New System For Onsite Guests = BAD!!!!!!!!

[Jon360]

Front of the line all day everyday means all day everyday! It does not mean each ride once per day! This system is BAD!!

Let's say I am staying on-site for 3 nights like my trip coming this summer. This is how my schedule would look:

Day 1, 9am:
Universal...
-MIB
-BTTF
-T2-3D
-JAWS
-KONG
-EARTHQUAKE
-TWISTER

This can be done in 2-4 hrs with FOTL. If I go at 9am I am done by 1pm.

Then let's say I head over to IOA and I do:
-Spiderman
-Hulk
-Dragons
-Jurassic Park River Adventure
-Dooms Fearfall

This should take me 2-3 hrs.

At this point it is 4pm and I have ridden all of the rides I want to go on. The park is open till 11pm. I have absolutely no incentive to stay in the parks anymore because I cannot repeat my favorite attractions such as Spiderman, MIB, BTTF, Hulk, Dragons. Ok, maybe I can go back to my hotel and hang out at the pool for an hour or 2 and go get something to eat at CityWalk. Then it is 8pm. In the summer the parks are open till 11pm.. Obviously it would have been nice to go back these last 3 hours and repeat some of my favorite rides but I might as well stay in my hotel room if I don't want to wait 2 hours for Spiderman or Hulk.

Then we get to the 2nd day of my trip. I already went on every ride I am interested in, now I feel like repeating just my favorites.
At 12pm I hit:
-Hulk
-Spiderman
-Dragons
-MIB
-BTTF

Wow that probably took 2-3 hours. Unlike previous trips where I could go on MIB 5-10 times in a row to try and get a good score. Now at 3pm I am done with every attraction I am interested in today.

My point is, it takes enjoyment away from me to limit my FOTL use to once per day per ride and it limits the amount of time I want to spend in the parks which is a money loser for Universal if I am sitting in my hotel room and not in the park spending $$.

I think a fairer system would be to give on-site guests FOTL once per hour on each attraction. That way after riding once, on-site guests would move on to another attraction but they would still have the option of coming back at anytime later in the day. For example, if you ride Spiderman at 1:00, you would not be able to ride again until 2:01. Let me know if you guys agree with me about this!!

[h20jag]

Jon,
I'm thinking that it might be possible to re-ride with ticket(s) from kiosk , immediately after using on-site FOTL. It's still a wee bit of a mystery how this will turn out, but I'm gonna keep the faith for now. I do like to get right back on the same ride again myself. Whatever the final adjustments end up being on this new system, I'm sure it will suit the masses just fine.
(Is that a Revolution I smell brewing?)
J

[Jon360]

If I'm going to stand in line at the Kiosks I might as well stay at the Radisson Towers or Sheraton Studio City for 80 bucks a night!

[Loric]

Does anyone complaining ever thought to stop and think about why they're only giving you one ride? Perhaps it's because the rides are becomming over crowded, and it's better than just making you wait in the regular line all the time, which is the alternative.. sheesh..
-Rob

[Beckles]

Personally, I like the new system. The only ride I've ever riden more than once in a day is MIB, and I could live with only being able to do it once.

I don't think FOTL could go on forever as it was with more and more rooms coming into the system, it would get uncontrollable if there were too many people doing it. Might not be too bad for HRH and PBH, but once the add the next hotel, which will be 1,000 rooms + I believe, that would be over 2500 rooms, and just too many folks to accomodate everyone with unlimited FOTL.

[h20jag]

Don't discount that on-site FOTL for restrooms! Can come in reeeal handy too.
Hope there's not a kiosk wait for this.
J

[J and E's Mom]

I will be psyched about just being able to ride most of the rides ONCE using FOTL! The last two times we went was in the summer and the lines were LONG....more than an hour for the big rides. We belong to the DVC and also love Universal, but it was not worth the money for tickets and transportation when you spend 50% of your day standing in line.

We are adding three days at HRH this summer hoping that FOTL will change our opinion of the park. I can't wait to find out.

