READ THIS - Express and On-Site Hotels

[Earl]

Okay, here goes...Now remember, no slamming the messenger. After reading all of the "rumors" about what was supposed to happen, I hope this straightens things out.

Universal is committed to the Express system and giving on-site guests special benefits. You are not going to find something like this down the street, it simply can't be done. But first, let's explain the need for a change over the present system. Currently, on-site guests can ride as much as they want, over and over on any attraction by presenting their room key at an attraction. You might ask, what's wrong with that? Well, the system gets clogged because there is no way to track that usage. Some people (I didn't mean you) repeat the attraction over and over again, non-stop. It's off at the exit and right back in the Express lane. The Express lanes back up, many times out past the intended 15 minute wait because the Express system has no way of knowing that this is happening. The park guests that have been scheduled by the Express system become very frustrated when they can't get their intended access. Remember, the system needs to provide access to all who use it.

This happens very frequently today, and with two hotels on-line. This issue is the number one guest complaint about the Express system. The problem will get much worse when the Royal Pacific opens. So, the issue is to track and somewhat regulate the usage of the system by on-site guests while still providing a superior beneift to them.

There have been may posts speculating what's going to happen, and this information is to settle everything, I hope. What is going to happen is that room key readers will be installed in the Express lines of each attraction. This has been discussed before. The installations have begun and there is no particular time table for the completion. Once they are all installed and tested, on-site guests will swipe their keys to gain access to the Express line. Now, for what will happen when they do.

For now, they will proceed through the Express line as they do today. For now, there are no immediate plans to restrict access at all. Will there be a restriction in the future? Almost certainly. As described before, the system backs up. So the real question is what the restriction will be and when will it go into effect.

Neither of those issues has been decided, except for one aspect. The restriction will NOT be once per day. This is nothing but a rumor, a false one at that. What is being considered is something more to the once per hour time frame. They are still gathering data on exactly how people are using the system. Once they start scanning room keys there will be better usage data. The target is the once an hour time frame. It might be slightly longer if needed to keep the system flowing.

Keep in mind that that several thousand people can be in the parks with unlimited walkup access and put the system in a tailspin for everyone else. So, the other big question is when will it change? There is no date for a change. It is more than likely some time away. Again, it depends on how the system runs and the number of complaints they get. It may very well be some time before anything changes if things don't get any busier than they are. Certainly you can expect the change by the time the Royal Pacific opens.

So, remember, no change yet, and no time soon. And when it does come, the target time to repeat an attraction is one hour. That might be somewhat longer. Also, remember, on-site guests can also use their tickets to access the Express system and schedule other, or the same, attractions outside of the walk-up access.

There are certain to be other adjustments to the system as time goes along. Please remember that this is a first, and the benefits of this system have not been provided at this level anywhere else before. I certainly hope that this answers some of the concerns and questions.

Enjoy your visit!

[CJ]

Thanks Earl for all the info. We'll be there at the very end of August and hopefully nothing will have changed by then. Again, thank you very much for the clarification and all of the other great info you provide us here on this site.:)

[KimCon]

Cool! I can live with that! Now, as soon as the Entertainment rates are released for next summer, I am booking at HRH!!!!!!!!!!!!


Kim:wave: :wave: :wave:

[KimCon]

Almost forgot, thanks for posting Earl!!

Kim:wave: :wave: :wave:

[disneydoc]

It's refreshing to put the rumors to rest. It's also nice to have an explanation as to what motivated the changes. Most people including myself will gladly accept the once per hour limit as outlined by Earl for reasons mentioned. I sincerely appreciate the information and am once again looking forward to our families 5 night stay in October.
:)

[gschmerl]

Earl,
Thank you SO much for keeping us all informed about so many of the things going on at US/IOA. It's great to have accurate information. I't so kind of you to take the time to help us out like this.

[Robinrs]

:bounce: Thank you, Earl. Your information is priceless! :bounce:

[Nan]

Thank you so much, Earl, for taking the time to give us the answers we all were asking for. You are a great person with a big heart and I do appreciate all the time and information you give us.

The changes in Express seem quite reasonable. I understand that, as in lots of things in life, because some people abuse the system, it makes things bad for others. Once an hour is great and plenty of access. This perk is so fabulous, my children don't even want to go to Disney because they don't want to wait in lines.

