UniversalParksBlog News for November 22nd, 2021
Universal Studios has new leadership at the top for the first time in, well, ever.
We’ll talk about that, another face-covering policy update, the parks’ holiday offerings, and more in the latest UniversalParksBlog News.
Mask Rules Change Again
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) set Universal Orlando Resort down an unexpected path a few days ago. An update to the site changed Florida and Orange County’s COVID-19 community transmission status to Moderate, and that’s a big deal.
According to CDC guidelines, any area in the Moderate range doesn’t require indoor face mask usage for vaccinated people. The language of this declaration indicates that unvaccinated people should still mask up. Everyone else is free to skip masks, even indoors.
Photo:yahoo.com
Last week, Universal updated its policy. Vaccinated workers no longer need to wear masks anywhere. I’m talking about indoors, outdoors, behind the scenes, or when talking directly to customers.
Deciding how to enforce this policy wasn’t challenging, either. Universal had previously moved proactively here. The company had required workers to update the company on vaccination status. So, it already knows who qualifies here.
That makes the process simple for declaring who can and can’t avoid the mask requirement. Anyone who got vaccinated could stop masking up as of November 17th. We’re already seeing plenty of interactions with mask-less employees, even with characters like the Grinch.
Since Universal Studios Hollywood resides in a different state, it hasn’t updated its policies yet.
This change applies solely to Universal Orlando Resort. Also, the option remains to wear a mask if vaccinated employees feel safer that way.
The Holidays Have Arrived
Credit: Universal
When you visit a Universal Studios theme park, you can’t help but notice that the holidays have arrived. In Orlando, the Awesomest Celebration of the Season returned with full-fledged offerings this year rather than 2020’s modified ones.
If you love the Grinch and his Grinchmas offerings, you’re gonna love the holiday season in 2021.
Universal has upgraded the Grinchmas Who-liday location to the old Blue Man Group show’s location. So, it’s more spacious and features better sound.
The Grinch is hosting character greetings with guests at Seuss Landing as well. If it bothers you, please be aware that workers rarely mask up when they play the Grinch.
Here’s a video of the Who-liday show:
Meanwhile, at Universal Orlando CityWalk, you’ll find the temporary holiday village of Mistletoe Pines. This is the second-best place to go for holiday snacks, drinks, and merchandise. But the BEST place to go is the Holiday Tribute Store.
Universal has decked this place out with holiday decorations and gone all-in on Earl the Squirrel to boot. Take a look:
You’ll also find plenty of holiday food menus at various counter service restaurants and kiosks.
Still, the one thing you don’t want to miss is at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The Magic of Christmas is once again lighting up Hogwarts Castle each night. Gaze upon its beauty:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7Zf-SIEYqE
Also, annual passholder perks are now active at Universal Orlando Resort. Much of it isn’t free, though. Instead, you’ll be one of the few people with the opportunity to purchase exclusive food and merchandise available only to passholders.
I’ve focused more on Orlando here, but please be aware that Universal Studios Hollywood extended its holiday celebration until January 9th. So that’s one more week of yuletide bliss!
Universal Changes at the Top and Wins Awards
Photo: Universal Parks and Resorts
Quick! Name the CEO of Universal Parks and Resorts before Tom Williams. Don’t worry. It’s a trick question because you can’t do it. Williams has held this position since the inception of Universal Studios.
Yes, when the Universal Studios Florida project began in 1988, Williams led it. He became President of the park in 1990 and then Chairman and CEO in 1999.
After 33 years at the top of the food chain, Williams is finally ready to take a bow as he will retire from the park on March 16th, 2022.
Photo: Universal Parks and Resorts
Universal has announced his replacement, Mark Woodbury, who will lead the parks starting on March 17th, 2022. Woodbury’s current title is Vice Chairman and President of Universal Creative. He’s also been a loyal associate of Williams almost all along.
The executive has more than 30 years of experience with Universal already, which means that his tenure won’t last as long as Williams’s did.
The ascension of Woodbury is interesting because his strength is in planning and building new theme parks. And what’s right around the corner for Universal?
Yep, I’m talking about Epic Universe. So, Woodbury’s promotion enhances that project.
In other Universal news, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) just announced its annual awards, the THEAs.
Universal fared very well, winning best Theme Park Land for Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan.
Photo: geekvsfan.com
Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge has also won for Technical Innovation, one of the biggest prizes at the THEAs.
Universal wasn’t done there, either. The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash! also won for Outstanding Attraction.The Japanese park also won for Most Creative Christmas Show with its offering, The Crystal Promise.
So, Tom Williams is going out on a high!
Universal Miscellany
Photo: Universal Orlando
As usual, the water rides at Universal Studios will close for winter maintenance soon. Park officials just announced the schedule.Jurassic Park River Adventure will close first, undergoing renovations from January 10th through the 28th.
Three days after that attraction returns, Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls will close from January 31st through February 25th.
Source: Universal Orlando
Finally, Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges goes on hiatus from February 25th through March 18th.
While we’re talking about winter weather and the parks, you may have noticed that Volcano Bay has had a tumultuous month.
Photo: Universal Orlando Resort
The water park either closed early or never opened on several dates. This happened due to unusual cold spells in Florida and a lack of demand for water parks during the pandemic.
Speaking of updates, Universal Orlando CityWalk has closed The Grove, which currently has construction walls all around it. Right now, you cannot find anybody who thinks The Grove will come back, but Universal has surprised us before.
Photo: Universal
In other news, Fast & Furious: Supercharged reopened a few days later than planned. Despite speculation to the contrary, there wasn’t much difference. Ah well.
Finally, the story I’ll discuss more next time comes a park survey. During a conversation about Universal Express Pass, the company snuck in a shocker.
Photo: Facebook/ universal
The survey asked for opinions on locations and amenities at an upcoming resort. Yes, Universal is testing the waters on a planned hotel near Epic Universe!
Oddly, none of the survey options were closer than 10 minutes from the planned park, though. So, that’s what we’ll examine in a future article.
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Feature Image:Instagram/Universalorlando
