At DeSoto Caverns, we are working with international and national park health boards and state and local officials to create an experience where our guests are able to stay safe while sharing experiences that bring joy at a time where so many need it. We have implemented new protocols that affect every part of our way of doing business. We have partnered with experts to analyze each segment of interaction in our park and learn how to create a safe environment where guests can focus on having fun. The following information includes some of the many areas that our park has adapted to create better practices amidst a pandemic so that our team can serve our guests even better. We recognize that with change comes adapting and we hope you enjoy our improvements and understand our purpose of making a safer park experience for our guests.
1. Simplified All-Inclusive Gate Price
Transitioning to an All-Inclusive Gate creates a better overall guest experience and has many safety benefits. As locations across the US are limiting capacity, it is difficult to measure a specific capacity where there is no gate. The gate will allow our team to ensure that the park is never past capacity. Also, our new gate will allow those who choose to purchase tickets at our park to do so in the open air outside of our Brochure Hut. By limiting the number of people indoors, we will be able to serve guests more fluidly and the Gift Shop can serve guests who would simply like to make food or retail purchases.
2. Unlimited Wristbands
This is a necessary change that we believe our guests are going to love. We have decreased the price of our Unlimited Attraction Wristband price by $10 and we are offering an additional $5 off for online purchases to encourage ordering online! The health benefits of this are extensive. Previously, we had to hand-check tickets at every attraction and at the caverns for each person. But switching to an unlimited attractions wristband removes most of our close points of contact throughout the park! This also allows our team to focus on the experience of our guest and to ensure a safe and clean environment in each of our zones. This will also be helpful since guests no longer have to choose where to spend their two to five tickets, but can instead enjoy whatever they would like as they relax at the park.
3. More Private Tours
We have reduced our tours within our massive caverns to groups of 25 which will give guests a more personal experience than before. We are still sharing the entirety of our tour, but are not going into the back narrow passageways as there is only one entrance and exit into the back of the caverns and the location where guests turn around does not allow for social distancing under the current guidelines. There may be wait times for tours, but with the all-inclusive gate ticket and wristband, guests are free to enjoy other activities while waiting for their more private tour.
4. Hand Sanitizing Stations
We will have hand sanitation stations throughout the park for our guests.
5. Regular Cleanings
Our team will be ensuring that there is appropriate distancing between guests within attractions, such as the 3/4 acre maze which can allow multiple families at one time. Other attractions, such as cannon wars that can only accommodate one household at a time will be cleaned between guest groups.
6. Social Distancing Signs
We will have signs in the park reminding people to respect one another and physically distance from others.
7. Closed Certain Attractions
We will continue to have over a dozen attractions open, including all of our most popular attractions. We have closed specific attractions that would require close contact or extensive cleaning before each operation. For instance, our spin rides require our team members to closely check and adjust all seat belts and safety devices in order for our guests to ride them. This close contact would not be in compliance with the current protective measures. These attractions would also require extensive cleaning between guests and could create long wait times before each use. The attractions that we have chosen to keep open include Gemstone Panning, the 3/4 Acre Lost Trail Maze, Squirt Gun Maze, Crystal Find, Wall Climb, Cannon Wars, Archery, Splash Pad, DeSoto Caverns Explorer Ship, put-put golf, Happy’s Hoops, the Water Balloon Battle, and of course, the DeSoto Caverns.
8. Delayed Opening
We take safety very seriously at DeSoto Caverns. We are the last park in our category within our state to reopen with several local state parks and their attractions opening weeks prior. So, though most parks have opened before us, including state parks and Disney World, we have stayed closed in order to have our strategic protocol in place and a current supply of many back-ordered items necessary to provide a safe environment for our team and guests.
This has been an especially difficult time as a small family business, but we are thankful for the many relationships we have with those who have enjoyed coming to our park over the years. We are also grateful for the connections we have in the scientific and health fields that have been able to provide us with information on how to best serve our guests. We hope that reading this encourages you, knowing that we have relied on the advice of experts and have chosen to implement changes in order to create a safe environment for our team and guests. We appreciate all the support that you give to us along with our many local small businesses. We hope you enjoy the many changes we’ve made to create a safe space. Thank you for your understanding during the time we were closed and for adapting with us as we become an even better destination for you.