Hotel Express pass is not what it used to be...

[mtry]

I thought that for the express pass you got on one time per ride only. We were there middle of March and I only saw 1 time somebody get there express pass marked so they couldn't return on that ride in the express line. We were there 3 days.

 

[lookingforward]

I actually really like Earth Quake. We ride it on every trip. BTTF though I had stopped riding because it had gotten way to rough for us to ride. I love the classic rides. Wish they would have just done a refurb on it to take out the roughness. Also really miss Kong, to bad they couldn't have left it and added the Mummy ride instead of removing something else. Or they could have even gotten rid of Twister. Do not care for it at all. Maybe because I live in tornado alley and have seen much worse damage right here at home. Don't need to see it as an attraction at an amusement park!




While I love the Universal parks and hotels just as much as I do the Disney ones I have to disagree with this statement. I know that I can always get the AKL & WL for less than the Universal hotels & very often the Contemporary. Now the Poly & GF are more expensive but not all the Disney deluxes are. Also for our trip in July I can get in to SSR or OKW or the Epcot resorts for less than I have been quoted for any of the Universal hotels. Just an FYI.

I wish I could get better rates at Disney. Usually with passholder and florida resident rates US/IOA wins out in the price catagory. OKW is a moderate although I have never tried SSR. In the club/concierge catagory US/IOA almost always is much cheaper. For instance, 305 for club floor at RPR and upwards of 475 for AKL concierge level (our absolute favorite The rooms are comparable between AKL and RPR (smaller). Portofino compares more to Grand Floridian or Poly in size..and sometimes Portofino is a better deal than HRH. This weekend I stayed at Portofino for 224 per night for a deluxe room. I do think there are more across the board discounts at US/IOA. NOW...in December I scored the Poly concierge garden view for 270 per night on a 40% off code

 

[PlutoLuvr]

While I love the Universal parks and hotels just as much as I do the Disney ones I have to disagree with this statement. I know that I can always get the AKL & WL for less than the Universal hotels & very often the Contemporary. Now the Poly & GF are more expensive but not all the Disney deluxes are. Also for our trip in July I can get in to SSR or OKW or the Epcot resorts for less than I have been quoted for any of the Universal hotels. Just an FYI.

WDW discounts totally depends on where you live. I had a very interesting discussion with a CM a couple months ago when I was trying to decide between AKL and HRH.

We're in FL, APH'ers to both WDW and USO, have stayed at both too many times to count. The last few times I've tried to book a room -- any room -- over at WDW, the best discount I could get is 10 percent off. Even three months ago trying to get AKL, with FL resident discount (was not an APH'er at that time), the best they could do for their cheapest room was $260 a night. Compare that with the HRH who was offering me a $330 room for $129 a night for being a FL resident.

The CM said that WDW is offering very steep discounts right now specifically to the midwest and northeast. Now, three years ago, WDW was giving FL residents $200 per night rooms for $80. I asked about these 40 percent off PIN codes I've been reading about, and she said FL residents and APH'ers were not targeted with that promotion.

I want to stress the CM was extremely nice about this. She even added that employees of Disney as of late are in the same boat as FL residents and APH'ers. They know they've got our business.

So it really isn't black and white. WDW offers different markets different promotions at different times. You might have been able to secure a great rate at AKL, but someone calling at the same time as you may not be offered the same discounted rate on a room.

BTW, I love Earthquake, too

 

[ReallyFunMom]

Its still very handy to stay onsite but if you can get there early, you don't need it. It mostly seemed, if it was early, we walked on with the regular guest b/c there wasn't a line and later the express was too long to mess with. (Since we are close enough to have been a few times and can arrive at opening we are not use to waiting, spoiled.) I really built up Express to the kids based on previous stays but it didn't work like I'd expected. We didn't arrive at opening BECAUSE we had express, breakfast at Kitchen, wanted to be more laid back this trip so arrived at Universal 9:30 on Sunday. Neutron seemed hectic with express spilling out longer than the queue, we thought maybe the ride wasn't working so we left to walk on Jaws with regular line. MIB was fine for a couple rides after, it was still early, Express still working. Woody woodpecker had a shorter regular line than Express and the TMs said they were short staffed (Mem weekend!) so weren't really working it (no one to say "how many?") The regular line came from one end and Express the other but no one told you when to go so it was awkward about how to merge in, backed up the Express line so it hardly moved. Really needed a worker to hold back regular line and run one train regular, one express, or some sort of plan. There were 3 TMs talking to themselves but not the guests. Maybe they were burnt out and its a holiday weekend but I remember 2 TMs a few years ago running this coaster more efficiently and friendly. We tried to hit Neutron around 12:30 on our way out of Universal, short day, but it was over 30 min wait while regular line was an hour. I'm sure Express still helps ALOT but it definately is not what it use to be. IMHO.

