Super exciting news, frogs ... LEGOLAND Florida Resort has officially reopened! Florida theme parks have been temporarily closed due to COVID-19 since mid-March, but now they're all gearing up to resume operations in the coming days and weeks. LEGOLAND Florida was the first major theme park to open its doors! Reopening procedures differ from park-to-park, so we've got you covered with separate guides for Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando.
We hopped over to LEGOLAND Florida to scope out all of the health and safety changes that the park has implemented. (It was nice to stretch our legs again — we hit over 20,000 leaps!) During our visit, we noticed that some play areas, restaurants and rides remained closed. But overall, we were impressed by the cleanliness and social distancing measures in place. Here's everything you can expect for your toadally awesome visit to LEGOLAND Florida!
LEGOLAND Florida Resort Reopening Guidelines
LEGOLAND Florida became the first Florida theme park to reopen. It is currently operating at a maximum of 50 percent capacity. Its new hotel, LEGOLAND Pirate Island Hotel, also debuted June 1. All of the new health and safety guidelines are in line with government guidance and the requirements of local health authorities, and may be subject to change, according to the most up-to-date information.
Before You Arrive
If possible, book your tickets and/or hotel reservation online to eliminate the need to go to the admissions window at the park. (Plus, you'll save some $$$ when you buy with us!) Before leaving home, stay up-to-date on the latest information by checking LEGOLAND Florida's website or social media pages. Download the mobile app to check park hours, wait times and more. Vendors are not accepting cash payments, so have a credit or debit card ready.
Health Information
Guests and Model Citizens (employees) are required to undergo a temperature screening before entering the park. You will not be admitted to the park if you have:
- Coughing, fever (over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit), or difficulty breathing
- Traveled internationally in the last 14 days
- Been on a cruise ship in the last 14 days
- Been in a location with widespread COVID-19 transmission in the last 14 days
- Been in close contact with a person known or suspected of having COVID-19 in the last 14 days
- Tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 14 days
Before the temperature screening, a Model Citizen will ask you if you've traveled, tested positive for COVID-19 or been in contact with someone who's had COVID-19 in the past two weeks.
All guests and Model Citizens will have their temperature checked with a touchless thermometer near the neck before entry into the park or hotels. If someone tests positive twice for a fever at the temperature check, the entire party will not be allowed to enter.
LEGOLAND Florida initially opened with an optional mask policy, but now due to local ordinances, face coverings will be required for guests 8 years of age and older while inside all indoor areas. These inside areas include indoor rides and attractions, restrooms, changing rooms, theaters and restaurants when not actively eating. If you meet the age requirement, you will be required to have a mask to enter the theme park, water park and hotels. LEGOLAND has complimentary disposable masks, including tadpole-sized ones, available on-site if you froget but it's recommended to bring your own.
Changes in the Theme Park
After you pass the temperature screening, you can proceed as usual through a bag check and turnstiles. A security officer uses disposable gloves to check bags. Once you're inside the park, you're directed to a height check if you have tadpoles in tow. Instead of doing height checks at individual rides, kids with some room to grow receive a wristband to indicate which rides they are eligible to ride. The back of the park beyond MINILAND USA stayed closed until 11 a.m.
Rides
The majority of the rides were open when we went. We saw (and used!) hand sanitizer dispensers at the entrance and exit of each ride. While we were in line for The LEGO Movie Masters of Flight, a Model Citizen even asked us to use hand sanitizer when we entered the building from the outdoor portion of the queue. You can find hygiene stations and hand sanitizer dispensers all throughout the park, as well.
The queues had floor markings that would measure at least six feet apart. If a queue had switchbacks in close proximity, the markings would alternate so you're not standing close to someone directly on the other side of the railing either.
When we went on the roller coasters — The Dragon, Coastersaurus and Flying School — at least one row (often two rows) remained empty between parties. We noticed they alternated rows after each ride, but didn't clean after every use. The LEGO Movie Masters of Flight left several empty seats in between the row of seats. 3-D glasses were still available for guests to pick up themselves at LEGO NINJAGO The Ride.
Riding a roller coaster with a mask on is a toadally new experience! We're still trying to figure out the best style of mask. But while visiting LEGOLAND, we wore a self-made cotton mask with elastic ear loops. I found that it would slide down my nose quite a bit, but it didn't come close to falling completely off.
Restaurants and Gift Shops
At this time, only select restaurants are open, including:
- Panini Grill
- Granny's Apple Fries
- Firehouse Ice Cream (delayed opening)
- LEGO City Burger Kitchen
- Dragon's Den
- Select Refresh and Refill stations
The restaurants had limited indoor and outdoor seating that were spaced out for physical distancing. Buffets were not open, and self-service drink and condiment stations were operated by a Model Citizen who would get you what you need.
There was also limited capacity in gift shops, which have designated entrances and exits. Some stores, such as LEGO Studio Store, were closed. Plexiglass screens protect the guests and Model Citizens at service counters. Once again, all transactions are cashless, so have your credit or debit card ready!
Water fountains throughout the park are out of service, but you can ask for a cup of water at any of the available restaurants.
Interactive Areas
Many of the playground areas and interactive activities, such as face painting and henna tattoo stations, are suspended for now. However, we saw some carnival games and caricature art stations open. The Imagination Zone was open for tadpoles and frog parents to design and build LEGO creations in the Creation, Flight and Wheel Zones. We saw multiple Model Citizens frequently cleaning those areas.
Changes in the Hotels
You'll see many of the same changes from above at the hotels, too, including temperature checks, sanitization stations and information signage. Some additional guidelines include:
- Clear markers at check-in to help keep guests six feet (two meters) apart
- Recommendations to keep to one family at a time in all elevators or LEGO brick pits and take the stairs where possible
- Social distancing reminders in areas such as the Florida’s Wild Side mini-golf course and lakeside boardwalk
- Temporary suspension of some entertainment offerings
- Possibility of room changes so the hotel can accommodate 24-72 hours between guests
We hope this guide helps you prepare for your visit to LEGOLAND Florida Resort and gives you an idea of what to expect. Let us know if you have any questions in the comments below!
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Hoppy planning!
