The Orlando Sentinel
Universal Orlando is launching a new three-tiered ride-reservation system designed to ease the long lines that are a consistent complaint of visitors.
Universal Express offers three levels of service catering to on-site hotel guests, multiday-pass holders and people who buy only a single-day admission.
It is an evolution of Disney's popular FastPass system, in which customers are allowed to make one reservation at a time on many of the more-popular rides. A second reservation can be made after the first expires or after two hours.
Universal Express will officially open March 1, though customers are using it now.
"It is in operation, but we're still getting some of the details worked out," said Fred Lounsberry, Universal's executive vice president of sales and marketing.
Similar to FastPass, the Universal system allows customers to make reservations on most rides and attractions at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. A few of the lower-volume rides, including Pteranodon Flyers at Islands of Adventure, are not included.
Reservations, which are designed to cut waiting times to 15 minutes or less, are made at some 20 kiosks spread out between the two parks. After presenting their tickets, customers are given a pair of reservation options and then a paper ticket that confirms their selection.
Universal Express will absorb or replace the current programs that cater to Universal hotel guests and multiday-ticket holders.
Under the new system, the best benefits will still belong to guests staying at Portofino Bay Hotel or Hard Rock Hotel. Those patrons will be placed near or at the front of lines simply by showing their room keys.
A second level of service is for patrons who buy multiday tickets to the parks. Those people will be able to make three reservations at a time. More reservations can be made after the first three have been used or have expired.
The current system only allows those customers front-of-line access during the first two hours each day.
Finally, customers who buy single-day tickets can make one reservation at a time, with more reservations possible after the first is used, the time expires or two hours have passed.
Another difference between Universal Express and FastPass is that patrons will be given two options, or windows of time, in which their reservation will be logged.
