Warning re: early entry policy

[Jenny]

I feel that I need to pass along this experience so that others may learn from it. I had asked on this board plus I called Universal's (800) # re: early entry for multi-day ticket holders & the answer was yes. Certain days for each park. Well, I went last Thurs. 5/17 to USF at 8 a.m. & was denied at the gate & all he kept asking was what hotel are you staying at like a broken record. I knew that my hotel near Disney wasn't going to cut it. I marched to Guest Relations only to be told that multi-day tix holders NEVER got early entry. My husband & I said, Never? last year we got in early w/ the same tix. He responded well last year was different all together. We were told to wait until 8:45. I was so upset. We never would have purchased these tix at my CT AAA office (who also said early entry) if it didn't apply to us based on where we were staying. Anyway, a mother & son from RI were also denied at the gate. The mom was irrate. She had just used her tix which she purchased directly from Univ. the day before at IOA for early entry so she knew that she was right. The guy at Guest Relations laughed & said calm down as she demanded to see the manager. We waited & waited. Even when the manager came out, it wasn't an automatic answer. She had to take the tix into the back. She walked us over to the gate. She watched us get denied by the same man. She corrected him & let us in. She said to see her later in the day at Guest Services for compensation. I went at 9 on my way over to IOA after riding only MIB. She gave us an express pass for all rides in both parks, which was a life saver. Had we not returned until the end of the day, we probably would have gotten who knows what. Anyway, the manager said we were right that multi-day tix do get early entry depending on where they are purchased. I didn't understand that catch but I wasn't interested in USF anymore at that point. The bottom line is that the men at the gate AND the person in Guest Relations were misinformed. Why? Who knows. Both of these people could care less when I said that I had called their operators & that my AAA office informed me differently. If it wasn't for the manager, I would have lost a valuable hour of my time that I paid good money for.

[Lulu]

Oh no, does this mean Orlando flex ticket holders do or do not get early entry? What an awful way to start your day, but it sounds like the manager compensated you pretty well.

[Meagansmom]

I sent an email directly to Universal Studios and I am taking a copy of the email with us. There have been so many confused on this question. I have always heard that the multi tickets get early entry on certain days. So I wanted to make sure. Thank you for the information and I guess I will show them proof if we are turned down.

[scauzilloc]

I have an annual pass and was denied early entree one morning. I did the same thing and went to guest relations and when I told the manager about my situation she laughed and said she could not believe it. We then proceded to the gate where I was denied and tried it once more with the manager looking on. Of course I was denied once more and the manager came over and asked the gentleman who informed him of the situation. He said to her that it was given to him in a memo. She then told him she wanted to see the memo. He said he was unable because he threw it away. By now it was almost 9:00 am and guests started to arrive. She told the boy that he was to never deny a annual passholder again or he will be terminated. He apologised then proceeded to let us in. I was still fuming at this point becuse it seemed that I was not going to get anything for my troubles, but the manager asked me and my party to please accept her apology on behalf of Universal and then gave us express passes for the day. She also gave us a free meal ticket for each person in my party. Granted there was only 4 people but we enjoyed it.

[Pete the DISney nut]

Hi,

Where were your tickets bought. The reason I ask is because we have bought some 3 day escape passes for USF/IoA when we go in march and we were hoping to take advantage of the early entry.

Could somebody please shed some light on this as I am
a little concerned.

Thanks,

Pete:bounce: :jester:

Also, Meagansmom, could I please have the email address for Universal so I too can go prepared.

Many thanks

[Robinrs]

Here's a link to Barry's email from Universal regarding EE... Includes what kind of tickets get the privilege also... Click HERE. (http://www.disboards.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1585&highlight=Trip+Tip) Scroll down to the Second Post.

[robvia]

Thanks for letting us know, you are correct.

I also have Multi-day tickets and I'm going Wednesday May 23rd.

I was going to get there at 08:00am for that extra hour.

I just called 1-407-224-4037 and they told me that multi-day tickets no longer get in early.

Only AAA ticket holders or on-site hotel guests get in early. He told me it was a special promotion that ended in February. I told him I bought my tickets in February, but he said that didn't matter, they won't work.

I went online and searched their web page and the windows about early entry are gone, and there is no mention about it in the tickets section, that explains it, used to be there in February when I bought my tickets, now it's mysteriously gone.

