FOTL for HRH Guests [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

thefoyboy

02-10-2001, 06:51 PM

I have been reading various posts on this topic. It seems from what I am gathering that HRH and Port guests who already have reservations and were promised this perk all day every day are now being changed on midstream.

I don't know if it is true or not, but one time per ride per day is hardly considered much of a perk. In fact, I'd say this goes so far as to constitute breach of contract. I have printed out numerous web pages along with my own receipt of this perk with no restrictions on it not to mention two names of folks in reservations who told me directly it was all day every day with no exceptions or exclusions.

I think if this does come about as it seems to be, then folks like me who had their reservations long before this change is made might have a claim against the bill of goods they were sold. One of the primary selling points for us to stay at HRH was FOTL.

I guess I'll see and if it is changed against me, then Universal will have a real headache on their hands in the form of me. I hope I won't be the only one as this is ridiculous. If it is, oh well, I've never been one to back down from a position like this.

I'd like to hear from others on this.

Travel Junkie

02-10-2001, 07:53 PM

I have also received a formal response from Universal very specificall that the supposed change to FOTL for on-site guests is merely rumor. Although some on the board regard "Earl" as an all-knowing mysterious prophet, I can't believe he is the only employee at US who is in on this change. However, if this is the case, it is certainly a most blantant mis-representation in it's classic form and they will surely have some explaining to do as far as I am concerned. We'll just have to wait & see.

thefoyboy

02-10-2001, 08:49 PM

XL,

I just got done reviewing the posts of the past couple of weeks since I was last here. I have been coming here for about 2 months, but never registered until recently ala yesterday now.

Anyway, I noticed this is a rather hot topic of recent and did not know it. As a result, I did not mean to rehash something, but I do find it troubling that if Universal made this commitment to folks who are paying the extra dough to stay on-site they haven't bothered to contact them and let them know of the impending change and whether or not they'd like to cancel free of charge due to it.

For my wife and I the FOTL was the perk that tipped the scale for us to stay at HRH. Yes, the other things are nice, but they weren't the scale tipper for us.

Then this baloney that I read that your no more special if you stay on-site obviously comes from someone who has no idea what customer service is. My guess is, if you take away on-site perks, you'll see occupancy levels drop precipitously which is why they offer them.

Jon360 made the point well. People like me aren't so stupid to pay twice as much to stay on-site just because we like to part with our money. We do it because of all the extras you get for staying there and not just because I like paying $200 a night for a hotel as some obviously non-customercentric Universal employee stated.

In the end, I may not succeed in retaining what I was promised even after several phone calls of assurance, but I would think if Universal cared a dime about those who spend the extra money to stay on-site they might at least let them know and give them an option to cancel penalty free or upgrade because of the inconvenience irregardless of the 'changes may occur' baloney always in microscopic fine print.

Its called customer friendly.....

Travel Junkie

02-10-2001, 09:17 PM

ABSOLUTELY!! Well said!

Jon360

02-10-2001, 09:32 PM

I agree. That is why Universal should not implement this system until next year. Too many people are buying packages and hotel stays based on the "UNLIMITED" FOTL Perk.

Universal simply taking the word UNLIMITED off of their website and not posting a notice that the policy has changed is deceitful.

Even if Universal were to refund my hotel stay, US Airways will not refund my airfare so I am stuck with my trip. If I knew that FOTL was once per ride I would be making one trip to Universal this year instead of 3.

Universal made me book trips for a product that will not be delivered. Of course I am still skeptical that FOTL is being taken away because EVERY other employee I speak with about this has no idea about the change. How hard is it for Universal to send out a company-wide e-mail about the changes???

You would think that The Hard Rock, Portofino, and Universal customer service employees would stop telling me that it will be unlimited for my trip next month! But no, I am constantly told it will be unlimited no matter who I call.

Earl obviously understands the practical need for the change however he does not at all comprehend the PR ramifications of the change.

thefoyboy

02-10-2001, 09:57 PM

Jon360,

I don't know Earl well enough to comment on him or any of the others except for the one moronic comment I read by some self-indicated Universal employee that I am just someone who likes to pay more for hotels but am not entitled to anything for it.

