Florida starts to look towards reopening after the COVID-19 stay-at-home order closed of all theme parks, restaurants and many hotel/resorts. The Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force met earlier today to discuss guidelines and mandates for a safe phased reopening for theme parks, restaurants and hotels. (see full video)

There was no discussion of when Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World and other Central Florida theme parks would reopen. Each park will make its own decision of when it will reopen.

Below are the guidelines and mandates for opening Orange County theme parks, restaurants and hotels.

Theme Parks

This section was broken out into small and large theme parks, however, the guidelines and mandates looked to be the same for both at this time.

Theme Park Guidelines

  • Tape marking 6 feet apart in ride/attraction queues
  • Staff to regularly wipe down surfaces at random
  • Phase 1 & 2: Staff who are 65+ are encouraged to stay home

Theme Park Mandates

  • All employees required to wear face masks
  • Touchless hand sanitizer at each ticketing entry and turnstile
  • Touchless hand sanitizer at each ride/attraction entry and exit
  • Temperature checks for staff prior to shift (temperature above 100.4 may not enter premises)
  • All employees with flu-like symptoms advised to stay at home
  • Wipe down all railings and surfaces after every use
  • Phase 1: 50% capacity
  • Phase 2: 75% capacity
Florida Reopening Guidelines for the Theme Parks, Hotels, and Restaurants Announced 2
Touchless hand sanitizer at Disney World Turnstiles

Hotels and Resorts

Hotels and Resorts Guidelines

  • Phase 1: Housekeeping services to be limited and allow for minimal guest and employee exposure
  • Phase 1: Promote, if available, mobile check-in
  • Phase 1: Housekeeping services only clean upon request, or when guests depart
  • Phase 1: Allow employees to work from home if not playing a critical role in serving guests
  • Phase 1: Only deliver room service to the guest’s door
  • Phase 1: Provide self-parking
  • Promote social distancing for all guests and staff
  • Recommended touchless sanitizer at entry
  • Increase cleaning services/additional sanitation services through cleaning companies
  • Phase 1 & 2: Staff who are 65+ are encouraged to stay home

Hotels and Resorts Mandates

  • All employees required to wear facemasks
  • Hand sanitizer at the entry to be in plain visible sight
  • Temperature checks for staff prior to shift (temperature above 100.4 must not enter premises)
  • All employees with flu-like symptoms advised staying home
  • Front desk to sanitize themselves on a regular basis
  • Consistent cleaning of all guest areas
  • Front desk to utilize sneeze-guards
  • Remove all service items in guest rooms to include glassware, coffee cups, etc.
  • Minibars not to be stocked
  • Do no offer self food services
  • Space pool furniture according to distancing guidelines
  • Pool gates and pool chairs to be sanitized regularly
  • Door handles, elevator button and railing to be sanitized regularly
  • Remove all coffee makers from guest rooms
  • Remove all guest collateral items, except for those that are single-use
  • Sanitize guest keys before and after each use
  • Sanitize bell carts after each use
  • Phase 1 & 2: No conferences
Florida Reopening Guidelines for the Theme Parks, Hotels, and Restaurants Announced 3
Saratoga Springs Resort

Restaurants

For restaurants inside of the theme parks, we assume they will need to follow both the guidelines and mandates above for theme parks as well as the guidelines and mandates below. (same is true for restaurants inside hotels and resorts).

Restaurant Guidelines

  • Paper/disposable menus
  • Encourage takeout/online orders
  • Touchless sanitizer at entry
  • Phase 1 & 2: Staff who are 65+ are encouraged to stay home

Restaurant Mandates

  • Hand sanitizer at every table
  • Hand sanitizer at the entry to be in plain visible sight
  • All employees required to wear facemasks
  • Temperature checks for staff prior to shift (temperature above 100.4 must not enter premises)
  • All employees with flu-like symptoms advised to stay home
  • Doors to be wiped regularly
  • All staff behind counters must wear gloves (except for bartenders)
  • Bartenders to sanitize hands after making each drink order
  • Seated tables to be six feet apart
  • Phase 1: Limit restaurant and bar capacity to 50%
  • Phase 2: Limit restaurant and bar capacity to 75%
Florida Reopening Guidelines for the Theme Parks, Hotels, and Restaurants Announced 4
Disney Springs

When Will Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World Reopen?

What was not discussed in this meeting was when Universal Studios or Walt Disney World would reopen. These were the guidelines and mandates being set. Each theme park will make its own decision on when to reopen.

While the above is guidelines and mandates, each theme park may choose to implement additional safety procedures upon their reopening.

One thing we can say for sure is a day at Disney will be completely different after COVID-19.

Full Video Of The Meeting

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