SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica, and Discovery Cove have announced that they will reopen on Thursday, June 11th. The plans from SeaWorld to reopen their parks in phases received approval from Governor Ron DeSantis at the end of May. The parks will now reopen with enhanced health and safety protocols, and social distancing measures in place.
“We thank Governor DeSantis, Orange County Mayor Demings, Orlando Mayor Dyer, and the members of the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force for their support of tourism in Central Florida as we prepare to reopen our Orlando parks to the public on June 11,” said Marc Swanson, interim CEO of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.
“Over the past two months, we have worked with state and local health officials, third party medical and epidemiology experts, and attraction industry leaders to enhance our strict health, safety, and cleanliness standards. We are committed to the health and safety of our guests, employees, and animals in our care, and will continue to follow the guidance of health officials as conditions evolve.”
Each park will have its own safety guidelines, including cleaning and sanitizing, physical distancing, face-covering requirements and temperature screening.
At SeaWorld Orlando employees and guests must undergo temperature screenings at the gate. Guests aged 2 and upwards must wear a face covering when in the park. Signage throughout the park will enforce six-foot social distancing rules, and plexiglass will be installed in high traffic areas. Restaurants within the park will also have arranged seating layouts to account for social distancing rules.
Aquatica will follow a similar guideline for reopening, with temperature checks and social distancing rules in place. Play areas within the park that do not meet the physical distancing protocols will have to remain closed for the foreseeable future. At Discovery Cove, certain components of animal meet-and-greets will be modified or removed based on the ability to allow physical distancing.
“We couldn’t be more excited to reopen our three Orlando parks,” said Kyle Miller, president of SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica, Discovery Cove. “We know our guests are anxious to return, and we’re working hard to provide a safe environment so they can enjoy many more memorable experiences with us and their friends and family.”