Point is if Universal is changing this, and I am skeptical at this point though I won't say it isn't happening, they are basically challenging customers who made reservations quite some time ago to go ahead do whatever they feel they need to at their own expense rather than doing the right thing which is to take care of its customers.

I am skeptical because I last checked in 2 weeks ago with the Universal agent that I first talked to when the phone was answered and then I talked to her supervisor who then went and indicated the same which was FOTL All Day All Rides(with notable exceptions known ahead of time) with no limitation and it would be in place when we were there.

I then asked to speak to the HRH general manager. They kindly transferred me over. The phone was answered and they had inadvertently transferred me to the Port. Since I was there, I decided to ask the on-duty manager at the front desk about it and she confirmed what I had been told by the previous two individuals. I then asked if she would transfer me over to HRH which she did.

They answered the phone at HRH and I talked to the general manager, or so I was told. She indicated the same as the 3 previous folks.

Now, if I found 4 distinctly different individuals that all represent Universal and Loews who told me the same thing and obviously need to know the right answers are wrong, then these companies are in big trouble. They are the first contact with customers and if they aren't giving out the right answers, then someone at Universal and Loews is going to have to bite the bullet and make it up to customers they have misrepresented this too repeatedly.

Ultimately, if intercompany communication is this poor, it isn't surprising why Earl and CoasterFEV are so agitated.

My only point is you get what you pay for and allow yourself to be messed over for. Fortunately for me, I am not one of these sheeple who allows companies to just manipulate me and my families vacation as they see fit. Legally, they might be able to do this, but if that's how they view there customers then my family and I won't be so foolish as to continue to visit Universal and make it a priority destination.

Travel Junkie

JessicaR

02-10-2001, 10:07 PM

Jon,

You havent read about this anywhere or been told by Universal because you received the information before it became official. March 1st is the date according to CoasterFEV.

"Universal made me book trips for a product that will not be delivered." Come on Jon...how did they "make" you?
You can continue carrying on but you are only upsetting yourself. It clearly states and no it is not "always in microscopic fine print", SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

I also believe and yes Jon, it's my opinion, that you are now resorting to ficticious post names in order to continue your rants on this board. I suppose you are entitled to them, I just hope they have been productive for you.

http://mayfaircitgo.com/maria/jessica5.gif

thefoyboy

02-10-2001, 10:20 PM

Jessica,

I want to assure you I am a completely different person than Jon360. I wish you'd at least give me that much credit. I sent Barry a private email about a basic question I had, so he will in a way be able to verify my identity as being distinctly different from Jon360.

As for 'ranting' as you put it, are you saying then that Universal has no obligation, either legally or being a good customer centered company, to notify those who made reservations a while back about this change considering its magnitude?

You may think FOTL is no big deal, but when you only go once a year and unfortunately you have to go near the peak season due to job constraints FOTL kind of plays a large role in deciding where to stay since they did play it up so big. If it was a minor perk then why in the world was every webpage I went to about HRH, Port, and Universal Vacations touting this wonderful perk first and foremost as well as the reps I talked to?

By the way, I do live in CT if you haven't already noticed that. We are driving to Lorton, VA to take the AutoTrain down to FL like we did last year. We'd like to continue to make it an annual thing with Universal, but if this is the kind of treatment they endow on their consumers without notice, then visitation there will cease.

Its the principle and treatment of the consumer that counts. Rather than institute change immediately(which it must be since reps on the phone still are saying FOTL is All Day All Rides unlimited), why not institute it at a point down the road when the off-season is big so they can work the bugs out and also allow consumers who booked under the old assumption of FOTL to enjoy the perk as told?

I'm not begging anyone to agree with me as I can lodge and battle my own complaints and have done so successfully when I got shafted by many large companies, but I shouldn't have to if Universal cares so much as some of their reps posting here say.

Its not about whats legal, its about what is right for the customer.

Travel Junkie

Dave OBrien

02-11-2001, 12:17 AM

If you'd take that chip off your shoulder, the world would seem so much brighter!

"Compose your final, loathesome dirge!"

