Anyone ever have problems with line cutters at USF or IOA?

[cbhelms]

We just returned from a trip to USF/IOA. We experienced something that We were not expecting. We were in line at IOA for Spiderman. While in line there were three young people who chose to climb over 3 que baracades just to cut in front of my wife and I. We informed the employees who were directing people into cars. They could care less. They said "Whats the big deal? Your all going to the same car." I just looked at the one who spoke and said, " It's SOOO nice to know that you care." I could not see either name tag to get a name, so I could not report them to customer services.
I was wondering if anyone had any similar experiences.


Bryant:mad:

[TINKTWINS]

Yup I did!! In line for Twister. There was at leat 10 of them and I was alone with my 10 Yo DS. They just wiggled their way all the way to the front. I was quited angry and had to bite my mouth not to say anything. DH worrys to much if I have a conflict of any kind when im alone. Hes probably right, you never know what can happen. I did point out the rudeness to my son though. And I stood there thinking, this doesnt happen in Disney!!

[robvia]

They do it all the time in the DD queue. They duck under the wooden rail instead of going around the book. Really dumb, it only moves them ahead of a couple people. A rail across that space would be nice to force everyone around the book.

[GeorgeY]

I also see that alot at Dueling Dragons. When I'm by myself, I try to get between the group thats doing it and then walk slow in front of them until the choice.

Otherwise, the only line cutting I've seen is young kids at Woody or Unicorn when there is no line, just running to get up there and passing the walkers and they are just so excited, they probably don't realize they shouldn't pass the walkers.

George

[All Aboard]

Last Sunday at Schwabb's I ordered 2 chocolate shakes for myself and my daughter. A woman came behind me, knew the womand working there and quickly ordered two mint chocolate shakes for herself and her husband. She pushed ahead of me to pay before me. Turns out, she was a Universal employee. She then moved over to where you receive your order. The shake maker put my two chocolate shakes on the counter (which she made first, since I ordered first). The employee-customer proceeded to state "those were supposed to be mint chocolate". When told by the shake maker that they were for me, she responded "but I ordered first." "No you didn't," I responded "you pushed ahead of me AFTER I had already ordered."

Just a little (and relatively meaningless) story in the grand scheme of things. It just steamed me at the time, especially when I realized she was an employee.

[MIB999999]

it also happens on Hulk. There will be a couple of kids that come up behind you and say "excuse me" if you are blocking the whole walk way as i normally do, otherwise they just squeeze by you.

If you turn and look at them they usually point to the area of the line behind the wall just before boarding the cars and say their friends are up there waiting for them. some believe this and let them by but i never do, since by the time they finish walking that far, those behind the wall are already boarded and gone. if i can not see the party they are suppose to be part of, they do not pass. :smooth:

[EUROPA]

Yes it happened to us several times as well. That and the Queue areas themselves are my only two gripes about Universal.

Lets see...happened..At Twister, Terminator, MIB, Jurassic Park River Adventure and Dudley. At least those are the times when we saw it.

After getting no help from one of the employees. There are usually none to be found in the Queue areas. We went to guest Relations and they were very apologetic and gave us something that made up for the bad experience.

If anybody out there reading this and has any stroke at the parks you need to place an employee in the Queue or watching the Queue. I'm pretty sure I could get stabed in the back and nobody would see it..

[ksdave]

I do what MIB999999 does. If I'm there with my family, I make sure we block the entire line area so that nobody can get past. If someone says "my friends are up there", I tell them they should have gotten on line with their friends. I have never had anyone get violent with me (guess the NY accent helps ;) ).

[Robinrs]

LOL, Dave!

Being from Brooklyn doesn't hurt either! We fight people on a daily basis for cutting in!

Luckily it has not happened to me at USF, but it DID happen to me at Six Flags over Ga... needless to say they are STILL talking about it at the Georgia Cyclone! :earseek:

[JC Butterfly]

I did have the experience of a few people saying "excuse me" while they walked by but I didn't really give it a second thought since we were already in the express line.

What I did notice at Dueling Dragons was how easy it would be for someone without an express pass to go ahead and enter that line. They never looked at my room key nor did I see anyone collecting passes so I would imagine once people figured that out they would abuse the privilige.

Brenda

[King's Kid]

I think I know why you don't see it as much at Disney is because, Number One: Disney Employees Care.
Number Two: You will get kicked out of Disney and your passes revoked for the day or the length of the pass with no refund, at least that's what I have been told.

I agree with Europa, they need someone to monitor the ques for this sort of thing.

Kid:jester:

[ksdave]

Hopefully, Earl will see this thread and pass on the problem to someone at UO that can do something about it.

