Has removal of free Express pass affected lines?

[phamton]

Been too many times, seen it all, not much has changed since 2003...not enough anyway to justify the extra days. And they are getting extra money from those people through their restaurants, parking fees and souveniers. (Not to mention the hope that these tourists will stay for Citiwalk.)

Actually the same can be said for Disney.

Whatever did we all do before fastpass and express pass?

I see many complaints about the change to express pass plus but the reality is that it is popular with the majority. I stopped by guest services at another themepark and had a little visit. I was told that they get numerous complaints because they don't offer the paid express like Universal.

Many people actually like the conveneince of having express for every ride and show in the park and not have to worry about return times or running all over the parks gathering express for rides every two hours---Not to mention the complaints of free express running out.

I wouldn't buy express plus but they are extrememly popular. Many, many people like the convenience. With it, they can walk by MIB and jump right in the express lane, then go right over to Jaws and get in the express line. They aren't held to a return time that the free express had. There are less complaints with express plus that there were with the free express.

 

[MsDisney]

Actually the same can be said for Disney.

Whatever did we all do before fastpass and express pass?

I thought the same thing...yeah, Universal is being criticized for offering such a DEAL on passes because it brings people into the parks who will, in turn, spend money....sure. Most anyone at most any park who is IN the park will spend money...so it's the same anywhere...and I think Universal makes it less expensive because they have to and Disney doesn't feel they have to. I love both places, but let's face it, Disney is often the destination and Universal is the side trip...less often now than in the past...but it's still the case for many. Part of the thoughts behind Disney's Fastpass was the notion that if people don't have to stand in the line, they can be spending money...they ARE both businesses, after all!

I think before we knew fastpass and express, we dealt with it...but I think part of the "problem" is when you give something and then take it away...if they always charged for it, I guess we couldn't complain, cuz that's how it would have always been...but that's not the case here. I think the idea that you can pay for Express and have one shot at each attraction is spectacular....and for awhile, weren't they doing that while still offering some for free? My guess is that so many people bought them that the # of passes for free became less and less and the decision was made to stop offering them for free because of complaints that they were always out! Just my thoughts on what could have happened, or that would make sense to me. I guess if they're selling enough and making money to do it, then it makes sense for them to keep doing it rather than giving them away....but, as I said...it's always tough to have a benefit taken away!

Karen / MsDis

 

[Sylvester McBean]

I'm sure WDW deals with the complaints of running out of FP's daily as well. people on vacation spending a couple of days in the parks might find it beneficial to drop $150.00 a day to avoid the lines or budget extra money to stay onsite. it's families like mine that are getting shafted. we spend a few days a month there usually on weekends. last time we were there, Hulk and Spiderman had a 60 minute wait by 10:00 and remained that way the whole time we were there and this was before spring break. in the past, grab an express and go play somewhere else. now, drop at least $45.00 for the 3 of us to avoid the lines. we get 'ride agains' at seaworld and busch with our passes and FP's are still going strong at WDW. I'm not going to boycott UO over it, but it's changed our frequency of visits and the amount of time we spend in the parks. I'll never buy an EPP out of general principle, you don't take benefits away. resort guests complained last year when they were told one time through the EP lines before 3:00, so that experiment failed. so kill the free EP's and suck up to resort guests and anyone holding cash in their hand. screw the fans and the local AP holders who stick with you through the ups and downs and support you on the weekends and off-seasons. the bottom line may swell a bit, but so does the bad taste in my mouth.

 

[vellamint]

I'm sure WDW deals with the complaints of running out of FP's daily as well. people on vacation spending a couple of days in the parks might find it beneficial to drop $150.00 a day to avoid the lines or budget extra money to stay onsite. it's families like mine that are getting shafted. we spend a few days a month there usually on weekends. last time we were there, Hulk and Spiderman had a 60 minute wait by 10:00 and remained that way the whole time we were there and this was before spring break. in the past, grab an express and go play somewhere else. now, drop at least $45.00 for the 3 of us to avoid the lines. we get 'ride agains' at seaworld and busch with our passes and FP's are still going strong at WDW. I'm not going to boycott UO over it, but it's changed our frequency of visits and the amount of time we spend in the parks. I'll never buy an EPP out of general principle, you don't take benefits away. resort guests complained last year when they were told one time through the EP lines before 3:00, so that experiment failed. so kill the free EP's and suck up to resort guests and anyone holding cash in their hand. screw the fans and the local AP holders who stick with you through the ups and downs and support you on the weekends and off-seasons. the bottom line may swell a bit, but so does the bad taste in my mouth.