The Gagnons--Bob, Tracy, Jacob, and Emily

[WebmasterBarry]

If I read the FOTL policy correct, onsite guests get FOTL for one ride and Universal Express for 3 rides (assuming you have a separate pass). That to me is a good deal. Besides, I would only use FOTL when necessary, like a 60 minute wait on Spiderman, not a 0 minute wait on the Hulk!

http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/family/guy.gif

Barry Hom
The moderator formerly known as Barry aka usagi
Moderator, Universal and Sea World Boards


"If you were me, you'd be good looking."

[Beckles]

Onsite guests get FOTL for all the rides (except Fievel, Pterandon, and Woody ... whatever the usual exceptions are), but only once each day can you use that FOTL for each ride. No limit on numbers or anything like that, and no need for a reservation, just show your key, as you do know, but you'll have to swipe it now through some reader so it can mark you as having used your FOTL for that ride for that day.

The only remaining question I have is will onsite guests still get No Line, No wait ... will onsite guests still get to go ahead of folks using the new "reservation" system or whatever you want to call it.

[Beckles]

Oh ... are you saying with the new system multi day ticket holders could get three passes, but all for the same ride? That would seem kind of silly to me, if it's busy enough to use the passes, I would think you'd want to ride more than one ride while avoiding the line ...

I would guess that they don't let you hold passes for the same ride at the same time ... that would be my guess!

[Jon360]

Barry,

I have NEVER experienced less than a 30 min. wait on Hulk!

[JessicaR]

Jon, when I was there in Dec . off season...yes early Dec. 2 days in a row in the morning there was a "0" min wait. :)

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

[Jon360]

Jessica,

Some of us can only go during the peak times so I can see why you wouldn't care about losing unlimited FOTL. However, if your school work and your job only enabled you to go during peak times you would understand where I'm coming from and why I don't like this new restriction.

[JessicaR]

Jon,

I can totally sympathize with you. I understand only being able to go peak times. I myself have done both.I just feel that you could look at the flip side to this. Utilize your benefits to their maximum. It is not that I don't care about losing FOTL benefits but rather feel gracious that Universal offers any such perk at all. It isnt like they have to. I think this new system, if you review it makes the most sense. How could you possibly enjoy your day at a busy park using a perk (FOTL) that doesnt work to your benefit? If the guests staying onsite are so large how would you suggest FOTL to be beneficial to you and other onsite guests? Take advantage of EE days, use your onsite FOTL access at the parks busiest times and at other times when the park isnt maxed out take advantage of the reserved passes. If you enjoy these parks, you would be going regardless. I am in no way trying to sway you to my way of thinking. I'm just in hopes that you can find happiness with the new system. After all...it is an amusement park..we are supposed to be having fun!!! Have you been fortunate enough to take advantage of FOTL since it started in Nov? Oh and one other thought...nothing is in stone. Maybe they will implement this and change it again! It's only been a few short months that they even offered FOTL unlimited. They had to have some forsight that this could not last forever with new onsite hotels opening.I'm wondering what the lines have been since both properties are now open and it isnt even peak season. When will you be there next. Jon?
Oh yes and, why not reserve your favorite ride 3 times in a row? That way you can reride a few times..like MIB.

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

[This message was edited by JessicaR on 01-30-01 at 03:49 PM.]

[Earl]

As in one of the previous posts, do the numbers. If on-site had unlimited access, you could potentially shut out every other rider. Sorry that we can't please every single person, but the intent is to please as many as possible.

BTW, you don't get this much anywhere else. You can always go to the mouse and stand in line.

[Jon360]

Jessica and Earl,

I agree that when the new Royal Pacific Hotel opens the FOTL will be overwhelmed and this restriction makes sense. However, that hotel will not open till late next year so I am talking about the time period between now and when the RP opens.

The last 2 weekends in January both the Portofino and Hard Rock hotels were 100% sold out. I did not hear any complaints about line problems as I'm sure everything went as usual with the FOTL perk even with another 1000 or so guests from Hard Rock adding to the Portofino guests.

With the KIOSK system, much like Disney's Fast Pass, I'm sure that during peak times the tickets for the most popular rides will be snapped up immediately. If you have tried getting a Fast Pass ticket for Test Track, Rockin Roller Coaster, Splash Mountain, or Tower of Terror past 4pm during peak times you know what I'm talking about.

