The first guests back to Universal Orlando hotels will also get an early visit to the resort’s theme park ahead of its June 5 public reopening. 

Universal announced Friday that on June 2, six of its eight on-site hotels will reopen:

Guests staying in those hotels will be able to visit Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay on June 3 and 4. 

Two Universal hotels, Loews Portofino Bay Resort and the new Dockside Inn & Suites, will not be available to book until an unspecified later date. 

“Guests who have booked reservations at these two hotels through Universal Orlando or Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations will be contacted to modify their reservation if it has been affected,” Universal said in its press release. 

Like the theme parks, the resort will have a number of new policies in place to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Guests and employees will be required to wear face masks in public areas. Temperature checks will also be required, while hotel employees will step up sanitation procedures while limiting capacity at dining locations. 

Guests are also being asked to evaluate their own risk for the new coronavirus before visiting. 

“Any interaction with the general public poses an elevated risk of being exposed to COVID-19 and Universal cannot guarantee guests will not be exposed during their visit,” Universal states on its website. 

Gov. DeSantis approves Disney World, SeaWorld reopening plans

It took more time than Universal Orlando’s approval, but Gov. Ron DeSantis has given Disney World and SeaWorld Orlando the go-ahead to reopen. 

SeaWorld, Discovery Cove and Aquatica Orlando will reopen to the public on June 11, with an employee preview on June 10. Disney World’s parks will reopen later, starting with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11 and then Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15, though some previews prior to the date are in the works. 

Both parks have a series of new safeguards in place to address the COVID-19 virus, including requiring guests to wear face masks. Disney has quietly changed its standards, now requiring all guests ages 2 and up, down from 3 years old. 

For Disney World annual passholders, the new reservation system required for park entry will limit how often they can use their passes. 

“During the limited capacity period, it may be difficult for Annual Passholders to get park reservations to visit on certain dates,” Disney says on its website. “To help manage capacity, total reservation days held at one time will be limited. More details will be shared in the coming weeks.”

The Wheel at Icon Park reopening on June 3

International Drive’s The Wheel at Icon Park will reopen on June 3, joining neighboring attractions like Sea Life Aquarium and Madame Tussauds Orlando.

The 400-foot-tall observation wheel formerly known as the Orlando Eye was among the last Orlando attractions to close on March 22.  

“We’re excited guests can once again enjoy the best view of the City Beautiful from The Wheel,” “Chris Jaskiewicz, Icon Park president and CEO, said in a press release.

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