Beckles

02-11-2001, 06:05 AM

One comment in this thread that I've seen similar comments too that really befuddles me ... "People like me aren't so stupid to pay twice as much to stay on-site just because we like to part with our money."

Maybe I don't know about some super-secret Orlando resort that is an incredible bargain, but what hotel that is comparable to the HRH costs half as much?

JessicaR

02-11-2001, 08:13 AM

Hi thefoyboy,

My post was in no way addressed to you. Sorry if I gave you that indication. Have a great day :D

http://mayfaircitgo.com/maria/jessica5.gif

thefoyboy

02-11-2001, 10:33 AM

Dave,

I don't know if your comment about the chip on the shoulder was to me or not, but if it was I ask why you think such?

Travel Junkie

thefoyboy

02-11-2001, 10:53 AM

Beckles,

Well it depends on how you make your comparisons.

If the comparison is service compared to other hotels that cost half as much, then I'd say there are several that can meet or beat HRH on that front based on what I have read here and at other boards. The excuse of they are new and working the bugs out doesn't wash with me. If that is what they are going to use as their line, then they ought to charge people staying there now, their guinea pigs, half as much or not even open until ready.

If its location and being able to walk into 2 of the 6 major parks in the area(US, IOA, SEA, DIS, EPCOT, MGM), well, then its about a wash I'd say since you can find hotels half the price that are proximate to all 6.

If its room quality, well, from what I have seen, read, and heard I'd say there are several hotels that can compare there that cost half as much. Theme wise obviously HRH is unique.

Finally, HRH's major advantage is the perks you get in relation to the Universal Parks. The FOTL, being able to walk to the parks, back to the hotel, to Citywalk, movie passes, one free meal, etc.

We are trying it because it is a new and uniquely themed hotel, nice perks indicated at the time of booking, and we plan on visiting US/IOA/Citywalk several times over our 6 days there.

Overall, the only real true difference between similar businesses anymore besides the obvious built in perks is service, service, service. If the service and the promises that go along with it are not going to be delivered, then don't be making them.

Travel Junkie

thefoyboy

02-11-2001, 11:06 AM

I just got off the phone with a representative and her boss at Universal Vacations. I have the official story in hand and shall explain, so please be patient.

First, what Earl and CoasterFEV said was true. They were going to institute the FOTL of onsite guests to One use per ride per day. That is now null and void for the near future and was only made null in the last few days.

They found that they were having problems instituting this system for onsite guests as well as the complaint level was reaching a fever pitch. So until further notice FOTL is All Day All Rides unlimited in both parks.

One addendum to this issue as well. Those that had made reservations some time ago under the assumption of FOTL All Day All Rides unlimited were still going to get that even with this new system coming online. The way that was going to happen was via those guests getting a special card to ID them as being eligible for FOTL for unlimited.

Now, the FastPass system is still going to be coming online and implemented for the Multi-passes and Universal Express system and related tickets, but onsite guests will still enjoy the FOTL perk unlimited.

I have names and commitments on this, so it wasn't arbitrary on some other board I heard this. It came straight out of Universal Vacations who are getting the information first(versus getting it after training has begun on it) now due to the embarrassment this change caused them and the heat they were feeling from customers when they heard about it.

I am now glad I reserved judgment on Earl and CoasterFEV because what they were telling everyone all along was accurate and then in the last two days the system for onsite guests reverted back to FOTL unlimited.

I appreciate what I am learning here and hope I can learn more to make the vacation more fun. Ultimately, I believe Universal has proved itself in this to be very customer friendly and my tendency to want to rush to early judgment on them I apologize for.

Travel Junkie

thefoyboy

02-11-2001, 11:10 AM

Jessica,

I wasn't sure if you were referring to me as Jon or not, thus I took the questioning tone though I did come off sounding defensive to you and I apologize for that.

I hope to learn more from you and others here and I thank you, Barry, and others for having this forum.

Travel Junkie

Beckles

02-11-2001, 11:50 AM

I'd like one example of a hotel with comparable room quality or service that is comparable in price to the HRH, never mind half the price.