I just think that Universal could come up with a fairer system that resembles the unlimited FOTL access rather than "once per day". I mean why not twice per day.. like once from 9am-5pm and once from 5pm to park closing. Or if they wanted to be even more liberal, limit it to once per hour. Doesn't that make more sense than the extremely arbitrary once per day rule?

[Earl]

The folks that do this stuff came up with this after months of surveys and studying attraction usage. This system is by far better than anything that any other park has that I'm aware of. It's not practical to split the day, especially when the park closes at 6 pm or 7 pm most of the year.

There'a already 1424 hotel rooms on site (750+664), if there were 4 people in each room, that's almost 5700 people just from the hotels, then add how many mutli-day tickets are in the park. These two groups could hit 10K, 15K.... When would everyone else ride anything? BTW, the time limit for the express line is a 15 minute wait, after that it's cut off.

The idea is to give a benefit to as many guests as possible while remaining fair to all. Guest with single day tickets are no less important than any other.

[This message was edited by Earl on 01-30-01 at 06:02 PM.]

[WebmasterBarry]

The longest wait I've ever seen for the Hulk is 60 minutes. Good thing there are singles lines. Once, the queue was 45 minutes and I rode the Hulk seven times in the singles line! :)

http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/family/guy.gif

Barry Hom
The moderator formerly known as Barry aka usagi
Moderator, Universal and Sea World Boards


"If you were me, you'd be good looking."

[Nan]

I'm sure all the decisions have been made, so discussing it is moot, but I just have to put my two cents in. We were at US/IOA the first week in August - really crowded parks. When we used FOTL, we were usually the ONLY ones in that line. Sometimes there was another family, but not very often and never more than one or two other families. Sometimes the other family was one with a person in a wheelchair so they weren't even PB FOTL people. Have the FOTL crowds gotten that much bigger? The new system will save us money, though - we'll only need one day passes to see both parks! I wish they would give you a limit of FOTL rides - not one per ride, but a certain number of times you could use FOTL in a day. For example, I don't care to do Twister again but I'd like to do Spiderman more than once. It seems to be more fair to just say you can use FOTL "this many times" on the rides of your choice. "One day pass holders" may be just as important as those staying on-site, but Universal sure doesn't make as much money off of them!! That is the bottom line, isn't it? Making money? I don't think one FOTL ride on my favorite rides is worth paying ten times as much for a room. If you get to the parks early, you can ride without a huge wait, maybe not as quick as FOTL, but a heck of a lot cheaper!!

[Jon360]

Nan,

Finally someone who agrees that this program is not the best solution!

What if a family has little children? They can go on The Suess-area rides just ONCE in a day? So one ride on the Carousel and one ride on Cat in the Hat will be enough for families with young children?

Earl, I see your point that the rides may get over crowded but I have not experienced more than 1 or 2 other parties waiting to get FOTL at any given time. Most of the time I was the only one and this was during peak season.

If I am paying $200+ per night to stay on-site, I would say that I am more important than a one day passholder staying offsite.

Look at Nan, she is now going to buy a one day pass and see both parks in one day. If she could have ridden her favorite rides twice, she probably would have bought a 2-day pass and spent one day in IOA and one day in Universal. This harsh 1-ride per day restriction is less enjoyment for on-site guests and is bad for Universal's bottom line! Who can I write a letter about this to Earl??

[MrNonacho]

I agree that this is not as good as it used to be for on-site guests, but it is still much better than Disney's fastpass. Remember that it wasn't that long ago that FOTL was NOT all day every day. Anything extra that Universal gives its guests is just that..EXTRA. I appreciate the time, effort, and money that have been invested in this new system, and I'm sure the people behind it know what they are doing.

Since most of their guests do not stay on-site, I think that Universal is making the right choice. I know that I feel a little inferior when I see people boarding a ride immediately when I've been waiting patiently. Shouldn't everyone get a chance to do that? A feature like FOTL shouldn't just be for an elite group. I agree that on-site guests should get something extra, and I think being able to use FOTL whenever you want, even if it's only once per ride per day, is a good enough bonus.

