BREAKING: SeaWorld and Walt Disney World Reopening Dates
Both SeaWorld and Walt Disney World presented their proposed reopening plans and reopening dates to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force this morning, Wednesday, May 27, 2020.
SeaWorld has proposed a soft opening on Wednesday, June 10th, and opening to the public on Thursday, June 11th.
The Walt Disney World spokesperson stated a proposed reopening of Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park on Saturday, July 11, 2020, with EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios on Wednesday, July 15th. This phased reopening will include the following components: significant reduction in overall capacity, enhanced safety protocols, new pre-arrival theme park reservation system, temperature screenings, required face coverings, new handwashing and sanitation stations, barriers to support physical social distancing, select placement of plexiglass barriers, increased mobile orderings, and a temporary pause of character meet and greets and play areas as well as parades and fireworks that encourage crowds.
Orange County Mayor already previewed the plans yesterday ahead of today's presentations.
On Friday, Fun Spot America Orlando location reopened its doors. Currently, the Kissimmee location remains closed. Initial hours will be 12 PM - 10 PM.
Gatorland reopens at 10 AM today, Saturday, May 23.
The Oasis Club at ChampionsGate is NOW OPEN. The club will be operating at 50% capacity. Continue reading for operational updates, safety measures, and more.
Want to book at home in The Retreat at ChampionsGate with a private pool and access to the Oasis Club amenities? View availability in The Retreat at www.VisitOrlandoHomes.com and contact me at info@bferryhomes.com for a FREE quote. Some restrictions currently apply for some out-of-state visitors.
FREE homebuyer assistance is also available. Contact me at info@bferryhomes.com for listings and information.
Fitness Center:
Amenities and Additional Staff at the Club:
Food and Beverage Service:
This afternoon, the Orange County Government Economic Recovery Task Force approved Universal Orlando Resort's reopening plans.
The plans must now go to Orange County Mayor, Jerry Demings, and, if approved, to Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis.
Universal Officials requested to reopen their theme parks as soon as June 1st, first to staff, then to select guests including pass holders and to the public on June 5th.
Stay tuned!
As of late yesterday, Wednesday, May 20, 2020, and effective immediately, the coronavirus related vacation rental ban has been lifted in Osceola County, Florida which includes Kissimmee.
Following are the proposed and approved safety plans for vacation rental operations in Osceola County:
- Property owners and managers shall adhere to all Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) sanitation guidelines that are already in place as addressed under6lC-3.001 Sanitation and Safety Requirements of the transient lodging statutes;
- Property owners and managers shall adopt the CDC related guidelines that are for public spaces, businesses, schools and homes. These re-open guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting expand upon what the State of Florida & DBPR already have in place for safety and sanitation for all lodging. This can be an extra safety measure for protection against the spread of COVID-19. Our short term rental owners and managers are already utilizing such measures and even more stringent cleaning protocols adopted by the industry;
- Property owners and managers shall provide COVID-19 guidance of local restrictions that are in place during the guest stay including closures, curfews, and other related local information. The County will post online where this updated local information can be accessible to lodging operators and guests;
- Property owners and managers shall supply employees and contractors with CDC related safety guidance while operating the short term rental units to alleviate the transmission of the virus and provide further protection for employees and guests;
- Property owners and managers shall supply guests with CDC guidance for guests traveling with pets and service/assistance animals;
- Property owners and managers shall also share CDC resources to any guest while staying in their units. These resources are available in multiple languages at the CDC website;
- All vacation rentals shall follow the SAFEHOME Vacation Rental Housekeeping Professional (VRHP) and Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA) Cleaning Guidelines for COVID-19 which is both attached and can be found here: https://www.vrma.org/page/vrhplvrma-cleaning-guidelines-for-covid-19;
- Only licensed vacation rentals within a community zoned for vacation rental homes may operate under this reopening plan;
- Existing guests currently in homes may continue to extend their stay;
- Any person coming from a highly-infected area, as defined per the Governor's guidelines, must reserve a minimum stay of 14 nights and follow CDC self- quarantine guidelines; and,
- Vacation rentals may not be used for events or group gatherings that exceed maximum occupancy. Only Guests whose names are on the reservation are authorized to stay in the home. Any Guest having events or group gatherings in the home or exceeding the numbers of authorized Guests will be immediately evicted without refund.
For a full copy of the written request from the County Manager dated May 15, 2020, and The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s approval of the County Plan for Vacation Rental Operations issued yesterday, May 20, 2020, please email your request to me at info@bferryhomes.com.
Ready for a change of scenery? Book your vacation home getaway with us now!
Check out our inventory of beautiful rental properties at visitorlandohomes.com and email me for a personal, discounted, price quote at info@bferryhomes.com.
Book with confidence with flexible and worry-free cancellation, no contact check-in, and keyless entry. You won’t have to worry about shared hallways, elevators, or multi-unit HVAC. Enjoy one of our spacious, detached rental homes with full kitchen, washer/dryer, and multiple en suites, plus a private pool, free Wi-Fi, and many properties with game rooms. A selection of condos and vacation townhomes with pools also available. Contact me today!
Disney Springs Is Now Open
Disney Springs has begun a phased reopening starting today, Wednesday, May 20th. Temperature screenings and face coverings are required. See the graphic above with more information on what you need to know about a visit to Disney Springs.
