FOTL for Hotel Guests to be limited for HP

[Poly-Anna]

Just got off the phone with a reservationist who said that for the 3 Harry Potter rides only - hotel guests FOTL access will be limited to 1 ride per day. All other rides are still unlimited. This will be in effect indefinitely (probably throughout the year). An announcement will be coming out later this month.

 

[damo]

A hotel reservationist told you this? Did they have anything to add about Rockit?

I'd be very surprised if the Loews reservation people know Universal's plans for express. They have a hard enough time knowing who is allowed an upgrade.

 

[Poly-Anna]

Actually she said they haven't been offering express for Rockit because they have had issues with the express for that ride, but that they hope to have it also available for unlimited express soon (spring?). I just called the reservation number listed on the website and mentioned that we were going to stay onsite this May and were they doing anything differently with hotel guests express. That's when she told me about the new policy. I'm sure this could change as all things do...

 

[bigmama67]

Well, this would kinda suck...good thing we are staying 4 nights!

In actuality, I'm sure the HP rides will be awesome and we definitely plan to spend some time in that area, but it is not our sole or main reason for being at US so if we get to do each ride once a day without waiting in line, that is still better than not at all...but hopefully it will change!

 

[Poly-Anna]

You're right bigmama67. Even if we only get on the HP rides once a day, there is still much more to Universal than HP. We're staying 6 days so once a day is fine.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Yep--I was told the same thing yesterday. I called to make ressies for PBH and the reservationist told me about the new express pass/fotl policy for Harry Potter Rides. I posted it on the HP thread.

 

[Pink Flamingo]

Thanks for the info.

I was thinking express lines wouldn't be available at all, so I'm glad to hear we'll get a least 1 shortened wait per day in HP land.

Now if they'll get an express line open for Rockit by June, I'll be on

 

[tfoster]

Well, I think that seriously stinks. We're a huge HP family. HP is why we're going this year and why we're looking at paying so much more to stay on-site. I wonder if they're worried that if people can use the Express as much as they want the stand-bys would never get a chance to ride.

 

[scottishgirl87]

This doesn't really bother me. As someone who can't stand Harry Potter I don't intend to spend alot of time in this area, so 1 ride a day will be fine for us.

However, any idea how they would monitor this?! I don't really see a way of them being able to

 

[Rip]

All I can say is that I hope you're right. Logistically I don't see how they are going to limit you without it being a major headache since they don't currently scan your hotel key as they do with the Express passes for purchase. I was told twice by two different reservationists that there will be no Express line at all for a while, and that onsite guests will be allowed to enter IoA an hour before it is open to the public. A lady from VIP services confirmed this information and told me that it wouldn't even be a part of the VIP tours until Park Operations determines that opening the Express line will not unduly interfere with the regular line.

 

[Biggreen19]

I remember having my room key scanned back in 2004 when the Mummy first opened. I believe you were only allow one FOTL ride a day before 3:00 PM......so they could easily enforce one FOTL ride a day for each attraction at WWOHP

 

[bigmama67]

I wonder if they will enforce this for Parent Swap too, or if my DS will be able to ride with each parent (we will also have DD1 with us)...?

Rachel in NJ

 

[macraven]

All I can say is that I hope you're right. Logistically I don't see how they are going to limit you without it being a major headache since they don't currently scan your hotel key as they do with the Express passes for purchase. I was told twice by two different reservationists that there will be no Express line at all for a while, and that onsite guests will be allowed to enter IoA an hour before it is open to the public. A lady from VIP services confirmed this information and told me that it wouldn't even be a part of the VIP tours until Park Operations determines that opening the Express line will not unduly interfere with the regular line.

i don't know what to say........

maybe it was the date you were there or a new TM.

i can't remember the last time i did not have to have my hotel key card swipped for the express line.

i'm not fretting about the parry hotter issue of express limitation at all.
i'll be on the other rides in the park.

 

[Poly-Anna]

It will be interesting to see how they pull off the "1 ride a day" thing - I guess if you swiped your card it could work. Who knows, it might all change once HP opens anyway. Good luck to us all!

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

We did not have our key swiped once at Christmas - they looked at the key if it was light enough for the resort, if not they asked us where we were staying and how many of us - but no swipe. Although obviously it is doable.

This has definitely made me second guess our trip in October.

 

[pixeegrl]

This has definitely made me second guess our trip in October.

Why? I mean HP is going to be so much more than just the ride. I can't wait to visit the shops, and the food and just the atmosphere all together ya know? Besides, by October, maybe it will go back to normal

 

[Rip]

Why? I mean HP is going to be so much more than just the ride. I can't wait to visit the shops, and the food and just the atmosphere all together ya know? Besides, by October, maybe it will go back to normal

Honestly, I think we will be lucky if they actually have an Express line open at all, so I really hope that this is accurate information.

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

Why? I mean HP is going to be so much more than just the ride. I can't wait to visit the shops, and the food and just the atmosphere all together ya know? Besides, by October, maybe it will go back to normal

We travel a fair distance to get to Florida, and just spent 5 solid at Universal over Christmas time - the visit would primarily be for HP - if express is limited we may wait another year to visit.

 

[Poly-Anna]

The reservationist said there would be an upcoming announcement (she actually said 1/20 - I don't know if I believe that though). However I am sure there will be some sort of information coming soon. Spring is not far away! Half the world is waiting to hear!

 

[tfoster]

The reservationist said there would be an upcoming announcement (she actually said 1/20 - I don't know if I believe that though). However I am sure there will be some sort of information coming soon. Spring is not far away! Half the world is waiting to hear!

Half the world?! And I had been hoping it was just people on the disboards paying attention!!