As paying customers - we deserve better.

[Not Impressed]

I am a university student currently doing a paper regarding our current consumer-driven culture and obsession with commodity. Recently, my family and I visited Universal Studios Islands of Adventure Park. Upon entrance to the park I was overwhelmed by the insidious way by which Univeral Studios takes advantage of their "guests". Most appalling was how they are now asking for an extra $31 per ticket in order for us to avoid the long line-ups. Have you stopped to consider that they in fact are charging us even more money, based on a condition that they themselves have created? They could limit the number of guests in the park each day in order to improve the wait times and thus quality of experience for those paying customers, however they choose not to.
Another issue of concern is their rule on no outside food allowed in the park. This to me is a blatant disregard for the best interest of their guests and shows their main objective -- financial gain. They limit our choices with respect to food by giving us only high fat, and unbelievably over-priced foods to choose from. I believe that as consumers and paying customers we deserve better. I no longer see a company who exists to provide an enjoyable experience to kids of all ages, but a corporation who is driven by their own self-interest.
I would like to send this message to as many possible Universal Studios guests...we no longer have to be taken advantage of. We must never let the corporation forget who is serving whom! Voice your opinion.

 

[F-L-A]

Waaaaah waaaaaah waaaaaaah waaaaaaaaah.

You're perfectly right. They shouldn't give you the option to pay extra for an Express pass. They shouldn't have let you in the park at all. Go back to Disney, you aren't fooling anyone.

 

[DBC]

Waaaaah waaaaaah waaaaaaah waaaaaaaaah.

You're perfectly right. They shouldn't give you the option to pay extra for an Express pass. They shouldn't have let you in the park at all. Go back to Disney, you aren't fooling anyone.

That's a little harsh.

But it is obvious (given the paper this person is working on) that they have a preconceived notion about what to expect.

You're writing that paper and you're surprised to see that companies are driven by self interest? Welcome to the adult world. Most people are driven by self interest as well.

As a Disney stockholder I'd be unhappy if they weren't driven by self interest as well.

You're lucky though-you have the choice of going or not going. I'd suggest you choose the latter if you're offended.

 

[Dizznee Freak]

The OP has find out why WDW is so much more than an attraction it is a family friendly relaxation spot.

 

[sallybrealey]

Yes they do have the rule about food (so does Disney) but this isnt particulary inforced so you would have been fine to take food.

Re - lines. I appreciate your point but its a business not a public run body. If you dont like the lines then pay extra or dont go. If that sounds harsh than sorry but its your choice.

Sally

 

[alisonbestford]

I'm presuming that the OP is young and full of ideals - how lovely if life were that simple
Saying that I'm a university student and am 42 so maybe shouldn't be presumptious!
Of course it's a company driven by self interest - as other posters have said, it's a business There'd be some pretty serious complaining going on, and plenty of disappointed kids, if the gates were closed to visitors at the first sign of a queue
Alison

 

[gschmerl]

I don't know about you, but I have found long lines at any attractions I've visited. That includes special exhibits at art museums and historical sites. This is to be expected. As stated above, if they closed these things as soon as a line formed, hardly any of us would get the opportunity to experience many wonderful things. You also left out the fact that Universal offers FREE Express passes at the kiosks!
We have brought food and water into the parks with no problem at all. Not a huge cooler, but some food in our fanny packs.

 

[T-10X]

Ok, if you are going to complain about Customer Service, you really should look into what you are talking about before going on a rant.

You paid extra for the Express Pass Plus, that is 100% your choice. Universal does have free express or you could even wait in line god forbid. The rule on no outside food is no inforced that much. I've been to Disney several times and they seem to inforce that more then any park I've ever been to. You also compained about the price of the food, if you have been to ANY park or even a fair you should know they aren't going to be cheap. Once again Disney is more pricey for food then Universal is. You also said they only have high fat food and nothing healthy to eat. You really need to look at the lovly thing we give you all over the place called a map, it tells where you can get healthy food, veggies, fruit, salads, and some more. Just look, to complain about bad customer service you first need to be a good customer.

