Theme Park Rangers

Walt Disney Co. lost $2 billion due to the coronavirus shutdown of Disney World and it’s other theme parks. Comcast said revenue at Universal parks fell 94% to $87 million. What do these eye-opening figures mean for Central Florida parks?

• Disney/Universal financial report (:44)
• A couple bright spots (2:04)
• Disney World: 50% of visitors were from out of state (4:02)
• Shop! Shop! Shop! (6:06)
• What does this mean? (6:49)
• Universal’s Epic Universe (7:49)
• California parks still on hold (8:28)
• SeaWorld: Ride openings delayed (9:30)
• Getting the most out of your reservation (11:26)
• Changes we can live with (14:45)

Universal Orlando has canceled Halloween Horror Nights for this year. Orlando Sentinel reporter Dewayne Bevil talks with Clint Gamache, owner of theme park website ThrillGeek.com, about Universal’s announcement, scenarios where the event could have moved forward, and how HHN 30 might look in 2021.

• Universal kills 2020 HHN (:49)
• Is social distancing possible at HHN? (3:03)
• HHN 30 in 2021 (5:48)
• Balancing capacity vs. crowds (7:46)
• The fate of already built haunted houses (12:23)
• Contractual issue with licensed properties (15:30)
• Universal will have to find right tone (17:50)
• Theme park positives (20:12)

Orlando Sentinel theme park reporter Dewayne Bevil and Things To Do content editor Katie Christiansen talk about their experiences at Epcot and Hollywood Studios as the two parks reopened this week.

• Epcot on opening day (:35)
• Taste of Epcot is a smaller version of Food & Wine (4:15)
• New ways the parks are showcasing characters (8:11)
• Hollywood Studios opening day (10:07)
• Character experience at Hollywood Studios (19:35)
• Park pass reservations and annual passholder problems (24:03)

Orlando Sentinel theme park reporters Dewayne Bevil and Gabrielle Russon describe the strange experience that awaited them at Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom after a coronavirus-forced four-month hiatus.

• Surreal experience for lucky annual passholders (:32)
• Cinderella Castle paint job (1:15)
• So much elbow room (2:30)
• New safety protocol (3:32)
• Animal Kingdom: 5-minute wait for Flight of Passage (4:59)
• Magic Kingdom: ‘A Disney fan’s dream’ (8:44)
• How will Disney handle capacity moving forward? (10:08)
• Masks: Guests behaving (13:11)
• Mickey Bars and photo ops (17:11)

The reopening of Walt Disney World’s theme parks is swiftly approaching and Disney fans missing the magic are getting antsy. Orlando Sentinel theme park reporter Dewayne Bevil talks with John Frost, owner and editor of The Disney Blog, about what guests can expect when the gates open.

• Missing the atmosphere – the sights, the sounds, the smells (1:37)
• Reopening expectations (5:33)
• Top fear: Relying on others to mask/social distance (7:03)
• How will queues work? (9:07)
• Improve on it (12:19)
• Worried about wearing mask? Stay home (14:12)
• Splash Mountain redo (16:48)
• Cinderella Castle paint job (17:44)
• Remote character experience (19:20)
• Epcot Food & Wine Festival (20:43)

Orlando Sentinel theme park reporter Dewayne Bevil attempts to answer all the questions filling his inbox about Disney World's reopening. He covers everything from the new reservation system, canceled events and the big question everyone wants to know: Is it worth going?

• ‘Pack your patience’ (2:09)
• How do I get tickets?  (3:08)
• No park hopping. No Fast Passes. No virtual lines (4:58 )
• New safety protocol (6:26)
• What rides, restaurants are open? (8:12)
• Character motorcades (10:52)
• Is Epcot Food and Wine Fest a go? (13:12)
• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary bites the dust  (14:19)
• What else has been canceled? (16:54)
• Rebate/refunds (17:42)
• Are water parks opening? (18:35)
• Golf, mini-golf and foot-golf  (20:04)
• Is it worth it? (20:41)
• When will parks get back to normal? (22:45)

Harry Potter celebrates 10 years today at Universal Orlando. Orlando Sentinel theme park reporter Dewayne Bevil covered the opening festivities when The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened at Universal’s Islands of Adventure on June 18, 2010.

• I was there the first day! (1:01)
• Park at capacity. Oh no, we are getting in! (3:06)
• ‘It felt like you were in the books & movies’ (4:10)
• Double-secret Butterbeer (4:49)
• People waited outside for weeks for preview (5:21)
• Butterbeer and the bathroom are hits (7:15)
• ‘Potter’ film stars saw the movies come to life (7:56)
• Future wishes come true (9:36)
• Universal’s evil/genius plan (11:23)
• Butterbeer: Original or Frozen? (13:12)
• Ode to Dragon Challenge (14:41)
• Best selfie spot (17:32)
• Do you own a wand  (19:49)
• Social distancing at the Wizarding World (20:55)

 

Orlando Sentinel theme park reporters Dewayne Bevil and Gabrielle Russon visited Universal Orlando ahead of the official opening. They share what it’s like to ride Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit while wearing a mask, moments that raised red flags, and tips for enjoying the parks while coronavirus fears loom.

• Safety measures (:59)
• Riding the rides with masks (5:46)
• Getting your Butterbeer fix (8:32)
• Social-distanced selfies with characters (9:36)
• Areas in both parks where you can remove your mask (11:00)
• What works and what doesn’t (11:48)
• What was your favorite thing about being at Universal (14:34)
• Red flag moments (15:55)
• Advice for those returning to theme parks (18:19)

Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld have announced plans for reopening their parks. In: Mandatory face masks, temperature checks and social distancing. Out: Fireworks, parades and character meet and greets.

• Reopening dates for all parks (1:21)
• Disney’s reservation system  (2:09)
• Limited capacity: How many will be allowed in? (3:38)
• Why is Disney opening a month after Universal? (5:30)
• No fireworks or parades at Disney parks (8:12)
• Masks mandatory for employees, guests (8:47)
• Pent-up demand for all things Disney (10:27)
• Who’s going: Tourists or locals? (11:49)
• Will people obey the rules? (14:43)
• Dates circled on calendar (19:10)

Orlando Sentinel theme park reporter Dewayne Bevil talks from Disney Springs about the new rules in play at the Walt Disney World dining and shopping complex and how visitors are embracing the new restrictions.

• New protocol: Parking, temperature checks (1:27)
• Masks are mandatory (3:53)
• 44 restaurants and stores open (4:52)
• Disney employees happy to be back at work (6:05)
• Making the most of masks (7:50)
• Day crowd vs. night crowd (10:27)
• Social distancing signage (12:00)
• Mobile orders and reservations (16:45)
• Businesses that haven’t opened yet (17:54)
• Opening next week: Disney stores (18:52)
• Hands-on experiences remain closed (19:44)
• Cirque du Soleil status (20:17)