 

[robvia]

Well of coarse everyone likes EarthQuake. Talk about taking out any ride and people will come out of the wood work saying they'll miss it. The parks can't keep every ride because the maintenance costs are too high.

Even Disney can't keep every ride, they're constantly updating. Do I miss "If You Had Wings" from 20 years ago when it was sponsored by Eastern? You bet, but they moved on to Buzz. Heck, I've even searched web sites that have a POV just so I could relive it and hear the song. I don't have the link off the top of my head, but if you search it's out there.

Some rides have longer lines than others, and it's usually the thrill rides. The other stuff adds to the experience, but at most parks, the newest, most thrilling ride has the longest line.

Getting back to the topic, I think Universal oversells the amount of express passes. At HHN last year, the lines were huge, and now we've got these reports saying lines are long. Can it be proven? Not directly, but when people complain about long lines, that's enough proof right there. Will they cut back? Maybe a little. I just wish they'd use that money to build a new thrill ride, instead of giving it to CEOs so they can have more vacation homes. Universal is making more money, even with less people attending. If they're going to add more hotels, and allow more people in the park, they need updated thrill rides to handle the large crowds.

 

[AlexandNessa]

I will be interested to hear from those who go during the peak of summer, especially 4th of July week. So please report back!

Also, please take note of how many express passes v. hotel keys you notice and report back on that too.

Boy, I'm demanding this morning.

TIA!

 

[damo]

Whatever happened to the "maximum 15 minute wait" for onsite guests?
And can the people get their money back if the Express line is as long as the regular lines? Is there any sort of guarantee printed on the express tickets?

I don't think there can be a guarantee. If rides break down, nobody can guarantee a short express line. I don't even think that they advertise a time anymore.

 

[loribell]

OKW is a moderate although I have never tried SSR. In the club/concierge catagory US/IOA almost always is much cheaper.

OKW isn't a moderate resort. It is a DVC resort. Most rooms have full kitchens in them as well as a laundry room & the rooms are huge. While the studios don't have that they do have ktichenettes. Although it is my least favorite of the DVC resorts I could never compare it to a moderate.

WDW discounts totally depends on where you live. I had a very interesting discussion with a CM a couple months ago when I was trying to decide between AKL and HRH.

We're in FL, APH'ers to both WDW and USO, have stayed at both too many times to count. The last few times I've tried to book a room -- any room -- over at WDW, the best discount I could get is 10 percent off. Even three months ago trying to get AKL, with FL resident discount (was not an APH'er at that time), the best they could do for their cheapest room was $260 a night. Compare that with the HRH who was offering me a $330 room for $129 a night for being a FL resident.

The CM said that WDW is offering very steep discounts right now specifically to the midwest and northeast. Now, three years ago, WDW was giving FL residents $200 per night rooms for $80. I asked about these 40 percent off PIN codes I've been reading about, and she said FL residents and APH'ers were not targeted with that promotion.

I want to stress the CM was extremely nice about this. She even added that employees of Disney as of late are in the same boat as FL residents and APH'ers. They know they've got our business.

So it really isn't black and white. WDW offers different markets different promotions at different times. You might have been able to secure a great rate at AKL, but someone calling at the same time as you may not be offered the same discounted rate on a room.

BTW, I love Earthquake, too

You know I never really thought about that. We always go in the summer so I always see better rates at the Disney resorts then I do at the Universal resorts. The best I have seen for the RPR is $239 per night.

By the way, I pulled up a trip plan from 2003 last weekend and we paid $85/night @ Coronado Springs & $169/night @ HRH. I am not comparing the resorts just wishing I could get those kind of rates again.


