1st Universal Trip - Conclusions

[Jimbo]

As DVC owners, we'll still be going to Orlando and Disney a lot. But I expect that many of our future trips will include a few Universal Studios days. The HRH resort was first class, and the parks were great too.

Here's some final thoughts in no particular order:

• You could not depend on charging purchases to your room. It usually didn't work in the parks, and didn't work at all at the Hard Rock restaurant or Margaritaville. They were blaming it in computer problems. To be safe, arrive with a plan B for purchasing stuff.<p>
• Just like Disney the gate access at the parks is horrible, with long sweaty lines. Then on our second USF day they couldn't read the bar code on my ticket (Popeye had washed it away!). So we had to stand in a sweaty line at Guest Services get a new ticket, and then get back in the gate line. I really wish there was a faster way to do this.<p>
• I wish there was a better way to handle bags than making you use their lockers. It's nice that they are free, but it's really frustrating to stand behind a bunch of people that can't figure out how to use the lockers just so you can retrieve your wife's purse.<p>
• We bought the 6 day passes from Dreams Unlimited. I don't remember what we paid anymore ($85 maybe?), but it was a bargain. We had unlimited access to the parks for the four days we were on property, and the gate price is $71 for a single day. <p>
• FOTL!!! This is the most amazing perk ever! It was 95 degrees and humid every day, and I can't even imagine what how different our trip would have been if we'd had to stand in some of those 1 hour plus lines. <p>
• In general, the service at Universal is comparable to Disney's (and that's high praise). And like I said in my HRH post, it just shows you that there's a lot of ways to deliver good service. You'll never see a Disney CM covered in tattoos, and their CMs will probably never tell your kids to "party like a rock star." HRH makes it work, though, and somehow they do it in a family friendly way.

 

[bubba's mom]

Glad you had a great time. Thanks for taking the time to post your reviews. In all the times I've gone to UO, I've never had a problem with my card charging to the room (except the one time I demagnatized my card ) ....however, if you ARE worried, not a big deal to bring "back up" like you mentioned.

I agree....the locker system IS a pain, especially to those trying to figure it out (we usually help them to speed the process up!), but short of not taking anything to the parks that you can't stuff in your pockets, there's really no other option.

I wouldn't recommend posting this TR on the Disney side of the boards, you will probably get flamed ....BUT, I thank you for your time and review!

 

[keishashadow]

welcome home ; it's a great way for DVCers to spend the weekend the new best kept secret lol

we couldn't use our room key @ NASCAR restaurant either. When we handed it to server, she said as much...i nicely requested she give it a shot - no go. Conversely, it worked @ Mararittaville for just a beer/tip.

nice report, spread the good word re Universal; the darkside's not as scary as it's made out to be

 

[RLMinVA]

I have heard mentioned a few times the use of lockers. I have not been to UO or IOA in a number of years but will return in November with extended family (11 of us). I have suggested the terribly unstylish yet quite utilitarian "fanny packs" to the others. Are these no longer allowed on rides? Seems like, for those not too interested in fashion, these items would be helpful in avoiding the locker scene.

 

[bubba's mom]

Depends on the TM .... seen some let "fanny bags" on the ride, others not. I think if the bag does not impede the safety restraint, you should be okay. .....again, up to the TM.

 

[highlander447]

Thanks for taking the time to do your reports and share your vacation, the lockers are a pain if only people would remember which finger they used or even the hand

 

[Timmy Boy]

When I worked at Dragons, I would get a locker call, and the person could not locate their locker. The system found no fingerprints, and they were SURE it was the Dragons lockers. I told them that their was no fingerprint that matched them in this area, and we tried every finger on every hand.

I asked whao other attractions they had visited, and said the came right from River Adventure. So I had the lead walk them over to River.

Their stuff was in the River lockers.