Hassled at Islands of Adventure (to buy Mystic Dunes) - anyone else annoyed by this?

[HugsForEeyore]

Is this normal for Islands of Adventure?

I went there last week, and overall had a great time! The one negative was that we were attacked with a hard sell for Mystic Dunes Golf club! Me and my nephew were approached by a man on the main sidewalk at the park, inbetween Marvel Island and Toon Island. At first we assumed he worked at the park and was being friendly, then the conversation went into trying to make us agree to be bussed over to Mystic Dunes for a breakfast buffet, and to agree to some deal to stay there. Once I realized this was a hard sale, I was thoroughly annoyed!! It took a lot of "no" and "I am stopping you right there, we aren't interested" before me and my nephew walked off angry. I was trying not to get annoyed in front of my nephew, but he could tell!

For the rest of our 2 day stay, we had to be very careful walking through that sidewalk area, to avoid the hard-sell vultures. How annoying!! We just want to have fun at the park, and I was shocked Islands of Adventure allowed this hard-sale stuff inside the park.

Anyone else ever bothered by this? Or is this a new thing there? Oh well - just wanted to vent!

 

[RAPstar]

When I was there, the worse I got was a flyer by the Universal Vacations people or something like that. Sorry you got bothered at the parks!

 

[RAPstar]

When I was there, the worse I got was a flyer by the Universal Vacations people or something like that. Sorry you got bothered at the parks!

 

[AlexandNessa]

Great. First the Westgate Timeshare sharks and now a Golf Club Membership? Ugghh!

I really, really, really hate that those folks are in the parks and allowed to roam free and harrass people.

I mention it every single time Universal sends me a survey, and I encourage everyone else to do the same, if you are bothered by them.

 

[Metro West]

They certainly are a pain...no doubt about it.

 

[donaldduck352]

They try and rope us in everytime!!

 

[tlinus]

while annoying and uninvited.....we just keep walking and ignore them. Kind of like they aren't even there and we just talk amongst ourselves. Jodie - we have put it every survey as well

 

[LilMommyBug]

The timeshare people over by Jaws are the ones who pissed me off several times.

 

[Bluer101]

We were there just over a week ago and the same area there was a very rude guy trying to sell the same crap. Everytime we walked by he would walk with trying to ask questions about your personal life. One time he said do you want a free breakfast, I will take you to the bus that goes there. Now we go to Us and IOA all the time and normally you can just say no. This one guy was really pushy and a pain like at a flea market.

 

[AlexandNessa]

You know, I cannot think of one positive post about these people.

Does anyone like the hawkers in the park? Anyone at all?

I know I complain about them all the time. And this topic is not a new one to the boards.

And, yet, there they stay, in the parks, harassing guests. They must pay Universal boku bucks to be in the park. I cannot think of any other reason for them to be there. Unfortunately, I think they reflect poorly on Universal, even though they are not Universal employees.

I find them absolutely obnoxious, and we often grow weary trying to avoid them.

I wish Universal would enforce some sort of rule where they HAD to stay in a clearly marked booth and wait for people to approach them. I do wish they were not allowed to follow guests, interrupt conversations, and block pathways.

It really saddens me that they have added more hawkers to the mix. I guess they're really desperate.

BTW, this works when they approach you: "leave me alone, I'm only here for another hour before I leave for the airport, and if you attempt to follow me, I'll report you."

 

[perdidobay]

As soon as they start talking to me- I let them know I own DVC ( which is true, but if not I'd still say that ) and they drop the hard sell really quick.

 

[keishashadow]

i must have a certain look about me , rarely am i approached

neither is my family, i've schooled them to use same M.O. u'd use with a rabid dog...don't make eye contact & keep walking ...of course a 'no thank you' thrown in is a bonus

sorry they're a nuisance for so many guess im abit more compassionate as ive worked just a few steps up the food chain for many years in both direct sales & as a realtor. BTW, what they do is not personal, ur all just fish in their pond. Don't worry about hurting their feelings or the need to engage in conversation to defend why ur not interested in whatever they r hawking

IMO, it's the parks u should have a beef with not the sales peeps, who r just doing what they do & trying to make a living. Don't think for a minute U mgmt isn't aware of their tactics either by direct observation or complaints from guests...evidently, the $$$ compensation they receive from the TS properties makes it a-ok in their book

 

[Laurabearz]

I dont think I have ever noticed them.

So sorry they gave you a hard time. If something like that ever happened to me, I would take their name and write a nice little letter to the powers that be.

((hugs))

 

[avic77]

It really bothers me to hear I may be dealing with that while at Universal. But DH has that "dont approach me" look so I dont think we will have much problem. However if we are harrassed I will be sure to stop the first Cast Member ( are they called that at Uni ) and report it and tell them how I was never bothered by Time Share salesmen at Disney.

 

[Jonny_Duck]

Last time I was there we were approached and talked to the guy for like 30 seconds he explained his deal on what he would give for the tour and we said we would think about it and come back if were interested. Honestly not that big of deal to me but when ppl are on vacation I can understand it being a hastle while in the parks.

 

[Bluer101]

Accidently reposted from my Iphone, sorry.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

First thing I would suggest is do not stop, keep walking and ignore them. They don't run after you.

Second thing I would suggest, in the event you do get cornered by one, tell them you live in Orlando. They normally cannot sell to those that live in the county/surrounding counties where the resort is... Once they hear that, they should "let you go" and fast....

 

[GinaBean]

When we went in December, the only people that approached us were ones wanting us to be in a survey. Dh & I did not participate, but our dds did. They got paid $5 for eating sandwiches.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

When we went in December, the only people that approached us were ones wanting us to be in a survey. Dh & I did not participate, but our dds did. They got paid $5 for eating sandwiches.

My dream come true..

 

[GinaBean]

My dream come true..

Yeah, dh was almost sorry he declined. :lol