Beware of Universal

[Bella the Ball 360]

I know this belongs on the Universal board but I wanted to post it here b/c I know more people will see it and it will help if they are planning a trip. Universal does not have fast pass any more. They make you buy it for 50 per day and that only includes one ride on each ride. This is 50 per person. It is outrageous and I hope Disney does not follow suit. They have also upped the parking charge to 10 per day and all the restaurants have upped their prices at least 2.00 per entree...at least the ones I looked at. There was no notice about the lack of fast pass and the fact that they are charging 50 per person for 2 parks and it only allows you to go on once is outrageous. What if you only have a limited time to spend in the park so now you nned to pay an extra 50 per person to be sure you will get on the rides? Maybe I missed a post about this but I think this is really gouging.

I was totally disgusted with the rudness of the employees not only did my husband have an incident with a team leader being rude but I ob served a couple of the ride operators being down right nasty to the guests. Ifind this not acceptable and am hoping to find the corporate address or e mail address b./c I am going to write a letter. THE reason I am posting this is if there are those who might be on the fence for that extra vacation day. I have annual passes and do not think I will even go back on this vacation. If I want to be yelled at I can go to the Mass Dept of Motor Vehicles for free!

I did go to Vacation Services and report the team leader and spoke to his supervisor. While he was very nice the point is if you do not want to be in the people business get an office job! When I was at the office there were a couple of people who were also complaing about the rudness of the employees or the cost of the fast pass. Let's all hope disney does not follow suit.

 

[cgcruz]

The thing really keeping me from going to the parks is the lines. I heard lines tend always be long. Now that they charge for their Fastpass, i'd be even less likely to go. I will continue going there though for Citywalk and Margaritaville! I think parking is still free after 6pm.

 

[Amity 3]

Universal quit offering the free Express Passes last September, it's not exactly a news flash. all of the parks here now charge $10.00 for parking. you claim you have AP's, there is no parking fee for AP holders.

you'd think someone without a grudge would know simple things like this.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Universal quit offering the free Express Passes last September, it's not exactly a news flash. all of the parks here now charge $10.00 for parking. you claim you have AP's, there is no parking fee for AP holders.

you'd think someone without a grudge would know simple things like this.

Well I DO have ap's AND I DO NOT HAVE A GRUDGE. I said I have not been back since last August and in our newsletter or mailings there was nothing stating that this was discontinued. Unfortunately I need to work all year at my job in order to pay for my trips to Orlando so it"s not high on my list of priorities to constantly check on this info. I do not have a huge amount of free time to check these boards either.

As to parking...well I did not pay but those who were with us did have to pay since they do NOT have AP's just as many people of those who go to Universal. NOT everything pertains to just ONE person.

The lines were long and hot and couple that with rude employees then I guess I do have the right to complain AND warn others. If we are going to spend hard earnded money then we have the right to expect a good experience. If I can warn those who might be on the fence then I think it is a good thing.

Frankly I view your post in keeping with the attitude of the employees I encountered yesterday. I bet you work there.

 

[kimberh]

You're right, this belongs on the Universal Thread Board. The Price for the 2 day front of the line (FOTL) changes per season. It is on their web site that it is for one ride. If you want FOTL passes you have to stay on property. There are 3 hotels that give you this right. Could you just see if Disney gave all onsite FOTL passes. It would be a mad house! We were just at Universal and I saw a lady, no she wasn't a lady, She was screaming at the Universal employee because she had paid $50.00 for her fast pass and it didn't include the kiddie Dinosaur ride in back of the park. This is also listed that it is not included. Some people need to do their homework before entering a new park. That's what I did and we had a GREAT time. Dumbo is not on fast pass and she was telling the Universal CM that all of Disney's rides were on Fast pass. Well, We know this is not so. Universal is not Disney and Disney is not Universal. When are people going to figure this out!!! Disney has went up on Parking, How many times? If you have an Annual Pass then you would not know this or if you stay on property. I own 2 DVC contracts. I love Disney. We really like universal and love their Hotels and the restaurants at the hotels are wonderful!!!! WE had a very magical Vacation at Universal and we are coming back to Disney in Aug and Oct. There is room for both!!

