Disney, Universal, SeaWorld Expected To Submit Reopening Plans

ORLANDO, FL — Residents with Florida theme park season passes burning holes in their pockets during the coronavirus pandemic will have to wait a bit longer to use them. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state's major theme parks won't likely begin until June.

Florida’s big three — Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando— are expected to submit reopening plans to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task ForceThursday, the first phase of a multi-pronged approval process.

During his news conference Friday at which he invited theme park operator to submit reopening plans, DeSantis said plans will need to be approved by local officials before being submitted to the state for approval. As a result of this process, he anticipates the reopening of theme parks to begin next month.

“They have to provide how they’re going to do it, how they’re going to accommodate the guests, how they’re going to protect the staff…” DeSantis said. “My goal in all this is let’s keep safety first, but let’s work and innovate to get to ‘yes’ on this stuff."

The parks are also required to provide a tentative reopening date.

"I can’t tell you when this is gonna be," the governor said. "Submit plans for reopening, show us how you’re going to keep staff and people safe, and then have the endorsement of the relative local official or officials in your area. And we’re happy to consider that as we move forward."

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The state's major theme parks have been closed since mid-March.

The Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force, headed by Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings, will be the first body to review reopening plans. The task force is scheduled to meet Thursday at 2 p.m.

The task force includes nearly 50 representatives of hospitals, theme parks, financial institutions, hotels, small businesses and nonprofit economic development agencies, and include representatives from Orange, Lake, Osceola and Seminole counties.

Since it began meeting in April, the task force has been discussing a phased approach to reopening the Central Florida theme parks.

Among the recommendations is to open the theme parks at 50 percent capacity and then increase to 75 percent in a second phase. Proposals also include mandatory face masks and daily temperature checks for employees, touchless hand sanitizer stations at ticketing turnstiles and ride entries and exits and regular disinfecting of railings and other frequently touched surfaces.

Due to the size of the theme parks and the millions of visitors they attract from around the world (Last year, Walt Disney World had 58 million visitors.), DeSantis said the reopening of theme parks will be a slower process than the reopening of zoos, aquariums and smaller attractions throughout the state, many of which are already open.

“When you open a theme park, it’s not like you can just flip a switch and three days later do it. Now they’re going to need a lot of runway to be able to know a date certain,” DeSantis said. “So I’m not saying this is going to happen tomorrow. But I think it is prudent to solicit these plans so that we know the direction that we’re going.”

Additionally, under DeSantis' guidelines, some theme parks will need approval from multiple jurisdictions. Disney World, for example, lies in two cities — Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista — as well as Orange County. SeaWorld Orlando also owns Busch Gardens, located in Tampa.

In the meantime, theme park junkies can get their fix by going on shopping sprees.

CityWalk, Universal Orlando's mega shopping plaza, has reopened, with capacity restrictions.

On Wednesday, Disney World began a phased reopening of its shopping and dining section, Disney Springs. Following the guidance of government and health officials, a limited number of shopping and dining experiences owned by third-party operating participants are open during this initial phase.

Select Disney-owned locations, including World of Disney, are scheduled to open on May 27.

Disney's World's Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom Park and Water Parks remain closed.

Click here to watch the task force meeting live.

See related stories:

• Walt Disney World, Universal FL Will Shut Down Over Coronavirus
• Busch Gardens, SeaWorld To Close After All Due To Coronavirus