[EUROPA]

Originally posted by King's Kid
I think I know why you don't see it as much at Disney is because, Number One: Disney Employees Care.
Number Two: You will get kicked out of Disney and your passes revoked for the day or the length of the pass with no refund, at least that's what I have been told.


For the most part I think Universal Employees are just as great a Disney's. So I want label them as not caring. I think we just hit upon someone who really did not care or mabye had no idea what to do. Like I said Guest Services made up for our problem.

I don't think that Disney does that. This same thread it going on in the Theme parks board. But they should do it. So should Universal.

[All Aboard]

I think CM's at both WDW and UO are reluctant to confront line jumpers. It's not that they don't care, it's just a tough job to police it. Actually, I see more line cutting WDW than UO. Hint, they wear the same shirts.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Originally posted by gcurling
Hint, they wear the same shirts.


LOL, I agree with you 110%! The only time I have ever encountered "skippers" is when they are in a large groups. I guess they feel that with numbers there is power.

[Cindy B]

YEP at BTTF... first they tried the No English bit....

And then they motioned to their friends.. which were about 60 people ahead! :earseek:

WE refused to let them cut.. .they were cursing us out in German (sorry all German DIS'ers), but we held our ground!


We sometimes pretend we don't hear them as well.... ;)

[Amusement Park Junkie]

I too will usually try and block the line. All the while, of course, pretending that I don't even notice them. If they then have the nerve to say they want to go up and join their friends, I have been know to tell them that I understand friend wanting to ride together and we would be more than happy to let their friend past us if they wanted to come back and join the jumpers.

[WebmasterBarry]

I don't think I've ever encountered a line jumper at Universal. I suppose a six foot tall Asian guy with a mean stare is too scary to pass! :)

[ksdave]

Barry;
That, and the Uzi you carry around probably discourages people .

[Cindy B]

Barry... now, you aren't that scary.....



Lucky you , to never experience the *joy* of line jumping....

[cbhelms]

the size is scary, I'm 6'3". 300 pnds. But it did not matter to those teen agers. But then maby it did. They wasted no time exiting the ride when it was over. Heheheh.

Bryant

[h20jag]

Oh, how many times we've pointed out the "punks" to attendants. Nothing may come of it, but at least it's been reported.
Always say we're gonna complain to guest services about the Dragons Express problem (how you have to fend for yourself to get your family in), and we never take the time to though. Been many close calls in that line.
Line jumpers do flirt with bad karma, they get theirs eventually! And it happens no more so at Universal than any other park/ store/ traffic/ etc.
Jim

[MsDisney]

And I stood there thinking, this doesnt happen in Disney!!

You've been lucky then!
I have encountered some of the rudest people EVER at WDW...the worst are the ones who try to take over your space that you've had staked out for an hour for a parade and they arrive 5 minutes before and get on top of you or crowd you. I witnessed a guy who walked right in front of the line of people waiting for a bus and try to board, he was almost beaten!!!

This is one of my pet peeves...why on earth don't people wait for their whole party to be together before they get in line...I have never understood this and I make darn sure my kids know the deal is we all go together into the line. :mad:

I haven't experienced line cutting much, but then, nobody is gettin' by MIB999999...not even me!!! :rolleyes:

Karen

[Dznefreek]

I hate to say this but we're all adults. If someone just walks up and says excuse me to get by say, "Why?" or how about "No."

It seems that alot of people are afraid to open their mouths to line jumpers. I say let'em have it.

One better than this is that a friend and I make sure we step on the feet of every person that stops in the middle of the row and does not go all the way to the end.I think I know why you don't see it as much at Disney is because, Number One: Disney Employees Care. That is one of the stupidest things I ever heard. How do you know how they feel?

[King's Kid]

Generaly, at least from my experience and studies, most people act the way they feel most of the time. Sure there are times when people act differently then the way they feel, but 90% of the time they can not keep up the act.

From my experience between both USF/IOA and Disney, I have found that the employees at Disney "appear" to treat customers in a genuine caring way. The employees at USF/IOA "appear" to force the caring attitude that they use when dealing with customers. Therefore, Disney CM's give the appearance that they indeed truly care about the customer, even when the CM is having a bad day.

All that to answer your question Mr.freek as to know how someone feels. With a PHD in Psycology and a Masters in Human Behavior, I am paid to know how someone feels.

[EUROPA]

Originally posted by King's Kid
Generaly, at least from my experience and studies, most people act the way they feel most of the time. Sure there are times when people act differently then the way they feel, but 90% of the time they can not keep up the act.

From my experience between both USF/IOA and Disney, I have found that the employees at Disney "appear" to treat customers in a genuine caring way. The employees at USF/IOA "appear" to force the caring attitude that they use when dealing with customers. Therefore, Disney CM's give the appearance that they indeed truly care about the customer, even when the CM is having a bad day.