I've stayed at the HRH twice and PBH once ... and it was worth every penny, and I don't know of any hotels in Orlando that offer comparable services and amenities (never mind location and USF/IOA only perks) to both the PBH and HRH.

Grand Cypress ... more expensive
Grand Floridian ... more expensive
Marriott World Center ... more expensive
Wyndham Grand Bay ... more expensive
Peabody ... more expensive
Swan/Dolphin ... more expensive

Where are these better hotels?

The Mystery Machine

02-11-2001, 12:31 PM

I made reservations for June 4 weeks ago. How should I go about ensuring that I receive the FOTL "card"/"perk"/"whatever" name they are going to assign to this change??
I won't change resorts since I want to be close to US/IOA.
I would hate the disappointment, you know, you check-in, and they say "sorry in March blah,blah,blah, etc.."

HRH/CBR in June

thefoyboy

02-11-2001, 12:50 PM

Beckles,

Embassy Suites for one since we stayed there last year. Clarion in some locations though I don't know about here since I haven't stayed there.

We'll end up agreeing to disagree I believe on this one.

Travel Junkie

thefoyboy

02-11-2001, 12:53 PM

New Groove,

I assume you made your reservations through Universal Vacations, but even if not do this.

Call up Universal Vacations and/or the hotel you have the reservations at. Get the verbal commitment over the phone and make sure you get a name, both first and last, along with time and date and ask them to send you a confirmation of this fact.

That would be about the best you could do.

Travel Junkie

Beckles

02-11-2001, 01:02 PM

Embassy Suites is roughly the same price as HRH, and the quality of amenities at the Embassy Suites is not as high as HRH. Of course, as with any suite only property (Embassy Suites, Residence Inn, etc.) the room is bigger, but the furnishings are not as high quality as the HRH.

Same price, not as nice (though admittedly more room).

Clarion? Not even close ... half the price, yes ... also half the hotel ...

Jon360

02-11-2001, 01:09 PM

--"Universal made me book trips for a product that will not be delivered." Come on Jon...how did they "make" you?--

They advertised the product as having a certain feature. That is why I purchased it. No company forces anyone to purchase a product, however I chose to purchase it based on the experiences of others and my own past experience with FOTL.

--You can continue carrying on but you are only upsetting yourself. It clearly states and no it is not "always in microscopic fine print", SUBJECT TO CHANGE.--

My airline ticket says subject to change. However, if they changed my flight time from 6pm to 6am, my travel agent would notify me and promptly offer a refund. When Universal is changing it's policy my travel agent does not notify me, it is a surprise for when I get there.

--I also believe and yes Jon, it's my opinion, that you are now resorting to ficticious post names in order to continue your rants on this board. I suppose you are entitled to them, I just hope they have been productive for you.--

This is the most ludicrist thing I have ever read. I think you have spent so much time on this message board you are coming up with baseless accusations against people whose views you disagree with.

If you have any doubts as to who I am just e-mail me at Jon360@aol.com and I would be more than happy to talk to you over the phone or in person on Long Island to tell you how I feel about the changes!

Jon360

02-11-2001, 01:10 PM

Thefoyboy,

I hope that the information you received is correct!! That would be awesome! Maybe someone at Universal was listening!!!

And Jessica if it is true that they have decided not to limit it anymore, maybe you can thank me and the other people on this board who didn't just accept it as fact and voiced their concerns about the changes.

thefoyboy

02-11-2001, 01:42 PM

Jon360,

I know it is correct. I have a way of digging through the clutter and the people who may be misinformed and getting to someone who knows for a fact plus taking names does help a lot.

As for thanking anyone and being sanctamonious about it I will not do. Yes, maybe the complaints is what changed it, but I'll just be happy that it did and not gloat about what maybe we accomplished.

In the meantime, keep letting them know your thoughts and checking in lest they think we get complacent and not mind it changing again at least in the immediate future.

As for the room comparisons to the previous poster whose name I cannot recall now and apologize for such, our Embassy room was easily half as much as what we are paying at HRH and the amenities and service were excellent, so it is comparable, I can't argue with you about the Clarion since I've never stayed at that one. POint is your paying for the name and perks when you stay onsite and you are charged as such, so the goods need to be delivered. To say there isn't better for less is just in error since I have at least pointed out one. We just decided to try this once for now and see what we think. Maybe a better thought about it will come after when I'll drop my two cents here about it.

