Did Express Pass replace the free fast pasting system at Universal?

[Gonz Of Lancashire]

I avoid going in the summer, around Easter and around Christmas. That leaves alot of time inbetween there to be able to go. Pretty much any weekend in the fall that you go you won't wait more than a few mins. Alot of parents of older kids just drop them off at Universal on the weekends like any other parent would drop them off at the mall.
I have 3 kids, one on the way, a job and I have time to go.
Believe me, you find time. With so much to do here, it is just sometimes hard to choose what you want to do.

Perhaps I was narrowing down the area to much. I was more thinking of some maybe an hour or two away from Orlando with APs, some who the drive isn't all that quick. The cost to the parents who drop the kids at the park has now increased, which isn't good.

I visit Orlando in January and February with my family. It's always quiet (apart from Presidents Week once) so the whole EP thing doesnt really affect me. We arrive early, get to do everything we want, eat and leave. I just feel that through seeing the reaction on some of the people in the queues, who were just average working people like myself, they knew they were being taken for a ride. I could only dread to think what the queues will be like in summer.

I don't like seeing families being exploited for more money.

 

[goofy!]

I just don't understand the fuss about the "Free" fastpass or express pass.

We're very experienced fastpassers (know how to work the system rather well) and the number of fast passes we have been able to snag in one day are negligible at best.

If Disney had a similar thing to Express Pass where we were guaranteed a Fast Pass on every ride for whatever time we wanted to go on it, we would pay the moon for it! It would be worth every penny not to have to time things and run from one machine to another. It would be worth every penny to not pull a fast pass for Test Track at opening to have the return time already late in the evening. I would gladly pay a premium for the peace of mind knowing that I had a fast pass for every single ride, that I could use whenever the mood struck me.

I know some people live for the experience of planning the strategy of obtaining fast passes, but not me. I would rather pay a premium for convenience, rather than stand in line while another in the party runs to get the next passes, etc.

I like simple and don't mind paying for it.

 

[phamton]

I'm sure that's internal, confidential knowledge. if you spend enough time in the parks, you can pretty well predict the standby times on your favorites just by checking your watch.

I don't have internal nor confidential knowledge. Talking to ride attendants at Disney and Universal and visiting as a guest at busy times and non-busy times is what I base my "opinion" on. CMs at both Pirates and Haunted Mansion (that once had fastpass and now don't) say the wait time is less in the standby lines now that there is no express on those rides. I know at MIB and Mummy, when they still had the free express, they had to devote one whole ride track to express. Remember how the standby line always loaded onto the red track at MIB? When express backed up, they'd load 3 cars with express to one car of standby riders. The standby line now moves faster and often the standby line loads on the green track also.

You are right about being able to gauge the wait times. I know I can tell just by looking at the single rider line, how long the wait time will be for single riders at MIB.

I've said it before but I will repeat for those who think I am defending express plus. I would rather that all express be eliminated except for onsite hotel guests. I wish WDW would also get rid of fastpass. I think that it was a great idea on paper when Disney started fastpass but IMO it has created more problems. I started going to Disneyland in 1957 and went several times a year until 2002. I have been a visitor to the major themeparks such as Knotts Berry Farm, Seaworld in Orlando, San Antonio and San Diego, Universal Hollywood, WDW, and Universal Orlando for many years. I was thrilled when fastpass was first introduced at WDW. Now when I visit the themeparks, I just see more impatient and angry people in line than I ever saw before fastpass was introduced.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

Now when I visit the themeparks, I just see more impatient and angry people in line than I ever saw before fastpass was introduced.

Very well said Bev!

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

I just don't understand the fuss about the "Free" fastpass or express pass.

We're very experienced fastpassers (know how to work the system rather well) and the number of fast passes we have been able to snag in one day are negligible at best.

If Disney had a similar thing to Express Pass where we were guaranteed a Fast Pass on every ride for whatever time we wanted to go on it, we would pay the moon for it! It would be worth every penny not to have to time things and run from one machine to another. It would be worth every penny to not pull a fast pass for Test Track at opening to have the return time already late in the evening. I would gladly pay a premium for the peace of mind knowing that I had a fast pass for every single ride, that I could use whenever the mood struck me.

I know some people live for the experience of planning the strategy of obtaining fast passes, but not me. I would rather pay a premium for convenience, rather than stand in line while another in the party runs to get the next passes, etc.

I like simple and don't mind paying for it.

I completely agree. Does that mean I have to wait until my piggy bank gets a little fuller before I go to Disney and drop the money for the FastPass? Yes.

If I paid for it, then maybe I could get a ride on Soarin' and Peter Pan's Flight without getting there at 8:59a.m.,or getting a FastPass for a much later time in the evening, or getting on it at 2a.m. during Extra Magic Hours. Haha...

 

[JibberJabberer]

Ok, I've never been to Universal before, but surely I can't be the only person here wondering why it's no longer free to paste quickly at Universal. Were people making too big of a mess?

JibberJabberer

(For the humor impaired -- Yes, this post was tongue-in-cheek.)

