Universal Orlando Resort to temporarily close due to coronavirus

Universal Orlando Resort has joined its sister parks in Hollywood and Japan by announcing a temporary closure due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

UPDATE – 04/09/20: Universal Orlando has extended its temporary closure “at least” through May 31. This includes both the theme parks and Universal CityWalk. Universal Orlando’s resort hotels have also temporarily suspended operations for this time period.

Starting April 20, nearly all team members will be paid at 80 percent of their usual pay. On May 3, part-time hourly team members will be furloughed. However, Universal will cover the full cost of benefit plans for those team members who have them.

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UPDATE – 03/24/20: Universal Orlando has released a statement announcing an extension of their closure through April 19. Take a look at the statement below:

Included in an update on UOTeam.com, Tom Williams, chairman and CEO of Universal Parks & Resorts said that this extension will not affect any ongoing construction at any of their parks.

“Our construction projects around the globe – Super Nintendo World in Osaka and Hollywood, Universal’s Epic Universe in Orlando and Universal Beijing all remain active and on track under protocols established by government officials and with their support,” said Williams in the update.

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UPDATE – 03/16/20: Universal Orlando has released an operational update concerning Universal CityWalk and their resort hotels.

Universal CityWalk will be closed on Tuesday, March 17. All Universal Orlando’s resort hotels will be closed at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 20. The resort anticipates being closed through March 31.

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UPDATE – 03/13/20: Due to the parks’ temporary closure, Universal’s Mardi Gras celebration will conclude on Sunday, March 15. Blue Man Group shows have also been temporarily cancelled.

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Universal Orlando announced the closure in the following statement:

Out of an abundance of caution and to assist with our nation’s preventive efforts, Universal Orlando Resort will temporarily close its theme parks.  The closure is effective at the close of business on Sunday, March 15.  We anticipate remaining closed through the end of March – but will continue to evaluate the situation. 

Universal Orlando’s hotels and Universal CityWalk will remain open.

We have created flexible programs for those guests who have booked travel packages or tickets with us. Guests can call this number for more information: ( 877) 801-9720.   A core group of team members will continue to work on site.  Hourly team members will be paid for any work scheduled through the end of March.

Official statement from Universal Orlando Resort

Stay tuned for more updates on coronavirus-related closures as they are released, and check out our regularly-updating page with all current major theme park closures in the U.S.