FOTL New Limit

[karin037]

Here's an article about FOTL being limited to one use per hour. http://www.screamscape.com/html/universal_orlando.html

[Muushka]

:( Bummer :(

[Earl]

The missing detail is once per hour, per attraction. In other words, once you ride an attraction, you need to wait an hour before you return to that same attraction. That's been the plan for about a year or so, if my memory serves me correct.

[MarkMichaels]

I do love FOTL and don't mind riding rides once per hour at all. My question is, will we now have to scan each room key when we go thru? And, will we have to get extra room keys for the kids from now on? I don't see how one card can be used for multiple guests now, which is probably a wise thing.

Mark

[goofy about mickey]

Once per hour per attraction seems like a reasonable response to the increased number of on-site guests. However, if they begin scanning roomkeys that could slow things down a bit...especially before they work out the procedural "bugs".


Earl, do you know when this change is going to effect? I just ordered my annual pass today, I have a trip planned at the end of August and am hoping that I'll be able to go at least once before the change.

[RobinLyn]

goofy about mickey, We will also be there 3 days end of August, 22-24th and I'm hoping the same thing. The article just says there may be a change the end of this month:(

RobinLyn

[CPM]

While we were there last week they used the scanners. It did slow things down, and the scanners didn't work half the time.

[Figment22]

We were at US and IOA last week. Scanners began use on 8/1
but their use is kind of spotty. Expect cards to be scanned at
Hulk, Spiderman and MIB. Sometimes only one of our hotel cards
was scanned, other times they scanned all 4. Our cards were not
scanned at any of the other attractions just checked for dates as
in the past. The scanners seem to go down a lot and they did
tie things up especially at MIB. Then at MIB we went on once
and had only one of our cards scanned. My youngest son and I
decided to go and get a snack while my husband and oldest son
wanted to ride again. They were going to use my son's card and
mine as only my husband's had been scanned on our first ride.
Well, when my husband got to the front of the express line, the
CM remembered talking to him on the previous ride and wouldn't
let them continue in the express line, even though he didn't have
the scanner. The CM with the scanner is inside near the top of the stairs just before you board the ride. He made them use the single riders line which was no picnic. We often use the single riders line and split up our group but the crowds were so
heavy last week even the SRL was outside the MIB building!

FOTL is still a worthwhile perk but those of us who were used to
riding our favorites as often as we liked are apt to be a bit disappointed.

[klfrech]

Just returned yesterday. Sometimes the scanner was used; sometimes it wasn't. Rode MIB, Hulk and Spiderman multiple times in a row (got off and right back on) without ever being bothered.

[julfre]

I'm going in Nov and this will be my first time with FOTL. Does anyone know if the new rules are a test or if they will be in place in Nov? I'm a little disappointed that it was changed, but I can live with it. I'll just plan on getting some express passes with my ticket if their is a ride I want to go on twice in a row. The only rides I wanted to go on twice were spiderman and MIB which sounds like the very rides they are watching closely

[jabrown40]

We just got back last week, and I have to say that I was quite disppointed with FOTL status. I guess I had this picture of getting right on the rides, however we ended up in the same express line as those who had obtained express passes (much like Fastpass at Disney). We waited in every line at least 15 minutes, even in lines that the standard wait was 15-20 minutes. We even waited 40 minutes for MIB. The scanners were used occasionally, but most of the time they just checked the date on our hotel card. Since most of the waits at US were only 15-20 minutes that day, I'm not sure that switching hotels was worth the bother.

[Elemental Force]

Does anyone REMEMBER when there WAS NO Universal Express or Fast Pass. When the wait time was 3 hours for spiderman, PEOPLE WAITED 3 hours!

I find it quite funny listening to guests come in every day and complain about an hour wait at spiderman. While I understand the importance of these innovations, it is fueled by a culture that craves instant gratification.

The policy of once per hour per attraction was always on the books from what i understand...but no one enforced it. Now, with our express lines getting longer, we have no choice but to make sure that happens to ensure the consistence of UE.

I believe it will be in operation in November, at least at all of the major attractions, so they can keep the express lines in order.