Just my 2 cents.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We spent 5 nights @ HRH @ Universal last week. Living an hour from WDW, & about an hour & 15 min. from UO, we've been to both resorts countless times. I can honestly say that last week was the very 1st time we've ever had an employee do anything special for us. We've never been sprinkled with "pixie dust" by a CM @ WDW. We spent 5 days in the parks, & didn't encounter 1 rude employee. The TM you ran into must have been having a really bad day.

The Express Pass price varies by the season. IMHO, you can't exactly call WDW fast pass free compared to UO's system. The price of admission at Universal is much cheaper than at WDW. You can choose to pay extra for EP or not. WDW doesn't give you the option to buy tickets at a dirt cheap price, if you're willing to stand in line longer. Universal has to make up the difference somewhere. They make up the difference on us by getting the money we pay for accommodations. This is another option that everyone is free to take advantage of. The onsite perks at UO are unmatched anywhere, & worth every cent we pay to stay in their resorts.

If you've eaten at WDW & UO lately, you know that the food prices are on par with one another. Both WDW & UO have their positives & negatives, but neither is that much better than the other.


ETA: kimberh was typing at the same time I was. She's just faster. Sorry, for the repeated info.

 

[Amity 3]

As to parking...well I did not pay but those who were with us did have to pay since they do NOT have AP's just as many people of those who go to Universal. NOT everything pertains to just ONE person.

Frankly I view your post in keeping with the attitude of the employees I encountered yesterday. I bet you work there.

like I said before, ALL of the parks charge $10.00 per vehicle now. BG/SW started, the rest followed. it's common knowledge.

I don't work at Universal, but I know people that do and the other parks. long lines and heat are all part of the Florida 'magic'. if you weren't prepared for them, it's your own fault. blaming your lack of knowledge and frustration on park employees is a cop-out. We've found Universal TM's to be equal if not greater than the CM's at WDW in the last couple of years.

why? because they're leaving WDW in droves for the better pay scales and benefits at Universal. so watch who you're complaining about, they're probably an ex-WDW CM.

 

[Linxzy]

They make you buy it for 50 per day and that only includes one ride on each ride.

You buy it if you want to buy it. (sorry if I sound rude, but it just me)

I went July 9-11 without FOTL or Express Pass and did just fine. Just doing what I would normally do at WDW: go very early to the parks.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Universal quit offering the free Express Passes last September, it's not exactly a news flash. all of the parks here now charge $10.00 for parking. you claim you have AP's, there is no parking fee for AP holders.

you'd think someone without a grudge would know simple things like this.

For those of us who don't live in FL, last Sept. isn't that long ago. Even if people get to go to Orlando every year, if they went last Aug. and are going again this Aug. they should now expect a different experience and it's not necessarily a more positive experience, that's all. Not all changes that companies make are for the good of their customers and people get tired of it. I doubt they're financially struggling so why do they gouge people? Who can afford that w/ the average family of 5 after all you spend just to get there and get in the park? People rely on Fast Passes esp. during crowded times of the year. The last time I bought a fast pass at US was Nov. 04 and they were $15 pp/pday. This was just to avoid the lines at the kiosks and you could only ride each ride once. Luckily one ds was young enough to not need a ticket so we only had to buy 3 but at $50/day? NO WAY! Next they'll be charging for maps!!
They're just pushing more customers back to Disney.

 

[Amity 3]

For those of us who don't live in FL, last Sept. isn't that long ago. Even if people get to go to Orlando every year, if they went last Aug. and are going again this Aug. they should now expect a different experience and it's not necessarily a more positive experience, that's all. Not all changes that companies make are for the good of their customers and people get tired of it. I doubt they're financially struggling so why do they gouge people? Who can afford that w/ the average family of 5 after all you spend just to get there and get in the park? People rely on Fast Passes esp. during crowded times of the year. The last time I bought a fast pass at US was Nov. 04 and they were $15 pp/pday. This was just to avoid the lines at the kiosks and you could only ride each ride once. Luckily one ds was young enough to not need a ticket so we only had to buy 3 but at $50/day? NO WAY! Next they'll be charging for maps!!
They're just pushing more customers back to Disney.

