Annoyances at US / IOA

[lborne]

We have the 2 year passes and have been quite a bit and spent this past weekend at the parks. Overall, we enjoy the parks, but these are some of the minor things that annoy me.

1. Parking always seems to take longer than at the Disney parks. Maybe because it is under cover qand so people drive slower or because 2 lanes merge to one, but people don't seem to know exactly what they are doing. This is not the fault of US.

2. It is loud. The roar of hulk is not enough, they have to pump loud music in the Marvel area. I love the area, but hate how loud it is. Also, over near ET they blare music fromt he speakers on the stage there even when there is no show.

3. People trying to sell me something. I don't know what it is because I never stop, but it looks like some sort of timeshare deal. I just don't like being walked up to and asked if I want a free weekend or whatever he was offering.

4. Staggered opening times for attractions. Because we get there at opening (9:00) and some attractions don't open until 10:00 or 11:00, we had to walk a lot more. It also makes the attractions that open at 9:00 more crowded.

 

[Metro West]

We have the 2 year passes and have been quite a bit and spent this past weekend at the parks. Overall, we enjoy the parks, but these are some of the minor things that annoy me.

1. Parking always seems to take longer than at the Disney parks. Maybe because it is under cover qand so people drive slower or because 2 lanes merge to one, but people don't seem to know exactly what they are doing. This is not the fault of US.

2. It is loud. The roar of hulk is not enough, they have to pump loud music in the Marvel area. I love the area, but hate how loud it is. Also, over near ET they blare music fromt he speakers on the stage there even when there is no show.

3. People trying to sell me something. I don't know what it is because I never stop, but it looks like some sort of timeshare deal. I just don't like being walked up to and asked if I want a free weekend or whatever he was offering.

4. Staggered opening times for attractions. Because we get there at opening (9:00) and some attractions don't open until 10:00 or 11:00, we had to walk a lot more. It also makes the attractions that open at 9:00 more crowded.

I agree with most of what you stated. I don't think the parking is as bad at Universal as it is at Disney...mainly because it's covered from the FL heat in the summer...which as you know is brutal.

I do agree the music at Marvel Island is WAAAAY too loud most of the time. Sometimes I wish I had ear plugs.

The timeshare people are annoying but the folks out in the hub with the credit card applications really irritate me. Enough already...I think it gives off bad vibes when someone is coming to Universal for the first time and have to see that.

I'm not quite sure why attractions have staggered openings...doesn't make much sense to me.

 

[DIZNUT57]

I have to agree on everything but parking. We go at least 3 times a year and to me parking is one of the best things. My kids love the moving tram and having a car not in the sun during the summer is a huge plus. The short walk from the car to the parks gives us a chance to plan our attack for the day. Although we have not had to park in a while because nothing beats staying onsite.

 

[Metro West]

My kids love the moving tram and having a car not in the sun during the summer is a huge plus.

You mean the moving sidewalk right? Universal doesn't have trams.

 

[inkkognito]

As a frequent visitor to USF/IOA I have to agree about the timeshare sales people. It's just downright tacky! Disney has DVC booths in the park, but they never, ever approach you. You have to go to them. At USF, I hate going between MiB and Jaws because they are all over you like flys on a horsepoop pile. As the economy gets worse, they seem to be getting more desperate. Universal really needs ro rethink having aggressive salespeople in its parks. It's bad enough that they're in virtually every business and restaurant on 192. I feel like wearing a big sign: "I'm a local. Leave the the %^!*# alone!"

The music doesn't bother me too much; I can't speak for the parking because we get free valet with our Premier Pass. I do hate parking garages so it probably would irritate me if I had to use it. But then again, Disney's trams iritate me big-time too. Thank goodness I have a AAA parking pass for the WDW parks.

 

[Timmy Boy]

I'm not quite sure why attractions have staggered openings...doesn't make much sense to me.

Budget. Smaller attractions won't open until 10 on days that the park won't have many guests. On 9 and 10 o clock closings, everything opens with the park.

 

[Metro West]

Budget. Smaller attractions won't open until 10 on days that the park won't have many guests. On 9 and 10 o clock closings, everything opens with the park.

Ah OK.

 

[EPRV We love Disney]

As a frequent visitor to USF/IOA I have to agree about the timeshare sales people. It's just downright tacky! Disney has DVC booths in the park, but they never, ever approach you. You have to go to them. At USF, I hate going between MiB and Jaws because they are all over you like flys on a horsepoop pile. As the economy gets worse, they seem to be getting more desperate. Universal really needs ro rethink having aggressive salespeople in its parks.