Thanks again, Earl, for all you do for us,

Nan

[johare]

Thanks Earl...this is exactly what I would have hoped Universal would have done. I've seen people run from exit to entrance on attractions as if it was for their own personal use. Hopefully this will put an end to that and at the same time make Express access more enjoyable for all the guests.

[Bob O]

Thanks for the info Earl but i think it is the first step to ruining a great program like FOTL was and a very bad step in the wrong direction. The big advantage was riding a ride mutiple times in a row without having to exit and re-enter and the changes proposed ruin it. In a park like IOA there arent many attractions in each section anyway so i think this is a bad change! They did have something unique but are taking it away a little at a time it seems.

[Notatourist]

Hey Bob, you still have to exit and re-enter now, so what is the difference? What Earl is mentioning is a way of TRACKING the on-site guests, nothing more.

And thanks Earl

[CPM]

Originally posted by Nan

The changes in Express seem quite reasonable. I understand that, as in lots of things in life, because some people abuse the system, it makes things bad for others. Once an hour is great and plenty of access. This perk is so fabulous, my children don't even want to go to Disney because they don't want to wait in lines.

Sorry if this offends anyone but.........
That's fine if they change the system but with the current system how is it that you think people "abuse" the system by going on a ride over & over? It never said you couldn't , in fact I asked. I certainly don't think it's abusing it, it's the perk for now.

[johare]

I have to disagree with those who think this will ruin FOTL. What CAN ruin FOTL is people abusing (sorry, that's what I call it) the system by riding the same ride over and over while everyone else waits. All you have to do is look at the number of hotel rooms on site and then look at your average attraction like the Hulk coaster. Each train holds about 8 familys of 4. Doesn't take many repeat riders hogging the attraction to have an impact on the entire queue does it.

I think limiting FOTL/Express access to once per hour is a great idea. I think for every person that is unhappy with this change, you'll see MANY more who are happy.

Would be nice though if they could design the system to be advanced enough to adjust to the demand. Maybe use the current wait time in the standby line as the time which must elapse before the room key will gain access to the Express line again. Or use some formula where if the current wait is under 10 minutes there is no limit on 'rerides' but if it's over 10 minutes the time to wait is the current standby time * 2.

Good Luck!

[WebmasterBarry]

I like the once per hour limit. You can still ride the same rides over and over if you get to the parks early. I've done Spider-Man 3 times in a row at 9 am! :)

[Zeke Draven]

You just made my day Earl. I will sleep much better knowing I can get on Spiderman at least three times a day on my trip.
I think the once an hour idea sounds very reasonable. I'd say even once every three hours would be reasonable. If you're in the park all day, that's three times at least. Or just a three time cap on how many FOTL'S you can get. If you want to ride it more than that, you'd have to wait like everyone else, because it gets to be an abuse.

But then again I may become a hypocrite when I have that power at my fingertips, and a three hour long line for Spiderman in August.

[XAVIER]

Thanks for the info Earl, this all seems very fair to me.

[SRRN]

Earl

I just had one quick question.When I received my OrlandoFLEX Tickets,they sent me a brochure that said,"FRONT-OF-THE LINE ACCESS TO SELECT ATTRACTIONS THE FIRST HOUR THE PARKS ARE OPEN EACH MORNING".This is for guest staying on-site.Is it just the first hour or all day?

Thanks for ALL your great information.

[willydoit]

Earl,,,as always,,great info. Thanks for the update. I probably won't be down till 2002 so it will be nice to see how this system evolves. I agree with johare who said it would be nice to base it on the length of the current lines, but also believe that a system like that may even complicate things further. Once an hour seems reasonable to me.:)

[robvia]

Thanks for the info. With more and more people surfing the internet and coaster sites, rumors happen because we sit in our cubicles all day with nothing to talk about, so we speculate. This has been brought up in the news group rec.roller-coaster recently and other boards. So it's great that you come into the board to set everyone straight.

The plan sounds good. They just need to watch the impact on the regular line, because it can slow down.

I'd like to put a vote in to give Early Entry back to Multi-Day ticket holders, and have it on Thursday and Friday. Why? Because I drive up to visit on one of those days to avoid the crowds. Early entry is on a Monday and Wednesday for IOA. That's in the middle of the week, I don't drive up then, I take long weekends. How many hotel guests actually enter the park early? Most of them are having breakfast and take their time getting to the park.

Give the real fans an extra hour to get a jump on the crowd.

Thanks.

