NEWS: Orlando Attractions Including Gatorland and Fun Spot America Request to Reopen in Florida’s Phase Two

Disney4me · May 14, 2020

Florida is currently in Phase One of the state’s reopening. As we have been following the discussions of the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force (as Orange County is home to many Orlando area attractions), a recent discussion point has revolved around potential differences for safely reopening smaller attractions versus the larger venues such as Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld (all of which remain closed until further notice).

Universal Orlando Resort

Smaller venues include locations like Gatorland and Fun Spot America, and they operate on a different scale than the major theme parks. And now, as the state looks towards moving into Phase Two of reopening, some of the smaller attractions are hoping to be permitted to reopen in the next phase.

According to News 6 (clickorlando.com), locations including Gatorland, Fun Spot America, and Icon Park submitted letters to Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings requesting to be included in Phase Two of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s reopening plan. CDC guidelines for guests and procedure manuals were included with the requests.

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Florida-themed Orange Bird Mural in Disney Springs

In fact, Gatorland Orlando has already begun setting up safety measures within the park including distancing place holders positioned 6 feet apart on the ground and signs to notify guests of new restrictions. Mike Hileman of Gatorland Orlando stated that over 50 hand wash stations have been added among other measures. He also noted that “the fact that we are open-air I think changes the ball game for us.”

Fun Spot America submitted a statement to News 6 which, in part, reads that Fun Spot America “continues to do their part with a legacy of providing Safe, Clean, Fun for over 22 years and now even more with the addition of new staff positions working in Clean Teams to strictly focus on wiping down all railing, surfaces and high touch areas regularly.”

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Hand sanitizer station in Disney World

Vice President of Marketing John Chidester also noted that hand sanitizer stations around the park will “remind guests to do their part,” and that outdoor seating and queue reconfiguration will promote distancing. Though the lower reopening capacity levels have not yet been set, staff temperature checks will be taken prior to shifts.

Neither the parameters nor a timeline have yet been revealed for Phase Two of the reopening of Florida, but we’ll continue to keep you posted as this story develops. In the meantime, to learn more about the current status of Disney parks around the world, you can visit any of the links below.

Source: News 6 (clickorlando.com)