The following shopping and dining locations are now open:
4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck, Anthropologie, The Art Corner by Artistic Talent Group, Basin, Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza, The BOATHOUSE®, Chapel Hats, Chicken Guy!, Columbia Sportswear, Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers, Earl of Sandwich®, Edward Beiner Purveyor of Fine Eyewear, Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC, Free People, Frontera Cocina, Happy Hound, Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company®, Lucky Brand, Luxury of Time by Diamonds International, Pandora® Jewelry, Paradiso 37 Entertainment, Pelé Soccer, Planet Hollywood, The Polite Pig, Pop Gallery, Ron Jon Surf Shop®, Royally Yours by Arribas Brothers, Sanuk, Savannah Bee Company, Sosa Family Cigars, STK Orlando, Sugarboo & Co., Sunshine Churros at Disney Springs Marketplace, Sunshine Churros at Disney Springs West Side, T-REX™, UGG®, UNIQLO, UNOde50, Volcom, Vera Bradley, Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, Wine Bar George – A Restaurant & Bar, YeSake Kiosk, ZARA
The hours for today’s reopening are 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM. Individual locations might vary.
Disney owned shops and restaurants, including World of Disney, D-Luxe Burger (mobile order), and the Marketplace Co-Op will begin to reopen on May 27th.
Major League Soccer Coming to Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex?
The Washington Post reported last Monday that MLS has proposed sending all 26 teams to Orlando to play competitive matches without spectators at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. ESPN.com acknowledged the article and corroborated a proposal that would bring players and coaches to Florida for a summer tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports at the Walt Disney World Resort with training slated to begin June 1st.
The Governor’s new Full Phase 1 plan effective Monday, May 18, 2020, states professional sports teams are welcome in Florida and that venues may open and operate for games, events and training. He has vocally encouraged leagues to consider playing in the state saying, “…we’ll find a place for you here in the state of Florida because we think it’s important and we know it can be done safely.” Stay tuned!
CityWalk
As of Thursday, May 14, 2020, CityWalk is now open on a limited basis. Operations at Universal Orlando’s theme parks and hotels remain suspended through at least May 31st. CityWalk hours are 4:00 - 10:00 PM daily. Self-parking is complimentary. Face coverings and temperature checks required.
The following are open:
Red Oven Pizza Bakery, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant & Market, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Voodoo Doughnut, Auntie Anne’s, Cinnabon, Cold Stone Creamery, Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen (Dessert Foundry & Candy Smith areas only), Universal Studios Store, Hart & Huntington Tattoo Company’s retail shop, select merchandise carts, and Hollywood Drive-In Golf.
Blue Man Group, all nightclubs, and Universal Cinemark remain temporarily closed.
Shopping/Other
All four major retail locations in the Orlando attractions area - The Florida Mall, The Mall at Millenia, Orlando International Premium Outlets, and Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets - have reopened.
Wild Florida’s Drive-thru Safari Park and the Central Florida Zoo are open.
Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Florida Phase 1 Reopening Timeline
Monday, May 4, 2020 - Phase 1 Reopening
-Statewide stay-at-home order ends
-Restaurants, retail, and libraries/museums may open at 25% occupancy
Monday, May 11, 2020
-Barbershops and hair and nail salons may open
Monday, May 18, 2020 - “Full Phase 1”
-Restaurants, retail, and libraries/museums may increase capacity to 50%
-Gyms and fitness centers may open and operate up to 50% capacity
Vacation Home Rentals
A statewide ban on vacation rentals went into effect on March 27, 2020. This two-week order by the Governor was later extended until further notice. A lift on the rental ban was not included in the Governor’s Phase 1 Reopening Plan which began on Monday, May 4th. With the announcement of “Full Phase 1” late last week and starting this past Monday, May 18th, individual Counties may now seek approval to operate from the state by submitting a written request and safety plan. Osceola County, including Kissimmee, the Vacation Home Capital of the World®, submitted their plan on Friday, May 15, 2020.
Our professional Management Company, Global Resort Homes, is open and accepting bookings.
Book with confidence. Global will offer a full refund, up until 14 days before arrival, for all new bookings should you wish to cancel. Immediate stays of 30 days or longer can be accommodated. Long term stays are included as an exception under the current ban. “Normal bookings” can be accepted for future dates. Minimum stay requirements may apply based on travel dates selected or for persons coming from highly-infected areas as defined per the Governor’s guidelines.
Work, play, and family time made better. All of our home rentals have private pools and free Wi-Fi. Please visit www.globalresorthomes.com to view homes and availability, THEN CONTACT ME FOR SPECIAL RENTAL PRICING @ INFO@BFERRYHOMES.COM.
Featured Real Estate Opportunity
Windsor Island is now selling!
The Builder of the popular Disney area vacation home communities Windsor Palms, Windsor Hills, Vista Cay, and Windsor at Westside has a brand new resort.
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Hot! Hot!
Whoa, we got it!
Yeah, we got it!
….Hot chocolate!
ICE! is back at Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee and this year’s theme featuring THE POLAR EXPRESS is sure to warm your soul with holiday cheer!
More than 2 million pounds of hand-carved ice bring select portions of the beloved movie to life.
Check out some photos from this year’s event below.
And, yes, there IS hot chocolate. Treats, including DUNKIN’ hot chocolate, Cinnabon, and Auntie Anne’s are available for purchase upon exiting the walk through exhibit.
As always, a number of ticketing options are available with several activities that can be enjoyed for FREE.
Complimentary experiences include: Cirque Dreams Unwrapped Stage Show, #LIT Light Show, The Greatest Story Stage Show, Adventure Kids: Wonders of Winter, and the Christmas Tree Trail.
Check it out!
For a full list of activities and to purchase tickets visit https://christmas.gaylordpalms.com/activities/
Tip: Make it a meal! Gaylord Palms features a number of on-site dining experiences. Ask if parking validation is available. You can check restaurant wait times at GPRestWait.com and book the signature restaurants through the hotel’s website or on OpenTable.#visitICE2019