The Unofficial Guide to a Socially Distanced Universal Orlando: Resort Hotels

So, you’ve just had a full day enjoying the rides, shows, characters, and restaurants of the reopened Universal Orlando Resort, and now you need a safe spot to spend the night? Make yourself at home, as we continue our Unofficial Guide to a Socially Distanced Universal Orlando with a look at how the on-site resort hotels have adapted to the coronavirus era.

Before planning your Universal Orlando Resort hotel stay, be aware that Florida Governor DeSantis has directed all individuals entering the state of Florida from the New York Tri-State Area (Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York) to isolate or quarantine for a period of 14 days. Read more about the state’s travel restrictions here.

All guests entering Universal’s on-site hotels will have their temperature taken upon arrival and before using the resort transportation system to visit the parks. Hotel guests who pass the temperature check will receive a wristband good for the rest of the day and will not need to be rechecked again until the following day. (Wristband colors change daily, so they can’t be reused.)

Guests who register a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher will not be allowed to check in until receiving medical clearance, but the rest of their party will be allowed to check in. If you run a fever after checking in, you’ll be required to seek medical attention and self-quarantine; your traveling companions may be moved to another room and allowed to continue their vacation as long as they pass their temperature checks.

Guests ages 2 and older and employees are required to wear face coverings at all times while in hotel public areas, including in the lobby and while using resort transportation. Masks are not required while dining or drinking, at the pool, or inside guest rooms.

Social distancing will be promoted in public areas by blocking off some furniture, disabling self-service touch-screen kiosks, and placing markers on the floors.

Universal’s upgrading cleaning measures include leaving guest rooms vacant for 24-48 hours upon checkout for cleaning, wherever possible. You’ll see nonstop sanitation of high-contact surfaces (think telephones, remote controls, door handles, and light switches) throughout the hotel, along with social distancing reminder signs and hand sanitizer stations in public areas and elevator landings.

Guests can reduce their contact with hotel staff by using texting services, express checkout, and contactless room deliveries.

Some hotel amenities—including food and beverage service, pools, and fitness centers—might have limited hours in order to comply with stepped-up sanitation schedules.

For example, at Cabana Bay Beach Resort, only one of the two pool complexes may be open during certain times.

Early Park Admission and Universal Express benefits will still be available to hotel guests, who are provided priority park admission in case capacity caps are reached.

Resort water taxis and shuttle buses will operate as usual, but reduced seating capacity and frequent cleaning means your wait time might increase. Walking paths around the resort will still be open.

For all there is to see and do at Universal Orlando, check out The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando. 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.