[Beckles]

Originally posted by SRRN
I just had one quick question.When I received my OrlandoFLEX Tickets,they sent me a brochure that said,"FRONT-OF-THE LINE ACCESS TO SELECT ATTRACTIONS THE FIRST HOUR THE PARKS ARE OPEN EACH MORNING".This is for guest staying on-site.Is it just the first hour or all day?

I think that may be an old brochure describing the old Universal Express system ...

[Beckles]

Originally posted by Bob O
The big advantage was riding a ride mutiple times in a row without having to exit and re-enter and the changes proposed ruin it.

You haven't been able to do that for a while ... with the original FOTL you could, but with the new Express system you can not do this, you can exit and go back in the Express Line.

[Beckles]

EARL ~ My only concern would be with Dueling Dragons. I really do not have any desire to ride over and over again in general, however, I do like to do both Fire and Ice back-to-back so I don't have to come back. I'm thinking because there is only one Express line for both this will not be possible unfortunately :( Maybe there could be a twice/hour limit for Dueling Dragons? (I'm assuming maybe you can provide feedback to whoever is in charge :) )

[Beckles]

Originally posted by robvia
I'd like to put a vote in to give Early Entry back to Multi-Day ticket holders, and have it on Thursday and Friday. Why? Because I drive up to visit on one of those days to avoid the crowds. Early entry is on a Monday and Wednesday for IOA. That's in the middle of the week, I don't drive up then, I take long weekends.


Monday is in the middle of the week? :) You should take Friday and Monday off for a four-day weekend, gives you two four-day weeks :) (just a friendly suggestion ;) ).

How many hotel guests actually enter the park early? Most of them are having breakfast and take their time getting to the park.

With the current system where hotel guests get Express access all day, I could not imagine dragging my butt out of bed and never have :) With the original FOTL, which was only until noon, things were different ... we did drag ourselves out of bed to make early opening :)

This is not criticism ( :) ), but the impression I get is some people are insistent on taking advantage of every perk and amenity they can (such as Early Entry) while they are there. Nothing wrong with that, just not my cup of tea ... I like to sleep in when I'm on vacation :)

[Beckles]

Okay ... going for five posts in a row :)

Actually, I was wondering if I had misinterpreted something along the line and wanted to see if maybe *I* made it up, since I know I've been one of the people saying they were going to once per day (which I believed to be accurate until Earl's post here) ... so I went back trying to find where that started, and I think this is it:

http://www.disboards.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4526

Anyway, I'm guessing that somewhere along the line someone decided that once per day was too much restriction and decided to go with once per hour. :)

I don't think CoasterFEV was wrong when he posted the information in the thread above, I think things have just changed (like they have oh so many times already) :)

[JCO]

Thanks for the info. Earl. This adjustment sounds very reasonable to me, although with rides like Spiderman, it would not surprise me to see limits like once every three hours.
I'm looking forward to staying on site at Universal next summer, and these proposed changes don't bother me a bit. In fact, I think this makes the system more fair for everyone attending Universal and IOA.

[goofy about mickey]

Earl,

Others have said it already, but I just wanted to add my thanks! :) The plan sounds very fair and well thought out. I appreciate that you went through trouble of getting the "inside scoop."

[S.W. Fan]

Sounds very fair to everyone enjoying the parks. Too bad some greedy people had to ruin it for the others though.
Thanks again Earl.

[jcl110]

Hi,
I dont mean any disrespect here, but would someone tell me why Earl's explanation is actually the final word on the new policy?
:cool: , I hope its correct because it sounds fair.

[BarbOKW]

We loved FOTL access when we were there last March. But if they're having a problem with lines I think the once an hour solution sounds very reasonable. It sounds as though they are doing their homework by collecting data before they make a final decision and I think that's exactly what they should be doing. Thanks for posting the information. We'll be back March 2002 staying at the HR, the FOTL access sold us.

By the way is it just once an hour per ride, or is just one FOTL access per hour. For example can you ride Hulk, then go ride Spiderman even though it hasn't been an hour? Or is just the Hulk that you can't ride for an hour?

[xl]

Although I prefer "unlimited" FOTL access, the 1/hour plans sounds OK.

I am however getting a little sick of hearing some people using terms like "abusing the system", "ruined it for everyone else", and "geedy" when refering to those who choose to repeat a ride "over and over". I'm not sure who you are trying to impress, but get off it. I even suspect it's disingenuous at best, and hypocritical at worst.

Not only was/is "unlimited" access the current program, but it was encouraged by the receptionist at HRH when we checked in. It is entirely inapproprite to accuse others as "greedy" when they are using an acceptable, intended perk.

