Fast Pass Fiasco

[Popsicle]

Has anybody else noticed this problem recently?

We just returned last week. We went to IOA/Universal 4 days straight with that 5 consecutive day deal. I bought the annual pass (2 years for one,) but the rest of the family had the 5 day pass. From August 24th to August 27th, the last day we went to those parks, there were no fast passes if you went to the individual rides. Granted we generally arrived around 10 or 11 a.m., but there are no pro-rated ticket prices if you don't arrive when the parks open

We were NEVER able to get a fast pass. The little skirts covered the machines with the notices flashing that all passes had been distributed for the day. So that means you get to the park at 9:00 and you don't get to ride until 6 or 7:00 p.m.?

It just doesn't seem right that there is a feature advertised, but it's never available for use by the "general public," i.e., those who don't buy the pass books or who aren't staying on-site for the FOTL priviledges.

Am I (and my family) the only ones po'd about this? When we went to guest services to ask about this, we were told that no one complains. In the words of "Hans" the guest services rep. the public just loves being in the parks and those of us who are complaining are, in my words, "cranks."

Last year we had no problems getting the passes, but in 2001 we found the same thing, but not as bad... all the passes had been dispensed by about noon or 1 p.m. We're always there the last one or two in August.

I'm sorry, but I refuse to pay for the passes you can buy at the parks because even when you buy them, you can only use the pass once on a particular ride.

(Thank goodness for Disney because at least they're democratic with Express Pass distribution.)

Somebody, please respond to this and let me know if we're the only crackpots bothered by this.

I love you.

 

[damo]

Hi Popsicle,

I don't think what you experienced is unusual. You just have to get to the parks early to get the express passes. It's not undemocratic. If there were passes available but you were not there to get them, you can't blame the park. There were others who posted on this board who were there that week and said they didn't even needed express passes because they went to the parks when they opened. There are also others that said as soon as they got in the park at opening (parks usually open 1/2 hour earlier than advertised) they went directly to the express pass machines to get their passes.

Sorry, but the early bird get the worm!!! The most frequently given advice on how to get the most out of a theme park is to ARRIVE EARLY. Also, I have never heard of a park who gives pro-rated tickets unless you don't arrive until about 6 pm.

 

[Popsicle]

Hi. Damo. Thanks for the response... I love responses.

I don't have any problem with the early bird getting the worm. But, let's me honest. Where is the advertising saying you have to get to the parks when they open in order to get a Fast Pass?

USF's Fast Pass is an attempt to copy Disney's Express Pass. It is very rare that the Express Passes are gone. NEVER in the morning. I agree that we were able to get on the rides, but we waited in the lines because the Fast Passes were gone before we even got there. If you go to the parks in the summer, you EXPECT to wait in lines. To me, that's part of the experience, but NOT when Fast Passes are advertised as an alternative.

For Spiderman and MIB we did the single rider lines (which is the best thing since sliced bread). Not everyone wants to break their necks getting to the parks at opening so they can get a Fast Pass. Remember, you can only get one pass for one ride at a time. If you get that first pass, you can't get another until after that time expires. In essence, you can only get one Fast Pass a day if your time frame for using that first pass is 10:00 to 10:30. By 10:30 or 11:00 they're all gone.

I'll tell you what really bummed me out. I'm the spinster aunt. I go to Orlando with my brother and his family. Have been doing it every year since 1992. We don't just do Disney, we've ALWAYS also done Universal. My brother uttered the cursed words. "We're never coming to Orlando again." That was because of the games Universal is playing.

I understand it's a business, but don't give the impression (especially to first-timers) that you have a chance for these passes when you really don't. I can understand special priviledges for people staying on-site or for people paying for the Fast Passes, but let that be known clearly rather than implicitly by the passes never being available.

[P.S. By the time we left, little brother was already talking about the 2004 trip. I'm not a Disney fanatic, but their express passes kind of soothed his nerves.]

Love ya.

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Originally posted by Popsicle
I don't have any problem with the early bird getting the worm. But, let's me honest. Where is the advertising saying you have to get to the parks when they open in order to get a Fast Pass?

The Express Pass availability is limited...and for good reason. If they were not all gone, good chance they would still allow more people to get passes. After a certain hour they may close them because it's near closing time.

USF's Fast Pass is an attempt to copy Disney's Express Pass. It is very rare that the Express Passes are gone. NEVER in the morning.

I've found Express Passes to run out around noon...or lunch time. It's just the way it is. I got to Universal to get a Shrek Express Pass once. It was 9:30AM and there was a long line for them. By the time I got up there, all the previous time slots were run out (because everyone else got them). The most recent was for about 6:30 that evening! The park closed at around 8PM I think, and I'm sure that they were gone that morning.

If you go to the parks in the summer, you EXPECT to wait in lines. To me, that's part of the experience, but NOT when Fast Passes are advertised as an alternative.

