Big News for Multi-Day Ticket Holders

[CoasterFEV]

Alright - this is gonna be a very long thread. More bad news from CoasterFEV and I know it seems far-fetched but have any of my posts been wrong yet?

Effective July 1st, multi-day ticketholders will only be allowed to have ONE Universal Express ticket at a time. There will be no difference between someone holding a one-day ticket, and someone holding a multi-day ticket.

As usual, you may obtain another Express ticket if:
1) The start time for the Express ticket you currently hold has arrived, or
2) 2 hours have passed from the time you obtained your last Express ticket.

The reasons for the decision are:
1) VERY long lines to get Express passes (up to 20 minutes).
2) Many attractions run out of Express passes mid-day.
3) And the biggest reason? Since the start of the new Universal Express program, there has been absolutely no increase in sales of multi-day tickets. Remember the goal of offering 3 at a time was to boost multi-day ticket sales.

So again, sorry about the bad news - especially on such short notice. All work is going ahead to prepare for the July 1st change, so the date sounds definite.

The good news for this is that most attractions now won't run out of Express tickets.

 

[lovelyk68]

CoasterFev thanks for sharing information with all of us on this board (both good and bad). I do not want to "kill the messenger", but I must express my disappointment about the recent changes to the Express/FOTL access.

When I initially started planning my November trip to PBH in February, I did so based on FOTL. That system was changed to all-day unlimited express access for on-site guests which was an acceptable change. Then the word comes that by the end of summer this access will be limited to one ride per day. That was not acceptable to me, but I at least figured that I could get three express tickets to our favorite rides with my multi-day ticket. Now that is biting the dust.

At this point, I will be getting back-up reservations, because I shutter to think what the system will be in November.

 

[BarryHom]

That's bad and good to hear. It will increase the amount of Express tickets available so they will not run out by the afternoon, but it is disappointing to multiple day ticketholders.

How about giving multiday ticket holders early entry, no matter where they got the ticket? I've been to early entry several times when they let everyone in who showed up at 8 am and I've never seen the park crowded.

 

[Beckles]

I think this is excellent news

For us onsite guests, this should mean even shorter waits in the Express Lines

 

[VondaP]

Beckles, I sure hope you are right! We will be staying at the HRH in October and are looking forward to the perks.

Vonda

 

[h20jag]

How 'bout those Annual Passes? They're kinda considered multi-day aren't they?
Thanks for the heads-up anyway!
Hey Coaster, you don't by chance dress like Grim Reaper at HHN do ya? (jus' joshin'!)
Jim

 

[robvia]

In regards to Multi-Day tickets sales, I don't think they gave the system enough time. I bought a Multi-Day ticket this year because of the perks promised in February (early entry). I believe Multi-Day ticket sales would have gone up after people realized the added benefits. It's not like I see a deal, and then just drive up there the next day. There is a delayed reaction from when the marketing program starts (last year), to when I buy (this year).

Obviously, the response to the FOTL was overwhelming. They couldn't call it that anymore. So they scaled it back to save face, and reduced the benefits of Multi-Day tickets to nothing, claming they wern't selling. So Hotel Guests now have what Multi-Day tickets holders used to have (except unlimited express passes), and Multi-Day ticket holders get nothing.

If they just came out and admitted that FOTL has lines because of the overwhelming response, then things would be ok.

Here's my answer.
Leave everything the way it was. FOTL (admitting there will be short lines at peak times) for hotel guests.
3 Express Passes for Multi-Day tickets with Early Entry.
Fix the Kiosk machines so they read the paper tickets on the first swipe, and add more people at the Kiosk machines to override when the tickets don't scan. And program the Kiosks so you can get the same times as the last ticket swiped if you want.
The only problem left would be the Kiosk machines selling out by noon, which isn't that big of a problem compared to the others.

I think the park execs over reacted. I disagree with changing the system DURING the current year. They're breaking promises to solve a problem.

 

[goofy about mickey]

CoasterFEV - Thanks for the information. It certainly seems like one of those good news/bad news situations. Hopefully this will mean that there won't have to be any changes to Express Line policy for on-site guests for a while.

 

[nhrenee]

Thanks for keeping us updated. It's appreciated.

 

[jtopicz1]

I'll continue to visit the parks no matter what the perks are for one reason- I think they are the best parks in North America. Sure part of the reason I bought an annual pass was for some of the perks, but if they change or go away I guess I can live without them.