Also, it is distinctly possible for someone to end up waiting longer than 15 min in an express queue. We have no control over technical or weather related issues. If any of these things muck up the works, it's easy for the express queue to get backed up. Things happen...and waiting in line is PART of going to a theme park.

I just think people need to realize this before they come through the turnstiles.

Enjoy your Adventure!

[Shamu Goofy and HCR]

We have a right to be upset , the main reason we pay the extra money to stay on site for the extra money is mostly FOTL. The reason we stay at the hotel is not the service but the usage of fotl, and if you think people would stay on site and have to wait 3 hours to ride spiderman you are wrong. It is not instant gratification we crave but a bang for our buck and it seems like Universal will do like Disney and start banging it to the people. If you develop a policy that becomes a success and brings people to your parks you should not destroy it but embrace it. I go to HRH 4-5 times a year and if FOTL is changed I would think hard before spending the extra money to stay on site and might start to look elsewhere for my vacations.
A UPSET FOTL LOVER
:( :( :( :( :(

[antmaril]

I agree with Shama Goofy. We stayed at HRH last year and thought FOTL was just the best perk ever. We are going back over Labor Day weekend and staying at PBH, which is costing us even more money than last year. The real reason I am staying at PBH and spending big $$ is FOTL. I'm very disappointed that they have changed the policy and that the express lines are getting longer. They should have just left it alone. They better be careful because people are not going to pay the big bucks to stay at these hotels if they don't get something special out of it. Just my opinion, of course.

[dcookies]

I don't mean to start a debate but ....

We're going (SOON! :p ) to HRH. I gave my boys the choice between HRH and Animal Kingdom (which is more expensive), and they chose HRH for the atmosphere. FOTL is an added bonus. I honestly don't see a problem limiting guests to once per hour on a specific ride - we can go on Hulk, then Spidey, then Dr. Doom, and by then back to Hulk again! No reason for us to go on Hulk over and over and over - I don't think my stomach could stand it! And by limiting guests to the once per hour, it means the express ride lines will be that much shorter - I can't argue with that!

[Elemental Force]

While I agree that Universal Express Access is a great thing...You don't pay for it staying at the Hotels. It is an added bonus that is granted to each guest as a courtesy staying at the resorts. Without the UE Access, our hotels should stand up to the best scrutiny. I have heard a lot of great reviews of all the resorts.

I also don't understand why people call it "Front of the Line". The only way you get that benefit is taking our VIP Tour. UE Access is approximately a 15 min wait barring any unforseen circumstances.

[jabrown40]

The only reason I mentioned this is because right on the HRH information channel, it lists one of the perks of staying onsite, is "bypass all of the other people waiting in line." My DS and I laughed at it because we had the same wait as the standard line, and I really do believe 40 minutes is a long time if they advertise no waiting. I have waited in many theme park lines much longer. I just question the advertising of instant access if that isn't feasible. I really doubt that I would change hotels again JUST for the FOTL perk, depending on the time of year I went. I would stay at the hotel though because it was nice, and a lot of fun for the kids, and the walking distance to the park was a big plus.

[Elemental Force]

Initially, when they began Universal Express, they had those towering billboards that stated "No Line, No Wait". Of course, in the fine print, it always says "Restrictions Apply". As of this date, I believe they have discontinued the use of that marketing strategy.

I agree with you, a 40 min wait in the Express Queue is ridiculous. But there must have been something that happened, technical failure or weather related issues. It is not common for that to happen. Outta curiousity, why didn't you just come back later?

[jabrown40]

You know, we just didn't have any idea it would be that long. There wasn't any problems with the ride - we kept thinking that all of a sudden the line would move, but it didn't. And, like I said, I have waited in much longer lines. They don't post any times for the express line, like they do for the standard lines. My only reason for relating this experience is because I just didn't think in this instance FOTL access was much of a reason for changing hotels. Now, in busier times, I'm sure it is.

[mousey]

We stayed at the RP 8/9-8/11. The longest we waited in line was
5 min. for MIB. I can't imagine these long waits!!!! August is suppose to be an off time. If these waits are increasing now, can you imagine during prime time!!! I also agree with everyone who stays at the Universal resorts for the front of the line access. Why else would you spend the money when new hotels are appearing all over the area--and at really cheap prices!! If you can get a discount great--but if you can't, the prices are high!