And they are an alternative, to a certain extent. Express Passes are given on a "first-come First-serve basis." I'm not sure where you heard about Express Pass, but on their official website, they have fine print that states...and I quote, "*UNIVERSAL EXPRESS and UNIVERSAL EXPRESS PLUS passes subject to availability and hours of distribution are limited."

Remember, you can only get one pass for one ride at a time. If you get that first pass, you can't get another until after that time expires. In essence, you can only get one Fast Pass a day if your time frame for using that first pass is 10:00 to 10:30. By 10:30 or 11:00 they're all gone.

Not neccessarily true...you can get a pass either A) using your pass during your time slot B) after your time slot has expired or C) A designated time given after you print out your ticket (they give you a time when you can get another pass)

My brother uttered the cursed words. "We're never coming to Orlando again." That was because of the games Universal is playing.

Too bad. Seriously. Because I do not think of it as them "playing games." If running out of passes is so terrible, then what would happen if they distributed more? Even MORE people would get a pass and therefore making the Express line useless. But I know you understand that.

I understand it's a business, but don't give the impression (especially to first-timers) that you have a chance for these passes when you really don't. I can understand special priviledges for people staying on-site or for people paying for the Fast Passes, but let that be known clearly rather than implicitly by the passes never being available.

Passes are available, but the price you pay for not spending the extra money is to deal with a limited number of passes. I completely disagree that they are advertsing a false priviledge. The Express sytem has worked for so long...I have never had a problem with it...to be honest. If they run out...sure I'm a bit disappointed, but I understand because I know some people just happened to get them before I did and iif I got one, someone else would be in that position...just the way it is.

[P.S. By the time we left, little brother was already talking about the 2004 trip. I'm not a Disney fanatic, but their express passes kind of soothed his nerves.]

Well, I haven't been to Disney for at least 2 or 3 years, and the Fast Pass system I *think* was fairly new then. I do not remember it really, but found it a hassle. Maybe more people could get the Fast Pass, I'm not sure. I've only experienced using a pass there once and that was for Space Mountain. Never got another pass for Disney that entire day.


Anyway, what I'm trying to say is, sorry you weren't able to use the Express Pass system. I had to find out the hard way, myself, that you can not wait too long to get a pass. But they don't just close the Express Pass machines for no reason. I've seen passes available later than the afternoon. Maybe they close them early when the times slots earlier in the day are gone. Maybe to slow down the traffic before it gets real close to the closing time of the park.

I'm personally glad they don't offer more Express Passes than they do...in fact, I'm extremely disappointed with the whole "Express Pass Plus" thing going on because even more people get the passes. The anticipated wait for Express is around 15 minutes, but I've seen it longer because too many people had a pass. Don't get me wrong, it's not like that every day nor for every ride. Just sometimes. But even just once is too many because it proves the priviledge is too easy to obtain.

Saying that, you should realize I'm not saying the Express Pass system is flawless, because it's not. But I just wished that you could see that there are disadvantages to getting to the park late.

I do hope you did not find this post harsh, because I was not trying to come across as someone wanting to pick a fight. Just wanted to share my opinion.

 

[Molokai Gram]

We had such problems with the Pass system at both DL and WDW that DH was really upset. We too were having trouble getting to the parks early, especially due to the time change where 9 am in FL is on 3 am for us and there is usually a 3 hour difference with CA too. By the time we got to the parks, either there were no passes or they were for hours later and because of the limits on the number of passes you can collect, we would end up with two at most for that night! In fact, we now only go to DL or WDW in the off-season because we can not handle the crowds and we cannot get up early enough to get to the parks by 9 am. And when we take the grandchildren we usually get an even slower start because of their problems with the time difference.

That is why I am so willing to pay to stay on-site. We can now adjust to the time difference a little slower and still get to fully enjoy the parks. Also, they are close enough to allow us to take a nap if we do get up to go to the parks at 9 am Florida time.

The pass system is limited in usefulness to those who get up early and they probably need it the least since they get their before the crowds. My theory, is it is mostly utilized by the early birds for their second ride.

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Originally posted by Molokai Gram

The pass system is limited in usefulness to those who get up early and they probably need it the least since they get their before the crowds. My theory, is it is mostly utilized by the early birds for their second ride.

That's most likely true for many people. I personally get an Express usually so I can put off going on a ride until later, yet still not have the long wait. Like when I would go on Shrek...I don't want to go on that twice, and definitely don't want to wait in a long line for it, so I get an Express and do something else.

