Universal Studios is closed!!!

[JacksBack!!]

Universal and Disney are now officially closed until further notice.

[Robinrs]

Thanks for the info, Jack. I knew they couldn't stay open during this nightmare.

[MrNonacho]

Local News 13 is still reporting Universal as open, with all other parks in the area closing.

[Earl]

Universal closed approx. 2 p.m. for the remainder of the day.

[fboy9287]

as this is such an amazing day just curious did they get a refund?

[CoasterFEV]

Yes, due to the tragedies of the day, Universal and it's staff took whatever steps needed to accommodate and console its guests.

Once the parks closed, ALL guests were given complimentary tickets to return whenever they wished, or a full refund of their days admission.

It's too upsetting of a day to bicker over getting a refund or not - Universal did the right thing in giving a refund to any guest wishing that type of compensation.

[CoasterFEV]

Also - in addition to the theme parks, all of Citywalk and resort transportation has also closed.

This is similar to Disney, where all theme parks, water parks, and all of Downtown Disney has closed until further notice.

No word yet as to when parks/venues will reopen.

[Earl]

All the the Orlando area theme parks are planning on re-opening tomorrow.

[MIB999999]

Originally posted by CoasterFEV
Once the parks closed, ALL guests were given complimentary tickets to return whenever they wished, or a full refund of their days admission.

It's too upsetting of a day to bicker over getting a refund or not - Universal did the right thing in giving a refund to any guest wishing that type of compensation.

Good for Universal. Glad to hear they took the initative and comp'd or refunded.

[WebmasterBarry]

I wonder what Disney did when they closed the parks. Did they refund tickets or hand out comp tickets?

[Super Mom]

I read on the theme parks board that comp tickets were issued when Disney closed parks.

[Seahag]

I knew they would close, I am suprised that they will re-open so soon. I do feel that it is a good thing that they re-open , it shows the undeniable spirit of all Americans.
May God cradle us in the palm of His hand.

[DanG]

I question whether attending a stupid theme park so soon after this tragedy demonstrates little more than self-absorption, cluelessness and a lack of compassion for 5,000 dead and literally hundreds of thousands of family and friends. America is about a hell of a lot more than WDW and Universal and it is times like these we should remember that. When I was in the USMC, I sure as hell wasn't serving to protect Disney World and their corporate profits.

Seahag, I don't mean to launch on you or to single you out. I have become increasingly frustrated with the idea of resuming a normal life one day after an attack on America. This is not a normal time and a short moratorium on public entertainment events is appropriate with more than 5,000 people murdered and our sense of safety and security destroyed forever.

With major league baseball and the NFL cancelling, I would have hoped that Disney would do the same. And I hope those who go today and tomorrow gag on one of those monstrous turkey legs.

DanG

[apanopio]

I don't think attending a theme park so soon demonstrates a lack of sensitivity, compassion, or respect. Some people choose to handle this tragedy by spending quality time with their families.

Themeparks offer activities that allow families to be together and to enjoy the outdoors. I know I enjoy my times in the themeparks not because of the rides, but because it is one of the few times I see my family actually like being together. My brothers and sisters and I are all college age and we rarely have any time together with our parents.

Mayor Guiliani even encouraged everyone to spend time with their families and to get out and enjoy the weather at a park or in a shopping mall. Our nation's leaders encouraged Americans to come back stronger.

The tragedy of Tuesday has given me a new found appreciation for family, friends, and life itself and I made a pledge to spend more time with my loved ones and to always let them know how much they mean to me. I'm sure that all those attending themeparks right now have the same idea and want to take advantage of every moment with their family and friends.

Places like Disney World and Universal are perfect places to strengthen family bonds and celebrate, appreciate, and honor all that America has accomplished. If anything else, they also offer healing and comfort for the children who had to witness the horror and deaths of the tragedy.

[DanG]

There is nothing wrong with Disney/Universal per se and I support and encourage people enjoying family time there at an appropriate time. That appropriate time might be a week, it might be a month. It sure as hell isn't the next day after 5,000 people are killed and others are still being dug out after an act of war on American soil.

Disney and the other theme parks should be ashamed of opening today. No one can compellingly argue that they should.

I keep hearing that events like this give people perspective. Where is it in Orlando?

DanG

[h20jag]

DanG,
If you don't mind terribly, can Theme Park employees be allowed to work for a wage to pay their bills? Is that O.K. with you?
What about the short time some families have left to go enjoy themselves together at these parks?
Even in mourning our Countrys' great loss, can't families still attend the Parks? (without judgement from....you?)
You shouldn't question anyones' patriotism here.
I doubt you've refrained from getting your jollies, however that may be, since this tragedy.
If you just wanted everyone to think you the holiest here, NOT from me you don't!
Jim

[RachelLD]

DanG, I understand your anger but you should not turn it to us. It's not like the trip to the local amusement park. Some people have saved for a long time to enjoy the trip of the lifetime. Some people have children who could never understand why Mom and Dad may no longer want to go. Aside from all that, if we let the terrorists stop our world than they will feel even more victorious. We have to try to get on with our lives. I think it is very good that many events have been cancelled. But, we can not shut down our world. I'm sure this tragedy is in everyone's mind no matter where they are. Just because they want to try to continue their lives does not make them bad people. It does not mean they don't hurt or that they don't have respect. Don't let the terrorists have any more power than they already do. By resuming our lives, we send the message that they may have won the round but they have not won the fight.

