Hundreds of employees at two Disney Springs restaurants will be laid off in August, according to notices filed with the state of Florida.
Levy Restaurants informed the state that changes will affect 271 of its employees at the Disney Springs eateries Paddlefish and Terralina Crafted Italian. 143 positions will be eliminated entirely while the remaining 128 employees will have their hours reduced by 50 percent or more beginning August 1.
The layoffs will be largely focused on servers, with 58 losing their jobs between the two restaurants. Another 30 servers will see their hours cut. The reason behind the job losses is obvious: the COVID-19 pandemic.
“While terminations are permanent, all terminated team members have been invited to apply for future employment as positions become available when business levels return following the pandemic,” wrote Ann Klerman, senior director of human resources at Levy Restaurants.
SeaWorld Orlando hosting fireworks July 3-5 with physical distancing
The coronavirus pandemic won’t stop SeaWorld from hosting Fourth of July fireworks — in fact, the parks will be lighting up the sky three nights in a row.
The fireworks displays hosted at SeaWorld from July 3-5 will be different from years’ past, with spaced seating, new viewing locations and additional exits being opened to allow guests to remain safely physically distant.
“Guest safety is our foremost priority and to be able to maintain safe physical distancing while still providing amazing vantage points of the fireworks presentation, we have re-configured the annual fireworks display to be viewable from multiple locations,” SeaWorld Orlando park president Kyle Miller said in a press release. “We are committed to creating a safe environment for our guests so they can spend a memorable, fun and enjoyable holiday weekend with us.”
The fireworks will be included with regular admission to SeaWorld Orlando, though the park is requiring advance reservations for entry to control crowds.
Bourne Stuntacular officially opens at Universal Orlando on June 30
The new Bourne Stuntacular stunt show at Universal Orlando will end its technical rehearsal period on June 30.
Taking the place of Terminator 2: 3-D at Universal Studios Florida, the show based off the Jason Bourne film series features “including an immense LED screen and high-tech props….incredible live performers executing extreme stunts at heights up to 22 feet, and practical effects that will have guests feeling gusts of wind and the heat of explosive flames,” according to Universal.
Fans who haven’t been back to the theme parks since they reopened can see a sneak peek of the show on Universal’s YouTube channel at 7 p.m. eastern time on Monday.
As one of the few indoor theater shows at Universal Orlando, the Bourne Stuntacular is playing to smaller crowds to allow for physical distancing between groups. Guests are also required to wear a face mask while watching the show.
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