[CPM]

Originally posted by mousey
We stayed at the RP 8/9-8/11. The longest we waited in line was
5 min. for MIB. I can't imagine these long waits!!!! August is suppose to be an off time. If these waits are increasing now, can you imagine during prime time!!! I also agree with everyone who stays at the Universal resorts for the front of the line access. Why else would you spend the money when new hotels are appearing all over the area--and at really cheap prices!! If you can get a discount great--but if you can't, the prices are high!

Actually August is a pretty busy month. I used it the first week of August and didn't wait more then 15 minutes at most. While the other lines were 40 minutes to an hour. I also think weather has a factor. When it starts to rin people flock to indoor rides like Spiderman & MIB making even the expess lines long.

[3reds]

I don't disagree with the once per hour policy at all. After all, it's nice for the on-site guests to have a perk, but I don't think that the rest of the people should be made to feel like utter peons!
Here you are standing in line for an hour or so, and you see the same group of people waltzing right past you onto the ride...not once but over and over!! They're riding it multiple times while you're still waiting for your first ride! I just don't think that would be fair. Yes, I'm staying on site for the front of the line perk, but I'm perfectly happy with once an hour per ride.

[Shamu Goofy and HCR]

I disagree, I should ride as much as I want, do I feel like a peon when I pay the higher rates at a hotle when they get discounted rates at a comprable hotel off site. the only reason we pay $7 for a bottle of water and $4 for m & m's is fotl and I hope universal sees it. if they think we stay at these hotels because they are so nice, they should check what they are drinking and start serving that instead of the $7 water in the mini bars

[MIB999999]

Originally posted by Elemental Force
While I agree that Universal Express Access is a great thing...You don't pay for it staying at the Hotels. It is an added bonus that is granted to each guest as a courtesy staying at the resorts. Without the UE Access, our hotels should stand up to the best scrutiny. I have heard a lot of great reviews of all the resorts.

I also don't understand why people call it "Front of the Line". The only way you get that benefit is taking our VIP Tour. UE Access is approximately a 15 min wait barring any unforseen circumstances.

Because in the early days of this program that is how LOWES advertised it . Bad planning dudes!!!!!



:smooth:

[PaulAllensMom]

I'm so disappointed that they have started restricting the FOTL/Express for on-site guests. We went to Universal back in May, and never had to wait more than 10 minutes for anything. We rode MIB over and over, and had a blast. Personally, I hate waiting in line, and vowed never to go to an amusement park again after we went to WDW a few years ago. That was before they had anything like Fastpass, and we spent all of our time waiting in lines. What fun is that? When I heard of the FOTL perk for on-site guests at Universal, I thought I'd finally found an amusement park I could love! It's a shame they are cutting back on it. Oh well, I guess it was just too good to last.
:(

[Amusement Park Junkie]

What originally brought me to HRH (when it first opened) was the FOTL perk. It can't be beat. After staying there, I have to add the convenience of the location as a big perk. It's great being able to walk back and forth between the two parks and the hotel. It's also cheaper than the Disney resorts with the same proximity levels. Last year at this time, I believe we were banding about the rumor of once per day per attraction. Common sense tells us that you can't keep adding hotels (and guests using this perk) without some kind of restriction. Once per hour is still great for me. Especially if it's only on the most popular rides. If this is the only restriction that is imposed, I'll still be at HRH on every visit.

[3reds]

I was just at Six Flags (Ohio) today, and to get their "fast pass" you have to pay $20 extra on top of your park admission. Then it's just like Disney's fast pass -- you get a ticket with a time on it to come back later for your ride. I thought charging $20 was terrible!! I didn't see one person using it all day.

[cats mom]

We stayed at HRH last Sept/Oct and loved FOTL (although it was pretty slow then anyway) I have no problem with once per hour - I would never dream of riding over and over when others are still waiting in the regular line.
We just got back from 6 flags magic mtn. Had to pay $15.00 for express passes then couldn't use them on deja vu or X (2 newest, most popular rides)