FOTL Access....just great......

[vellamint]

I have been on these boards a long time and truly enjoyed our trips to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

I am very unhappy with their taking away Express Passes and do not intend to pay another $40 per person (x6) in order to get onto a ride without a terrible wait.

I guess if I go I will be encountering terrible waits

Universal does not offer a family of my size an affordable room. At Disney I have a choice of connecting rooms or a cabin.

I have looked and looked for discounts but NOTHING comes close for us...and no we are not poor.

Now to add insult to injury this is what I find posted elsewhere...

"the best part of staying at a Universal resort is the FOTL access. I remember late one night we did MiB about four times back-to-back-to-back-to-back (you get the idea) and each time we passed the same group of people waiting in the regular peon line. To quote a Mastercard ad, the looks on their faces were priceless. And bypassing a 90-minute wait to get into Shrek by just walking up - it's worth it..."

And

"I agree with everyone else. It's worth it for the FOTL pass as well. The look on peoples face is "priceless" when you pass them again."

I hope that most people would not have this attitude and hate that I have read this here.

I guess I am just venting because if this is what we encounter when we go this summer it will be our last trip there and that is a shame.

Thanks for listening.

 

[Sleepy]

I guess i just view vacations a bit differently than some people. I prefer to go on vacation and not worry about being upset because I can't afford this or that. If it means waiting 5 years for the next vacation, then that is what we do to afford what it will take for the vacation we will be happy with. I am thankful for these boards so there are no surprises and we can wait longer for the vacation and save accordingly. I could not even begin to afford to go on vacation as often as you do and we only have 1 child.

 

[vellamint]

I guess i just view vacations a bit differently than some people. I prefer to go on vacation and not worry about being upset because I can't afford this or that. If it means waiting 5 years for the next vacation, then that is what we do to afford what it will take for the vacation we will be happy with. I am thankful for these boards so there are no surprises and we can wait longer for the vacation and save accordingly. I could not even begin to afford to go on vacation as often as you do and we only have 1 child.

Thank you...I do overanalyze sometimes and will really try to not pay attention to anyone but my own family when we go.

 

[Laurabearz]

Ah yes... familys with more than two kids do get the short end of the hotel deal most of the time. ((((Hugs)))) Our third just hit 3, so that leaves us out of a lot of options as we travel around the country.... most hotels can not garrentee us connecting rooms..... sucks.

Anyway for us we have decided that when we go to US/IOA we cough up the money to stay onsite (thankfully the HRH kids suite works for us, but at 450-500 a night, it hurts) We find that even though it hurts, walking to both US/IOA and FOTL is worth it, since our kids are young. When they are able to do open to close, we will stay at our beloved DVC and just make side trips to US/IOA and wait in the lines...

Anyway ((((Hugs)))))

 

[AlexandNessa]

FOTL access **is** the best part of staying on-site at a Universal property. I won't apologize at all for thinking or expressing that here on the boards. If they took away FOTL, we wouldn't go to Universal any more. It really makes for a happy, relaxing, noncommando vacation for us. And we drive Subarus that are several years old and paid for, and we live in a house below our means in order to be able to stay onsite.

We, however, don't abuse FOTL. We sometimes re-ride MIB if we aren't happy with our scores, but we have never ridden any ride 3 or 4 times in a row. But ... is FOTL unlimited (during most times) and are people ALLOWED to ride 3 or 4 times in a row? Yes.

You have to decide what is important to you.

Universal can still be done without express ... simply show up early a few minutes before park opening, and you shouldn't have much trouble getting lots of rides in without paid express or FOTL. Leave between 11 and about 3 to relax somewhere else or take in some shows and have a leisurely lunch. After 3 things start to settle down, and the waits shouldn't be as bad as between 11 - 3.

If it's more important to you to arrive at the parks at 11 or noon during peak season, then expect a wait for many rides if you don't pay for express or stay onsite. Or, utilize the single rider lines that are available. Or, try to to go during off-peak times of the year.

There is life after the death of free express.

