With the reopening of Universal Orlando Resort parks, hotels and CityWalk this summer, things might be a little different with the new safety protocols, but that doesn’t mean your vacation can’t be just as much fun as always. Here are some ways to make the most out of your trip while staying within the guidelines.

1. Use the Universal Orlando Resort app. With the app you can stand in a “virtual line” for select attractions, order your food and beverages on your phone for select restaurants, receive wait-time alerts so you know which attractions have shorter times and more.
2. Dodge crowds with the Virtual Line Experience. Choose a “return time” for select attractions and show up right at that time to ride!
3. Order your food ahead of time with Mobile Order. No need to wait to be seated or wait in a long line for food. When you’re hungry, select a venue, order your food, and go get it.
4. Make a game plan ahead of time. Create a must-do list of everything you want to see and do. Look at the map before you go to the parks so you know the order in which you can tackle you list. Use the app to figure out wait times and where and when you can use the Virtual Line.
5. Get a personalized experience with social distancing. The smaller crowds allow for a more relaxed queue experience and more interaction with your family and friends as you don’t need to push and dodge your way through mass amounts of people. The extra space on the rides make it feel like you have the ride all to yourself. Plus the character meet and greets are less hectic with no unexpected photobombs in the background!
6. Take a break in the U-Rest Areas. These new areas, scattered throughout Universal Orlando, are places where you can relax, recharge, and refuel with your face covering off. You can find them in Universal CityWalk, Universal Studios Florida, and Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
7. Take more photos. Photos are better and easier to take with people social-distancing. There’s more people-free space around you and more time you can spend with characters who would normally be swarmed by people.
8. Early Park Admission. Get even more time and even fewer crowds during the Early Park Admission hour where guests at Universal’s hotels get exclusive access to the parks one hour before regular park hours begin.
9. Two words: Volcano Bay. Perfect for a relaxing day at the beach with minimal crowds of people next to you. Plus you don’t have to wear a face mask while you’re in the pools, on the slides, or eating/drinking. (You do have to wear them when you aren’t doing those activities.)
10. New experiences. The guidelines aren’t the only new things at the parks! Universal is also celebrating its 30th anniversary and there is new anniversary merchandise, new food and beverage offerings, and new attractions such as The Bourne Stuntacular and Raptor Encounter.
11. Recommendations on what to bring. Bring a light and breathable face covering (face coverings are required). If you’ve forgotten yours, you can ask a Universal Team Member for a replacement. Bring your own personal hand sanitizer. There are stations at various places around the parks, but having your own is helpful. Bring water to stay hydrated. Some people find the face mask makes them thirstier, but having water is always a good idea regardless. Bring a small bag for your belongings, however try to bring only your essentials.

New Safety Procedures: Universal Orlando's new procedures cover three areas -- screening, spacing, and sanitization -- and key measures include:

• Guests and team members are required to wear face coverings
• Guests and team members are required to undergo temperature checks. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater will not be able to enter Universal CityWalk or the theme parks
• Staggered parking within the parking garage to help create distance between travel groups
• Limiting and reducing daily park attendance and attraction ridership in Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Universal’s Volcano Bay
• Increasing cleaning and disinfection of food locations, ride vehicles and other frequent “touch points” that go beyond our already-aggressive cleaning procedures
• Social distancing at all locations through the parks, within attractions and queues and at restaurants
• Having Virtual Line™ experiences available for select attractions
• Offering cashless payments and “no touch” policies where possible

During this time of extra safety precautions and new guidelines, many things about your Universal Orlando experience may be different, but many things will also be the same. Your visit is still sure to be exciting, full of fun and laughter, and will create many wonderful memories of time spent with family and friends.