All that to answer your question Mr.freek as to know how someone feels. With a PHD in Psycology and a Masters in Human Behavior, I am paid to know how someone feels.

Ummm...I think you may have that a little backwards about Disney and Universal. Disney is the company that forces the smiles and acts of kindness. In fact they have regularly scheduled " Magical Acts of Kindness" (I think that is the name) which an employee must perform these acts for a guest. This can range from a free fast pass or letting the guest in the exit of the ride to giving something to a crying child. Not that it’s a bad thing but it is forced. There is no difference between employees at Universal and Disney they all run the gambit of personalities. It's not as if Universal only hires the Surly.

[ProfesserBaxter]

Just a little info from me. Which is an employee in Ride and Show. If we have only have one party come up and say the party in front of them cut, its kinda hard to do anything because its their word againist the other party's, and we have to kinda see it for ourselves, but if we have more then one party complain then we have enough proof to kick them out. Normally, what we do is let them wait and then let board onto the rv or train and when they're about to board we normally give them the grim news. Kicking people out for jumping or smoking is a great stress reliever, but some of the employees are afraid of confrontation. So, a few bad employees gives us a bad rap because everyone only notices the bad instead of the good.

[ProfesserBaxter]

Originally posted by h20jag

Always say we're gonna complain to guest services about the Dragons Express problem (how you have to fend for yourself to get your family in), and we never take the time to though. Been many close calls in that line.
Line jumpers do flirt with bad karma, they get theirs eventually! And it happens no more so at Universal than any other park/ store/ traffic/ etc.
Jim



So, my question is, whats the probelm with the dragons express?

[damo]

I totally agree with Europa. I hate being treated like a three year old at Disney. I much rather prefer being treated like an adult at USF and IOA. I also feel that the employees at Universal are much more genuine and human. The employees at Disney can seem audio-animatronic.

Oh, and King's kid with the masters and PhD..."generally" has two L's and "psychology" has an h after the c.

[gschmerl]

Originally posted by damo
I.
Oh, and King's kid with the masters and PhD..."generally" has two L's and "psychology" has an h after the c.

You go damo--made me LOL!!

[cbhelms]

I started this thread just to find out if anyone had any experiences similar to mine. Now it's turned into an USF/IOA vs Disney flame with prizes being awarded to the best speller. I don't have a PHD in anything, just a Bach. in hospitality. But this whole thread could be turned into a clinical study in human behavior. So I ask that if you don't have any relevant line cutting stories that you refrain from posting. I have grown weary of getting e-mails about posts to this subject only to find the petty attacks against either park or persons posting. So, please, I beg you, lets get back to the line cutting stories. I also ask that you don't chek mi speling bcause it ain't alwas corect.

I actually feel better knowing that it wasn't just me and it wasn't just USF/IOA that line cutting happens.

Thank You!
Bryant:)

[damo]

Sorry, just tired of this board being continually used as a Universal Studios Bashing Board by those exaggerating the facts and stretching their credentials to try and force us to believe that Disney is better.

My family has never had troubles with line cutters at either establishment.

My hand has been suitably slapped. Ouch. I will now believe everything that is posted on these boards and encourage others to do so also.

[cbhelms]

Now Damo, don't go believing everything you read.:teeth:
I know I won't.

Consider yourself one of the lucky ones if you have not experienced the "JOY" of being cut in front of.

When we visited USF/IOA it was our first time. We went because some friends of ours said that we would love it. Well we enjoyed it, but did not love it. We will go back, but for maybe only a day next time. I will admit, with the hopes of not being hung, that we enjoy Disney better over all. But everyone has their prefrences.

Has anyone ever been able to have anyone punished for line cutting?

Bryant:jester:

[lp316]

I dont take anything form people while on line. The only time I let people cut is if they merge the line which has happened once or twice.

[ksdave]

Bryant;
My son's elementary school had their fun night at a local place called All Star Sports this past spring. They have minigolf, a driving range, several go-cart tracks, rock climbing walls, video games, etc.
We were among the first to arrive for the event and were able to do all of the go-cart tracks a couple of times with no waits. However, the lines started to grow, so we went over and played minigolf, did a couple of buckets at the driving range, and let each kid play off $10 at the video arcade. We were thinking of leaving after that, but my son and his friend wanted to do the biggest of the go-cart tracks one more time. We went over and got on the line and noted that it would probably take about four rounds before we finally made it to the front of the line. While waiting, I noticed several high school kids getting out of the cars from the previous round. They walked out the exit, walked around the outside of the queue area and proceeded to jump the metal line bar right onto the front of the line! My blood started boiling immediately, especially since one of them was a kid I had coached in LL football.
Before I could react, a grandma of one of the younger kids told them to get off the line and go to the end. They started laughing at her and one told her to "#&$@ off"!! At this point, it was a good thing I didn't have a gun. I went straight up to the front of the line, turned the one I knew around and, using my best NY accent, told him and his friends to get their butts off the line and don't come back. His friends looked at him as he turned white with recognition and climbed over the bar and walked away, and then they followed him. The grandma came over and thanked me, and several other parents said "Glad somebody did something".
Sometimes, even in this day of excess litigation and "children's rights", you need to take some action to keep things from getting completely out of control.