 

[babieemelly]

I know what you mean, but it happens at Disney, too. I've read trip reports where someone goes through either the single-rider line, or uses their families fastpasses for themself, and they pick a family on line and see how many times they can pass them by riding again. If that's what people wat to do, then who cares?

 

[soloflyer]

Doing away with free express pass which worked fine when I was there two years ago is just another nail in the coffin of a dying USO. They seriously need to rethink thier strategy on this. It's just another way for them to attempt to fill $300 a night rooms. Well, I can assure you they won't be filling them with our family. It is a shame, because these parks were very enjoyable in thier day.

 

[vellamint]

Ah yes... familys with more than two kids do get the short end of the hotel deal most of the time. ((((Hugs)))) Our third just hit 3, so that leaves us out of a lot of options as we travel around the country.... most hotels can not garrentee us connecting rooms..... sucks.

Anyway for us we have decided that when we go to US/IOA we cough up the money to stay onsite (thankfully the HRH kids suite works for us, but at 450-500 a night, it hurts) We find that even though it hurts, walking to both US/IOA and FOTL is worth it, since our kids are young. When they are able to do open to close, we will stay at our beloved DVC and just make side trips to US/IOA and wait in the lines...

Anyway ((((Hugs)))))

Thank you for the above posts...I was expecting some not so nice responses to tell you the truth. Do the suites fit 6 people? I dont think they can be seen in the online booking site. AND WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF A DISCOUNT???? AAA, Entertainment, anything...lol.

And just to let you know - my family always is at park opening at USA/IOA so hopefully it wont be too crazy....we really do enjoy these parks but just wont handle hour long waits for everything....if that is what is going to happen we will probably just see the shows and just not return until something has changed.

 

[Laurabearz]

I dont think the kids suites fit 6... I mean they could fit that many (king bed, two twins and a queen pull out) but I think they cap it off at 5.

I tell people when they are considering adding a 3rd (or more kids) to think about travel in the future... and add that into their considerations of having a bigger family.

Your kids are old enough, I suppose, for you to book two rooms, but that would be $200 a pop, still a pricey alternative. (price with out discounts)


We use the AAA discount for our trips (so we get credit on our Loew membership) but I hear that US/IOA Annual passholder discounts beat AAA (although no credit towards frequent Loews credits) And the good news on that is....... there is a deal right now for a 2 year AP for the price of one (179 and tax for a 2 year premium AP, compared to WDW's 350 for 1 year) also only ONE of you needs to have the AP to get the discount...

We are thankful every single DVC vacation we bought into the timeshare. The two bedrooms are Marvy for our family of five and the washer/dryer/kitchen is the best. We do US/IOA on weekends when the DVC points are higher, and even though the crowds are bigger on the weekend, with FOTL it is doable.... SO US/IOA only makes up a tiny portion of our orlando trip... I keep hoping they will open up a timeshare themselves... with all the current onsite perks... lol

One thing I have noticed at US/IOA more so than at WDW. If you do get there early, you can ride SO MUCH MORE than arriving early at WDW. Crowds at US/IOA start building later in the day (my theroy is more teens go to US/IOA and they are late sleepers.... lol) SO hit the big rides first, then double back and do the shows and such as the masses arrive.

 

[wilma-bride]

We use the AAA discount for our trips (so we get credit on our Loew membership) but I hear that US/IOA Annual passholder discounts beat AAA (although no credit towards frequent Loews credits) And the good news on that is....... there is a deal right now for a 2 year AP for the price of one (179 and tax for a 2 year premium AP, compared to WDW's 350 for 1 year) also only ONE of you needs to have the AP to get the discount...

Just wanted to add that, certainly when checking rates for October, the AAA discount is much better than that offered to PAP holders.

 

[damo]

We've gotten some excellent prices on rooms with AAA and APH. We've gotten a deluxe room at HRH (two queen beds and a full pullout couch) for $129. Of course, this was in off season.