[S.W. Fan]

Do you think that using a perk over and over again just because you can is acceptable, even if it makes the other people in the line have to wait longer???

If it weren't a problem then Universal wouldn't be studying it and getting ready to put restrictions on it.

BTW I live near the parks have an annual pass and could really care less about the wait time for myself, since I've ridden the rides many times and can be choosy on which rides I go on. A family who isn't staying at 1 of Universal's hotels for 1 reason or another and only has a day or 2 to do the parks, doesn't have that luxury.

To just keep riding the same ride over and over and over again (during PEAK hours of the day) while also making the other lines grow longer is showing little or no respect for your fellow guests of the parks. Johare's scenario was a perfect example of this.

[snickers]

Thank you Earl. You are always so helpful. I agree with everyone on this thread. I do hope that there is something built into the system for less than one hour is the wait line time is listed for a certain time period.

[Earl]

To answer the question from BarbOKW, the concept would be once per hour for the same attraction. You can go from attraction to attraction as fast as your feet will carry you. Remember, you can still use your ticket for more access.

To jcl110, I never said it was the last word. I said this is what the intent is. Rest assured that this information is accurate. As in anyyhing else, all things are subject to change, but this is defintely the plan.

[kellymonaghan]

Once again, Earl is the cool calm voice of reason.

Thanks again, Earl. You're a real asset to this board. Let's hope the powers that be never break your cover.:smooth:

[Bob O]

Notatourist- When i rode Hulk/spiderman/dd etc i would just exit the ride and walk a very short distance and get right on(usually thru child swap but for hulk it was about 10 steps) and ride again. I would ride the coasters 506 times in a row with no wait and then move, i went in december when it wasnt that busy but that was the beauty of fotl to me. I would also agree with Xl that by using a perk you paid alot of money for isnt abusing it, if you dont use the perk youre paying alot of money for nothing. The perk was set up for this purpose and using it is whats expected, or should you have the perk but wait in line and not use the privilege you paid good money for.

[nhrenee]

Earl!

Thanks so much for keeping us up to date, it is really appreciated!:) :) :)

[Beckles]

Originally posted by Bob O
Notatourist- When i rode Hulk/spiderman/dd etc i would just exit the ride and walk a very short distance and get right on(usually thru child swap but for hulk it was about 10 steps) and ride again. I would ride the coasters 506 times in a row with no wait and then move, i went in december when it wasnt that busy but that was the beauty of fotl to me.

What you are describing is no longer allowed, even before the changes that are being discussed here. FOTL as you are describing was discontinued earlier this year. For instance, on the Hulk, you no longer come up the exit and enter through baby swap (and can therefore ride again just by going through baby swap), you come up the (relatively) new Express line and wait in line (which varies from no wait to fifteen minutes, average about five minutes in my experience, YMMV).

[johare]

You don't have to abuse perks to get your moneys worth. If use ask at the hotel you can get free toothbrushes, toothpaste and shampoo. Nice perk, but if you took 506 toothbrushes you would be abusing it. If a hotel offered free a continental breakfast would you take a dozen pastries to go and fill a few thermos with orange juice? No, because it would be abusing the perk. Same goes for FOTL. Riding a ride 506 times in a row while everyone else waits is abusing the priviledge. btw: You paid for the room. FOTL was a FREE perk so there should be no need to "get your moneys worth" when it comes to that.

[KarenH]

Guys - I think he had a typo. I think he meant 5 or 6 times, not 506. Much more practical. I don't think you could ride a ride 506 times in one day. 506 would be abuse - 5 or 6 is not (although if the lines are real long, you might consider stopping after 3 times).

[DaveOBrien]

Not to jump into an arguement, butI'm siding with Xl. For those who consider me abusing the system if I choose to ride the Hulk 15 times in a row, that's just too bad. I paid big bucks for my room, my perk is for "unlimited rides", not what others think is appropriate. Since I have unlimited rides, I will decide how many I should do, not kowtow to other's perception of rudeness. I love the way some people think that their behavior is the conerstone for which all others will be judged.

You know what irks me at Universal? Not the coaster enthusiast who rides all day, but

1) Getting hit in the back of the leg with a stroller by an idiot who dosen't even have the coutesy to apologize.

2) Rude a-holes who will yell and scream and hold up the entire Spiderman line so they could have the front row.