McBean I cannot image how this policy must make you feel.....I feel slighted enough that there is not reasonably affordable rooms/suites available for a larger family so therefore we will NEVER have FOTL access....but to live in Florida and be a season pass holder and NOT have any priviledges!!! YOU are in worse shape than us! That really stinks.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

McBean I cannot image how this policy must make you feel.....I feel slighted enough that there is not reasonably affordable rooms/suites available for a larger family so therefore we will NEVER have FOTL access....but to live in Florida and be a season pass holder and NOT have any priviledges!!! YOU are in worse shape than us! That really stinks.

we still get perks, the free parking, food and merch discounts, etc. UO and the AB parks are about even on these. WDW doesn't give you much more than free parking. using either my AP rate or resident rate I can get a room at the resorts for around $150.00 when available. the renewal rate for our 3 AP's is the same as ONE of our Disney passes. this EP has just chapped my butt in ways I can't begin to describe. the standby times on the weekends have jumped, not decreased as the proponents of the policy predicted they would. not all attractions need a FP or an EP, Disney has been tinkering with those formulas for awhile now. but to just rip out the machines and say tough crap, they're for sale in one way or another now is the poorest example of guest service I've seen UO do in years.

 

[lindalinda]

I know this is gonna sound a little snippy no matter how I say it. But I'm gonna anyway. I come down to Orlando once a year if I'm lucky. I have to finagle my co-workers to even get a week plus a day off from work so I can do it. Yes I will pay the extra $$ to get FOTL. In my case it involves staying on site. This year I expect it to cost close to 5Grand. I save all year for it. If it wasnt available I would figure out the best way to make it all work for my family. (just like I used to, pre-fastpass) While I completely understand people being irked that express pass is gone, I still think it might be a transition period, while they figure it all out. Look at the data, let their experts work on a solution. But heres the part where I'm gonna sound snippy, believe me when I say I dont mean it to sound that way, but it will anyway.

If I got to go to UO "about 3 times a month" I cant imagine I would be whining about anything. How freaking great is that. 3 times a month...about 36 times a year?....Im thinking youre getting your 179$ worth. Thats like 5$ per visit.

Okay..hit me with your best shot.

 

[phamton]

I think the idea that you can pay for Express and have one shot at each attraction is spectacular....and for awhile, weren't they doing that while still offering some for free? My guess is that so many people bought them that the # of passes for free became less and less and the decision was made to stop offering them for free because of complaints that they were always out!

You are exactly right. They had free express and express plus at the same time. On top of that they also had FOTL for hotel guests. The express lines were exceeding 15 minutes which pissed off the hotel guests and the free express were running out which pissed off the other guests.

If I got to go to UO "about 3 times a month" I cant imagine I would be whining about anything. How freaking great is that. 3 times a month...about 36 times a year?....Im thinking youre getting your 179$ worth. Thats like 5$ per visit.

Gotta agree with that also. Sylvester knows I love him and his family and I do honestly know how frustrated he feels but I always felt that because I could go so often, it wasn't a big deal if I missed something. I more than get my monies worth with an AP and frequent visits.

 

[MsDisney]

But heres the part where I'm gonna sound snippy, believe me when I say I dont mean it to sound that way, but it will anyway.

If I got to go to UO "about 3 times a month" I cant imagine I would be whining about anything. How freaking great is that. 3 times a month...about 36 times a year?....Im thinking youre getting your 179$ worth. Thats like 5$ per visit.

Okay..hit me with your best shot.

You are VERY brave!

Is IS freaking great! But, I think the problem is definitely that as locals...we ARE here all year, even when the crowds are not and we are almost forced out of the parks (not to mention forced OFF the roads - literally ) at certain times of year. It's the nature of the beast...you either go and deal with it and accept that you aren't going to go on anything, or you stay away. I know we wouldn't have all this without the tourists (and heck, I used to BE one), but we are loyal and we're there when times are slow...and so to have the tourists being completely catered to in a way that makes it even more difficult for us to go, is lousy. I understand it, logically, but it still hurts! I honestly never used Express much and it always seemed like in busy times, they were out and in slow times, they didn't offer it...but clearly, people did and if it made it so that some locals would still come anytime, then I think that was good...because honestly, they need us too!

So yes, it IS freaking great to live SO close, but I guess when your butt is chapped, it's hard to enjoy it sometimes!

It's not the place for it, but what has me is Disney's new dining plan...sure, it s FANTASTIC for resort guests...but as a local, I feel like I'm feeling the "sting" of it...heck, I can't even afford APs for there right now...but there are places I like to dine, and I don't like the changes I've seen because of the dining plan.

Surely there must be a way for Universal to make it more manageable for us locals...I'm all for the resort guests having Express...and even for the sale of some...maybe they could offer AP holders free ones once a month or something...I dunno. Something!