I'm not saying that I think it's a good policy. I've stopped into Guest Services and written a letter and a few e-mails. I don't think any company should take a formerly free service and begin charging for it. Universal claimed the removal of free EP's would speed up standby times, it hasn't. it's actually made them worse.

but this is all out there for a family planning a trip.

 

[Speechkell]

I gotta agree with all of you!
Disney is not Universal and vise versa...however, if you get up early,and map out what rides you want to hit first..and get the lay of the land..then there should be no problems....We are going in 2 weeks and we chose to purchase the 2 park EP--we plan on using them in the mid afternoon when the park gets crowded. Besides, Disneys FPs often run out or the times on them are like in 3 hours--who wants to wait that long?
However it is a shame that Universal discontinued it's free EP, but the park's cost is a LOT cheaper than Disney. Hey, its an amusement park, and I haven't been to any that doesn't have long lines at some point in the day--even Ohio's famous one!

Question-has anyone used that "Mike's tips" service yet for Disney??

 

[tarheelmjfan]

For those of us who don't live in FL, last Sept. isn't that long ago. Even if people get to go to Orlando every year, if they went last Aug. and are going again this Aug. they should now expect a different experience and it's not necessarily a more positive experience, that's all. Not all changes that companies make are for the good of their customers and people get tired of it. I doubt they're financially struggling so why do they gouge people? Who can afford that w/ the average family of 5 after all you spend just to get there and get in the park? People rely on Fast Passes esp. during crowded times of the year. The last time I bought a fast pass at US was Nov. 04 and they were $15 pp/pday. This was just to avoid the lines at the kiosks and you could only ride each ride once. Luckily one ds was young enough to not need a ticket so we only had to buy 3 but at $50/day? NO WAY! Next they'll be charging for maps!!
They're just pushing more customers back to Disney.

As has been noted more than once, the price of the express varies by season & can be much cheaper than the OP witnessed. If you're family of 5 bought tickets to UO for 5 days & purchased the EP for a couple days, you would still be spending much less than you would pay for 5 day passes at WDW. Yes, the EP is only good once on each ride. That's still quite a few rides. How many fast passes can you get on a typical day at WDW? It's definitely not unlimited.

 

[Cass]

I'd pay $50.00 a person in a heartbeat to avoid 75 minute waits at PeterPan. Bring it on, Disney!

 

[Chuck S]

Wait...do I understand correctly, Universal charges $50 per person per day for fastpass, in addition to park admission? It's been many years since I was at Universal (prior to IOA opening), and if that is the case, I have no desire to return.

 

[tinaluis]

I'm sorry that you had such a lousy time but I agree that a little planning would have gone a LONG way. When you go to WDW during a peak time do you get there before or right at opening? I'd bet that you do. US/IOA are no different. If you get there early, you'll be able to do most of the major rides without waiting too long. I agree that $50/pp is a lot to spend, but if we ever visited at a peak time, we'd stay onsite to take advantage of FOTL privileges. When friends ask us about visitng US/IOA, the first thing I want to know is when they're planning on going. If it's during a peak time, I tell them to either stay onsite or plan on getting there at least 1/2 hour before opening to have the most enjoyable experience. Those who've followed my advice, love US/IOA. Those who don't, hate it. I think there's a direct correlation.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Wait...do I understand correctly, Universal charges $50 per person per day for fastpass, in addition to park admission? It's been many years since I was at Universal (prior to IOA opening), and if that is the case, I have no desire to return.

Here's a link to the 1 day/ 2 park EP rates: http://secure.universalstudios.com/...goryGroup=UOMain&SalesCategory=UO2ParkUEPLive

As you can see, the price ranges from $20 to $50. There's also a 1 park pass, which starts @ $15 & goes up to $40.

My family paid $79 for 5 day park hoppers @ UO last week. For non Florida residents it would have been $234 @ WDW. That would leave $155 to spend on Express Passes @ UO, if you (not you specifically) chose to. Those EP's would have also get you to the FOTL once on every ride in the parks, expect for 1 ride @ IOA. You would never be able to accumulate FP's for every ride in 2 parks in one day @ WDW. If you really think things through, you will see who is offering the better deal.