3) Guests who don't act like guests, but self serving primma donnas who assume just because they paid to enter a park, employees have to kiss their *****. I can't count how many times I've seen on this board people ragging about how a cast member was rude because they didn't smile or say something the right way. So naturally, the a-hole guest complains to guest services about how their vacation was ruined because of an insensitive employee. If this is the worst thing that happens to you on vacation, consider yourself lucky and get a life.

4) Incompetant parents who let their snot nosed brat run around the restaurant causing mayhem and disturbing other's meals. "Oh, children must be children and play". Yeah, right. Your child's rights stop where my table begins.

5) People who CONSTANTLY complain about the walk from the parking garage to the parks. Or even better, the HORRIBLY long walks from park to park. That's the way things are. If you don't like it, don't go but please shut up and stop demanding Universal does something about this travesty. Deal with it. We don't always get what we want.

I could go on forever, but I think I've made my point that I find many of the above(and some I didn't mention)items more offensive than someone who rides a ride for an hour. Thanks Earl for your info as always.

[johare]

DaveObrien,

I agree 100% with all 5 of your comments, however I would still add a few:

5) Large groups of students or foreign tourests who feel the need to scream and yell like fools while waiting in the queues.

6) People who don't realize that you can't bring cameras or bags on the coasters until they get to the point where an entire train is held up.

7) Grown adults arguing with employees as to why they aren't allowed to ride Pteranodon Flyers.

and sorry, but...

8) People who abuse the FOTL privledge and get on a ride 15 times in a row causing everyone else to wait longer, including hotel guests who just want to use their FOTL to get on a ride once.

Thankfully Universal is changing the wording for this perk so it will no longer say "unlimited rides", therefore Universal will decide how many re-rides is appropriate and this whole arguement will become pointless.

btw: You pay big bucks for a damn nice hotel room, NOT FOTL.

[xl]

When the HRH staff not only suggests, but encourages guests to ride their favorite rides "over and over" as much as you like, that's what the perk is, not what you people that don't happen to have that privilage decide it should be.

Johare, anyone who has FOTL privilages, and decides to just use it once, then stand in the regular line for subsequent rides is just an "IDIOT"!

SW fan, just what exactly does "you flaming people" mean? You no maked none cents.

[johare]

I don't disagree that blame for the current problem with FOTL lies mostly with Universal and how they promoted and described the perk to their guests. I'm just glad Universal realized that they need to do something about it.

Nobody expects someone to use the ride once and then wait in line, but there is nothing wrong with being courteous and waiting a little while before re-riding if there is a large line of guests waiting for the attraction. It shouldn't take too much common sense to realize that it wouldn't take too many guests repeatedly riding the same attraction to seriously impact the wait time for everyone else. Just 8 people doing it would represent 25% of the capacity of a train on the Hulk.

[Amusement Park Junkie]

First of all, let me thank Earl for the information. I realize it's not set in stone, but I'm very excited because I had resolved myself to the "rumors" of once per ride per day. Getting more than once per day is great.
.
I have to agree with the side that believes it's ok to ride over and over, since that is what the policy is. If the policy was once per day but an oversight allowed multiple entries, I would only use the perk once. This is not currently the case. That being said, I certainly understand and believe this new policy is a great thing.
.
BTW: I do pay the money for FOTL. When I heard about this policy last year on these boards, I canceled two days elsewhere and made a reservation at HRH. I'm sure this is exactly why they started the policy. There are additional perks, such as the short walk, the early entry, and it is a very nice hotel, but FOTL is the reason I made the reservation for March 2001. It is also the reason we are staying at HRH again for two nights next March before moving over to a WDW resort.

[Shamu Goofy and HCR]

I have to tell people that even though the hotels are nice. people stay there for the perks and one of the perks is fotl.. There is no person that can say I have fotl I like a ride but I will not go on it again because of others just like If you saw money on the floor and did not know who owned it you wouldn't leave it there because someone might need it more. Fotl is one of the main reasons people stay at the hotel . Universal knew this perk would draw people to their hotel or else they would not have done it.. they are starting to worry with more and more onsite hotels they need to adjust it but do not think for 1 minute that they know not to adjust it to much FOTL FOREVER!!!:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[fboy9287]

maybe i should rent one day and do it now but hey if they say what is going to happen is true i am happy!

