US Theme Parks – Five Opening This Year With Enhanced Health and Safety Protocols

A number of US theme parks are getting ready to reopen with enhanced health and safety protocols in place.

A number of US theme parks have already reopened with health and safety protocols in place to protect their guests from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the good news is that several others are getting ready to reopen and some have set a date to welcome visitors again.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood is hoping to open in April 2021. However, the theme park falls under the strict California state guidelines, where theme parks can open at 15 percent capacity on April 1. This is at a stage when their respective counties enter the Red tier designation. Once in the orange tier, capacity will be increased to 25 percent and in the least-restrictive yellow tier, capacity will be upped to 35 percent.

While Comcast’s chief financial officer, Mike Cavanagh has indicated the theme park will reopen in April, he gave no official date for this to happen. Once open, the park will follow similar health and safety protocols to those in other reopened theme parks, including mandatory mask-wearing, temperature screening, enhanced sanitization, and social distancing.

Disneyland, California

According to Bob Chapek, chief executive of the Walt Disney Company, Disneyland Resort, and Disney California Adventure Park will reopen in late April. Again, no specific date was given.

As with Universal Studios Hollywood, both these parks fall under California rules. Again, rules state that theme parks can open at a 15 percent capacity when their countries enter the Red tier designation, increasing to 25 percent in the Orange tier and 35 percent in the Yellow tier. Only in-state visitors will be able to enter the theme parks. Indoor dining is to be restricted, while some indoor rides may have to remain closed for now. Mask-wearing is mandatory in both parks.

Dollywood, Tennessee

Dollywood has already recently reopened on March 12 with a strict set of enhanced health and safety protocols in place. Guests aged two and older must wear masks, with the only exceptions being when dining or swimming. Social distancing is in place, with guests of the Tennessee resort required to keep six feet apart from each other.

Furniture in the park has been placed to help guests adhere to the social distancing rules. A reduced capacity is in place in public areas, including resort pool areas and restaurants. The bad news is that the traditional stay-over service with daily housekeeping has been discontinued for now.

Knoebels, Pennsylvania

While Knoebels opened for special events last Christmas, this Pennsylvania theme park is set to reopen for the season on April 24.

More than 150 hand sanitizing stations have been placed throughout the park, along with sneeze guards at gift shops, food stands, and guest services. Face coverings will be mandatory at various points of the village, including the restroom facilities and the admissions building.

Kings Island, Ohio

Kings Island in Ohio is set to reopen to the public on May 15. However, gold and platinum season pass holders will have a special preview taking place on May 8 and 9. Soak City Water Park will reopen on May 29. Kings Island is set to open with limited capacity and using contactless payment methods. One member of every group must have a cell phone with the Kings Inn app downloaded and “Location services” enabled. Visitors to Kings Island over the age of two years must wear face coverings, plus a health screening questionnaire is to be completed within 24 hours of the date of visit. Hand sanitization stations have been placed throughout the park and temperature checks are also in place.

Have fun at your favorite theme park, while ensuring that you follow all health and safety protocols along the way.

Share your thoughts in the comments section below, on our Facebook, Instagram,  Twitter, and Pinterest!

Be Sure To Watch Our Favorite Travel Vlog – The Go To Family