What Theme Parks Are Doing to Keep Visitors Safe

The world’s most beloved theme parks all shut their doors to visitors during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that global travel is beginning to open up, those parks are opening their own doors again – with new safety and cleanliness measures in place to ensure the safety of valued visitors from the ongoing spread of the coronavirus.

We have gathered together a quick guide to the measures put in place by some of the theme park destinations most popular with our customers. For more information, and if you’re planning a trip to one of these parks, make sure you read the more detailed guides on the parks’ own websites.

Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris is a beloved destination for people of all ages, from kids to kids at heart. The park closed in mid-March as France went into its lockdown phase. It opened to visitors again on 15/07/2020 with a range of measures in place.

• The onsite hotels on Disneyland Paris are being opened on a phased basis. Newport Bay Club Hotel and Disney Village opened on July 15^th, The Cheyenne will open on the 10^th, the Santa Fe on August 3^rd and Disneyland Hotel on September 7^th. Sequoia Lodge is set to remain closed until the end of September. Magic Extra Time will still be offered by all open hotels. Hygiene and distancing measures such as plexiglass screens, hand sanitisation and physical distancing will be in place for the foreseeable future.
• There will be some limitations on entry to the parks – book ahead to avoid disappointment. If you hold an annual pass on undated pass you must register ahead of time to enter the park
• Attractions, queues and boarding processes have been changed to ensure distancing
• Single Rider and FASTPASS services will not be available for any attraction
• Changes have been made to show schedules and seating arrangements have been reconfigured
• Traditional character meet and greets will not be going ahead, although characters and Cast Members can still be interacted with in a more limited guise with safety measures in place
• Masks must be worn and hand sanitisation stations have been set up around the park
• Reduced seating capacity in restaurants
• Cast Members have undergone extra training to assist with safety measures

For more information about the safety and hygiene measures at place in Disneyland Paris, see their official page here.

Walt Disney World Resort Orlando

Walt Disney World Resort draws millions of visitors a year, and now that it’s conducting its phased reopening has put in place a range of measures to keep those visitors safe from the further spread of COVID-19.

• All 4 Walt Disney World theme parks and Disney Springs are open to visitors and select Walt Disney World Resort including Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts are open to guests
• Hotel and restaurants have introduced distancing and cleanliness measures and may be operating at reduced capacity
• Enhanced cleaning procedures are being carried out through the parks
• Physical distancing measures are in place – this may affect capacity at restaurants, shops, in queues etc.
• Reduced contact between people and surfaces
• Face coverings are required while in the park and hand sanitisation stations have been set up at locations throughout
• Temperature checks may be required for entry to some locations
• Certain attractions and shows may be limited in schedule, capacity or remain closed

Read about Walt Disney World Resort Orlando’s full range of COVID-19 safety measures on their site.

Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando is one of our most popular theme park destinations. It has also introduced a range of similar measures to ensure visitor safety.

• Enhanced cleaning procedures are being carried out through the parks
• Physical distancing measures are in place – this may affect capacity at restaurants, shops, in queues etc.
• Reduced contact between people and surfaces
• Face coverings are required while in the park and hand sanitisation stations have been set up at locations throughout

Read about Universal Orlando’s full range of visitor safety measures here

PortAventura

Sunny Salou is home to PortAventura World, itself divided into PortAventura Park, Caribe Aquatic Park and Ferrari Land. It’s a hugely popular theme park holiday destination which is also conducting its reopening with a variety of safety measures in place.

• The park and its attractions are operating to reduced capacity in order to facilitate physical distancing measures
• The normal operation of certain attractions may be temporarily limited or altered due to the restrictions derived from the preventive measures implemented
• All shows scheduled for the summer season have been cancelled
• Tickets will only be valid for entry on a predetermined date. All entry tickets and annual passes purchased prior to this restriction it will be necessary to book the day of the visit in advance
• Enhanced cleaning procedures are being carried out through the parks
• Physical distancing measures are in place – this may affect capacity at restaurants, shops, in queues etc.
• Reduced contact between people and surfaces
• Face coverings are required while in the park and hand sanitisation stations have been set up at locations throughout

See PortAventura’s full range of safety measures here.