[DaveOBrien]

Since this policy is being changed to once per hour or something like that, that is still more than fair and I have no problem abiding by it. An earlier post suggested if the policy was once per day and a glitch in the system allowed unlimited rides, that would be abusing the system. I wholeheartidly agree. However, when commercials advertise "no line, no wait" if you stay onsite and all the fine print on ads states "unlimited rides for onsite hotel guests", then who is anyone else to say to someone how many rides they should do? Cry me a -------river if you don't like me riding the Hulk for an hour. I got the damn room so I could get FOTL. That is the ONLY reason I've ever paid $150 for a room when I could get a clean comfortable room someplace else for $50. So if my riding the Hulk for an hour straight bothers someone to the point of taking the time to write on this forum that I'm being unfair, well, I'm not going to lose sleep over your pitiful whining about how I had no consideration for others. I've never flown first class and somehow I survive not getting first class perks. I don't get them because I didn't pay for them. If I paid for them, I would make full use of them to my heart's content as much as I wanted. Well, the same applies here. You pay for the perk, it's yours to do with as you please.

[DanG]

Thanks for jumping in Dave, I have been restraining myself on this one.

I have two young daughters whose favorite rides in the world are the Caroseussel and the Cat in the Hat ride. They really don't care to go on almost any of the other rides.

So if I have unlimited access because I pay to stay in a hotel that advertises unlimited access and going on those rides 30 times in a row makes them happy, that's what we're going to do. And if they go to once an hour, I'm going to take them back and forth using whatever express passes I can get my hands on.

I still don't get what rule or implied rule or spirit of fairness we are violating. But that is just me and my perspective.

Dan

[johare]

If your daughters really enjoyed the water guns in Camp Jurassic or the egg scanners in the Discovery Center, would it be fair for them to use them for an hour straight while everyone elses kids waited just because you paid to get into IOA and that is one of the perks?

If your daughters really enjoy one of the interactive displays after exiting the Hanna-Barbara ride or Barney's Backyard, is it fair for them to play with it for an hour straight just because you paid to get into USF?

I think it's just a matter of common courtesy...if there isn't a big wait for an attraction, go ahead and go on it 30 times, but if other people are waiting with their kids then give someone else a chance every now and then.

Anyway, since the hotels will no longer be advertising unlimited access this shouldn't be a problem anymore.

[lookingforward]

Earl, thanks for the info. When we went in April they had several people inside the express line of Spiderman. They were taking aside those with resort cards (like myself) and writing down our info. When I asked why one of the men explained they were tracking our usage. Now I know why! Sounds like a fair deal at once an hour.

[Tony M]

By the way, I changed near future plans to stay onsite at that OTHER theme park when I found out that this policy is changing.
I still will stay onsite at Universal Orlando again, but this unlimited access thing is just too good to pass up.
Once an Hour is still better than a FastPass or Express Pass if that is what FOTL eventually evolves into. If you have ever been to Universal or IOA at Peak hours and walked up to the UE machine only to receive a ride ressie for four hours later you'll understand the comparison.
HAVE FUN

[Bob O]

I did make a typo and it should have been 5 or 6 times but 506 would be ok too! I agree with XL and Dave OBrien that you arent abusing a system that you are paying alot of money for. I stayed at portifino for fotl!!!!!!!!!! I didnt stay due to a nice room, big room even though it is a excellant hotel and o would recomend it. I hate lines so i paid for the privilege to avoid them which i did which is no abuse of the system at all, just getting your moneys worth!

[Shamu Goofy and HCR]

right on Dave Obrien we do not say anything when the airplane 1st class lady orders warm towels drinks by the boat load and more food then she can eat or the buffet family that stays for hours .. I stay on site to ride ride ride and ride FOTL FOREVER:bounce: :bounce:

[IOATech]

I may have misunderstood, but FOTL does not mean unrestricted use of the water canons, egg scanners, You Bet Jurassic, DNA scanners, or even Me Ship's water effects. The wait times in the regular queues have not been affected by the Express lines. Actually, Express riders see a lot less of the park's design by missing the queues altogether. As much as I know lines suck (I was in the military) our queues are LOADED with value-added gags, animations and effects.

[Beckles]

Originally posted by IOATech
Actually, Express riders see a lot less of the park's design by missing the queues altogether. As much as I know lines suck (I was in the military) our queues are LOADED with value-added gags, animations and effects.

It's not nearly as bad now with the Express Queue though as far as missing the theming as it was when FOTL was in effect. There you missed all of the queues for most of the rides!

[DanG]

Johare, you are remarkably considerate of your fellow park goers.