Travel Junkie

Earl

02-11-2001, 01:42 PM

I guess this one just will not go away, so here's the spark for the new firestorm of rebuttals ....

Anyone thanking anyone, and not accepting it as fact. I'm sorry, but please. It was fact until a couple of days ago. As a matter of fact, I posted there was a change a few days ago. Now, if you must know, there is a reason for the change. Whenever the issue is settled, there will be a limit for on-site. It will be along the lines of every couple of hours, or so many times a day per attraction. For one of the reasons, the system cannot stand riders getting off and right back on, over and over again, in the numbers that the hotels can generate. Remember, 2 hotels now, third under construction, no more than a 15 minute wait in Express. The unlimited phrase has been removed from all of the advertising, for good.

It's still going to be the best access system in any theme park. If you honestly think it's so bad, why don't you call the mouse and see what they'll do for you.

thefoyboy

02-11-2001, 02:03 PM

Earl,

I'll just say this in kind reply. I don't know exactly what your position at Universal is, but I respect you no matter what it is.

Nonetheless, the customer service reps on the front end are not going to be in the habit of giving out blantantly false or outright lies in the performance of their duties along with giving their complete names lest their job be in jeopardy.

If they were to do so they'd be misrepresenting Universal and be subject to legal recourse. They weren't just trying to massage my concerns, they flat out and confidently assured me of what I posted in an earlier reply.

You are welcome to say what you will, but if Universal is so messed up that you and others you work with have one set of info yet the folks on the front line have no idea and are giving out false information to customers and booking them under these assumptions, then Universal hasn't even begun to see the firestorm yet.

Travel Junkie

Earl

02-11-2001, 02:40 PM

Please let me start out by saying out not trying to put anyone down, or out post anyone. I'm only stating what I know as correct and to date have not posted any incorrect information here. I read the previous post about the change. It says until further notice, access is not changed. There's no forever about this. It may be a month, or a year. You can bet on it being done by the time the Royal Bali opens. I know the specific reason why it has not been implemented, and just like any other information I don't post, it's nobody's business outside of Universal. It's not because of calls or complaints, it's a logistical issue.

All I'm trying to do is to avoid anyone from getting incorrect information. It would bother me if someone was dissapointed by their trip because someone gave them incorrect information that I could have corrected. One thing for sure, Universal is not about to give somebody something based on the fact that they read it on a public forum. Universal isn't mis-representing itself and no one is subject to legal action, hopefully no one posting here will be. Give out enough wrong information and have it cost someone some money and see.

Letsbgoofy

02-11-2001, 05:03 PM

Earl,

I would like to thank you for the information that you give us here. I know that you have taken a lot of heat regarding the FOTL issue; and yet you have continued to keep us up to date on what is happening. I hope you know that you are appreciated by many!

02-11-2001, 05:03 PM

Give it up Earl! <IMG WIDTH="15" HEIGHT="15" SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif" alt="razz">

thefoyboy

02-11-2001, 05:25 PM

Earl,

Let me just put it this way. Someone here is wrong or you might have even left yourself an out by saying it might be implemented in a month or in a year. Now that is somewhat different from what you were saying before. Nonetheless, FOTL is unlimited for now and the near future per Universal Representatives on an OFFICIAL basis. You are considered unofficial since you wish to post that way and really it is all you can do here.

As per the legal aspect, if your saying that it is still going to change very soon and I and others like me who had previous reservations won't get FOTL unlimited, then your in effect saying Universal is lying to me and or others here. How can I say that? Well, if I call the official company reservation line, as I did, and am told without reservation that FOTL is unlimited for me and other guests previously booked, then they have to honor that or they are blantantly misrepresenting known policy and risking legal action because of deception.

Now I don't want to go into that, but that point is known and made. At this juncture it isn't a problem because OFFICIAL Universal Reps have cleared up the confusions for now and the current future, but I will continue to check in every week until arriving there.

