Coronavirus | Featured Stories

By Beth Stibal |

Universal Orlando Submits Proposal to Reopen the First Week of June

Virus Outbreak-Florida Theme Parks
FILE – In this Aug. 5, 2019 file photo, guests cool off under a water mist by the globe at Universal Studios City Walk at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando, Fla. In the wake of the coronavirus crisis, the company that owns Universal theme parks around the world says it’s delaying construction on a fourth theme park in Florida and that the opening of a Nintendo-themed park in Japan will be pushed back by a few months. Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said Thursday, April 30, 2020 that the company was delaying construction on its fourth park at Orlando Universal Resort. The Epic Universe theme park was announced last year to great fanfare. (AP Photo/John Raoux, file)

The fun of the Orlando theme parks could be returning sooner than we expected.

Just days after it reopened the CityWalk, Universal Orlando Resort has submitted a proposal to state officials requesting that it be allowed to reopen June 5.

The announcement comes as Florida is currently in Full Phase 1 of Governor Ron DeSantis’ plan to reopen the state amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Being in “Full Phase 1” allows theme parks are allowed to submit their reopening plans to state officials.

Meanwhile, the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force approved Universal Orlando Resort’s reopening plan on Thursday afternoon.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings will need to endorse the proposal before it goes to Gov. DeSantis’ desk for final approval.

As of Thursday, Universal Orlando Resort’s theme parks and hotels are expected remain closed through at least May 31, according to its website.