Universal Orlando Now Requiring Masks At All Indoor Locations

Back in July, Disney announced that masks would be required at all indoor locations — including indoor ride queues — regardless of Guests’ vaccination status. This change in face mask policy came after recommendations from Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings as well as the Centers For Disease Control. Since it was only a recommendation, theme parks were not required to enact the measure, although Walt Disney World chose to.

Credit: Disney

Since that time, COVID cases have seen a massive uptick across the country, especially recently with the spread of the highly-transmissible Omicron variant. Florida alone has seen its cases more than double in the past couple of weeks, with more than 20,000 new cases being reported on December 21 alone. With that in mind, another major theme park has announced that it will be making a change to its face mask policy.

Credit: Disney

Universal Orlando announced via Twitter that, beginning December 24, all Guests will be required to wear face masks while indoors, regardless of vaccination status. This change is not as intense as Universal Studios Hollywood, which requires Guests 5 and over to show proof of vaccination to get into the Park, as well as wear their masks the entire time they are there unless actively eating and drinking. Universal Hollywood had to enact such measures due to a Los Angeles city ordinance.

Credit: Universal

Per Universal Orlando’s Twitter account:

The health and safety of our guests and team members is always our top priority. As a result, face coverings will now be required effective Friday, Dec. 24 at all public indoor locations within Universal Orlando Resort for both guests and team members regardless of vaccination staus – including restaurants, shops, and indoor hotel public areas.

Face coverings are also required at all attractions from the moment guests enter the queue to when they exit the experience. Based on these updates, guests are expected to bring a face covering with them for their visit. 

We will continue to monitor the situtation and made adjustments as needed. 

Update from Universal Orlando Resort pic.twitter.com/Kr14xkBh0c

— Universal Orlando Resort (@UniversalORL) December 22, 2021

At this time, Universal has not said when the indoor mask mandate will end. The theme park will most likely rely on the latest numbers and science from the CDC when it comes to making further changes. Universal Orlando does not currently require Guests visiting the resort to show any proof of vaccination.

For the latest updates and safety information, you can visit the Universal Orlando Resort website or click here.