[robvia]

I'm not looking for a fight while on vacation. It's only a few seconds if someone does get away with it.

If you challenge someone, it may ruin the experience of the ride.
Yeah, you won, but did you enjoy your ride?

[ucfdude01]

all i know is that if line jumpers are found at MIB, there's only a few people there that actually have the nerve to go up to people and point the exit to them, and most of them who do enforce the rules are leads, or employees that have worked there for some time. Just today i kicked a family of 6 out of the line b/c they took down the chains and skipped from the singles to the express line, and the employee up at the OCC console saw it and told one of the load persons, i was the gate loader today. I have no problem with kicking people out of line.

[lizfromfl]

When we were in the express line for King King in July a mother grabbed her son and climbed from the regular line into the express line. It is the only time I have ever seen "line jumping" and I was shocked that a parent would actually encourage this behavior! I spent the rest of our wait in line hoping that when we got to the front they would ask for the express pass again (as they do on some rides).

:wave:

[ksdave]

robvia, yes, I did enjoy my ride. Since my job involves alot of confrontational issues and friction, I can have a disagreement, or even have to dole out discipline, without having it stay with me all day. If you deal with situations such as this on a regular basis, you learn to come down quickly from the boiling point. Otherwise, it will eat you up.

[WebmasterBarry]

Maybe if someone tries to jump the line past me, I should just say something in Chinese and pretend I don't understand. :)

[Cindy B]

Barry, thats a good one!


My best friend in school and I had our own system when people bothered us back in the day... we both knew sign language, and would sign to each other... (never mind we were just doing the alphabet to each other, and word like "play" and "love")


It would get obnoxious guys away at the time.. .wonder if that would work with line cutters.....

[cbhelms]

Or Barry, you could act like a Angry Chinese person and yell at them in chinese for even considering such a thing. Now that would be a site to see. hehehehe

Bryant:crazy:

[Dznefreek]

With a PHD in Psycology and a Masters in Human Behavior, I am paid to know how someone feels.

Uh huh. . . so................

[chrisn]

My husband was impatiently waiting for my daughter who had waist length hair at the time to have her hair wrap finished in the Lost Continent. Finally he gave me a disgusted sigh and told us to find him in the line at Posiedon's Fury. Well with my daughter behind me and my 2 year old on my hip, I ventured into what has to be referred to Hell Hath no fury like a waiting theme park attraction crowd. NEVER AGAIN will I subject myself or my kids to the horrible remarks, rude comments, foul language, evil dagger looks, not to mention the 250+ 6'5'' giant that physically tried to restrain my daughter once I passed. I had no idea that I was pulling a taboo among theme park ettiquete (sp?). I was REALLY just trying to catch up with my husband. The experience was like walking through the bowels of HELL. Let's just say that by the time I reached him, he was really close to the front of the line and by that time all of that public humiliation and outcry me and my kids were subjected to made me want to strangle him. It was one hell of a lesson to learn the hard way.

[cbhelms]

Sorry to hear that your DH caused you such aggrivation, pain, torment, and embracement. But I understand about wanting to catch up with your family.

One thing I have learned about going to any themepark, is that you need great patience. If I had been you, I would have waited until the show was over for him to come out. Being a large individual I would not have bothered trying to pass every one in the line. Such a thing would only increase my embracement.

Bryant

[Lewisc]

Dr. Doom--I was directed to a loading area. There were already a few guys there. The CM came by a few minutes later and wanted to know why we didn't go on the ride, we told her there were already people waiting. I didn't realize until later but I'm sure those people had gotten off the ride and was riding it again.

[robvia]

Originally posted by chrisn
My husband was impatiently waiting for my daughter who had waist length hair at the time to have her hair wrap finished in the Lost Continent.

Great story, thanks for sharing.
What I do to solve this problem is split up for a few hours and set up a meeting spot. Wife takes kid, they do the hair thing and shop for souvineers. I slam a few drinks, ride the coasters, find them a few hours later, and everyone is happy.

[BarbaraMB]

Has anyone seen the movie "Invasion of the Body Snatchers"? When there is line cutting, everyone should point the finger and sound the alarm. It might take more than one person or family to confront line cutters, they should be stopped from the back first.