10 Things to Know About Universal Orlando During COVID

Tips for Travel to Universal Orlando During the COVID-19 Pandemic

A lot has changed at Universal Orlando in response to the global pandemic. These are my top ten tips to help you plan your trip to Universal Orlando during COVID, updated frequently to reflect the evolution of policies and procedures.

This post was last updated on February 14, 2022.

These are the show notes for Go Informed Podcast episode 51. Click below to hear the show now, or search for Go Informed: Build A Better Vacation on your favorite podcast app!

Listen to my 2022 theme park update episode of the Go Informed Podcast here

Tip 1: Follow The Rules

Universal has implemented a lot of rules to help keep everyone safe. Be sure to get familiar with the requirements well before your visit. Your best resource for the complete rules and procedures will always be Universal’s official website.

In addition to Universal’s rules, make sure your state or country does not fall under a travel or self-quarantine restriction from the State of Florida.

Tip 2: You may need to wear a mask

Mask policies have varied a lot since Universal Orlando re-opened in the summer of 2020, and Universal will often make a change with very little notice. Current policy is that masks are optional for all guests, and encouraged for unvaccinated guests when indoors. Watch Universal’s website to be sure the requirement hasn’t changed before your visit.

Universal is requiring all unvaccinated employees to wear face coverings indoors.

Here’s a great post from Disney Dream Co. with some excellent tips about wearing a mask at the parks.

60-Second Universal Orlando Quick Guide

Tip 3: No Park Reservation Required at Universal Orlando

Unlike Disney, Universal does not require advance reservations to get into any of the Orlando theme parks. All you need is a park ticket or annual pass.

If you’re also planning to visit Disney World, you will need advance park reservations there. Be sure to read this post before planning your visit to the Disney World parks.

Tip 4: Capacity may be Limited

Universal officials have confirmed that park capacity is now operating at 100%. This means everyone with a ticket should be able to enter.

You may encounter capacity limitations on some attractions and shows, and it still really pays to get there early and consider an Express Pass. Be sure to review all my touring tips here before you go.

How do you know when the parks will be crowded? Universal’s date-based ticket pricing can provide a big clue. If your park tickets are at the top end of the pricing that means Universal is expecting a full house. Paradoxically, Disney can also predict when Universal will max out on capacity.

Busy at Disney World means busy at Universal Orlando

Disney World’s park reservation calendar is also a very good indicator for Universal Orlando attendance. Even if you don’t plan to visit Disney World on your trip, it’s a good idea to find out whether those parks will max out on capacity during your dates. You can view the Disney park reservation availability here.

If the Disney parks are full you’ll know that there’s a lot of theme park visitors in Orlando on that date. Many of them will also be heading to Universal, so be sure to have some tactics to beat the crowds.

You can learn more about how Disney is operating during COVID-19 in this post.

Every Universal Orlando hotel is now open

These are the Universal Orlando hotels that are currently operating and taking reservations:

• Portofino Bay Hotel
• Hard Rock Orlando
• Royal Pacific Resort
• Cabana Bay Beach Resort
• Aventura Resort
• Sapphire Falls Resort
• Endless Summer – Dockside Inn

Tip 5: Availability is Limited

Along with lower capacity, a lot of things at Universal Orlando will have limited availability. This means dining options, hotel amenities, and a lot of the stuff you usually take for granted when you travel. So be sure to make dining reservations before you go. And check the website for your hotel to be aware of limitations on amenities like pool and gym access.

Another thing to be aware of is that locker capacity at the rides may be limited. To keep everything spaced out and avoid crowding, Universal may de-activate some ride lockers. If you can avoid carrying a bag, purse, or backpack into the park it is highly advised to do so. Or find a locker to stash your stuff and plan to leave it there while you ride multiple attractions.

Otherwise the longest line you stand in all day might be to put your stuff in, or get it out, of a locker.

Tip 6: Not Everything Has Changed

There are a lot of modifications at Universal Orlando right now, but a lot of things are still the same as always, including:

• Express Pass is still available, and still included in your stay at select hotels
• If you stay on-site you get an hour early admission every day
• Most of the rides are operating
• You can still get your favorite treats like butterbeer!
• Characters are available for pictures – just from a six-foot or more distance
• You can still experience most outdoor shows, like the Blues Brothers and Tales of Beedle the Bard
• The evening Cinematic Spectacular that takes place on the lake in Universal Studios Florida has returned on some select nights

Tip 7: Some Things Are Just Not Happening

Almost everything has returned to Universal Orlando, with the exception of parades. Even the wildly popular Halloween Horror Nights returned in 2021, and Mardi Gras is returning in February 2022.

Thinking about a California trip instead? Here’s my detailed comparison of Universal Orlando vs Universal Hollywood.

Tip 8: Get the Official Universal Orlando App

One of the most important things you can do before you head to Orlando is to load the official Universal Orlando app on your phone. Universal is using the app for a bunch of important functions right now and you will need it.

One of the main uses for the app is to get in a “virtual line” for major attractions. This system works a lot like Disney’s FastPass and for some of the attractions this is the only way you’ll be able to ride.

Once you enter a park, or CityWalk, you’ll be able to access the virtual line options in the app. Choose an attraction, then choose the time you’d like to ride. You can have up to two virtual line reservations at a time, and they don’t have to be in the same park. Note that the time on your reservation is the time you’ll be allowed to enter the queue, not the time you’ll be stepping on the ride. Universal’s using this system to keep crowds down in the queues for popular attractions like Hagrid’s Motorbike coaster.

Another use for the app is to mobile order food, so be sure to set up your profile in the app and store your payment info before you leave home.

Tip 9: Be Patient

Theme park touring always requires a lot of patience and flexibility. Take the amount of patience you usually bring to the park and multiply it by a lot. Not only will you have extra challenges, the park staff is working with new procedures under very stressful conditions.

Set your expectations as you probably have throughout the pandemic. Some things will go your way and some won’t. But if you stick to Tip 1 everything should go just fine.

Tip 10: Everything is Subject to Change

Watch Universal’s website for updates and changes. These can happen daily, so make sure you check the latest info even the day before your visit.

And be sure to subscribe to my newsletter so you’ll stay in-the-know as we move forward through 2022. Click here to sign up.

Universal Orlando Re-Opening Video

Want to see what it looked like inside Universal Orlando when it reopened? Here’s a great video tour from Prince Charming Dev.

Additional Resources for Planning Your Trip to Disney World and Universal Orlando

• 55 Things to Know Before You Visit Disney World
• 33 Things to Know Before You Visit Universal Orlando
• Universal Orlando complete hotel guide
• Adding a Visit to Universal Orlando to Your Disney World Trip
• Tips for Disney World During COVID-19

Considering a trip to Hawaii in 2021? Click here for my tips for Hawaii travel during COVID-19

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Looking for a good guidebook? I highly recommend The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando.

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