FOTL for Hotel Guests to be limited for HP

[Poly-Anna]

Just got off the phone with a reservationist and she confirmed that for the 3Harry Potter rides only - hotel guests express passes will be limited to 1 ride per day. All other rides will continue to be unlimited for hotel guests. This will be in effect indefinitely (probably throughout the year). An announcement about this is forthcoming this month.

 

[damo]

Until it is announced by Universal, I wouldn't count on this being true.

 

[Poly-Anna]

I'm with you. That's one of the reasons we go and stay onsite (alright we also really like the hotels). I hope it's not true, but I don't know...

 

[snowbunny]

for the 3Harry Potter rides only - hotel guests express passes will be limited to 1 ride per day.

If true and they start it as soon as WWoHP opens, that's actually better than I thought...I've been worried that Forbidden Journey will have no FOTL and I'll be waiting in line 2+ hours this July.

 

[Metro West]

If true and they start it as soon as WWoHP opens, that's actually better than I thought...I've been worried that Forbidden Journey will have no FOTL and I'll be waiting in line 2+ hours this July.

I'm actually surprised this is even a possible option for the Express line to be open. WWoHP will bring in TONS of people and to have the Express line open to onsite guests will just make the standby line longer than two hours for the most part so be happy this is being considered at all.

We'll see if this report is true later on I guess.

 

[Rip]

I'm actually surprised this is even a possible option for the Express line to be open. WWoHP will bring in TONS of people and to have the Express line open to onsite guests will just make the standby line longer than two hours for the most part so be happy this is being considered at all.

We'll see if this report is true later on I guess.

Well, for both of my upcoming stays I was told that there would be no Express line at all for the forseeable future. Realistically, they can't limit hotel guests unless they are going to issue a seperate Express ticket for those rides only or somehow program their scanners to be able to scan your hotel key. In addition, I spoke with someone from the VIP department, and they also informed me that there would be no Express line at all - not even for the VIP tours - until Guest Services deems that it won't overly affect the regular line.

I seriously doubt that this is true, but I really hope it is. From what I've been told, the best they can do is allow onsite guests to enter IoA an hour before they open it up to the public.

 

[pixeegrl]

Well, for both of my upcoming stays I was told that there would be no Express line at all for the forseeable future. Realistically, they can't limit hotel guests unless they are going to issue a seperate Express ticket for those rides only or somehow program their scanners to be able to scan your hotel key. In addition, I spoke with someone from the VIP department, and they also informed me that there would be no Express line at all - not even for the VIP tours - until Guest Services deems that it won't overly affect the regular line.

I seriously doubt that this is true, but I really hope it is. From what I've been told, the best they can do is allow onsite guests to enter IoA an hour before they open it up to the public.

If so then I'll be up an hour early. WWoHP is more than just three rides, so even if they do only allow one EP for Hotel guests a day there should still be plenty to see and do.

 

[keishashadow]

Just got off the phone with a reservationist and she confirmed that for the 3Harry Potter rides only - hotel guests express passes will be limited to 1 ride per day. All other rides will continue to be unlimited for hotel guests. This will be in effect indefinitely (probably throughout the year). An announcement about this is forthcoming this month.

im of the mind that once a day is a fair compromise, certainly beats the alternative of none offered for HP.

The CYA legalese is in place to restrict/change, etc. as posted on the Universal website:

It's the ultimate, FREE perk for staying on-site at Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel® and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel.

As an on-site hotel guest, you’ll skip the regular lines at participating rides and attractions with FREE Universal Express access in both Universal Orlando theme parks. It’s the fastest way to ride – enjoy unparalleled access all day long, as often as you’d like, just by showing your hotel room key card at each express entrance.

A BENEFIT WORTH AT LEAST $70^ PER PERSON, PER DAY...