 

[flatline]

I don't have internal nor confidential knowledge. Talking to ride attendants at Disney and Universal and visiting as a guest at busy times and non-busy times is what I base my "opinion" on. CMs at both Pirates and Haunted Mansion (that once had fastpass and now don't) say the wait time is less in the standby lines now that there is no express on those rides. I know at MIB and Mummy, when they still had the free express, they had to devote one whole ride track to express. Remember how the standby line always loaded onto the red track at MIB? When express backed up, they'd load 3 cars with express to one car of standby riders. The standby line now moves faster and often the standby line loads on the green track also.

You are right about being able to gauge the wait times. I know I can tell just by looking at the single rider line, how long the wait time will be for single riders at MIB.

I've said it before but I will repeat for those who think I am defending express plus. I would rather that all express be eliminated except for onsite hotel guests. I wish WDW would also get rid of fastpass. I think that it was a great idea on paper when Disney started fastpass but IMO it has created more problems. I started going to Disneyland in 1957 and went several times a year until 2002. I have been a visitor to the major themeparks such as Knotts Berry Farm, Seaworld in Orlando, San Antonio and San Diego, Universal Hollywood, WDW, and Universal Orlando for many years. I was thrilled when fastpass was first introduced at WDW. Now when I visit the themeparks, I just see more impatient and angry people in line than I ever saw before fastpass was introduced.

maybe I misphrased that, I agree with you. my question is how does UO average it's wait times. it's hypothetical, because those who know can't obviosly post that information in fear of losing their job. that's proprietary information.

I'm also all in favor of dumping all EP/FP lines and bring the parks back to a level playing field. it's spawned a class system in of all places, theme parks.

ROTM's been running one side pretty effectively and keeping the standby at 30 minutes. I've been on the Hulk lately and heard the announcement to the Gamma Crew that they're right on schedule. some of the other attractions seem to need a little better line management, IMO.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

Ok, I've never been to Universal before, but surely I can't be the only person here wondering why it's no longer free to paste quickly at Universal. Were people making too big of a mess?

JibberJabberer

(For the humor impaired -- Yes, this post was tongue-in-cheek.)

No, not the mess.. lol..

What happened was that Universal realized how much money they can make by charging for pasting. And now there's a great divide in opinion about this sticky situation.

 

[damo]

I think there were also a ton on complaints about express passes running out and then the express lines got so long in the summer that they had to limit it and that caused no end of problems. This was probably an opportunity to make money and control the express lines to some degree.

 

[JibberJabberer]

What happened was that Universal realized how much money they can make by charging for pasting. And now there's a great divide in opinion about this sticky situation.

Oooh, ok, it all makes sense now. Well, I'll show them. I'm going to pack my roll of Scotch tape!

JibberJabberer, rebel

 

[phamton]

I suspect that is wasn't all related to money. Express passes usually ran out for the more popular rides by 11:00 AM. Late arrivers could not get them. Hotel guest pay to stay onsite for FOTL and were waiting longer because of express plus and free express. They tried last summer, limiting the FOTL with hotel guests and that went over 'like a lead baloon." The hotel guests were livid at least it seemed that way on this board and most were vowing nevr to stay onsite again. By selling express passes, the express lines became shorter for hotel guests. I remember last summer at MIB before the free express was eliminated. It was not uncommon to see wait times of 2 to 2 1/2 hours or more in the regular lines as there were so many people in the express lines who expected to be on the ride in 15 minutes or less. This isn't pizza delivery where if it isn't there by 20 minutes it is free. So they were loading 3 express person per one standby person to placate the express riders This made the standard line extremely long. The express lines are down somewhat and the rides are loading the regular lines faster now.

Sorry if this in rambling---I've been sick today and am feeling really tired and ready for bed.

I suspect the main reasons was to keep the hotel guests happy, keep the express lines shorter for those who paid for express plus, to prevent the complaints about the free express runnning out so early, and to speed up the regular line.

 

[flatline]

I suspect the main reasons was to keep the hotel guests happy, keep the express lines shorter for those who paid for express plus, to prevent the complaints about the free express runnning out so early, and to speed up the regular line.

all UO had to do was send out a blueprint to AP holders as to what they were changing and why. to rip out the EP machines without explanation was a bad PR move in my mind. for a $99.00 renewal rate, I don't expect much in return and it's to my benefit that the parks make money and continue to grow.

we weren't polled, we weren't questioned. they just did it, and it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I don't own or run the parks, but a bit of warning would have been nice.

I don't want resort guests to get EP's, I want standby and single rider lines. but I understand the decisions UO made.

 

[Gonz Of Lancashire]

I'm also all in favor of dumping all EP/FP lines and bring the parks back to a level playing field. it's spawned a class system in of all places, theme parks.

Totally agree. Goofy on post no.42 said he'd pay whatever to get these passes at both US and WDW, but the point which I keep trying to make is that these are parks for families and kids, there should not be a two tier system. If the parks of the future are to be only for the wealthy elite, start straight away by only letting in 1000 people a day and charging them $50,000 each and be over and done with it.

