During the same meeting where Walt Disney Word announced intentions to begin reopening its theme parks starting on July 11, SeaWorld Orlando announced its intention to welcome guests back inside its gates on June 11, a full month ahead of the Mouse.
On May 27, SeaWorld Orlando interim CEO Marc Swanson presented his company’s theme park reopening proposals to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force, which approved their plans and passed them along to the county mayor and governor for final approval. SeaWorld wants to reopen its Orlando theme park, as well as the Aquatica and Discovery Cove water parks, on June 11, with an employee-only soft opening on June 10.
Like Disney and Universal Orlando, SeaWorld will be conducting temperature checks on all employees and guests, as well as requiring everyone over the age of 2 to wear face coverings.
SeaWorld will employ enhanced sanitation measures, encourage mobile food ordering and cashless payments, and eliminate some interactive entertainment.
Finger scans will be eliminated at the turnstiles, and restaurants will use disposable menus and prepackaged utensils, while buffets will be suspended. Signage and barriers will promote social distancing throughout the parks, including at animal exhibits.
At the attractions, single rider queues will be closed, modified seating arrangements will put space between parties, and hand sanitizer will be offered before boarding and after riding. Character meet-and-greets will be modified into socially distanced photo ops, and some parade elements will be removed.
At SeaWorld’s water parks, slide and pool capacity will be limited, unrelated parties won’t be grouped together on rafts, and lounge chairs will be spaced farther apart.
Stay tuned for more details on SeaWorld Orlando’s reopening plans as they are released. To plan your family’s trip to Orlando, check out The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids 2020. If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to our YouTube channel and sign up for our newsletter here. Be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
