UniversalParksBlog News for January 8th, 2022

by David Mumpower · January 7, 2022

Universal Orlando Resort just changed its face mask policy…again

We have news on that, a new transportation option to and from the airport, and a sign that a popular attraction may return soon. Here’s the latest UniversalParksBlog News!

Image Credit: Universal

Here We Go Again…

I probably don’t even need to tell you this. After all, you’ve spent the holidays hearing about the topic a lot. Alas, the purpose of these articles is to inform. So, the subject has turned unavoidable once again.

COVID-19 has returned in force after a lull of several weeks. Unfortunately, the latest strain, Omicron, has proven highly contagious.

Photo: Universal Orlando

For this reason, Universal theme parks around the world have faced almost overnight adjustments in their park behaviors. I mentioned this during the last article, but the situation has devolved since then.

To wit, Florida has returned to reporting cases daily after a recent awkward headline. Weekly COVID-19 infections increased a staggering 415 percent.

Photo: The Apopka Voice

Friends, that’s not even the worst part. The number of new infections on that date was 32,869.Last Thursday, Florida confirmed 46,293 new cases, a record since the start of the pandemic.

Only 24 hours later, Florida broke that record…by 66 percent. The state reported 77,848 new cases. I’m clinging to the positive here that Omicron hasn’t caused symptoms as severe as the Delta, but the Delta strain remains a factor as well.

So, unvaccinated people remain at risk of serious illness or worse. Meanwhile, vaccinated people can get COVID-19 as well.

Sometimes, the cases prove serious for them, too. This turn of events has caused Florida and California hospitals to face an influx of new patients.

That’s the scariest part of this sudden increase. Hospital beds max out. Then, we have a problem with treating the sick.

For this reason, the entire country has just reevaluated its current set of pandemic policies. Yes, that includes Universal Studios.

Universal Studios Hollywood Changes

California acted first. Universal Studios Hollywood only reopened eight months ago. Nobody wanted to risk another closure. So, park officials added more stringent policies to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks.

Universal Studios Hollywood already required guests 12 and up to show a negative COVID test before entering the park. Now that kids ages 5-12 can receive their vaccine shots, Universal has changed its age requirements.

Photo: Fine Art America

Now, everyone aged five or above must present a negative COVID test. Also, the test must qualify under FDA or WHO guidelines. COVID-19 home tests won’t work.

Obviously, this policy has negatively impacted attendance during the holidays. Still, the crowds remain large enough to keep the park open.

Photo: County10.com

More importantly, this new update brings Universal Studios Hollywood in line with LA County’s Public Health Order.

For the time being, park officials are holding their breath that they don’t have to shut down again. I never in a million years would have thought that possible. Then, the United States set the (dubious) world record for most reported cases in one day:

BREAKING: U.S. reports 587,564 new coronavirus cases, setting world record

— BNO News (@BNOFeed) December 31, 2021

Yeah, that’s not great. It kept plenty of people home for New Year’s Eve, too, although probably not as many as we’d all like.

Universal Orlando Resort Update

Photo:NY Post

Here’s the wild part of the story. Florida’s governor has led the charge against pandemic health measures. As such, Universal Orlando Resort’s management team had no reason to fear a park closure.

While Orange County, Florida, could have done something (and still might), the state’s leadership would have tried to stop such behavior. We’ve had the same weird political struggle for nearly two years now.

Photo: The Associated Press

This time, Universal’s Orlando team moved proactively. It updated face-covering policies…on Christmas Eve, no less!

According to the Orlando Sentinel, “The mask policy applies to all guests and team members regardless of vaccination status and includes restaurants, shops and indoor hotel public areas.”

Photo:Orlandoweekly.com

In other words, when you want to visit Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, or even the official Universal hotels, you must mask up. Universal added that you must wear face-coverings in line queues as well. In other words, you’ll have your mask on during almost your entire park visit.

The timing on this proved less than ideal. Christmas Week vacationers never saw this coming, and I honestly didn’t either.

Credit: Universal

Thankfully, the holiday mood at the parks remained festive. No significant incidents occurred between park staff and disgruntled park guests.

Nobody’s sure how long this more restrictive face mask rule will last, but data from other countries provides some hope. Omicron’s waves have proven quicker and less devastating thus far. We’re all rooting for that trend to hold in the United States.

Other Universal Park Updates

Photo: Disney

Some Walt Disney World news will impact your next Universal Studios visit.

Disney has ended the Magical Express program, creating a vacuum in the local airport transportation industry. Now, two competitors will arise.

We already knew about Mears Connect, which was Magical Express by a different name anyway.

Under the Mears brand, it opened on January 1^st. This service hasn’t indicated a Universal itinerary, though. Conversely, the new kid on the block is The Sunshine Flyer, a fleet of buses themed as trains.

This service WILL transport guests to and from Universal Orlando Resort. So, the ending of Magical Express has somehow provided Universal with better transportation options!

The other park news of note involves Poseidon’s Fury. Painting and other superficial work has started around this attraction.

Photo:uofanguide.com

Also, Taylor and Professor Baxter are appearing near the construction walls. Of course, they wouldn’t do that unless Poseidon’s Fury is returning soon. Expect an announcement soon!

Happy New Year, everyone!