Yeah, I'm a little bummed, wanted to get that extra hour. I'll arrive at 9:00am and beat the crowd because it's Wednesday and it's May. At least I know in advance.

It's just another way they're moving all benefits to hotel guests only. No character meetings in the parks anymore (they're at the hotels), no early entry for multiday ticket holders (only hotels), and fast pass is sold out by noon (hotel guests get (FOTL). There is no benefit to multi day tickets, other than the discount on 3 day passes, which makes the 3rd ticket real cheap. And I don't care about the city walk pass.

This hurts US/IOA because I won't buy multi-day tickets anymore. I'll just buy when special coupons appear, or I hear about discounts on the radio or tv. It means I may not go as often. I'll visit BGT/SWF with my Florida Fun card instead. Of coarse IOA doesn't care, their hotels are selling out, but they're making a few people mad.

[Meagansmom]

I know it doesn't compensate for your time, but I am glad to hear they are compensating alittle for the frustration.

The website I sent to was guestservices@universalorlando.com

Hope this works for everyone else. Let me know what you hear.

[Notatourist]

Things don't change unless you inform the company about it-take the time to write a letter to Universal, you might be surprised-

Also know that with a multiday ticket, you can get up to THREE Express passes at one time.

[Meagansmom]

Hi Everyone! I just called the 1-800-889-7275 Universal Studios Guest Services number. They said they still have the early entry days. Again they are only certain days and did not expect to quit this. It sounds like they need to get their stories in order plus their employees. I hope it works for everyone.

[WebmasterBarry]

Remember to get this information in writing. Send an e-mail to guest services and print out the e-mail. If you are denied, you can show your e-mail to guest services.

[Meagansmom]

I agree with Barry, Since you are going soon, try sending an email, see what they say, copy it off and take it with you. I agree, you purchase the tickets for a reason and they wont work for you. I am in the same boat. We purchased the two day a/c early entry. Please let us know what happens or any information you find out. I hope you do not get the same employees. Have a nice trip.

[sha_lyn]

robvia.. there are still character meets in the parks. The character meal at IOA is no longer available. I'm not certain about Circus McGurkus (sp?) or the characters that appear at monster cafe.

[jason5]

Ok, just to clarify....
AAA multiday passes are elgible for Early Entry if purchased now (not in Febuary)? My wife and I leave in two weeks and can get a better rate than AAA on a 2-day pass, but will definately get it through AAA if we can get Early Entry. Please help. Thank you, Jason

[Meagansmom]

Jason5 - As per Barry's reply - I would still send a message to Universal Studios to be safe. There is such a mass confusion on this topic plus where to purchase your tickets. Barry and Robin keep this board well informed. We purchased our tickets through "Ticketmania". We received them in 3 days along with alot of area coupons. I think you are safe with the AAA tickets but it sounds like Universal employees are confused. I feel for the people above and would try to resolve on my own with a print of the email as Barry said also.

***They reply to the email pretty fast. If I recall!

[Notatourist]

Email is suggested, but if you would like to change this in the long run-WRITE A REAL LETTER.

Thanks!


Also-Circus still has a meet and greet-it's with the show inside the restaurant.

[Lulu]

We are leaving Saturday, so I have sent two emails to two different departments. The first I sent twelve hours ago and the second late last evening, they have not replied to either one. I really don't have a lot of time to get this worked out, I hope they get this straightened out really quick! We bought our tickets (five day Orlando flex) from ticketmania. So I needed an answer to early entry as well as how and when you catch the shuttle to Busch Gardens, plus I wanted to make sure it is still free (I am worried they will take that perk away). Hope they officially answer soon (yes, I will definitely print it out).

[BSPECIALT]

OK EVERYONE, THERE ARE EARLY ENTRY DAYS FOR PASSES BROUGHT FROM THE AAA OFFICE. I SENT GUEST SERVICES AN E'MAIL. IN MY E'MAIL I TOLD THEM HOW MUCH FUN MY FAMILY HAD AT UNIVERSAL & IOA LAST YEAR. I TOLD THEM I WAS ARRIVING THIS AUGUST AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THEY HAVE THE EARLY ENTRY LIKE LAST YEAR FOR MULTI DAY TICKET HOLDERS. (LAST YEAR IT WAS 7AM-9AM.)

THIS IS THE RESPONSE I RECEIVED:

THANK YOU FOR VISITING UNIVERSAL ORLANDO ONLINE.