 

[noseybuddy]

Well I guess you get what you pay for. Isn't that how it goes. I have been to Universal and stay on site, and I thought it was a great deal. I walked onto every ride with just about no wait at all. And this was during a Holiday. I don't think the Hotel was overpriced at all. They always have deals going on. I didn't find the food expensive either. Sorry, but I think it is great, one of the less expensive enjoyable trips that I can experience in just a few days. With staying on their property and having the FOTL express all the time how can you beat it. In three days I am able to do both parks, citywalk and have time to relax. I love it there.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Welcome to the DIS Board!!
Your very first post!! And some not good experience at Universal. Anyways..

If you stay on site...You won't be paying extra for Xtra Express Pass. And that's why we always stay on site we take advantage of the FOTL!!

As far as food. I am very quite sure that the full service restaurants will have a decent healthy meal. I can't imagine a park only serving hot dogs, hamburgers and pizza and pop only.

You have choices in life. NO one will push you or shove you into getting something you don't want. And there are choices out there.

Sounds like Universal is not for you.

 

[damo]

My opinion is that it is better than any other theme park in respect to value for your money. Do you have any idea how much money is put into a theme park and its maintenace? If you can get back to me with that breakdown and how Universal Studios is making more money than any other theme park, then I will listen.

Here is a little info for you:
Annual Pass -- I paid $169 for two years, Disney is well over twice that much,
Hotel -- 4 stars $139, Disney over $300
Waiting in line -- non existant at Universal since I stay on site and it is included with my hotel fee -- Disney - no such perks
Transporation -- I can easily walk to the parks from the on-site hotels
Food -- Mythos has been rated #1 theme park restaurant. We have never been limited as to what food we bring in the park but as mentioned in other posts, all parks have this restriction although it is enforced more rigorosly at other parks.

 

[phamton]

I am a university student currently doing a paper regarding our current consumer-driven culture and obsession with commodity.

If you are doing a paper, then you should have learned to research a little. First and foremost, you should learn that data is not the plural of anecdote.

Upon entrance to the park I was overwhelmed by the insidious way by which Univeral Studios takes advantage of their "guests". Most appalling was how they are now asking for an extra $31 per ticket in order for us to avoid the long line-ups.

If you would have researched this a little you would find that the express pass plus card has different prices depending on the time of year. Often, they are as little as $15. Not to mention, that you can get free express from the machines, just like Disney. But even better than Disney, you have a choice of return times or you can stay onsite and have unlimited express, something Disney does not offer for onsite guests.

Have you stopped to consider that they in fact are charging us even more money, based on a condition that they themselves have created?

And had you bothered to research you would find that most amusement parks now sell express passes. Universal is hardly unique in that area.

Another issue of concern is their rule on no outside food allowed in the park.

Disney has the same rule. Neither Universal nor Disney enforce that rule unless you are bringing in an elaborate buffet.

This to me is a blatant disregard for the best interest of their guests and shows their main objective -- financial gain.

Gasp! You mean a theme park would actually want to make a profit? Oh, the horrror!

They limit our choices with respect to food by giving us only high fat, and unbelievably over-priced foods to choose from.

Wrong again. Their food is higher than outside the park but lower than Disney. There is a multitude of healthy choices. Check out the menus sometime.

I no longer see a company who exists to provide an enjoyable experience to kids of all ages, but a corporation who is driven by their own self-interest.

*cough* Disney*cough* Read www.savedisney.com sometime. Hear what Roy Disney has to say about the Disney corporation which he claims is driven for self-interest and financial gain instead of customer interest. Wipe that pixie dust out of your eyes. Disney has lost a lot of the magic. Universal has improved over the last couple of years and has had a greater increase of visitors percentage wise. Check the stats. You're a college student so you should be able to find that on the internet. Here---I'll help you as I can see your research skills are lacking.

http://miceage.com/kevinyee/ky122304a.htm


1. Magic Kingdom - WDW (15.1 million), 8% higher than 2003

2. Disneyland (13.3 million), 5% higher than 2003

3. Epcot (9.4 million), 9% higher than 2003

4. Disney-MGM Studios (8.2 million), 5% higher than 2003

5. Disney's Animal Kingdom (7.8 million), 7% higher than 2003

6. Universal Studios - Orlando (6.7 million), 14% higher than 2003

7. Islands of Adventure (6.3 million), 13% higher than 2003

8. Disney's California Adventure (5.6 million), 6% higher than 2003

9. SeaWorld Orlando (5.6 million), 4% higher than 2003

10. Universal Studios Hollywood (5 million) 8% higher than 2003

Voice your opinion.