[MIB999999]

Originally posted by DanG
When I was in the USMC, I sure as hell wasn't serving to protect Disney World and their corporate profits.
DanG

Maybe not but i would have to wonder if Disney is any less of an American symbol than the Trade Towers were.

And if one of your squad was taken out the USMC did not give you the rest of the week off. As the president said this is war, maybe not in the form we see on television but it is war none the less.

[pats]

I just thought i should add that on Tuesday..when this all happened and they shut the parks down...im sure that many people were already in the parks and had no idea what was going on. What are you to do if you are on vacation..as was said before and your kids are too young to understand all this fully.

[IOATech]

This post has wound me up. I AM A VETERAN you idiot. I served my country for 13 years, including Desert Shield/Storm. To quote another, can I please make a living and support my family? Am I not a patriot because I continue to bust my *** for a living but not on the government payroll? Quit being a sissy and get a grip. If we stop commerce in this country the terrorists have won. Grow up, get off your stump and pay attention to what is really important. I support my family by working for Universal right NOW. Bad taste? The bad guys have been identified and they aint us.

And by the way there are hundreds, if not thousands of veterans like me here making a living just like you do. Use your head.

[Seahag]

How free are we if our country is allowed to slow to a standstill due to this tragedy,and who wins then ?




Maybe God will have mercy on them, because we won't.

[DanG]

Bless you all.

[Seahag]

Please remember, just because it's open, doesn't mean that hundreds of thousands of people are flocking there. We are a nation in mourning. Anyone who is on vacation at this time I wish a lot of luck, because this is hard to ignore. I also hope they have a good vacation. And I am in no place to say that they should not go. After all, Universal is a business. My place of work did not close, did yours ?
P.S. , I'm OK with the agree to disagree, I just wasn't done ranting (lol):)

[IOATech]

Well I'm not Ok, to agree to disagree. You are seeking, Dang to attack my well-being and quality of life just like the enemy. You are wrong and you know it. If you think the company is being insensitive you are wrong there, too. There were 18 emails in my in-box Wednesday from Ownership asking us to be extra-sensitive and helpful to guests. I know of colleagues who embraced and consoled strangers who where in distress. As I said, do not tell me how to be simpathetic. I have earned my right to be known as an American, which is GIVEN to us all at birth. We all deserve the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness by virtue of being a citizen of this great country. Do not attempt to deny me of mine. If you are truly a Marine vet (which I am really, really doubting) you will cease your cheep comentary. Or should the rest of us demand your place of employment shut down indefinitely?

Take some classes. We employ 10,000 souls here. We participate in the economy. When I get paid, I go to Wal Mart and buy stuff. If we close, we make less money and employ less people. Wal Mart makes less money. Wal Mart increases prices: inflation. More product than demand. Whose side are you on.

[DanG]

I understand your venting and hostility. I do not mean to attack you or your right to earn a wage and apologize for inflaming your anger with words that were poorly selected, in retrospect. This is why I backed down on my posts. Not because I believe I am wrong, but clearly I struck a personal chord with you that I had no intention to strike. These are trying times and we all react and have different opinions in trying to make sense of what has happened.

In my posts, I attack no individuals on this board and have not called anyone names. I disagreed and continue to disagree with several corporate decisions to open amusement parks so soon to national tragedy. All major league and college sports have been cancelled and those are comparable events in that they are highly visible entertainment events.

In my opinion, closing an amusement park for a few days doesn't mean the terrorists have won; it should represent a period of collective mourning.

I have taken more than enough classes on economics to understand the implications of these actions and would hope in the context of what I think these companies should do, they would pay employees and not punish them for corporate goodwill. At the end of the day,

As for having served in the USMC, I graduated Parris Island in 1983, platoon 1062 in August of 1983. I was honorably discharged in 1989 as a corporal. I did not serve in Desert Storm or any other conflict, but appreciate your service. I did not mean to imply this made my opinion any more valid, but to give context

Take the apology or not, but I am done on this thread. I went beyond the boundaries of the topic and if all I'm doing is angering people I will stop pressing my point.

DanG

[IOATech]

I Owe an apology to you. Thank you for your respectful words. I simply believe that Universal the company will be falsely accused of being insensitive, but this is far from the truth. There is just another side to the argument, and we are here to provide a service to people like everyone else. We are not evil because we seek to entertain.

[seashoreCM]

>>Disney and the other theme parks should be ashamed ...
Wrong!

We need to look forward and rejuvenate our economy and putting more value into the stocks in the little guys' retirement portfolios. (Or did he mean that the economy should be revived in the form of gearing up a humongous war machine?)

I trust all the bosses of the U.S. with DanG's point of view will extend an extra two days off with pay to any of their employees vacationing at Disney World (and the military would grant soldiers two more days of leave) so everyone could mourn together and then enjoy the theme parks when they reopen.

Frankly I'd rather mourn after I get back home.

Other Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

[dvcdenise]

What you feel is exactly right for you, but please remember that people will morn very differently. My children were in a school hit by a tornado and 9 were killed. I learned from that experience that everone must choose how to heal. Be it by trying to resume normalcy or by shutting down to heal. Every person is different and will heal in a differnt time frame, it has nothing to do with them not being in pain. We all are in pain. It took us years to heal and although we looked fine and appear fine to this day we still are in pain. When any tragedy happen it is not for us to judge any other person, just support and try to help. Please don't flame DanG for his feelings as he has to heal in his oun way and time, I hate to see anyone add more pain to this time when we all have enough.