Universal Orlando Socially Distant - June 4 AP Preview Day

I enjoyed this Twitter thread, and it’s exactly my experience from Universal last week. I guess a way to respond to all the “but I’ll pass out in the extreme heat as the roller coaster rips the mask off my face” folks on social media.

https://twitter.com/androckb/status/1270798898081288192

BrettV said:

I wonder if things will pick up when Disney reopens. I figured demand would be light, but didn't think it would be this light.

I honestly don't think it'll happen for awhile. I picture Disney looking just like Universal for at least a month or so until people feel comfortable to travel again to resort destinations. My sister is a Flight Attendant for United and they still aren't seeing much of an increase in demand. She currently has 25 years seniority and will likely be furloughed in October if things don't pick up. When we spoke last week she mentioned they have 25,000 Flight Attendants on the payroll and for June only needed 4,000. That's insane. A large portion of the county is still out of work too so I'm sure that isn't helping when it comes to cross country travel to places like Disney and Universal.

I could totally see this being a summer/fall of staycations for those who are cool with going to a park, like a local park. The rest of America probably wants to see where this virus is going before going through the hassle of booking a trip only for it to be canceled .

Gotta be honest, this thread plus hella-cheap flights really make me want to go to Universal for a couple days.

It's never gonna be this slow again.

Except maybe after the 2nd wave.

Is the park experience affected in any meaningful way? I know that at Disney they're doing away with shows, parades, fireworks, and meet and greets. I don't particularly care for the latter, but to me, Disney isn't really Disney without the first 3.

That is just gonna be up to what people prefer. I agree Disney isn't Disney without the entertainment but if you are someone who just wants to go for rides or even just the parks themselves, Disney or Universal, this is the time to go. Even in the slowest of days in the offseason I have never seen Universal as slow as it was the other day when I stopped by, even on a rainy offseason day (which are the days I like to go!).

While I didn't stick around to watch any of them, Universal still had live entertainment scattered throughout the park. I would guess IOA probably had some as well but I didn't get over there. They had meet & greets too even though it was less meeting & greeting and more of just a distant picture. But still nice they had characters out and about.

I know they started the Horror Make Up Show again the other day with a few modifications (seating limits, no audience members called on stage) but they have found a way to do it.

With the park as slow as it's been they probably could still have the night show without crowding but for the 6pm closes.

Since it's primarily locals, I wonder if they'd do better with 11-8 or 12-9 hours to get the after work crowd on weekdays. Unless they don't want that.

And yes, IoA had Spiderman and some characters out. I liked how at the Studios park they would bring out parade floats individually for a quick show and distanced photos.