Universal Announces ‘Phased Reopen’ After Disney World’s Announcement

Latest Update: 9/30/22 3:18 pm EDT – Universal Studios Confirms Parks’ Status, Halloween Horror Nights Tonight

Published: 9/29/22 7:07 pm EDT

Walt Disney World Resort already confirmed its plans to reopen — in a phased reopening, that is — tomorrow, September 30, as the worst of Hurricane Ian passes over the Disney Parks. Apparently, Universal Orlando Resort is now following suit! Disney’s big competitor has just announced that it, too, will be reopening tomorrow.

Apparently, there is a caveat when it comes to Universal Orlando Resort’s opening: the “phased reopen” will only be for “portions of [the] destination”, and will only be applicable to Universal Orlando Resort hotel guests. This reopening will begin on September 30, just like Disney World’s reopening.

Update from Universal Orlando Resort pic.twitter.com/T58EpBGx4f

— Universal Orlando Resort (@UniversalORL) September 29, 2022

Journalist Ashley Carter shared the news as well, saying that “Universal Orlando plans to begin a phased reopening of portions of the resort for hotel guests only starting Friday.”

JUST IN: Universal Orlando plans to begin a phased reopening of portions of the resort for hotel guests only starting Friday. https://t.co/DvJpWq0pVr

— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) September 29, 2022

Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort are direct competitors, since they are both in the resort and theme park business (and, surprisingly, both seem to have a big interest in The Simpsons), but both Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort also face the same problems in the face of emergencies like those caused by Hurricane Ian or the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Universal closed due to the tropical storm before Disney World did this week, but when it came to reopening, Disney World beat its competitor to the metaphorical punch.Take a look at Disney’s reopening statement in the Tweet shown below!

NEW: Walt Disney World “will resume theme park and Disney Springs operations in a phased approach starting on Friday.” Hours will be posted later today.

Full statement: pic.twitter.com/tkVPplutFK

— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) September 29, 2022

The damage that has been done to theme parks like Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios (as well as Universal properties) is still being assessed, but the damage that has been done by Hurricane Ian (or tropical storm Ian) to the rest of Florida and establishments like the Orlando International Airport is still being determined.

For now, Port Canaveral and MCO are still closed (with MCO allowing airplanes to take off for emergency flights only). Disney Fanatic has been steadily covering Hurricane Ian, and will continue to keep its readers updated.