Universal Studios Crowds Disappear on Busy Holiday as COVID-19 Vaccination Rules Begin
**** Please visit the themeparks official websites for their latest guidelines and openings ****
When Guests visit a theme Park on holiday, typically, the idea is that they will be met with massive crowds. Whenever Guests are able to enjoy a long weekend, it is often a perfect time to extend that holiday into a vacation.
Credit: ITM Krysten S.
Today is Indigenous Peoples’ Day as well as Columbus Day, and with many off work, heading to the theme parks is always an option. Over on the east coast, Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort have seen increased crowds during the day this past long weekend, but what about Universal’s success on the west coaster?
At Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles, it seems that the crowds really have not picked up today, even with so many potential Guests off work and available to visit. Below, you can see some of the wait times throughout the day as seen on the Universal Hollywood app, which all ranged low for the most part.
Transformers The Ride-3D was only a 5-minute wait, the Studio Tour, an iconic attraction, only boasted 10 minutes, and the newly refurbished Jurassic World: The Ride was a low 15-minute wait.
Credit: Universal app
During the day, the longest ride, The Simpsons Ride, ended up being one hour long, but that wait dropped quickly throughout the day. As you can see below, the entrance crowds were invisible.
Credit: Inside the Magic
Once in the Park, the Guests were on the streets; however, there were no massive crowds to be seen which is not typical for a regular Park day, never mind a holiday.
Credit: Inside the Magic
Interestingly enough, this low attendance comes after Universal Studios Hollywood confirmed the new COVID-19 vaccination and negative test requirements for Guests visiting the California theme Park. As we reported:
Following a mandate by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Universal Studios Hollywood will be requiring Guests age 12 and older to present proof of a negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination upon entering the theme park. The negative test must be taken within 72 hours of a Guest’s theme park visit prior to entry to the Park. This rule will go into effect on October 7.
Masks must also be worn both indoors and outdoors while at the Park. This was a massive change for Guests who previously did not have to comply with a negative COVID-19 test or show vaccination proof. Although we do not know if the new rules have anything to do with the lower crowds today, it does seem like it could potentially be a reason.
What do you think? Why do you think the crowds at Universal Studios Hollywood are so dismal?
**** Please visit the themeparks official websites for their latest guidelines and openings ****