 

[mill4023]

but the point which I keep trying to make is that these are parks for families and kids, there should not be a two tier system.

And this is exactly the reason I was upset by Universal's decision. It is a two tiered system where those who can afford the incredibly overpriced hotels or pay a big extra cost for express passes get to experience the rides with short waits, while those who can't afford it get to wait in much longer lines and see fewer attractions. If they had removed the express lines altogether and really made it a level playing field, I wouldn't have minded. Clearly, getting rid of FOTL would drastically decrease stand-by wait times, because you wouldn't have hotel guests going on the same ride 5 times in a row. But they are obviously never going to do that because that is one of the main reasons they are able to charge such an extravagant price for their resorts.

I understand that Disney also provides extra perks for onsite guests, but the way Disney does it does NOT make things worse for the offsite guests in the way that FOTL and paid express does. In fact, having the extra magic hours may be beneficial to offsite guests because it provides more time for the onsite guests to get their attractions done without waiting in line at the same time as the offsite guests. And at least with FP, everyone has the choice to use it or not. Plus, the way the times are distributed, it makes the effect on the lines fairly constant and predictable.

The bottom line is that I don't like the way Universal has created a two-tiered system where those with enough money are given benefits that have a direct negative effect on the theme park experience for those who can't afford the extras. IMO, Disney has found a way to provide extra perks for onsite guests WITHOUT negatively affecting off-site guests. And that is why we will not be going to Universal next time we are in Orlando.

Everyone is welcome to their opinion, that's just mine.

 

[mill4023]

I suspect that is wasn't all related to money.

Then you are extremely naive.
Much of what you are saying about keeping hotel guests happy and keeping paid express users happy may be true. But the only reason they care about keeping them happy is because unhappy guests don't return and spend more money.
It's all a balancing act. I'm sure that Universal knew perfectly well that they would make a lot of people angry with this move. The bottom line is that they made the decision that their analysts and accountants told them would be best for revenues.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

And this is exactly the reason I was upset by Universal's decision. It is a two tiered system where those who can afford the incredibly overpriced hotels or pay a big extra cost for express passes get to experience the rides with short waits, while those who can't afford it get to wait in much longer lines and see fewer attractions.

Just jumping in to say Universal hotels are far from "incredibly overpriced." My last stay at RPR was $115 a night. I have looked at off site properties and found much less offered for much more $.

 

[flatline]

Just jumping in to say Universal hotels are far from "incredibly overpriced." My last stay at RPR was $115 a night. I have looked at off site properties and found much less offered for much more $.

agreed. I'd rather stay at RP for $129.00 per night than a Disney All-Stars for $79.00. the EP is just an added bonus. I'm not a worldly traveler or a hotel snob, so I find the UO resorts to be well worth the money.

 

[macraven]

in the early 90's, i stayed off site.

i started staying on site in 96.

if the fotl perks stop for hotel guests, i still will go to universal.

but, i would never stay on site no matter how much i enjoy the hotels they have.

when i was off site, i never used any type of express passes.

a few times in 97, and 98 i did a split stay of on site and off. didn't use passes then either. my kids and i covered everything in the park and went opposite of the crowd. we came before the place opened and ate at off hours.
you can tour the parks without long lines if you have a plan.

 

[mill4023]

Just jumping in to say Universal hotels are far from "incredibly overpriced." My last stay at RPR was $115 a night. I have looked at off site properties and found much less offered for much more $.

agreed. I'd rather stay at RP for $129.00 per night than a Disney All-Stars for $79.00. the EP is just an added bonus. I'm not a worldly traveler or a hotel snob, so I find the UO resorts to be well worth the money.

At $115 or even $129 RPR is not a bad deal. But the normal $250+ / night is certainly overpriced compared to what you could get for half that price at other hotels. I'm not saying Disney resorts are a better value either. People are willing to pay these prices at both Universal and Disney because of the convenient location and the perks that go along with being an on-site guest. The only point I was making was that if they took away FOTL, far fewer people would be willing to pay that kind of money for a room at one of these resorts. Sure, there would still be some people who were willing to splurge so they could be within walking distance of the parks, but the demand for rooms would certainly go down.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

At $115 or even $129 RPR is not a bad deal. But the normal $250+ / night is certainly overpriced compared to what you could get for half that price at other hotels. I'm not saying Disney resorts are a better value either. People are willing to pay these prices at both Universal and Disney because of the convenient location and the perks that go along with being an on-site guest. The only point I was making was that if they took away FOTL, far fewer people would be willing to pay that kind of money for a room at one of these resorts. Sure, there would still be some people who were willing to splurge so they could be within walking distance of the parks, but the demand for rooms would certainly go down.

I agree.

But I think that Universal's hotels are a better value and not to mention better hotels than most of Disney's Deluxe resorts.

It is a lot easier to get a Universal hotel at a decent rate than most of Disney's Deluxe resorts. And I have never been quoted a room near $900 a night for a non-suite (or suite even) at any of the Universal hotels.