I still find that even with fastpass at Disney, if you go during peak times you will wait. We spent a day at AKL in mid March this year and left after 3 hours because we could not stand the crowds and the huge lines. We managed to get one fast pass and still waited at least half an hour in the fast pass line. We rode Everest Twice, Kali River once and Dinosaur once. That was it for our three hours and that was using fastpass and arriving before the park opened. By the time we were able to get another fastpass, it wouldn't have been able to have been used until much later and all of the regular lines were well over an hour wait. So really, fastpass was useless. The line to get a fastpass at Everest was about 10 minutes!!! So for one day's admission, we rode 4 rides. Everest was fun though and I don't it. Oh and my son rode Primevil Whirl.


We tend to hit the amusement parks like Six Flags and Cedar Fair and Paramount during peak times (because they are closed otherwise) and know that we will be waiting in line forever.

However, last year at Disneyland they had unlimited fastpasses if you booked your rooms through AAA. This meant that you didn't have to wait until one fastpass was used before you could get another. The only problem with this was that you still had to go first thing in the morning because fastpasses were all handed out by noon.

 

[lindalinda]

If I were you I think I would consider the buy 1 AP, price and book 2 rooms.(prob. book AAA, then switch to AP rate) Several ppl have gotten them in the 129-149 range. (not in the middle of the summer tho) You make a gamble when you do that, that the price will drop before you go. My rate for a double queen club room never dropped, however if I had been in a double queen (without club) it would have been available at 149 duting my dates (mid June) Of course if you can book a non-peak time it would be best.


I have never ridden anything over and over, that does seem a little over the top. But I'm sure the adolescents do it and I'm sure they do it in a kind of "in your face " way. I will talk to my boys and tell them not to do this.


IN reference to the fast-pass system at disney that everyone thinks is perfect. I read a post from the trip reports board that said the space mountain stand-by line kind of went into some sort of "mob mentality" revolt and a huge section of the line tried to break thru and force themselves into the fastpass line. The CM apparently had to scream and get really ugly in order to try to control the line. ( I'm guessing this must have been a displaced Universal crowd that got lost or something right?)

Anyway, I understand the bigger family woes, even with 5 its difficult. None of the packages ever price out to a bargain unless you fit into the 2 adults 2 kids between 3-9 catagory. I wish the companies would realize there are lots of families that would appreciate a break that have more than 2 kids!

Good Luck, I hope you can come up with a solution that works for you. Possibly even just staying at an inexpensive hotel off-site, and then taking the full 5 days that the discount tickets allow now, and just going early and leaving when the lines get long so you dont get stressed. You can see everything several times by doing that and just staying maybe 3 hours each day.

 

[flatline]

and we live in a house below our means in order to be able to stay onsite.

those are interesting priorities.

 

[vellamint]

those are interesting priorities.

Sorry but I just spit my drink out on the monitor....did not catch this in that post......I guess my problems will work themselves out.

 

[Laurabearz]

those are interesting priorities.

On the surface maybe... but I suppose we also live in a house below our means, we dress below our means (HUGE Super target fan here), and there fore have more spendable income for other things. We choose Vacationis. Some of our friends have The house, the clothes, the cars, all above there means, are they are the one's that are always complaining about never having money....


Anyway, I thought I would share the Woodfin suite hotels with the OP. None near WDW or US/IOA but they have one in Tampa and other -odd- areas across the country. They have 2 bedroom suites that will accomidate your family nicely. Nothing fancy, not well known, chain of suite hotels. Boring, but roomy. But they are one chaint that can put all of us in ONE ROOM! (and the price is right!)

 

[flatline]

On the surface maybe... but I suppose we also live in a house below our means, we dress below our means (HUGE Super target fan here), and there fore have more spendable income for other things. We choose Vacationis. Some of our friends have The house, the clothes, the cars, all above there means, are they are the one's that are always complaining about never having money....

there's nothing wrong with savings and discretionary income. we were spending way too much each year to vacation in Florida. it made more sense to just move here.

the OP raises a very valid point, and she's looking for a little more help rather than 'save up for staying onsite' the removal of the free EP's reaches a little deeper when you have a family on vacation.

we have friends that visit us that usually buy the 5 park flextickets. they have no desire to visit Universal this year because of this factor. they'd rather do Seaworld, Busch Gardens, a day or two at WDW, and the beach.