But as far as I understand it, anyone can pay to stay at the PBH or HRH and get whatever benefits are provided, including whatever form of Express access Universal provides. I have no problem using what is sold to me to the fullest extent permitted. As long as my use is within the permitted guidelines, I have broken no rule nor have I violated some fuzzy code of conduct to a bunch of people I don't know. The system rules were set up to enable guests to take full advantage of Express access.

Universal/Loews can charge what the market will bear for the room. If they did not have Express access-guess what. Fewer people would be willing to pay that price and Universal/Loews would have to reduce the price of the rooms to maximize utilization and revenue. Less revenue for Universal/Loews. That means that every guest of those hotels indirectly pays for Express access. So there is no reason for me to feel bad about using a benefit that I have paid handsomely for.

You can feel free to hop in the regular line, but whatever the rules permit me as a hotel guest to do, I will take advantage of in the way that best fits my family.

DanG

[Shamu Goofy and HCR]

right on Dan and if we didn't pay so much and the revenue was lower the service will suffer and the parks prices will also rise. so we are paying for the perks and we are making it easier for others to stand in line and wait for a cheaper price while we over pay for our nice rooms to use FOTL

[The Hunt]

What's happened here is that Universal created the equivalent of an "all-you-can-eat" meal, and discovered that people can eat more than you might expect. As a result, they're going to create some restrictions, which sound pretty reasonable to me.

A semantic issue--it's not "abuse" of the system to take multiple rides making hundreds of other people wait, because the system does allow that. However, it's pretty clear to me that it's abuse of all those people who are waiting. Restrictions are needed because of folks who can't understand that.

[johare]

Like I said before. I really don't blame people for taking full advantage of the system as it was designed and and advertised before (though it never hurts to be a little courteous). That system clearly had flaws though and Universal is doing the right thing by attempting to identify and correct the system in a way that keeps the most customers happy. I'm sure that once they do change the system over we'll still have some people crying that "when I booked my room FOTL was unlimited".

[Sherrilatte]

for the info...

[Synonymous]

I guess "abuse" means "Anything I don't do myself."

[Robinrs]

I have to jump in and remind everyone that this is a discussion and not a debate.

Personal attacks are not allowed and some have been edited.

Please remember the number one rule of the DIS/UIS.... "be friendly!" :D

Thanks, guys!

[ChisJo]

Was wondering what was going to happen with FOTL. I think I may be repeating this question, but can you have express line for more than one attraction an hour, or is it restricted to one express per hour?

[jcl110]

I went to universal in July and stayed onsite.
I rode The spiderman ride 12 times in succession one day and I know that by doing this it didnt stop anyone or hold up the line to a point where any one would even notice. There are hundreds of seats on these rides and they seat people very fast. What they do if you hit the express line in between express times is seat you in the front seat of the next available car. If there were a limited amount of seats like on a bus maybe it would have occurred to me that I was holding up the line in some way. I went on the busiest days and rarely met any other onsite guests on these lines. All of this talk of common courtesy is moot because I paid for this privelige and anyone on the long long line could have gotten this privelige too. I am going back next year again and if I pay for this privelige,
I will use it with no regrets because all this talk is just talk, I was there and it was not holding up the lines...
So, dont listen to all the dribble...stay onsite, its worth it and enjoy the perks!!!!:smooth:

[Bob O]

In a earlier post i meant to say 5 or 6 times. I would agree with Davo O and XL! You arent abusing a system you paid for. When i stayed at Portifino i stayed their due to fotl and nothing else even though it was a very nice hotel and no complaints about it all. And its not a free perk, its factored into your room cost just like everything else is, nothing is ever free! But with the changes being considered i and already done i would have to think twice if the price for the room is worth the benfits of staying onsite compared to offsite. As somebody posted about early entrance it is something i always use and hope most hotel guests dont use so my waits are shorter. it is a excellant perk for staying at wdw but not alot was open for early entrance when i stayed at portifino last december but hopefully that has changed.

[johare]

I think a great compromise would be to go ahead with the plans to limit FOTL/Express for onsite guests to one per hour per attraction (or whatever), but also provide early entry, even if only an hour, for onsite guests. They could even alternate between the two parks. That way people who want to ride over and over could come to the park early and ride as much as they want without impacting other guests as much.

