Universal's "Getting Closer to Normal" Guidelines

[Mad Dog]

For reference, Orange County technically hit "Phase 2" today which includes dropping masks outdoors and physical distancing being dropped to "encouraged":

Yes, that's the expectation I was referring to in my earlier post. Figured it would be reached today or early next week.

 

[Tbad556]

Another small change:

 

[Freak]

At this rate by the time I go in June, I hopefully won’t have to worry about keeping a mask on while going on VelociCoaster in the brutal heat. Thrilled to hear the updated guidelines.

 

[Magic Feather]

IMO, this was done ~3 weeks too early

 

[HandsomePete]

Coming to Springfield tomorrow:

Hopefully someone shows up in a bath robe and bear slippers.

IMO, this was done ~3 weeks too early

Correct - the CDC guidance was for vaccinated individuals. So practically nobody under 16 and definitely nobody under 12.... never mind the adults who haven’t gotten it.

 

[Captain Tragedy]

Just in time for my trip next week with, hopefully, a ride or two on velocicoaster. Awesome! Fully vaxxed here, so im not losing any sleep over masks not being required outside.

 

[shiekra38]

Well I'm jumping into it tomorrow...I scheduled it two weeks ago with friends and it's the only time we can go

I'll let everyone know how it goes, but I'm sure Twitter will be full of pics

 

[wizwit]

Have the onsite hotels announced any changes?

 

[Skold]

Crazy timing, our stay starts Sunday! I love it because we are all vaxxed, but I wonder how many arguments I'll get in with people in queues (since it seems that it will be more difficult for TMs to enforce).

 

[Mad Dog]

NY Times today; An in depth behind the scenes story on the CDC decision.....Why the CDC Changed It's Advice on Masks: "Two scientific findings altered the calculus: Vaccinated people don't transmit the virus
and shots are effective against the variants'".....A very good read if you can get past the Times pay wall.

 

[Tobias]

Have the onsite hotels announced any changes?

Essentially the same as the parks. Indoor areas (except for your room, of course.) still require a mask, while any outdoor public areas no longer require one.

 

[shiekra38]

NY Times today; An in depth behind the scenes story on the CDC decision.....Why the CDC Changed It's Advice on Masks: "Two scientific findings altered the calculus: Vaccinated people don't transmit the virus
and shots are effective against the variants'".....A very good read if you can get past the Times pay wall.

Yeah these are very good and huge findings!

Science strikes again

 

[ReelJustice]

NY Times today; An in depth behind the scenes story on the CDC decision.....Why the CDC Changed It's Advice on Masks: "Two scientific findings altered the calculus: Vaccinated people don't transmit the virus
and shots are effective against the variants'".....A very good read if you can get past the Times pay wall.

Louder for those who missed it or willfully ignore it...

 

[RFRees]

I think there's going to be a lot of confusion, namely people are not going to realize:

• Fully vaccinated means being two weeks past the final shot.
• Businesses still have the right to deny service for not wearing a mask.

 

[Nick]

I think there's going to be a lot of confusion, namely people are not going to realize:

• Fully vaccinated means being two weeks past the final shot.
• Businesses still have the right to deny service for not wearing a mask.

It's going to be real tough for anywhere in Florida to enforce mask wearing going forward considering all the big players are taking this stance. And i'm not just talking theme parks, but places like Wal-Mart, Publix, Trader Joe's, etc as well. Private companies obviously have the right to enforce their own rules, but it just became a lot tougher.

 

[HalfGlass]

I’m at Animal Kingdom right now (Disney also lifted the mandate) and it is so nice seeing smiling faces around the park! Most people are not wearing masks when walking around here and you don’t need a mask in the queue if it extends out past the entrance. After that you need to comply.

Heading to Universal solo this afternoon to check out how it looks, DM me to let me know if you’re there and want to say hi (as long as you’re vaccinated)!

 

[RFRees]

I’m at Animal Kingdom right now (Disney also lifted the mandate) and it is so nice seeing smiling faces around the park! Most people are not wearing masks when walking around here and you don’t need a mask in the queue if it extends out past the entrance. After that you need to comply.

Interesting, Universal is enforcing masks in queues, even extended (eg Hagrids).

Edit: to clarify, TMs asking guests to put on masks to get into the Hagrids extended queue in Lost Continent.

 

[Tbad556]

Interesting, Universal is enforcing masks in queues, even extended (eg Hagrids).

Gonna go out on a limb and assume:

"extended past the entrance" = technically an outdoor common space
"extended queue" = technically within the confines of the "attraction space"

Though it's also going to come down to how hard TMs/CMs want to fight what has already been a constant and exhausting battle for them.

 

[HalfGlass]

Interesting, Universal is enforcing masks in queues, even extended (eg Hagrids).

This is such a new policy I expect changes on either Disney or Universal’s part in the extended common area queues. Personally I see Universal becoming more lax like Disney than the other way around.

 

[RFRees]

Gonna go out on a limb and assume:

"extended past the entrance" = technically an outdoor common space
"extended queue" = technically within the confines of the "attraction space"

Though it's also going to come down to how hard TMs/CMs want to fight what has already been a constant and exhausting battle for them.

Seems about right. I assume there's lines you might wait in which are not technically an attraction queue. I assume Disney is still asking guests to wear masks once they are in an official "queue"? Eg the Frozen queue which extends over to China at Epcot.