it's not going to backfire on them.

Exactly. They made a calculated decision. They said, screw the pandemic, screw the people who are hesitant, we need to make money. There's no legal repercussions. I 100% agree.

The only thing they'll see are a few tweets and emails who are angry about their decision to lift all precautions this early.

Keep in mind though that Disney is in the same boat but decided to do things differently.

 

[Mad Dog]

Touring Plans is reporting that Disney has started removing distancing markers from WDW this past weekend.

 

[Jerroddragon]

Fingers crossed by June 15th, USH will follow the same
Rides fully loaded and only masks inside

 

[shiekra38]

ready to enjoy my vacation.

You monster

 

[graspthesun]

Exactly. They made a calculated decision. They said, screw the pandemic, screw the people who are hesitant, we need to make money. There's no legal repercussions. I 100% agree.

The only thing they'll see are a few tweets and emails who are angry about their decision to lift all precautions this early.

Keep in mind though that Disney is in the same boat but decided to do things differently.

If we were still seeing a shortage in vaccine supply and people didn't have the option to get vaccinated, I would 100% agree with you, but we're at a point where risk for most people is completely in their control. If people are making plans to take vacation and not making plans to protect themselves before they go on vacation and refusing to follow guidance to wear masks if they're unvaccinated when they are still encouraged to do so, it's on them. If I'm not mistaken, Universal as well as many airlines and hotels are still being flexible with booking vacations while these restrictions are lifting.

The vaccines are incredibly effective and are making your risk of contracting COVID-19 in public lower than the risk of contracting the flu.

 

[Jerroddragon]

If we were still seeing a shortage in vaccine supply and people didn't have the option to get vaccinated, I would 100% agree with you, but we're at a point where risk for most people is completely in their control. If people are making plans to take vacation and not making plans to protect themselves before they go on vacation and refusing to follow guidance to wear masks if they're unvaccinated when they are still encouraged to do so, it's on them. If I'm not mistaken, Universal as well as many airlines and hotels are still being flexible with booking vacations while these restrictions are lifting.

The vaccines are incredibly effective and are making your risk of contracting COVID-19 in public lower than the risk of contracting the flu.

Agreed, everyone going are adults or Kids which the CDC doesn't see as at risk if they get it

So we can't keep closing the Country for people who can get it but refuse.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

All the hotels, parks, restaurants down here did everything they can to protect you, it's now up to you to get vaccinated and protect yourself.

 

[USO92]

All the hotels, parks, restaurants down here did everything they can to protect you, it's now up to you to get vaccinated and protect yourself.

And this essentially sums up my thoughts as well. Regardless if you ascribe to the "then don't go" mindset or not, there is still merit to that approach. Living life as it is is an inherent risk - period: pandemic or not. With recent trends, it makes sense that Universal moves in this direction because at the end of the day Universal is a business and they have to make money. They've done what they can and are still offering recommendations. The rest of our "world" as we know it will all be following in these footsteps sooner than later. If you feel the need to protect yourself, then take appropriate measures.

 

[RevFreako]

And this essentially sums up my thoughts as well. Regardless if you ascribe to the "then don't go" mindset or not, there is still merit to that approach. Living life as it is is an inherent risk - period: pandemic or not. With recent trends, it makes sense that Universal moves in this direction because at the end of the day Universal is a business and they have to make money. They've done what they can and are still offering recommendations. The rest of our "world" as we know it will all be following in these footsteps sooner than later. If you feel the need to protect yourself, then take appropriate measures.

I'd agree with this if our choices only affected us. As Matt Dillahunty puts it, "I don't know how to tell you to care about others."

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I'd agree with this if our choices only affected us. As Matt Dillahunty puts it, "I don't know how to tell you to care about others."

Wouldn't getting the vaccine classify as caring for others? I don't know what else you could possibly do.