In the meantime, either your blowing smoke or Universal customer service reps are deceiving customers. Either way, someone is in the wrong unless you want to open another avenue for escape for yourself like the month or year comment.

Travel Junkie

Earl

02-11-2001, 05:53 PM

What are you talking about? What is this blowing smoke? What about mis-representation? Do you read all of the words or just the ones that you want to? I have not mis-spoken. All I said is it's the way it is now, and that it will change at some point. I didn't say very soon, just that it will. It could be a month, it could be longer. That's what I said. When the change takes place, the repsonse that you get from reeservations will change as well. Nobody's blowing smoke, misleading or being deceiving. There's a reason for the change being delayed, it's perfectly logical, but it's not any of your business. Leave myself a way out for what I posted before? I didn't need to leave myself an out. I posted a reply last week that there was a change, I just didn't give the details. More words that didn't get read I suppose. All this and it's your first day posting, at least under this name. All of that history on this board just going to waste.

I'm trying to keep it straight so everyone, including you, doesn't get mis-informed. Letsbgoofy, thanks, you get the point.

[This message was edited by Earl on 02-11-01 at 10:05 PM.]

thefoyboy

02-11-2001, 06:20 PM

Earl,

Was it not you that said this was going to happen on the 15th and there was going to be no further FOTL unlimited and you had the paperwork on your desk verifying that fact? If not, then I apologize, but I think I recall that in going back and reading some of your posts.

Second, are you so insecure with me and my assertions that you would imply I am someone else hiding behind another name? How lame is that? Why maybe your a Disney employee trying to stir up trouble for Universal? Sounds about as nuts as your questioning my validity.

Finally, up to this point I have been very generous in granting you your positions, but it sounds now like your getting cold feet of sorts. I could say there is going to be change to this program within a year and probably be right about it and not have to be a Universal employee to see that one. The implication I gathered from you and your statements was that the changeover was happening nearly immediatly, nothing could change it, and if anyone else at Universal told us different they were wrong.

Me thinks you doth protests too much, but hey, go for it. You do make one good point. No one here can misrepresent anything since anything you say is unofficial and unprovable since this is a message board.

Travel Junkie

larworth

02-11-2001, 06:22 PM

Earl misrepresent something. Come on. Why we can beg, plead, try to guess, even threaten to visit his office, and he still never tells us anything he shouldn't.

Earl, I appreciate you trying to let us know ahead of time. Obviously, there are changes in the works and I'm sure it is not the first time things change at the last minute. Don't let this dampen your participation, regardless of how little you sometimes actually tell us (lol).

I too hold HRH reservations for later in the year. Yes, FOTL all day was the key factor as I have always stayed off-site. If they change the policy before my trip, than it would be a great gesture of goodwill if they grandfather those who had prior reservations.

I don't know what my reaction will be if they don't. I have been holding off telling the kids as I didn't want them to get bummed out.

thefoyboy

02-11-2001, 06:30 PM

Lar,

Why bother checking with Earl for the policy? Why not contact Universal on an official contact basis and get the straight skinny rather than rely on someone who may or may not be able to give the exacts on things as he is now saying.

My attempt is not to demean him, but IMO his explanations have modified somewhat over the last couple of weeks which brings questions to mind.

I appreciate any insight someone can give, but it was being made to sound like on-site guests, no matter when they made their reservation or what any OFFICIAL rep of Universal told us, were going to lost the FOTL unlimited privilege and that is now been indicated to not be so no matter what reason is tossed out.

Finally, I don't expect Earl to tell me anything he isn't supposed to which is why I call Universal for the OFFICIAL line. If he shares information unofficially, that's great, but of course consider it isn't an official release so it is subject to change...<grin>

Travel Junkie

Earl

02-11-2001, 06:31 PM

It's amazing. It must be the cold weather. I said I had the policy, then I said there was a change. On top of everything else, the hardware's not ready. You can male one of your calls to IBM, there are doing the system.

Otherwise, get over it. If there's anyway in the world it can happen, I do hope you enjoy your next visit.