Thank you. I just did that here.

Bev

 

[Not Impressed]

Thank you for you replies! For the most part, I agree with your comments, suggestions and opinions. As I said, this is for a paper and some of my own comments and opinions were extreme, but on purpose. In an effort to demonstrate an extremist view in order to throw out an alternate opinion, allow people to consider it and get a better understanding of the true opinions and comments of the general public. I am truly happy to see that most of you are pleased and have enjoyed your Universal Experience. I do realize that Express passes are available for all, that food is expensive everywhere and that other parks are run exactly the same. I am simply focusing on Universal for this instance. I realize it's a business and that profit is the main objective. I am not trying so much to criticize this particular corporation so much as use it as an example. I do remain adamant however about the injustice I perceive, in charging extra for certain guests to have special privileges, when in fact THEY are the ones creating those conditions. Most people just accept this as a common and even courteous measure they provide for their customers. I challenge you to take a step back however, and re-look at how the corporate world works. I think only then, by reconsidering the current consumerist state of our world, can we begin to initiate some change. Maybe that is idealistic and naive, but where would the world be if we no one believed that change was possible? I'm just asking for people to consider it.

 

[gschmerl]

[QUOTE= I challenge you to take a step back however, and re-look at how the corporate world works. I think only then, by reconsidering the current consumerist state of our world, can we begin to initiate some change..[/QUOTE]

The last time I checked, the USA was a capitalistic society. WAKE UP! That's how capitalism works!!

 

[Luv2Roam]

Actually I think USO has a pretty nice system -- as long as it works. (cough, cough... Sure did not last Sunday.)
Resort paying guests have FotL.
Highway Robbery on the unlimited EP that can be bought.
Passholders and other ticket guests can get Express Pass, which is pretty much the same as Disney's FP.
Plus there are single rider lines on popular rides.
Then the regular stand by line we all love to hate.

I think they have a lot of choices. I agree the amount they charge for the unlimited EP is ridiculous. For that I would pay for a VIP tour, which is another option.

 

[robvia]

When did you go?

If you read these boards enough, you can find the best times to visit, and ways to save a ton of money. That's why I've made a bunch of web pages.

To skip the express passes, you arrive to the parking garage at 8am. If you want to park for free that page is here.
http://www.nogodforme.com/offsite.htm
Next is the comparison on arriving early here
http://www.nogodforme.com/arriveearly.htm

So that takes care of the express passes, I don't even use them. I show up early, take a lap, and leave.

Next thing, if you want your own food, you can leave from 11am to 4pm to visit Publix to buy a nice sub. Directions to Publix are here.
http://www.nogodforme.com/directionstopublix.htm
If you pay for parking, you'll end up in the garage, and you can come back and eat in your car. A styrophome cooler with sandwiches and snacks works wonders. It can be done, but you'll have to do this ahead of time, and walk back to the garage for lunch.

I used to be a nut about saving money on trips. But lately I'll spend some money to have a good time. If you worry about everything dollar the park is charging, you won't have fun.

 

[jeannej]

I can tell you are college student.


jeannej

 

[Figment22]

I'm presuming that the OP is young and full of ideals

I'm presuming that the OP is a troll who has re-registered under a different name and is trying to start trouble on the Universal forums

 

[damo]

I'm presuming that the OP is a troll who has re-registered under a different name and is trying to start trouble on the Universal forums

Wouldn't be the first time!!!

 

[goofy!]

oops, deleted