Dirty underwear on queue floor at Spiderman

[FloraFauna]

Do ya'll know the rules for thongs in the waterparks? When we went to Blizzard Beach 4 years ago, there was a woman wearing a brown thong. She had no business wearing that to a waterpark with children in it. We were behing her in line unfortunately. Believe me, not a pretty sight. You wonder if some people even look in the mirror before they leave or if they have family members that tell them the truth about how they look when everything is hanging out.

 

[CathrynRose]

Universal Customer Code of Conduct:
So, let yourselves go - do it at Universal.

Have a great time!

VERY NICE!

 

[Motherfletcher]

Do ya'll know the rules for thongs in the waterparks? When we went to Blizzard Beach 4 years ago, there was a woman wearing a brown thong.

It may have not been a thong to begin with. That one water slide would give anyone a wedgie!

 

[alisonbestford]

It may have not been a thong to begin with. That one water slide would give anyone a wedgie!

 

[Hopetobee]

Do ya'll know the rules for thongs in the waterparks? When we went to Blizzard Beach 4 years ago, there was a woman wearing a brown thong. She had no business wearing that to a waterpark with children in it. We were behing her in line unfortunately. Believe me, not a pretty sight. You wonder if some people even look in the mirror before they leave or if they have family members that tell them the truth about how they look when everything is hanging out.

This just cracked me up!!!

 

[hookem59]

It may have not been a thong to begin with. That one water slide would give anyone a wedgie!

Well, in that case, let's at least hope it was brown to begin with!

 

[goofy!]

This just cracked me up!!!

 

[WillCAD]

I blame the republicans.

Nah, Republicans are way too uptight for that kind of stuff.

I think it's the Greenies' fault.

 

[rejobako]

Interesting thread. Couple of comments:

On the bathing suit / thong issue, I often read comments by people who seem to differentiate between body types when suggesting whether an outfit is too skimpy. I'm a male, and I appreciate the sight of firm female flesh as much as the next guy, but I'm also of the opinion that if it's OK for a trim, good-looking woman to wear a certain type of bathing suit bottom, then darn it, if a woman with a bit more junk in the trunk wants to let it all hang out, it ought to be OK for her as well.

Second, I don't think it should take too long to figure out that Universal is more of an "older kids" park than WDW's offerings. Islands of Adventure, especially, is louder, trendier, and busier than any of Disney's parks, and frankly I go into sensory-overload in there a lot faster. We still like Universal as a change of pace, but for our family at this time (6 and 2 year old girls), the character-driven more laid-back Disney atmosphere is a better fit. I'm sure Universal will hold more appeal for them when they're older and I have to censor the clothes they'll be trying to get away with wearing.

We got back from our vacation last weekend, and I didn't notice any real differences between WDW and Universal with regard to cleanliness, etc. I think both parks generally do a pretty good job in this regard -- certainly there will be exceptions, but I think the fact that we notice a dirty bathroom stall or an overstuffed waste basket in the first place is an indication that it isn't a common occurrence.

If I had any gripes about Universal it is that there was no effort to inform arriving guests that so many things on the Seuss island were out of commission and under construction. I also think, in general, that the requirement of having to pay for Express passes on top of general admission is a bit sleazy. It's expensive enough for families to get into that place. You shouldn't penalize people on a limited budget by requiring them to stand in longer lines than those who can afford the premium. It smacks of unnecessary greed and elitism, and I don't like it.

 

[damo]

.


If I had any gripes about Universal it is that there was no effort to inform arriving guests that so many things on the Seuss island were out of commission and under construction. I also think, in general, that the requirement of having to pay for Express passes on top of general admission is a bit sleazy. It's expensive enough for families to get into that place. You shouldn't penalize people on a limited budget by requiring them to stand in longer lines than those who can afford the premium. It smacks of unnecessary greed and elitism, and I don't like it.

Since there are so many people who can't even afford to go to a theme park, you could say that anyone who does go is being greedy and elitist since they are paying to have fun.

Anyone who spends the big bucks on food or drinks at a theme park instead of bringing their own could be considered greedy and elitist.

Don't buy souvenirs or get a tatoo or your face painted because there may be someone else there who would like to get one but can't afford it.

It goes on and on and on.

 

[rejobako]

Since there are so many people who can't even afford to go to a theme park, you could say that anyone who does go is being greedy and elitist since they are paying to have fun.

Anyone who spends the big bucks on food or drinks at a theme park instead of bringing their own could be considered greedy and elitist.

Don't buy souvenirs or get a tatoo or your face painted because there may be someone else there who would like to get one but can't afford it.

It goes on and on and on.

Your point is well-taken, but I don't think your analogies are exactly on-point. My reference to greed was aimed at Universal, not the guest. I don't blame people for buying Express Passes if they can afford them. I blame the Park for cheapening the value of a general admission ticket as a result of offering the Express Pass in the first place.