MrNonacho

02-11-2001, 06:53 PM

The information that Earl has provided us (by his own generous free will) has proved to be remarkably accurate. Thefoyboy, if you so desire, you can look back at all the posts made by Earl in the past year or so. You'll find that he's been spot-on for pretty much everything he said was going to happen.

Weeks and weeks ago, he and CoasterFEV broke the news of this new Express system. They explained that there would be kiosks and alternate entrances to accomodate this new system. If one called the OFFICIAL Universal sources, you would have been told that there would be no changes to Express in the foreseeable future. Sure enough, even though Universal said it wouldn't change, there are new signs popping up at many attractions pointing to new entrances. Also, I noticed yesterday that there is a big new sign outside Back to the Future that currently reads simply "Distribution," as well as what seem to be four "spaces" for the kiosks. I'm sure there will soon be more like it. So, sometimes even the official Universal sources can be a little behind or misinformed.

I do not think Earl is trying to mislead us or misrepresent Universal or its services. Like someone here said recently, a lot of this argument wouldn't have occurred had the communication channels within Universal been a bit more effective.

Based on his past gifts of information, I'd believe Earl when he says that unlimited FOTL is enjoying only a temporary encore. (On reading this again, I realize that it never went away. In fact, pretty much the only people who knew that it would be going away were people from this board and people who had other "inside" sources. This just lends further credence to Earl's assertion that guest complaints were not the reason for continuing unlimited FOTL.)

Thanks for everything, Earl, and don't let anything said on these boards get to you. A year from now hardly anyone is going to remember this bumpy transition. How many of you remember the days before ANY Express access? They weren't that long ago.

[This message was edited by MrNonacho on 02-11-01 at 10:59 PM.]

Spaceman Spiff

02-11-2001, 07:12 PM

Earl, I just wanted to let you know that there are many on this board that are happy you chose us to devulge bits and pieces of upcoming happenings for UO. Having FOTL access or not, is not stopping me from choosing HRH or PB from my hotel destination. Even the once a day FOTL is a far better a deal than the mouse up the road can do.

http://www.geocities.com/monack2/jp3logo_sm.jpg

thefoyboy

02-11-2001, 07:37 PM

MrNonacho,

I don't doubt that Earl has been accurate. In fact, I gave him that assumption based upon my limited knowledge of him or CoasterFEV since I have only begun reading these boards in the last 2 months and only decided to start posting this weekend.

The only thing I questioned was this FOTL issue and his take on it which seemed to be it was going to happen period, persona non grata no matter what other Universal Reps said or promised. In this case what they say is much more important since this perk is a big deal and their word is an OFFICIAL representation which they can be held to account on. Earl, good as he is, cannot since his posts here are strictly unofficial.

I'll say it again. Earl sounds like a good Universal source of information, but he's only as good as what Universal's official representatives are willing to promise you. This knowledge directly affects customers wanting to stay onsite. A change in scenery, rides, ticket types, etc, tend to be less of an inconvenience in general compared to an onsite guest who doles out the money because of promised perks.

I am always willing to listen, learn, and acknowledge those who have something to share. I only get a little bit concerned when I hear something that doesn't seem to blend with the official policy where it affects my plans in a large way potentially. When things are more personal to you, that tends to be the case for all I'm sure.

To those I have offended, my apologies as it was not my intent. Rather it was only to question and get to the bottom of this as has now been done. Sadly by taking a long route...

Travel Junkie

Dave OBrien

02-12-2001, 12:50 AM

This is rediculous. First off, Earl has been around here a long time and not to my knowledge, has ever given inacurate information, nor does he have to drop an inside tidbit here and there. We greatly appreciate this Earl-my deepest thank you's. As far as babbling on ad-nauseum about "getting screwed" for FOTL, if this is the worst thing that ever happens to you in life, well you've lead a charmed existance. On and on about legal action-come on, give it a rest. Go on vacation and enjoy it for what it is- a vacation. I think that chip on your shoulder is so large, it blocks out any way you'd be able to enjoy yourself as you'd always be trying to find ways you thought you were getting the shaft. Lighten up a little. Life's too short.

"Compose your final, loathesome dirge!"