Anyway, to get back on topic, I insist on staying at one of the Universal resorts because of the FOTL perk. If I have to be at the park at opening to enjoy the benefits, when the lines are short anyway, then what is the point. I can stay at a cheap offsit hotel & be at the park for opening & still experience the short lines. Why spend the extra money for the hotel? I would rather spend it on food or souvy's.

 

[MWS94Rock]

I experienced the same problem on one day I was there. I went to the parks on a thursday, friday, and saturday (the week before Memorial Day) and Saturday was horrible. Express Pass lines were long considering the past two days we were there they were almost non existent. I dunno if they sell to many Express Passes or people just jump into the express line halfway through in some of the rides.

E.T. ride was downright horrible with the express pass line. It took us almost 25 minutes to get on the ride after getting our Interplanetary passes (btw, E.T. did say our names).

Dueling Dragons was also pretty bad in that people with express pass can't get in the line before you choose what dragon you want. Those regular lines people won't let you in. After a minute I had to force my way into that line.

 

[Nicole786]

Now i'm nervous for our upcoming trip. We'll be there Sun-Tues, Labor day weekend (tuesday being our travel day to Disney) and i figured we'd be "okay" with the express passes. I knew we'd have to wait, but i figured at the most 30 minutes, now im concerned

 

[patster734]

Jurassic Park express line on Saturday, May 19:

Then next day on Sunday, May 20:

 

[JMCDAD]

I too am getting nervous for our first trip this July
I keep talking up the FOTL to the wife an kiddies

 

[Mainebound]

By the way, I pulled up a trip plan from 2003 last weekend and we paid $85/night @ Coronado Springs & $169/night @ HRH. I am not comparing the resorts just wishing I could get those kind of rates again.

We stayed at HRH in 2004 for $160 a night too, and the reason we have not been back is because it cost twice that now in peak season.

But there are a lot of other advantages to onsite, particularly the close proximity to the parks. We plan on 3 nights at HRH in March 08, even if I have to sell one of my children to do it (kidding!).

 

[MWS94Rock]

if I had a trip coming up, I would ride all that I could in the first 4 hours, leave and go back to the hotel and relax. In the evening, come back and ride anything else you want to. I guess a basic plan would be get there at 830, leave at 1 and come back around 6 (assuming the park stays open until 9).

 

[nymomof3]

i dont get it..looking at the prices and the dates for july u would think they would charge more for the ep on 4th of july but instead it is cheaper than regular days, i would think more people go on 4th of july so they would raise the price..go figure... i am so NERVOUS for our july trip..we loved fotl when we went last and im so upset that this is not what it use to be...

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Anyway, to get back on topic, I insist on staying at one of the Universal resorts because of the FOTL perk. If I have to be at the park at opening to enjoy the benefits, when the lines are short anyway, then what is the point.

I agree! The great thing about staying onsite & getting FOTL for us is the fact that we don't have to rush to the parks in the morning, & we can leave in plenty of time to relax then dress for dinner. Our normal touring time is midday. So far, it has been a problem. Let's hope that continues. It seems that every spring there's a discussion about FOTL. It's been rumored in the past that it will discontinued for onsite guests, it will be suspended for purchase, etc. UO always steps up & does the right thing. People should continue to provide them with feedback on recent experiences, so they know your feelings from an onsite guest POV.

This is what we're used to seeing mid-July. I don't remember the last time we waited more than 5 minutes for JP.

 

[damo]

So, it sounds like it is the school groups that are causing the express line issues.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

The long line was on a Saturday. Do any of the school groups go on Saturdays? My son's school occasionally goes to the Orlando parks, but always on a week day.

 

[patster734]

The long line was on a Saturday. Do any of the school groups go on Saturdays? My son's school occasionally goes to the Orlando parks, but always on a week day.

We saw school groups on Saturday. They were wearing identical shirts. I was wondering if the local annual passholders, who were attending the park that Saturday, were the ones buying express passes when they saw the school groups.

Edited to add that we didn't see any school groups in the express lines, but then we had other plans that day and only did Spiderman and Jurassic Park River Adventure before leaving.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Interesting..... It seems odd to have a field trip on a non school day to me, but whatever works for the school I guess. The fact that they can be there on a Saturday as well as weekdays is definitely good to know.