Universal Studios Hollywood to close due to coronavirus
Universal Studios Hollywood has announced that it will temporarily close due to the ongoing spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
UPDATE – 04/09/20: Universal Studios Hollywood has extended its temporary closure “at least” through May 31. This includes both the theme park and Universal CityWalk.
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.
UPDATE – 03/24/20: Universal Studios Hollywood has announced that their closure will be extended through April 19.
Read their statement below:
“We are extending the closure of Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood through April 19 as we continue to respond to current conditions and make the health and safety of team members and guests our top priority. This includes our theme parks and Universal CityWalk at both destinations. The Universal Orlando Resort hotels have also temporarily suspended operations. We will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as needed, based on guidance from health agencies and government officials. Updates are also posted at https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us and https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/web/en/us.”
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.
The park will close this Saturday, March 14, and remain closed through the end of the month. Universal CityWalk, however, will stay open.
Here’s the official statement from the park:
The health and safety of our team members and guests is always our top priority. Out of an abundance of caution and in response to the guidance provided by the California Department of Public Health, Universal Studios Hollywood will temporarily close beginning Saturday, March 14. The theme park anticipates reopening on March 28 as we continue to monitor the situation.
Universal CityWalk will remain open. We will provide timely updates as conditions evolve.
If guests have questions regarding tickets, they can call 1-800-UNIVERSAL (1-800-864-8377), option #9.
Official statement from Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood was originally scheduled to open its newest attraction, The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!, on March 27. The park has yet to announce a new grand opening date for the ride.
Be sure to stay tuned for more updates as the situation surrounding the coronavirus continues, and check out our regularly-updating page with all current major theme park closures in the U.S.