Only problem is with Universal being 'cheap' enough to close at 6:00, I doubt anyone could convince them to open earlier! :)

[#1 TITANS FAN]

Am I the only one ejoying the delicious irony here? By insisting on excercising their 'right' to ride popular attractions several times in a row no matter how long the lines are, people are going to force Universal to change the policy so that they won't be able to:jester:

[Notatourist]

Bob-just so you know, the Access line perk is NOT factored into your hotel charge.

[jcl110]

As I said in my earlier post, I really dont think that Universal is changing their policy because of rider abuse. Unless a hoard of on site hotel guest arrive on a ride at one time and decide to go on it over and over, the regular lines are not being held up. Universal is is more likely changing the policy because they realize they dont have to provide this perk to fill the hotels anymore, and being cautious they are keeping what Earl described as the new policy , as insurance that people will fill the hotels. I suspect that if hotel attendance goes down after the new policy, they will bring back the unlimited ride policy.
As far as abusing the current system?
Hogwash!
Who in their right mind would get off a ride, look at the lines and say to themselves, " Gee! Im not gonna ride again till the line gets smaller!'" . Thats like going to an all you can eat buffet and worrying if everyone is gonna get enough... please put the violins away, the system was designed to work this way...
Enjoy the perks, thats the name of the game!
:smooth:

[Earl]

jcl,

Just to clarify this, the change is being made solely due to the system capacity issues, nothing else. The system routinely sells out by noon. I have seen the system usage data. It has nothing to do with just doing away with the benefit. This system is new, and will be prone to fine tuning to get it right and still provide something that no one else provides. Next year there will be over 2000 rooms on-site. There must be some control of that usage.

[pixie dust gal!]

Hats off and a BIG thank you!

I think this is a fair implement of change. My family and I only stay on-site(and will continue to do so) and I still think it is fair system to ascertain numbers and keep an easy flow of traffic.

[msr709]

I think no matter what changes they make its still better than no perk at all like at Disney, you stay on site at Disney and all you get for the trouble is the expense!! LOL!!

[RachelLD]

Thanks for giving me hope again for Oct. I spoke with someone, at Universal, today. They said you had to scan your key (everyone has to have one) to get entry to express. She also said you could only do it once per day. That was devestating to me because we only booked HRH for the express pass. We have to change hotel rooms in the middle of our vacation. We could have stayed in our 2 bed condo for the same price! I think they should limit usage, especially on busy days, but I think once a day just isn't enough. Thanks again. I found this site because I was looking for an answer to that very question.:jester:

[nhrenee]

Rachel,
I wonder if she meant once per hour? I thought that was the latest.

[RachelLD]

No, she definately meant once per day. I clarified it. She made it sound like the machines were already in place and working. She wasn't very nice either. I'm new and I don't know who Earl is, but he sounded like he knew what he was talking about. It's frustrating to get so much conflicting information. I don't know why Universal would advertise "all day, every day" if they only mean once per day. I think the new program sounds fair. I'm so glad he took the time to post and put all of our fears to rest.

[Earl]

I wish you had a name other than "she". Rest assured that is not the policy at this time, nor will it be. It sounds like she was definitely mis-informed. That have been changing the advertising though. I don't believe the "all day, every day" is in use any longer. Not so much that the system has been adjusted to work out the bugs, but to get rid of the confusion of the ad. Some people take it literally. Call back, ask the same question, if you get the same answer, send me a message and I will run it down.

I would suggest to anyone getting information from any company that you are paying to get service, not just theme parks, that you keep the name of the person you speak to. It will certainly avoid any confusion and allow issues such as this to be corrected. Don't spend your money unless you know what you are getting and how to resolve it if you don't get what you expected.

[gschmerl]

Oh Earl,
What would we do without you!¿

[jcl110]

As I said in my earlier post, I did not see how going on a ride over and over hampered the regular lines unless a hoard of on site resort guests hit the lines at once. I was there in July and it was crowded, and I rarely saw other people using their keys.
I went on Spiderman a multitude of times and I know it didnt affect the line. Who in their right mind would pay high prices for this perk , travel all the way to Florida, and than hesitate because there is a line for all the people that decided to stay in cheaper hotels. It seems to me that the people standing in those lines when I was there, understood and accepted the policy better than some people on this board who have nothing better to do than try to impress others with their childlike whining "Let someone else ride too!" Well, its not impressing its annoying!. Bull! I'll bet they wouldnt practice what they are preaching if they had the choice of waiting for 90 minutes in 95 degree heat with kids or using a perk they had the right to use!
Please put the violins away!



:smooth: