Annual Passes and problems with Online booking

[granmaz]

Can we buy AP's when we arrive? The online booking system is not completing bookings for those of us from the UK - at least many of us! I got as far as paying and processing and then get an 'unable to process order message'! I sent an email and received a standard reply saying they are having problems so basically to phone! On another board, some people had tried up to 9 times and seemingly the whole amount of money is frozen for a few days though Universal don't take it in the end! This seems to have been going on for some time - is it so hard for such a big International company to get their online system sorted? I waited a good few days after reading the thread about the problems and now I guess I have to wait till the money is back in my account!

 

[Sylvester McBean]

are you trying to book with a debit card? hotels, car rental, gas stations, have been freezing blocks of money in your account lately when you use it. very frustrating. are you booking your trip using an AP code. then yes, you can buy the AP's at the gate and then show them at concierge at the resort. you may even be able to pay for them at the resort and take the vouchers to the parks to get your picture taken.

 

[granmaz]

Thanks for that.
No, its just a Universal problem with UK or perhaps all Internationsal guests attempting to book tickets online.
Will probably pick up when we get there then. I had read somewhere that Universal were going to try to get most of their ticket sales made online!!!

 

[macraven]

the online ticket sales are cheaper than at the gate.

and, online is still using the 2005 prices.
they want people to use the on line store for tickets. it cuts them a good deal. the guests that is.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

You can buy APs at the gate yes, we did last March.

 

[yaytezIOA]

Maybe I'm wrong about it...but dont you have to be a Florida Resident to buy an AP? If you're going to be here for only a short time, wouldnt it be kind of a waste to get that? Just a thought. But yes Granmaz, you can buy it at the gate, or when you arrive in the states, make that toll free call 1-866-PASS 4 FUN. they can help you there.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Maybe I'm wrong about it...but dont you have to be a Florida Resident to buy an AP? If you're going to be here for only a short time, wouldnt it be kind of a waste to get that? Just a thought. But yes Granmaz, you can buy it at the gate, or when you arrive in the states, make that toll free call 1-866-PASS 4 FUN. they can help you there.

No, we are from the UK and bought APs last March.
We visit every year and will renew them shortly for our August visit.

The reason we bought them was we went to Orlando March and August last year so they suited us just fine, especially with the discounts and free parking.

We are going for 3 weeks this August but as the renewal price of APs is only $100 or so, they still work out as good value for money.
....and they are cool things to have also.

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

No you don't have to be a Florida resident to purchase an AP!

Some people on extended trips will purchase them as they will pay for themselves after several visits. (plus if you get the one without blackout dates there are no parking fees, there are discounts on food and merchandise, etc.) Some people also buy them and make their second trip back before the AP expires. It's all a matter of how long and/or how many times you'll be going.

 

[coatergirls]

I too had problems booking online but as they are aware of the problems with international customers they are quite happy to take your order over the phone and give you the deal that was online.Had I been able to book online I would have taken $15 or $20 international shipping option but because we didn't need them right away they shipped them out regular airmail and charged us $2 handling fee.
Don't phone at weeekend as they can't process international credit card you would have to phone back days later to find out if it went through.

 

[phamton]

They have been having problems with the international bookings because of a glitch in the system. When you use a credit card, it has to verify the address which is simple with a US address but more difficult with an internationl address. They are aware of the problem and are correcting it. The website should have a brand new design on Jan. 30th so hopefully the problem will be solved.

 

[granmaz]

Ah, thank for that. Will try again next week then!!