† On-site hotel privileges good for hotel stay as indicated on the room key card. Only good for the number of guests staying in the room. Paid theme park admission required. Some attractions excluded. Not valid for separately ticketed special events. Additional restrictions may apply and benefits are subject to change without notice. Access may be restricted during certain times at certain attractions.

*On-site hotel privileges good for hotel stay as indicated on the room key card. Only good for the number of guests staying in the room. Paid theme park admission required. Some attractions excluded. Express ride access available during normal theme park operating hours only. ^Based on peak pricing for the Unlimited Express pass, sold exclusively at the Universal Orlando front gates. Pricing subject to change without notice. Not valid for separately ticketed special events. Additional restrictions may apply and benefits are subject to change without notice. Access may be restricted during certain times at certain attractions.

A perc is a bonus, not a guarantee. BTW, i've seen many of the DVC percs I had come to enjoy fall by the wayside too over the past few years, guess in the long run it's all about turning a profit and keeping the parks we luv running during these lean times.

 

[Rip]

I don't think anyone has to worry about this being a perk that they plan to eliminate or restrict indefinitely, they're just doing it initially to cope with the expected crowds. If the stand-by line is 2+ hours, then the Express line is going to be too much of a hindrance on it.

 

[snowbunny]

From what I've been told, the best they can do is allow onsite guests to enter IoA an hour before they open it up to the public.

That works for me.

 

[ky07]

None of this surprised me and kind of expected it

 

[minniejack]

Just got off the phone with a reservationist and she confirmed that for the 3Harry Potter rides only - hotel guests express passes will be limited to 1 ride per day. All other rides will continue to be unlimited for hotel guests. This will be in effect indefinitely (probably throughout the year). An announcement about this is forthcoming this month.

I just answered your question on the other thread that the reservationist had told me that HP would be open one hr. ealier. So......





The answer at this point is....




They don't know.

 

[damo]

That is just too funny! Somehow, I don't think we're going to see either of those scenarios.

 

[Rip]

That is just too funny! Somehow, I don't think we're going to see either of those scenarios.

I dunno, it's nothing new for them to allow onsite guests early entrance, so I can see that happening. I can't see them issuing special Express passes for onsite guests so that they can monitor how many times they use it, though.

 

[damo]

I dunno, it's nothing new for them to allow onsite guests early entrance, so I can see that happening. I can't see them issuing special Express passes for onsite guests so that they can monitor how many times they use it, though.

Have they done early entrance before for onsite guests? They wouldn't need to issue special passes though because when they scan it shows the last time you rode.

 

[Rip]

Have they done early entrance before for onsite guests? They wouldn't need to issue special passes though because when they scan it shows the last time you rode.

Yes, they have allowed early entrance in the past. I didn't realize they could scan your room key for that purpose, I've never had that happen.

 

[pixeegrl]

Yes, they have allowed early entrance in the past. I didn't realize they could scan your room key for that purpose, I've never had that happen.

The 7 days we were there last time they only did a few times. I guess it does happen but only on a rare occasion. Someone tell me more about this early entry....in the past.... I didn't know anything about it.

 

[damo]

Yes, they have allowed early entrance in the past. I didn't realize they could scan your room key for that purpose, I've never had that happen.

They have put limits on express passes before. One summer, a few years ago, you could only ride each attraction once until after 4 pm or something like that. It was all monitored by their scanners.

 

[Rip]

They have put limits on express passes before. One summer, a few years ago, you could only ride each attraction once until after 4 pm or something like that. It was all monitored by their scanners.

Thanks, I did not know that.

At any rate, even the e-mail I got from VIP Services said that there would be no Express line anytime soon - not even for VIP tours. If I had to bet, I'd go with the early entry and no Express line, but I really hope I'm wrong.

 

[Pink Flamingo]

Someone tell me more about this early entry....in the past.... I didn't know anything about it.

This past June we were able to go an hour before non on-site guests. There were only a few rides open, but hardly anyone was there, so there were no lines at all.