 

[Sleepy]

the OP raises a very valid point, and she's looking for a little more help rather than 'save up for staying onsite' the removal of the free EP's reaches a little deeper when you have a family on vacation.

It's a matter of budget. If you absolutely have to have the Express pass option and can't afford to spend anymore than what you have in your budget, then the only option is to decrease your spending in other areas. Maybe no souvies, no sodas, no sit down meals, get a cheaper hotel, eat sandwiches in your room to decrease food money, go the parks fewer days. It has to come from somewhere. The bottom line is the removal of Express pass doesn't increase the cost of your daily admission. Standing in a long line has always been free. It still is. With the deal you can get online for park tickets, you pay for 2 days and get 3 free. That would motivate people to come to the parks those extra days they might not have if they only got 2 days for that price. After 2 days, the extra days in the park cost nothing, so in essence, if you buy the Express pass booklet just one day, it is like paying regular admission for a day in the park. Bonus is you don't wait in that long line. JUst another way to look at it in a better light.

 

[lindalinda]

On the surface maybe... but I suppose we also live in a house below our means, we dress below our means (HUGE Super target fan here), and there fore have more spendable income for other things. We choose Vacationis. Some of our friends have The house, the clothes, the cars, all above there means, are they are the one's that are always complaining about never having money....

This is pretty much exactly what I was thinking...I dont spend money on clothes. I dont drive an expensive car. I dont go out to dinner during the year much. I love vacations. I love to plan them. I love to research the best possible way to do them. I like to find new experiences for me and the kids. Thats how I decide to spend my money. But no one else has to if they dont want to. I always try to get friends to join us on vacation, but its usually very difficult because of the expense. So I take along their kids instead. Dont get me wrong, I do budget vacations too. I have found some very nice little mom-n-pop motels on the beach and have done those trips for almost nothing (comparatively speaking). Its just a matter of finding what fits for your personal circumstances. Kids are usually just glad to be going, and if you are good with it , they will be.

 

[goofy!]

Doing away with free express pass which worked fine when I was there two years ago is just another nail in the coffin of a dying USO. They seriously need to rethink thier strategy on this. It's just another way for them to attempt to fill $300 a night rooms. Well, I can assure you they won't be filling them with our family. It is a shame, because these parks were very enjoyable in thier day.

Family of 5 here - 2 teens over the 3-9 range and one 9 year old.

We have NEVER paid $300.00 for a room. And we usually go during relatively peak times.

Most we have ever paid was last July - PBH Villa suite - (platinum upgrade) - $249.00/night - booked through the stay 4 days, get 20% off internet special.

Other rates we have received...
Week before Christmas -APH rate for RPR $129.00/night and $149 for the weekend nights. Free parking and a bunch of free coupons for free drinks, etc.

1st week of August -RPR - APH rate- we always stay at least 1 week the first week of August and it has never been more than $179.00 per night.

We are booked for Thankgiving right now at PBH Portofino suite (Platinum) for $299.99 night - kids eat/stay/play free. We are bringing my young neices so we will be able to use the kids passes for them.

The discounts are out there, you just need to be vigilant in checking for them.

 

[AlexandNessa]

Originally Posted by AlexandNessa
and we live in a house below our means in order to be able to stay onsite.

those are interesting priorities.

Sorry but I just spit my drink out on the monitor....did not catch this in that post......I guess my problems will work themselves out.

Wow. Interesting priorities to you? Funny to you?

Sorry, to each their own...us included. I suppose I don't see what is so ROTL funny or interesting about not being house poor and having a mortgage that is much less than our annual salaries and will be paid off by the time we are 42. "Below our means" does not equal "poor house that is ready to be condemned." Could we easily afford a bigger or more expensive home? Sure, but we choose not to as we have other priorities, one of which is taking a lot of vacations.


Glad you find our living situation so amusing....