Hi!

We'll be visiting for the first time next November. I just hate it when people aggressively try to sell you something. Especially when we're on vacation!

Any suggestions for how to avoid/discourage the sellers?

Thanks! E

 

[inkkognito]

A firm "no thanks" or "not interested" and just keep walking!

 

[ky07]

Or like I do say I am leaving today or I have an early flight tomorrow and they will leave you alone like you have the plague

 

[Metro West]

Any suggestions for how to avoid/discourage the sellers?

Just walk on by and don't pay any attention to them. I think the ones in the main hub are the worst.

 

[donaldduck352]

People trying to sell me something. I don't know what it is because I never stop, but it looks like some sort of timeshare deal. I just don't like being walked up to and asked if I want a free weekend or whatever he was offering.

The parking garage is the best one in Orlando,like Todd stated no seats too give you 3rd degree burns..

But the one you hit the nail on is the timeshare peeps.We are not that gullible but he realed us in like a fish(next too MIB)..We will pay for your whole vacca just listnine to what I have too offer.So 10min of a sales pitch he asked personal info-address E-Mail-phone #.Thats were I drew the line.Oh we will have a great breakfast and free drinks if you show up and look at what we have too offer.. I did one of them.I asked what about the time you took away from us too listen to your pitch.And he had the B**** to ask us for $20 to reserve a spot..

Find another sucker!!But they do come out and try to grab you.. So beware unless you want too buy a Timeshare!!They have one heck of a sales pitch!!

 

[EPRV We love Disney]

Thanks for all the good advice and the head's up. It's always best to be forwarned..

E

 

[damo]

Tell them you are from Montreal. They will leave you alone then.

 

[MandyJ72]

Is this a new thing as US then? Last time we were there (about 4yrs ago) we never saw anything - there were some sort of tables set up as you come up from the car park to the central bit before you turn left and go on the moving walkways before you get to City Walk but I don't really remember what they were - giving out rucksacks I think but other than that we never encountered anything at all so glad about the heads up!

 

[EPRV We love Disney]

Tell them you are from Montreal. They will leave you alone then.

Heh, heh, heh - This will be me "Sorry, eh, I'm from Montreal, eh", in my best "Joysey" accent.

Thanks!

 

[Akdar]

As soon as I see the Timeshare people swooping in, I put up my hand (in my best "talk to the hand" style), and say "I already own"! If they don't stop there, I just say it again, but LOUDER and with more anger in my voice.

Then again, they rarely approach me if I'm not with Sherry my wife, must be the hair and tattoos?? (mine, not Sherry's )

 

[AlexandNessa]

I agree with you that sometimes the music is too loud in Marvel Island.

I also HATE the Timeshare people. Hate them. Hate them. Hate them! They are aggressive. Too aggressive.

They approach us relentlessly. We find the following works:

1. Just say you don't have time for them because you leave for the airport in 15 minutes.
2. Split up. They tend to hawk couples and families. Not singles.
3. If you're walking with your spouse, act crazy when they start talking to you. Ask your husband if he hears someone talking to you, because surely no one would be bothering you on vacation. Have your husband say, "no, i don't hear anyone. why do YOU hear someone?" Conversely, we've been known to look right at them and say, "I don't see you. You don't exist to me."
4. Walk across the bridge when going from Jaws to MIB, and then double back to MIB. They don't stray far from their area, though they have been known to follow us at least 150'. Annoying!

I am glad though that they finally changed the sign on their kiosk. A way back, their kiosk said "Refreshments." Now at least it says Vacation Information or something.

Are you listening, Universal? These timeshare people are HORRIBLE!!

 

[EPRV We love Disney]

You've gotta admit, if we combined all of the above advice and tried it all on the timeshare people and filmed the result, it would make a pretty funny video!

It really is too bad that there isn't a forum for complaining to Universal about this since it seems to affect such a number of loyal Universal fans.

When I get back from Universal next year, I'll try as many of the above tactics and tell you all which worked the best! Hee, hee.

Thanks again all!

 

[phamton]

If you have any issues with timeshare, look for the team member wearing a light blue polo shirt near the time share. The ones wearing the light blue polo are Guest Services and NOT timeshare. You can let them know if you are being bothered. You can also stop at the Guest Services at the front of each park and give them any details about who approached you.

I have seen a great improvement in the last few months. They don't seem pushy anymore.