Fotl Policy Change???anyone Know??

[Jobro2]

YIKES! I just read on another thread that there has been a policy change for FOTL at Universal. It says that FOTL can only be used once per ride until 3 pm. After 3 pm, you may use it again for a ride you have already used it for, or if you choose to ride a ride again before 3pm, you will have to wait in the regular line. HELP!!Has anyone been there lately and encountered this change?? We are scheduled to go to US/IOA on December 28th and staying on an on-site property with FOTL was the major reason for picking this...would hate to see if this has changed!!!

 

[damo]

It has just been changed for peek season. I don't know if that means Christmas or not. However, nobody has reported that the changes made any difference to their expected enjoyment of the parks and that actually the rules weren't all that strictly enforced unless the FOTL lines were very, very long.

 

[goofy!]

We are here right now. It is crowded and they are being pretty diligent in scanning cards at the restricted rides.

However, that said, there is plenty of time after 3:00 to do everything you want to do. We got here late on Tuesday, checked in at RPR, had dinner at Pastamore and then hit the parks at about 8:30pm. We were still able to get in 1 Mummy, 3 MIB's, 1 Jimmy Neutron, 2 Hulks, 3 Spidermans.

You may have to change your touring schedule just a bit, but it shouldn't impact you at all. After being livid when I first heard about it, actually experiencing it now, I can honestly say I actually like it. Keeps the lines down during the busiest time of the day. Don't fret about it, it isn't a vacation breaker!

 

[nancycg56]

We got back last week and found that they weren't checking at all except on Mummy. DH and DD were able to ride Hulk several times in a row in the morning with no problems. Many rides they didn't even look at our passes ~ as long as we had them in our hands that was good enough I guess.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

It's only for the peak seasons, and there are only 10 restricted attractions: Mummy, MIB, Shrek, BTTF, ET, Spider-Man, Hulk, Ripsaw, JP River Adventure, and Cat in the Hat.

The rest have no limits.

 

[Motherfletcher]

The date he has is Holiday Season which is actually busier that peak?

 

[Selina]

Can you clarify "peak season" and "holiday season" months? Thanks.

 

[phamton]

I haven't seen the dates broken down for Universal but here are the WDW dates:

2004

Value Season: January 1 - February 11; July 5 - September 29; October 31- December 19
Regular Season: April 18 - July 4; September 30 - October 30
Peak Season: February 12 - April 17
Holiday Season: December 20 - 31

2005

Value Season: January 1 - February 16, August 28 - October 4, November 27 - December 19
Regular Season: April 17 - August 27, October 5 - November 26
Peak Season: February 17 - April 16
Holiday Season: December 20 - 31

It seems in my experience that Universal isn't quite as effected by the hoilday season as WDW. Many families spend Christmas/Thanksgiving at WDW but not that many choose Universal. There are more locals there during the hoildays because school is out for the holidays. Universal seems to be at its busiest during summer months when it becomes a vacation destination.

 

[h20jag]

The Express policy in place now ain't bad. We made do alright.
Wont be surprised to see it again over Holidays, no big deal.
You really do take in more of the Parks' other offerings during limited on-site FOTL.