AMUSEMENT ABOUNDS

UP FRONT | THEME PARKS

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

Amusement Abounds Theme parks reopening with safety protocols

HE MAGIC IS BACK! Florida’s theme parks are back in action

Tafter a nearly five-month shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since reopening, all parks have introduced a range of new health and safety measures aimed at protecting visitors and stemming the spread of the coronavirus, including reduced capacity, cashless payments, temperature checks upon arrival and enhanced cleaning practices. Some rides are temporarily closed due to social distancing restrictions.

Here’s what visitors can expect at some of the most popular parks in the state:

DISNEY WORLD Some events, like parades and fireworks, have not returned to avoid creating crowds. Disney World’s water parks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, have not reopened, with no date set for them to resume .

Guests will find a new Disney Park Pass reservation system and “park hopping” among Disney’s four theme parks is currently not allowed because of attendance limitations.

Starting Sept. 8, operating hours at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom will be scaled back by one or two hours.

JERRY SOVERINSKY

LEGOLAND FLORIDA RESORT The park and water park are open daily. New attractions include Pirate Island Hotel , and three new rides within The Lego Movie World: Masters of Flight, Unikitty’s Disco Drop and Battle of Bricksburg.

SEAWORLD

BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY AND SEAWORLD ORLANDO Reservations are now required to enter both parks in order to limit capacity.

New attractions include:

Busch Gardens: Tigris, Florida’s tallest launch coaster, is now open.

SeaWorld: The park’s first launch coaster, Ice Breaker, with a 93-foot spike at a 100-degree angle, is slated to open this year, as is Riptide Race, a dueling racer ride, at the Aquatica water park. Visitors to SeaWorld can also enjoy Sesame Street Land, which opened in 2019. Disney World

DAVID ROARK/DISNEY WORLD

JOHN RAOUX/ASSOCIATED PRESS

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal’s Volcano Bay are open. Most attractions and experiences within the parks are in operation and accessible, with the exception of children’s play areas.

Guests are encouraged to use the Universal Orlando Resort App to purchase tickets, order from park restaurants and reserve ride times via the Virtual Line feature. New attractions at the parks include Universal’s Epic Universe and The Bourne Stuntacular show at Universal Studios Florida.

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

hawaii

HI’IPAKA LLC, WAIMEA VALLEY; GETTY IMAGES

Waimea Valley

Park lovers visiting Oahu flock to Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor and Waikiki Beach. But on the island’s northern coast, a halfhidden valley of gardens, sacred cultural sites and a waterfall await. “People who show up at our visitor center often ask, ‘what is this place?’” says Richard Pezzulo, executive director of Hi’ipaka LLC, the nonprofit organization that owns and manages the valley.

Waimea Valley’s history as a living pu’uhonua, or “place of refuge,” dates back nearly a thousand years. Archaeological sites, including ancient burial grounds and a temple, preserve the past while more than 50 gardens showcase tropical flora — more than 5,000 species, many rare and only grown here.

During COVID-19, staff are requiring masks in some areas, regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces and limiting some activities, like artisan demonstrations.

If you’re seeking solitude, Pezzulo recommends Palm Meadow, shaded with indigenous palms, or a stroll along Kamananui Stream. At the far end of this paradise, you can swim beneath a 45-foot waterfall.