Amusement parks will look different this summer due to COVID-19. What will change?

Theme parks across the country are aiming to reopen in the days and weeks ahead, just in time for the busy summer months.

But whichever park visitors choose, things will look and feel different from summers past thanks to new measures and rules designed to keep guests and employees coronavirus free.

Here’s what some of the industry’s biggest names are doing to get the rides rolling once again:

Six Flags

Six Flags operates 26 locations in the US, Mexico and Canada, but its first park to reopen will be Frontier City, in Oklahoma City, on June 5 -- one of the earliest reopening dates announced by a major amusement park company.

Like all of its parks, Frontier City will resume operations with “extensive new safety measures and hygiene protocols,” in addition to a newly implemented reservation system.

For the foreseeable future, anyone looking to spend a day at a Six Flags park must schedule an arrival time beforehand.

Officials said reservations will allow the parks to control how many guests come in at a time, making it easier to avoid overcrowding and ensure social distancing rules are followed, McClatchy News previously reported.

At entrances, customers will pass through thermal imaging screeners to check their temperature. Everyone over 2 years old must wear a mask, according to a company release.

Social distancing markers will be placed throughout the park, and access to indoor areas will be limited to a small number of people at any one time.

Employees are going to be disinfecting high contact areas, from restrooms to rides to restaurants, on a regular basis, the release said.

“We have developed a comprehensive reopening safety plan that includes best practices from theme park and waterpark industry experts ... which will allow guests to experience our parks in the safest possible way,” President and CEO Mike Spanos said in a release. “This ’new normal’ will be very different, but we believe these additional measures are appropriate in the current environment.”

Disney

Disney only recently announced their phased reopening plan starting July 11 with Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. Disney’s plan must still be approved by county and state officials.

Parades and fireworks shows, events that Disney parks are known for, will still be suspended, The Miami Herald reported.

And like Six Flags, Disney is also implementing a reservation system for guests, though little information about it is available besides that it “will be limited due to attendance limitations and will be subject to availability.”

A statement released Wednesday doesn’t go into much detail about other procedures, but lists three measures that are seemingly the new standards at any major amusement park -- masks are required, temperature checks will be conducted, and all high touch areas will see consistent cleaning.

The release also points to the Shanghai Disney Resort, which opened back up earlier this month, as an “encouraging” example of reopening.

“We’re doing our part, and we need our guests to do their part, too, as we work together to focus on safety,” the release said.

The company has given no word regarding Disneyland in California, but according to Deseret News, the park would be allowed to resume operations during phase three of California’s reopening plan.

Universal Parks & Resorts

Universal Orlando is slated to open June 5, and there are some things to know.

Masks are a must, temperature checks are required, and social distancing is a rule, not a suggestion, according to Universal.

Before hopping on certain rides, guests must get a spritz of hand sanitizer from sanitizer stations located at those rides.

Riders will also be spaced out from one another.

Also, single rider lines are being eliminated and virtual lines will be made available at some attractions, The Miami Herald reported.

Universal doesn’t mention anything about a reservation system, but says it will be limiting capacity at its parks.

This story was originally published May 27, 2020 at 6:47 PM with the headline "Amusement parks will look different this summer due to COVID-19. What will change?."