But I do realize what you are saying and don't exactly disagree with you, but, I'd love to be able to sleep in and still be able to skip the regular lines...but I get up early just so I can get the Express feature. So it sucks either way....lol

 

[BarryHom]

I have trouble with Fastpasses sometimes too. I remember going to Mission: Space in August. I got a FP right at 9 am and the return time was 9:48 to 10:48. At around 9:50, the return time was around 3:17! When I walked past MS at 3:00, all FPs were gone. Also, without FPs on Rock N Roller Coaster, the standby line seems to move at a snail's pace. I think they let in 10 regular people and then the FP people and then 10 more.

FP system is a good concept if you use it right. Otherwise, either wake up early, use the single rider lines, use FPs or UE, or wait until a few hours near closing to see if the lines die down.

 

[DocBosch]

I think the problem isn't so much that the Express passes run out, but that they run out SOONER due to the Express Plus and the resort FOTL privileges.

For every Express Plus that’s sold, and for every room key that's scanned, that’s that many number of less Express passes they can give out through the regular system.


Though, the Disney Fast Pass system is far from perfect, for other reasons. Here's an example .

-Kevin

 

[highlander447]

Ok I can understand y people get upset that the passes are gone but this will be because they sell the books and because of FOTL for onsite guests but lets not forget this is not a right its a benifit and even at Disney they run out or at 1pm u can go back at 8pm for your time slot I believe that by closing the xpress system it gives everyone a fair chance of getting on the rides and believe me if u ever visit portaventura in Spain (Universal park) the express pass is very rare to get no machines but booths and verly rarely manned in 2 weeks we only got 1 express pass and we there when it opened so believe me enjoy what u have and hey its a vacation so chill

 

[Popsicle]

Originally posted by DocBosch
I think the problem isn't so much that the Express passes run out, but that they run out SOONER due to the Express Plus and the resort FOTL privileges.

For every Express Plus that’s sold, and for every room key that's scanned, that’s that many number of less Express passes they can give out through the regular system.

-Kevin

Thanks, DocBosch. That's what I was trying to say. Know it's a priviledge, not a right. But even when the machines say the passes are all gone for the day, you can still buy them late into the day.

Maybe next year this time the only way you'll be able to get a fast pass is by staying on-site or paying for the books. Imagine, you pay to get in a park, and then you pay to ride the rides.

Have to give it to the marketing people at Universal, they sure did identify their market for those books.

Don't get me wrong, I'm going back. Have a pass that's good until 2005 and I intend to take advantage of every benefit it offers.

Anyway, I love y'all.

 

[damo]

No, you don't pay to get in the park and then pay to get on the rides but you pay to get in the park and then pay to get on the rides more quickly.

Like highlander said (although I ran out of breath reading his post), express is a benefit. Nobody has taken your opportunity to ride away from you.

Interesting article from DocBosch about the new Disney passes that you can buy which allow you to pick up a fast pass for each ride at once instead of having to wait until your one pass is used. I guess the Disney people can't complain about Universal selling their passes anymore

Also interesting about the networking as well and the ways to get around the fast pass system.

 

[Molokai Gram]

Just to add to the mix, at UH there are no machines or booths, but you can buy a more expensive ticket that allows FOTL access. And some of the passes you buy from travel agents have FOTL access for the most popular attractios for the first few hours in the morning.

I am willing to pay extra to stay onsite at UO for deluxe accomadations because of the FOTL access and ability to walk back and forth to the parks. I will not pay the so much extra to stay at most of the WDW deluxes, because you really don't have any extra benefits (except for the Swan and Dolphin, both of which allow you to walk to Epcot and MGM. ) As we get older (and probably because we have now experienced the UO FOTL) DH and I have become very intolerant of lines on vacation - not only for rides and attractions, but also for transportation to and from parks. Years ago when there was no choice, we were not as bothered. But now, we will pay to stay out of lines. And last summer when we took the grandkids to DL, DCA, Knottsberry, UH, and Sea World San Dego we chose rides by length of lines. Although we missed some popular attractions, everyone was happier and that is what counted. We have been spoiled by FOTL and if forced to wait in line tend to not enjoy the ride or show as much eg the Spiderman show at UH. We did wait in line for over an hour and although the show was very good, all we could do was complain afterwards. Not worth it. I go on vacation to be happy. We have to pay so much to go any themepark, I am very willing to pay out some more to ensure that each minute will be enjoyed.

Have to admit if you look at my posts of two years ago, you would see I was not that impressed with FOTL and thought it unfair and was sure I would be too embarrassed to use it. What a self-righteous fool I was! It only took one day with access for me to be converted. I am ashamed to admit how many times in a row we used it on MIB, but my shame did not keep me from doing it.

 

[Lewisc]

I agree it's unfair. Universal is selling express pass plus, allowing timeshare vendors to give them away (no limits), has a limited express pass with Kodak cameras, FOTL for resort guests and other promotions.

If you don't get to the park when it opens you better be prepared to pay extra if you want to go on many attractions.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Go during the off-season. You'll have extremely short waits, and the express passes only run out when the machines are shut off 2-3hrs before the park closes.