Admission to a theme park typically includes the right to ride all the attractions for free to your heart's content until closing time. By requiring payment for an Express pass, Universal has said that you can't maximize your time on the rides you paid to have access to unless you pay extra. That's cheap and greedy, IMO.

Your food/drink/tattoos/souvenirs examples are a bit different, because you haven't paid for those extras with your admission, and you have no expectation of getting any such thing unless you pay for it.

Now, I may be wrong, but I'm guessing that very few people pay the money to get into Universal without some expectation of going on the rides -- those are the lifeblood of the park -- without the rides, the park would not exist. You might view this Express Pass as simply a way for a guest to maximize the park experience. I view it as cheapening the value of everyone else's general admission ticket. I much prefer Disney's method of free fast passes for those who plan their days properly.

 

[damo]

Your point is well-taken, but I don't think your analogies are exactly on-point. My reference to greed was aimed at Universal, not the guest. I don't blame people for buying Express Passes if they can afford them. I blame the Park for cheapening the value of a general admission ticket as a result of offering the Express Pass in the first place.

Admission to a theme park typically includes the right to ride all the attractions for free to your heart's content until closing time. By requiring payment for an Express pass, Universal has said that you can't maximize your time on the rides you paid to have access to unless you pay extra. That's cheap and greedy, IMO.

Your food/drink/tattoos/souvenirs examples are a bit different, because you haven't paid for those extras with your admission, and you have no expectation of getting any such thing unless you pay for it.



Now, I may be wrong, but I'm guessing that very few people pay the money to get into Universal without some expectation of going on the rides -- those are the lifeblood of the park -- without the rides, the park would not exist. You might view this Express Pass as simply a way for a guest to maximize the park experience. I view it as cheapening the value of everyone else's general admission ticket. I much prefer Disney's method of free fast passes for those who plan their days properly.

Are airlines greedy and elitist for having first class? They make the other passengers much more conjested and uncomfortable. Are theatres and concerts elitist for charging more for first row tickets? They make the view for the others much less desirable. We are just used to these examples and so they don't bother us. Since Universal is doing something that is different than Disney but the same as most amusement parks, it is viewed as negative.

In a capitalist society, you tend to get more if you pay more. That's just the way it is. I agree that it can feel unfair but it is a way of life in North America.

If you plan your day right at Universal, you don't need any express passes.

 

[rejobako]

Since Universal is doing something that is different than Disney but the same as most amusement parks, it is viewed as negative.

I figured my comparison might elicit that kind of response. I realize there are a lot of people who like to pledge allegiance to Disney and who think everyone else does it wrong. I'm not one of those people. SeaWorld, in fact, is our favorite park, followed by Busch Gardens.

You make good points -- I just happen to disagree with you.

If you plan your day right at Universal, you don't need any express passes.

I would disagree with this completely. We were there last week. Unless I could clone my family to be able to appear in several places simultaneously, there would have been no way to avoid wait lines of 45-75 minutes for the popular rides, which all had wait times of that amount after about 10:30 a.m. in the morning.

Your point about show/airline tickets is valid. I did not suggest that Universal should legally be prohibited from selling Express Pass tickets. I merely stated that I don't like it, because it cheapens the general admission tickets for everyone else. When you buy a plane/show ticket with an assigned first-class or front-row seat, you're not paying general admission and upgrading.

 

[damo]

I figured my comparison might elicit that kind of response. I realize there are a lot of people who like to pledge allegiance to Disney and who think everyone else does it wrong. I'm not one of those people. SeaWorld, in fact, is our favorite park, followed by Busch Gardens.

You make good points -- I just happen to disagree with you.



I would disagree with this completely. We were there last week. Unless I could clone my family to be able to appear in several places simultaneously, there would have been no way to avoid wait lines of 45-75 minutes for the popular rides, which all had wait times of that amount after about 10:30 a.m. in the morning.

Your point about show/airline tickets is valid. I did not suggest that Universal should legally be prohibited from selling Express Pass tickets. I merely stated that I don't like it, because it cheapens the general admission tickets for everyone else. When you buy a plane/show ticket with an assigned first-class or front-row seat, you're not paying general admission and upgrading.

Ah well, we'll agree to disagree. I don't see a problem with it probably because I have never had any luck with the free fastpasses making my total wait time in line much less. I may have saved 20 minutes in an entire day but never enough to sing its praises. I had that experience at AK in March and ended up staying for 3 (in by 9 out by 12) hours because the fastpasses and lines were just not co-operating and that was with just two people.

Also, during the same time frame, at Universal, the express pass lines had about 3 people in them at any time (we were staying on site for 4 days). There was definitely no effect on the regular line.

Do you think if Universal had a special ticket that included fast pass, like airline tickets do for first class, it would make a difference? Just curious.

I totally understand your argument, I just don't feel that way.

 

[flatline]

If you plan your day right at Universal, you don't need any express passes.

that depends on when you go. weekends during normally slow times have been backed up by 10 am at IOA lately.