I see some people that think that once they use their one FOTL per ride, they can't ride that ride a second time. They are more than welcome to use the kiosks like all the other ticketholders, and to use the standby line.

Who knows? Maybe a system like Jon360 suggests will be implemented if a huge demand for it surfaces, but I think that if the system begins to be used the way it's been described, it will be more than adequate for most guests.

[Bob O]

I think this is awful and dumb marketing by universal. We stayed at the portifino for 3 days in early Dec and fotl access was great and i found no lines or group of people at any attraction. I think universal is giving away a unique marketing tool and this would make it alot less likely that i would stay on site as they are greatly reducing the benefit of staying onsite. When you look at all the rides/attractions/shows and the in resort activities the likelihood of long lines of fotl access people blocking the rides from day pass guests is unlikely. The reason i stayed on site was because of fotl access, they will get alot less money if i stay off site and eat the majoritiy of meals off site which i would as they are alot cheaper than on site prices as well as the hotel prices are cheaper off site.

[eyesk8r]

Earl, you say this is better than what you get at the mouse. That somehow makes the presumption that the only two choices I have to spend my vacation time and money are at Universal or the mouse! I long ago learned the mouse was not to my taste and I have never had any desire to go back despite actually having some days left on old old tickets sitting in my safe deposit box.

I also used to like to go to an amusement park locally. It was bought out by Six Flags and I have no desire to ever go there again either after the "changes" they made.

Just because it is better than what I can get at the mouse doesn't mean it is acceptable. (If all of the apples in a barrel are rotten, the least rotten one is still rotten.) There are plenty of other places for me to spend and enjoy my vacation dollars. I will just look in a different direction than Orlando which is a shame because I am an annual pass holder. You may in fact be emptying your hotels rather than filling them by cutting back on the benefits.

[This message was edited by eyesk8r on 01-31-01 at 12:05 AM.]

[Dad of 3]

Well, we will be at the parks on Feb 5. The infamous day when the new system, I have read will start. I must admit, I am afraid of the first day bugs. I will report back my observations if the new system starts.

Dad of 3.

[DW mouser]

I can understand why they may need to make some changes, but why don't they let the travrl agents and even their employees know what is going on? And why keep advertising for FOTL access all day for on site guests?
We have decided to hold off on making our ressies for this summer and see where all this is leading too. We may just decide to go to Disneyland! I know it will be crowded but at least they don't try to sell you with false advertising!!! :mad:

[fervour]

I'm not trying to be patronizing or condescending. But it seems to me that there are 2 issues being mixed here, one of which is the benefits for on-site guests, the other is the issue of advertising.

If you have reservations for an on-site hotel and you are no longer pleased with the offering, can't you just cancel the on-site reservation?

I don't know where everyone else was getting their information, but many posts on these boards have cautioned that the FOTL all day everyday was probably just during off-season. I think the travel agents have to take some blame if anyone was misled. Anyone who follows these boards new it was too good to be forever.

As for the person who plans to use a single day ticket to see both parks. That's not going to happen. The single day ticket allows access to only one park.

I agree with Eyesk8ter when he said that Orlando is not the only vacation spot. But for me, it is the best value. Have you ever priced Gatlinburg? or any place like that that has only a strip mall type amusement area? You spend $8 a pop per ride, and the ride isn't nearly up to par with Orlando's offerings.

I am serious here ---please---if you know of a better vacation spot, please tell us too. Of the parks I have been to Universal is best. I am not saying it IS the best. It is the best I have attended. But I am willing to try others.

[WebmasterBarry]

I remember the days when there was no FOTL access and no Universal Express. I had ways to avoid lines in those days -- arrive early, come back later if the lines are too long.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/family/guy.gif

Barry Hom
The moderator formerly known as Barry aka usagi
Moderator, Universal and Sea World Boards


"If you were me, you'd be good looking."

[Earl]

Jon360, You can write to Guest Services, but I absolutely must correct you on one point. Perhaps it was just your choice of words, but you, or anyone, that stays on-site is no more important than any other guest. You may get more priviliges for staying on-site, but that's where it stops. Each and every guest shares the same level of importance at Universal.