I wanted to add too...that while I'm sure alot of tourists are glad to be able to buy their way to the express lines...I'm sure there are plenty of families who just can't afford to drop the extra money because vacations are SO expensive to begin with and to add EP's for a family of 4 at peak time can be out of the question for many, I'm sure! I have heard guests in line commenting on how they charge for it...some changes are good...and I guess they have to go with the numbers...but while I don't personally care about Express, I don't like having stuff (options) taken away...
Now, they better not try to take away Happy Hour! Then you'll see my fury! LOL

Karen / MsDis

 

[phamton]

.maybe they could offer AP holders free ones once a month or something...I dunno. Something!

What a great idea!!!!

 

[MsDisney]

this EP has just chapped my butt in ways I can't begin to describe.

I'm sorry, I know a chapped butt is nothing to laugh about...

Odd, but a part of me wanted you to describe it...clearly I need help!

Gotta agree with that also. Sylvester knows I love him and his family and I do honestly know how frustrated he feels but I always felt that because I could go so often, it wasn't a big deal if I missed something. I more than get my monies worth with an AP and frequent visits.

I guess we all have different reasons for going...I long ago accepted that if I go to the parks at certain times, I have to deal with the masses and I probably won't do any attractions...but then, that's me. I'd rather go and just enjoy the atmosphere and people watch than not...but it was kinda nice to know you COULD get an EP if you wanted to go on something too...especially when you meet up with friends at the parks.

What a great idea!!!!

Why thank you! I don't have many...!

Karen / MsDis

 

[Sylvester McBean]

I've never, ever said that UO wasn't the best theme park dollar for dollar in the Orlando area. I pay $300.00 a year for AP renewals for a family of 3. my savings alone offset that cost, we essentially go for free whenever we want. who can complain about a relationship like that? in return, we've been very loyal to UO without hesitation, it's the very least we can do. yes, we get to go to UO many times a year, but that was by choice. we chose to move here. it's nice to be able to walk past a standby wait of 45 minutes and say 'we can do it anytime', and walk on. as phamton has picked up on, it's frustration. I honestly don't feel the whole EP program had to be dissolved, there was a happy medium somewhere. maybe the term "FOTL" had something to do with it's demise. when resort guests are complaining about a 15 minute wait and pissed off...

 

[phamton]

Well, Sylvester, we love you even if you do have a chapped butt. Just don't scratch it in public.

Can't wait to meet up with you again and the rest of your lovely family.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

I'm sorry, I know a chapped butt is nothing to laugh about...

Odd, but a part of me wanted you to describe it...clearly I need help!



I guess we all have different reasons for going...I long ago accepted that if I go to the parks at certain times, I have to deal with the masses and I probably won't do any attractions...but then, that's me. I'd rather go and just enjoy the atmosphere and people watch than not...but it was kinda nice to know you COULD get an EP if you wanted to go on something too...especially when you meet up with friends at the parks.



Why thank you! I don't have many...!

Karen / MsDis

it's time to hit the Montego Bay Margaritaville so I can relax and get some pictures for my new avatar.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

Well, Sylvester, we love you even if you do have a chapped butt. Just don't scratch it in public.

Can't wait to meet up with you again and the rest of your lovely family.

anytime, phamton. you guys save me a fortune in counseling each month. but it's time you bring your family along for the trip.

 

[MsDisney]

it's time to hit the Montego Bay Margaritaville so I can relax and get some pictures for my new avatar.

Yeah Mon!

You'll forgive me if I don't change my avatar to your chapped butt though... though I'm sure the fresh air will help with that problem...if that fails, there is always rum!

Karen / MsD's

 

[phamton]

but it's time you bring your family along for the trip.

I keep them locked in the basement.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

Yeah Mon!

You'll forgive me if I don't change my avatar to your chapped butt though... though I'm sure the fresh air will help with that problem...if that fails, there is always rum!

Karen / MsD's

there's no problem a warm sun, gulf breeze and a stiff mojito can't solve. trust me, I've tried.

 

[MsDisney]

I keep them locked in the basement.

Hmmm...a basement...in Florida? Lucky YOU!

I know in MA, I had a basement to lock mine in, and if I was too lazy to go down there, I had radiators to chain mine to! Now I find it's very hard to contain them living here!


Karen / MsDis

Boy, if I had known Phamton offered couseling...well, I'm gonna have to get in on some of THAT! Especially now that I have that chapped butt image floating around up there...

 

[MsDisney]

there's no problem a warm sun, gulf breeze and a stiff mojito can't solve. trust me, I've tried.

Ok, so I had to go look up "mojito" - guess I was thinking "mojo" I'm just a beer gal with a warped mind tho!

Boy have WE drifted off topic... perhaps in lieu of free EP's they can offer us mojitos instead...that could work...


Karen / MsDis

 

[cat14]

Last year we stayed on site and obvously enjoyed the FOTL.

This year, we're offsite.

We're going this Friday and Saturday, March 30-31.

How much will the Express Plus booklets cost? How do you think the crowds will be?