We enjoy going to both WDW & UO. Of the 2, UO provides a cheaper & more relaxing vacation. When we go to WDW, we go to WDW only. We do the same at UO. We don't plan to spend most of our time & money @ WDW, then expect UO to give us a great deal with little or no lines. IMHO, that's just not realistic, & it would be immature of us to expect that then complain if that's not the way it is.

 

[kimberh]

We went in June and stayed at RPH for $129.00. With a rate like that why would you pay $50.00 per person for A pass. Your key card is the pass. We are AAA or you can get a universal Annual pass. The hotel is much nicer than the Polynesian. People need to invest some time in their vacation. It will save them a small fortune.

 

[faindrops27]

Wait, now I am lost. When, I went in October. It was 15, dollars for a EP pass. Less than a year, and it jumps to 50 dollars?? I must not be talking about the same thing. Ok, so i look at the link, and it says for Sept it is 25 dollars, come now. This is gouging. This cannot be the same past, i bought in October 2005.

 

[UKDEB]

We went in June and stayed at RPH for $129.00. With a rate like that why would you pay $50.00 per person for A pass. Your key card is the pass. We are AAA or you can get a universal Annual pass. The hotel is much nicer than the Polynesian. People need to invest some time in their vacation. It will save them a small fortune.

We've also paid $129 for RPR a couple of times (AP rate) and, whilst I would rather stay onsite than pay for EXPRESS passes, your analogy is off the mark. $50 is the price at the busiest times. You wouldn't get anywhere near $129 for RPR at those times.

I doubt they're financially struggling

You've actually hit the nail on the head. Universal nearly collapsed under Vivendi's ownership and it will take a while for its new owner (GE under the NBC banner) to turn around its fortunes. This is entirely about economics and USF's management will undoubtedly (and rightly) try out different pricing strategies to achieve the best return for the company's shareholders.

I'm only repeating what others have already pointed out here, but Universal's system gives you EXPRESS access to almost every ride. At Disney, you'd be lucky to achieve 5 FASTPASS attractions in a day and, even then, you wouldn't just be able to walk from ride to ride and experience each at your leisure. You'd have to adopt a pre-planned (and potentially exhausting) park-crossing strategy and your return times wouldn't necessarily be at times convenient to you. I'd certainly consider purchasing FASTPASSes at Disney if I could ride at will.

 

[kimberh]

We've also paid $129 for RPR a couple of times (AP rate) and, whilst I would rather stay onsite than pay for EXPRESS passes, your analogy is off the mark. $50 is the price at the busiest times. You wouldn't get anywhere near $129 for RPR at those times.

You've actually hit the nail on the head. Universal nearly collapsed under Vivendi's ownership and it will take a while for its new owner (GE under the NBC banner) to turn around its fortunes. This is entirely about economics and USF's management will undoubtedly (and rightly) try out different pricing strategies to achieve the best return for the company's shareholders.

I'm only repeating what others have already pointed out here, but Universal's system gives you EXPRESS access to almost every ride. At Disney, you'd be lucky to achieve 5 FASTPASS attractions in a day and, even then, you wouldn't just be able to walk from ride to ride and experience each at your leisure. You'd have to adopt a pre-planned (and potentially exhausting) park-crossing strategy and your return times wouldn't necessarily be at times convenient to you. I'd certainly consider purchasing FASTPASSes at Disney if I could ride at will.

The op is complaining that she just paid $50.00 for her pass. Is the end of July their busiest season? I know Holidays are and there aren't any breaks on the hotels, I had RPH booked for Spring Break and then said this is unreal and changed it to the first of June and saved over half. The RPH was offering AAA for $129.00 when I booked my room in Apr for Jun, Same for Annual pass. The rates may be there if you look for them. I booked through CR. I think $50.00 is high too, But I wouldn't be yelling about it if I had agreed to pay it at the start. The op isn't telling what she paid to do Universal. When we went it was buy 2 days get 3 free. What a deal! We were at our leisure and it was GREAT!!!