It might be 2020, but it's still Christmas week at Orlando's theme parks. And that means parks filling to capacity.
Granted, because of this year's pandemic, that capacity is only about 35 percent of normal operations. But the Universal Orlando theme parks are hitting that new cap, closing the gates at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure this morning for the fourth day in a row.
Today, December 22nd at 10:15 am, Universal Studios Florida & Islands of Adventure have reached capacity. We anticipate reopening later this afternoon. For updates, please call our capacity hotline: 407-817-8317 pic.twitter.com/bQVfmre35U
— Universal Orlando Resort (@UniversalORL) December 22, 2020
Typically, it's the week after Christmas that sees the biggest crowds at the year-round theme parks. But Universal Orlando has been offering a special ticket deal to Florida residents that gave them unlimited admission to USF and IOA through December 24.
That deal has helped Universal to fill its parks to the new capacity on many weekends during the fall, and now it looks like fans are trying to get every last day of use from those tickets before they expire on Thursday.
That said, it's not like rival Walt Disney World is a ghost town this week or anything. Wait times down the road are posting over an hour for many top attractions, too. Disney's theme parks also are running at a 35 percent cap, but Disney is using an advance reservation system for park admissions that helps those parks from having to "close the gates" the way that Universal has been doing.
If you are visiting the Orlando parks this week, we would love to hear in the comments about your experiences.
* * *
We wanted you to read this article before we make our newsletter pitch, unlike so many other websites. If you appreciate that — and our approach to covering theme park news — please sign up for our free, three-times-a-week email newsletter. Thank you.
You calculated 1/10 while “driving past”?
Congrats to Universal. Cash flow is KING.
We can only hope that Universal management sees this as a sign that theme park demand is still there and that they resume work on Epic soon.
My kids haven't been to school in months, here in the Bay we can't eat at restaurants, period, and the nation's hospitals are bursting at the seams with covid patients.
But a theme park is open in Florida. AMERICA: Straight up Dumb!
*le sigh*
@thecolonel: And some folks thinking "sure, California is erupting with cases but that's no reason Disney workers can't be at their jobs!"
I think UO is very smart, by guaranteeing admission to all resort guests it is the only way I would travel from out of state to visit. No way I would travel and have to get a reservation for every day and NOT be able to park hop.
I'm a local passholder. I swung by last night, the 22nd at 6. I've seen the park way busier during spring break. Walked on MIB, ET, Woody the Woodpecker, got dinner at Mels, and watched the lagoon show in 2 hours.
I was also there Sunday from open to close. Lots of social distancing in the line, it feels much safer that going to walmart or publix.
The wait times were estimates. The longest I waited was an hour for hogwarts express, 45 minutes compared to the 160 minute posted time.
I felt bad for Universal, this is where they are supposed to be making $$$$$. It felt empty to be honest, like a weekday crowd.
And the same poster repeatedly calls for closures when NONE have been traced to inside the gates of Universal or Walt Disney World. And let's think of the disaster CA is with overall the most restrictive closures, with our mask mandates (I support), with many schools and colleges not having any in-person classes since March, but here we are in a HUGE surge. CA's huge surge is according to many news articles 80-90% attributed to friends and family meeting indoors... not theme parks, outdoor dining, schools, essential shopping, or various outdoor activities. I really blame much of the surge on people being lonely, bored, having safe meet up places like outdoor eating closed, and lacking trust in various politicians who do not lead by example. Any how, hoping CA reopens zoos, theme parks, and outdoor dining sooner rather than later in 2021 with strict safety protocols.
We were there also (Sun-Wed). So grateful we booked a room at Royal Pacific. Not only for the Express passes, but access to the park when it was "at capacity". The hotel itself and the water taxis to the parks were amazing.
I have to agree that the wait times were inflated. We rode MIB and asked a couple in our car how long they actually waited in "regular" line. They said 10-15 minutes even though posted wait times were 35-40 mins. Got to ride new Hagrid coaster 5 times during our visit. Thanks in part to use of "virtual line" you could reserve on the phone. It was an AMAZING ride.
FWIW, my wife is a nurse and she was very satisfied with the mask enforcement, social distancing in lines, and many other safety measures employed by Universal. It was an awesome experience and we were impressed with how kind and accommodating ALL the Universal employees were.
Even had one team member take us to front of Transformers line (Express line was about 20 mins.). The Dueling Dragons T-shirt I was wearing got his attention and the ensuing conversation got us an unexpected perk. :-)
This article has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.
Considering the circumstances it ridiculous that Universal isn't requiring reservations, even on a normal weekend they still routinely hit capacity. Just seems mean spirited to sell people tickets then they come all the way to Orlando and get pissed off and have to be refunded and find something to do. While obviously you and I know to get there early to make sure you can get in, you really think some bumble**** GP from South Carolina is thinking along those lines?
I was driving past Icon Park the other day and the place was packed with very few people wearing masks, I would guess maybe 1/10 people were wearing masks. So the alternatives are not great lol.