[Earl]

All of these comments about the advertising don't make much sense. The system is all day long. You can get access from opening to closing. All that you can't do is use it to ride the same attraction over and over. There has to be a limit somewhere so that everyone that has a ticket has an opportunity to used the system. For all of the complaints that are going on about this, what would you do if you purchased a ticket, went to the park, and couldn't use the system at all because it was booked up, especially the more popular attractions.

[Nan]

But, Earl, with the new system, isn't it possible that the ride will get booked up early in the day, anyway, if all the reservation times get filled?

[Earl]

Sure, it's possible. The system tracks each time window and calculates a maximum wait of 15 minutes. Once it's reached the time slot closes. That's one reason there needs to be some sort of limit. If there weren't, it would be over before it started. At least this provides the best opportunities for the largest number of guests.

[Jon360]

"Perhaps it was just your choice of words, but you, or anyone, that stays on-site is no more important than any other guest. You may get more priviliges for staying on-site, but that's where it stops. Each and every guest shares the same level of importance at Universal. "

Earl, this statement is ridiculous. It is BLATANTLY OBVIOUS that on-site guests are more important to Universal than off-site guests. Every guest does not share the same level of importance. For example, one night I went to Margaritaville in City Walk. The wait for a table was 60 minutes. As a Portofino guest I showed my card a boom, I had a table within 5 minutes. This is just one example of the different level of service and treatment Universal offers on-site guests as opposed to off-site. The fact of the matter is Universal wants to give on-site customers enough value to make it worth their while to spend 2-3 times the price of staying at an off site hotel.

"All of these comments about the advertising don't make much sense. The system is all day long. You can get access from opening to closing. All that you can't do is use it to ride the same attraction over and over."

Earl, if a family with little children can only go on the kiddie rides such as Cat in the Hat and ET, then the system is good for a few hours, not all day long.

On the other hand if someone like myself is visiting the park and only likes to go on the thrill rides such as Hulk and Dragons the system is only good for a few hours as well. It is not "UNLIMITED FOTL ALL DAY EVERYDAY" as advertised.

"There has to be a limit somewhere so that everyone that has a ticket has an opportunity to used the system. "

The system as it exists now is working perfectly. The KIOSK reservation system should be intended to help better manage the time of off site guests by allowing them to make a reservation. It should not impede on the privileges of on-site guests.

"For all of the complaints that are going on about this, what would you do if you purchased a ticket, went to the park, and couldn't use the system at all because it was booked up, especially the more popular attractions."

I guarantee you that when I am there this summer no matter how good the system is, rides like Spidey, Hulk, and MIB will be booked completely by mid-day giving me no option but to get there early and hoard tickets for later at night or wait in the normal line.

[JessicaR]

All written materials, advertisments, and brochures clearly state...*Guest Entitlements subject to change. Okay so now they are changing!I do understand anyone that is traveling in the near future that booked an onsite for the sole purpose of having FOTL all day and unlimited being dissapointed. It is unrealistic to expect the former plan to work properley since they opened Hard Rock. A change has been made and it will be enforced before the "peak" season. Once this season hits...(spring break and all the winter recesses) had they left the all day unlimited FOTL in effect nobody would have benefited! Earl and CoasterFEV are not paid to come here and clue us in to any of this! Perhaps you would have prefered to hear it once you arrived? At least you now have options. If you are so unhappy, stay offsite. The announcement they made of impending changes were meant to help and inform us. If you care to take a look the official websites have already changed the wording.
Front-of-the-Line Access
On-Site Hotel Guests Enjoy "No Line, No Wait" Express Ride Access All Day, Every Day!
Guests of Portofino Bay Hotel and the Hard Rock Hotel can enjoy “No Line, No Wait” UNIVERSAL EXPRESS access at most rides and attractions at Universal Studios® and Islands of Adventure theme parks. This special privilege is valid during normal operating hours, seven days a week, 365 days a year!

I don't see the word UNLIMITED anymore. We were given information prior to the actual change.