IF YOU PURCHASED YOUR TICKETS THROUGH A AAA OFFICE, YOU DO QUALIFY FOR EARLY ENTRY.

EARLY ENTRY DAYS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS SUNDAYS & THURSDAYS
IOA MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS

EARLY ADMISSION TIME IS 8:00AM.

PLEASE KEEP WATCHING US HERE AT www.universalorlando.com, AS WE WILL HAVE MANY EXCITING AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

BEST REGARDS,

DARLENE F.
GUEST SERVICES

I AM PRINTING THIS UP AND WILL BE TAKING IT WITH ME JUST IN CASE. THE WEBSITE is www.guestservices@universalorlando.com I EMAILED THEM TUESDAY NITE, WHEN I GOT HOME FROM WORK WEDNESDAY I HAD MY RESPONSE.

HOPE THIS HELPS EVERYONE.

[BevS97]

Hi,

just to let you know that we were at both IOA and Universal last week. IOA on Sunday had opened the gates by 8:30, at Universal we had to wait until 9. We had 5 park passes, but I didn't ask about early entry.

In both parks you really don't need early entry - we had the entire park virtually to ourselves on both mornings. We walked on to all rides until about 11. At IOA, we had Suess Landing totally to ourselves for about an hour.

Bev

[Lulu]

OK, I finally got my replies from Universal. I wrote to two different emails and they both stated Orlando flex tickets qualify for early entry! Nothing about them having to be bought from AAA. I have printed my copy and will be bringing it with me. I am really glad the op on this topic posted about this problem, now I can be ready if there is a problem.

[Meagansmom]

I am glad everyone is getting some answers. Have a great trip and let us know the outcome. I wish I were going. Can't wait.

[farley]

I bought 2-day tickets from ticketmania thinking I would have early entry. Now it sounds like I will not.Does anyone know for sure,leaving in 2 weeks. Also does the tickets have a code on them so they know where they came from? my tickets do not say anything about ticketmania on them. Joy

[Meagansmom]

farley - We purchased our tickets through Ticketmania. There were some questions flying around about early entry and where people have purchased their tickets. I sent an email to Universal and they sent an email back stating that the tickets do qualify for early entry.

I still think per Barry's reply - He was involved with the question about where tickets were purchased - I would just to be safe - send an email questioning where you purchased your tickets and about early entry. There you have both answers and can have peace of mind for your vacation from the above comments.

I know I am going to be prepared.

My tickets do not say Ticketmania on the back.

[Jenny]

The idea of bringing an emailed response from Univ. confirming your early entry status is a good one. When my husband & I were in one of the three lines prior to 8:00 at USF, one of the employees at the gate checked the tickets & asked each person in his line where they were staying. I remember him saying, "Well, I'm just checking to see if you're eligible. I'd hate to see you wait in line for nothing." Our line's employee did not check but hearing that other employee did make me nervous. I was anticipating a problem. Based on my original post, you know the rest of this story, which, in fairness, had a happy ending. I was a AAA multi-day tix holder, I knew I was right but just by verbally saying that I had called USF & had been told by AAA didn't hold any weight. I really think that the email will work - if not with the ticket collector, than w/ the Guest Relations employee. Hopefully you won't be delayed waiting to complain to the manager at Guest Relations as it takes time! My advice is to show the employee at the turnstile your tix & your email before 8 so that in the event you are denied then you can get over to Guest Relations as soon as possible. Good luck! p.s. I still have the 2nd day of my tix - I wonder if the policy for early entry for AAA holders will change by the time I'm ready to use them! L.O.L.

[Notatourist]

Things will not change unless you write a real letter-ask that question in your letter-

You might just change the policy!

[jason5]

What email have you all used to contact guest services? I went to the guestservice@universal... website and could only find the Contact Us link. This took me to a generic pick your topic, type your question area which I did. Is this what everybody else has been using? Thanks for the help everybody! Jason

[Meagansmom]

Hi Jason5 - I just went to my outlook express. I used "New Mail" and sent a generic email.

[GrumpyOne]

I bought a multi-day ticket at the Universal store on May 19th for a May 21st visit. Before purchasing, I asked "Is this good for early entry?" because if it wasn't, I would have just gotten the 1-day. The cashier said it was and that the 1-day was not. When I got to the park, I was told it wasn't good for early entry. After telling them that the Universal store said it was and showing my receipt to prove I bought it there, they let me in anyway.

If you want early entry, don't buy your tickets from the store at the airport!