Universal: Theme parks reopen with less shrieking, more masks, new relief for reluctant dads

ORLANDO, Fla. _ Yes, I was eager to get back into Universal Orlando's theme parks. I was anticipating getting a sliver of "old normal" in my life. Like many Orlandoans, theme parking is part of my routine that has been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.

The takeaway after Friday's grand reopening: We can do this. It's going to be different. We can do this. I keep saying "it's a mixed bag," although, truthfully, the category of Theme Park Things That Are Better Now is slender.

But, again, we can do this.

Here are mixed-bag experiences from walking around Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios.