A different type of planning
Last week, I went to Florida (I know, I know…) for a long weekend and ended up at Universal Studios in Orlando. Going to theme parks can be a germ fest anyway, and add in COVID? I was apprehensive to say the least. However, after researching what precautions they are taking and that I was going on a weekday afternoon, I concluded that I felt comfortable going there. If I got there and was not comfortable – I could just leave.
So, I get dropped off by my Uber at the entrance (which right now is in a parking garage for spacing) and the first thing I notice? The parking lots are EMPTY. Maybe 25 cars scattered around on the level the entrance was on. Every other parking spot was blocked off, so you could not park next to another car. The first interaction I had with a staff member was someone taking my temperature and squeezing hand sanitizer on my hands. So much sanitizer I had no choice but to go up my arms. Keep in mind – this was all in the parking garage, long before you ever get to the front gates. They are making sure no germs get in.
Frankly, I was a little worried about my temperature – masks are required at Universal, and I thought wearing a mask in 90-degree Florida weather would raise my temperature. However, made it through! Off to security, where it was totally touch-less. If they had to go through your bag, they used little sticks to grab your stuff.
mask + sunglasses + sun + 90° + humidity = one nasty mask by the end of the day.
Once I got in the park I really started paying attention to how they are making this work. I figured there would be sanitizer stations around, line markers, and less people. I was actually very impressed how Universal planned all this out. I honestly have not felt safer going out. Some highlights:
Masks not only required, but this is also enforced. Masks are also required while on rides. (Masks are not required while eating or drinking, from what I saw people were great with monitoring their distance from others if they had a snack) My mask was soaked by the end of the day – slightly unpleasant.
Staff members walking around with hand sanitizer. You walk past staff, you get a squeeze.
Lines are not only staggered in the queue, but once you get up to the actual ride, waiting is also staggered. You are never shoulder to shoulder with anyone.
One party per ride “section”. I was a party of one, so I would get cars meant for 10+ people and I’m the only one riding.
Before you get on the ride, you are given hand sanitizer. (all the sanitizer is squeezed onto your hand from staff wearing gloves – you never touch a thing)
Gone are the days in a crowded gift shop – only about ten in at a time. One in, one out. And no trying on clothing.
One of the Diagon Alley’s favorite attractions – Ollivanders (if you’re not a Harry Potter fan, this is where all young wizards and witches get their first wand) - was only allowing two parties in at a time. With a personal shopper. If you wanted to see some merchandise, they got it, handed it to you, if you decided you don’t want it, they put it off to the side to be wiped down before restocking.
Most payments happened through the app. Go to a sit down restaurant? Order and pay through the app, show a staff member your confirmation number and get your food. (I believe this was implemented pre-COVID, but a good measure nonetheless)
Had to be, at most, 50% capacity. Probably closer to 25%. They don’t have on their website what percentage of people they’re allowing in. However, between going in the middle of the day and their limitations, it really felt like I had the park to myself.
Going to a theme park during COVID was bound to be interesting. While this may not directly related to urban planning, I can’t imagine the amount of planning that went on while preparing to open. To make such a giant place like that feel safe, was truly an incredible feat. It gives me hope that we’ll figure out how to make events, like concerts, fairs, festivals, safe.
It just takes some good planning.
Now, the airplanes. That’s a whole different blog post…
-Jess
hardly anyone hanging out in common areas