Perhaps the only people this will affect are those that are already booked and now feel slighted. I admit if this changed just before being able to take advantage on my vacation I would be dissapointed. However I do have another trip booked for March and I still feel I am lucky to have "any" perks at all.
One can book the Hard Rock for $117 a night. I hardly consider that an outrageous amount. I stay at the Contemporary in Disney and pay triple that and receive no perks. My perks come in the form of being able to make my trip more special by staying onsite period. If Universal discontinued the entire FOTL and express benefits tomorrow, I would still stay onsite.

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

[Earl]

Well, beg to differ, but you're only seeing this from your perspective. It's not worth discussing further.

[Jon360]

Jessica,

Just because the printed material says that things are subject to change doesn't mean that I as a customer do not have the right to be upset about the changes. It also does not mean that I don't have the right to vent on these message boards that I do not like the changes.

Earl seems to think I should be greatful for the fact that Universal is allowing me the opportunity to spend my money at their parks. Before the on-site hotel privilages, I would spend 2 days at Universal, one day at the Studios, the next day at IOA.

Because of the unlimited nature of the FOTL perks, I have been compelled to spend the money to stay on-site for 3-5 night stays. Even when FOTL was from 9am-12noon last year, it was still better than the upcoming system because you could ride as many times as you wanted within that time period.

Honestly it is just my opinion and I am entitled to be upset about the change no matter how much Earl and JessicaR disagree with me.

[Earl]

Jon,

Your analysis of my comments is incorrect. You certainly have the right to not like anything. Do I think you should be GRATEFUL of the fact that Universal will let you spend your money? Not hardly. Nobody's saying you need to go to Universal or anywhere else and spend your money. Why would you spend your money if your not happy with what you get?

It's a fact of life that you can't please everybody. Like my previous post, the attempt was to please as many as possible. If it doesn't include you, I'm sorry. I stand by my comment that all guest are equally important, I am sorry that you don't understand what I am saying. Importance has nothing to do with FOTL or being seated before others. Think of the families that save for a decade to bring their kids to the parks. It's a once in a generation trip. Are they no less important to Universal, or less deserving of having a good time? It happens everyday. I don't care if you come once every ten years or once every ten days, neither deserves any less of an experience.

I don't know what line of business you are in, but from this end, there's a different perspective of what is being done. It's past time of letting this subject die.

[Bob O]

Earl when i last went to Universal and stayed at portifino i did ride my favorites mutiple times in a row several times a day and this new system is awful compared to that and universal will ose money if i stay off site and eat the majoirity of meals offsite and their advertising right now is false and a outright LIE until its changed and their new wording reminds me of the clintons changing the meaning of words.

[Jon360]

Earl,

Every airline says ALL passengers are important, however if you fly in first class you do receive preferential treatment over customers flying in coach.

Off-site guests at Universal are the equivelent of flying in coach and on-site guests are the equivelent of flying in first class. My point is there is a specifically defined different class of service that one is paying for when they stay on-site. I based my 2 vacations this year on the fact that unlimited FOTL access was offered for on-site guests. Going from unlimited rides per day to once per ride per day is a VERY big change in the rules and does impact my enjoyment on vacation and it does affect the value I receive from staying on-site.

[joe]

I think the problem in all of this is giving such an excellent perk and then taking it away. I feel this is the right move and maybe they shouldn't have started this to begin with because now people feel that they have been downgraded. It is very important to give everyone an opportunity to ride even if they don't spend as much money than someone else.

Many people will be upset and I can understand it but the majority of people will not care as they are not your true "hardcore" fans like many on this board and do not take these changes so deathly serious.

I have been to Universal and IOA several times (even during peak season) and I think planning is the most important element. This fastpasss system will make it even easier for everyone to see it all. If it is so important to ride everything multiple times, go early and plan ahead. I usually leave at 2pm when I go with my family because we have ridden every ride so many times.

Don't take this so seriously, it's a vacation.

[Jon360]

JessicaR,

You more than anybody should not be in favor of these changes. The following quotes are directly from your trip reports. Maybe if you look at your own enjoyment on your trip from unlimited FOTL, you will see why others are upset at losing this perk!


Spiderman:



-But I bet anyone that rides this once, rides it again and again. We
did!! This was my favorite ride at IOA.