That being said, my personal opinion is that Universal's marketing department sucks- in fact probably worse than any other company I've dealt with. In fact the only two things they seem to be able to successfully promote is HHN and Mardi Gras at USF. For the people on the boards that work at the parks, I'm not trying to bash you, Universal, or anyone else- just sharing my opinion as a AP holder and someone who often introduces visiting relatives and friends to the Disney alternative- that do to horrible marketing they often know nothing about.

The first marketing disaster was Universal Escape. This name meant nothing to anyone, and consequently the parks sufferred and eventually changed the name. Other than people who were familiar with the parks, nobody knew whether UE was a new park, and improved USF, or just a new name for USF!

The next marketing disaster is the AP "monthly" newsletter that seems to actually exist about 1 month a year. This is really no big deal, but it's kind of nice to read about upcoming events at the parks before they're actually over. I seem to get one or two newsletters a year, and they seem to be sent several months after they are published. Last year I got the "AP Insider" HHN update in November- wow that helped!

Then we had Universal Express (not the current one- the 7am early entrance one). This was scrapped after just a couple months because "It didn't increase multiday ticket sales". Granted this is the goal, but the marketing for making this perk known was awful. I have 3 friends in the area with AP's and I was the only one aware that this perk even existed- and I learned it here. Of course ticket sales won't increase if nobody is even made aware of the perk!

Now we have another form of Universal Express that will soon change, because of the same reason. In all honesty, I don't think anyone (guests or MOST (NOT ALL) employees) knows whats going on anymore. Universal has created such an undefined, subject-to-change every hour set of perks for each type of guest, that anyone without several college degrees in themepark navigation is completly lost as to what they are entitled to. Look at these boards: at any given time there are about 10 or more active posts related to confusion regaurding FOTL, Universal Express, early entry, what constitutes a multi-day ticket, what hotel guests are entitled to, what aspect of UE is changing tomorrow, etc.

Earl, CoasterFEV, and everyone else that works at the parks on this board - I hope no offense is taken. My ramble isn't directed at you. Without your help we'd be even more confused.

Just my opinion (I'm sure some others agree),
Jim

 

[h20jag]

Excellent post there jtopicz1!
Quite a lot of humor in the truth too. Unfortunately, it be at guests' expense.
You'd almost think there are never any company meetings on a divisional, nor departmental, basis to pass along the latest news & happenings. Flying- by- the- seat- of- their- pants is starting to wear thin with us.
We love the Universal parks dearly, but yet, if they keep us confused....they won't keep us coming.
Today I called HRH to see if we would, as AP on-site guests in late August, still have unlimited Express access. The reply was affirmative. Will I hold my breath for it? I know I shouldn't. Who knows what game plan will be in place by summers' end?
Things are moving fast & hard for UO right now. Construction, hotels, extra land, etc., but isn't that what was wanted? Didn't anyone write a preparation plan?
Applying the brakes now is only gonna lose a few riders!
Jim

 

[degenerationxwwfwdw1]

That really stinks because my day at IOA this year is (take a guess!) July 1! Well as long as there are singles lines for Hulk, Spiderman, Dr. Doom, Dudley Do Right (doubles), and Jurassic Park River Adventure (as previously stated) I will be fine. Because I am a teenager going by myself this might hurt me because more people might go to singles lines now. Oh well

 

[DaveOBrien]

I try not to complain too much, but I agree wholeheartidly with Jim. The marketing department has to get it together on one thing and keep it that way. I've made 4 visits in the last 18 months(onsite and offsite)-I've made the 7 am openings, the FOTL original way, and now the FOTL through the Express lines. Now it's only FOTL once per day for onsite, no more early entry unless you buy your ticket in Eastbajesus, ect. I know kinks have to get ironed out of any system and certain things work and those that don't get scrapped. But come on, man- work with us! I feel bad for the front line people that have to face the wrath of pissed off guests because they were uder the impression they were entitled to benefits that were changed or scrapped.

 

[johare]

I actually think this is a good idea...I never did understand the logic behind giving the people with the least time to spend in the park(s) the most restrictive access and giving the people with several days to see everything 3 times the express access to the attractions.

 

[dbcahill]

I'm glad I ran across this info, but Universal won't be. I have a package that includes a 7-day Disney hopper and a one-day Universal ticket. I was going to upgrade to a multi-day ticket for Universal, since this will be my first trip to there (and 4th to Disney). The reason that I was going to upgrade was precisely for the three FOTL's that I'd have received with the multi-day.

With the ability to get as much with a single day as I would with the multi-day, I'll keep the price difference for the upgrade in my pocket.

And the money that I'll be spending on food, souvenirs, etc. on the 2nd/3rd days will likely wind up in Eisner's pocket.