-We headed back to Marvel Island and of course rode Spiderman again
before leaving the park for the day.






MIB:



-We will not discuss my score the first time through. I had a scared of the
dark 3-year-old sitting next to me so my score was low. (Buyable?) The
next time I rode MIB I scored 350,000 not too shabby!






Hulk:



-This ride had a 40 min wait and I used my FOTL and got right on. I was a
little nervous riding alone but still more excited that anything. I loved
this coaster!! It is a very smooth ride no jerky motions at all. I would
highly recommend it to anyone that may be skeptical. I couldn’t wait
to ride again.






Cat In The Hat:



-Who needs the real world when I have Seuss World! We rode The Cat in the
Hat right away and it had a 30 min wait and again we used FOTL. We all loved
this ride! My husband mentioned that although it was great to see he was
a bit nauseous and wouldn’t be repeating this ride again. I rode
again with the kids.

[JessicaR]

Jon,

Did I say I was in favor of these changes? No. Do I understand this is necessary? Yes. Big difference. Since you enjoy quoting me maybe you should reread all I have said on the subject. I have more than once conveyed sympathy and acknowledged others dissapointment (even my own) dealing with the new changes. However rather than focus on the negatives, I choose to roll with the punches and remain postive by using the resources available. Bottom line...the perks that remain are better than no perks at all. You have mentioned quite a few times about all the others that are unhappy and yet all I can see is the normal stated dissapointment but also the realization that it is necessary and people moving on from there. The only poster that I can see not able to move on is you. My trip in December was wonderful. I enjoyed every aspect of it. FOTL contibuted to that. I booked my next trip (March) before these new changes were announced. I am not only still going and staying onsite, I am also completely excited and anticipating it. Believe it or not Jon, I do feel badly that you are so upset. I can only hope that should you keep your plans for your upcomming trips,you can also regain the excitement of going to a place that is supposed to make you smile.

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

[JessicaR]

One last note...after re-reading my posts, I have noticed a defensive tone. That makes me unhappy....so thats the end on this subject for me. Please accept my apologies if I offended you, Jon.

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

[sha_lyn]

Remember folks you can ride anything as many times as you want. You will just have to wait with the general public after the first ride (or using the other system up to 3 more times from what I read). To me that is bieng fair to the general public. Could you imagine the wait in the standard lines if the hotels are booked to capacity? This is from someone with 5 nights reserved at HRH in April. Even at WDW we didn't ride the same ride 2x in hte same day. I barely do that at Six Flags. Usually only for the rides the kids beg to do again.

<font color= red Comic Sans MS> All Star Music-April 2000 </font>
<font color= purple font= Comic Sans MS> Shades of Green- DEC 2001 </font>

[Dad]

Thanks again for the information Earl and Coaster.
Even though I don't like the changes I certainly understand their necessity. The information you guys share is one of the things that makes this board so great. It also allows me to plan my itenerary and make the best use of my time. I hope this thread doesn't discourage you from continuing to share your inside information. I find them invaluable.

Thanks again

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I'm just a Little Boy trapped in an Old Man's body.

[Amusement Park Junkie]

I guess you can add me to the "That's too bad, but I understand" group. We'll be making our third trip to Orlando this March. Four years ago we stayed on-site at WDW, spent a day at USF & most of the rest at WDW. Two years ago we ended up going right about when IOA opened. Stayed at BC but spent 2.5 days at Universal. Our plan this year was 1 day at each of the 6 parks (well, maybe half a day at AK) and then spend another day doubling up whatever we liked best. I found the posts about FOTL right after the new policy was introduced. It may no be as generous as before, but it was enough for me to cancel our first two days at the Swan and book the HRH instead so we could reap these benefits. Sure, I'd love to FOTL all day long, but the new plan was still enough for me to change our plans and spend two days on-site.

[Robinrs]

They shoot horses, don't they?

I think we've beat this one sufficiently so let's move on, guys...

Thanks.

-------------------------

MOM
Mother of Michael
Proverbs 3:5-6

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<font color=purple>Co-Moderator of the Community and Universal/IOA Boards</font color=purple>