How is Universal limiting capacity?

[rosebudd21]

They say that they are limiting capacity but by how much? I'm thinking about buying tickets for December, but I don't wanna go and get turned away at the door. I don't think they have a park reservation system like Disney so how are they managing that?

 

[Wreckem]

The demand right now is low and they haven’t turned anyone away from IOA or UO except for maybe a couple hours two weekends ago. Reportedly but unconfirmed it capped at about 15000 people. Hotels are only booking every other room at max and some have portions completely closed. If you want to guarantee entry you have to stay onsite.

 

[rosebudd21]

The demand right now is low and they haven’t turned anyone away from IOA or UO except for maybe a couple hours two weekends ago. Reportedly but unconfirmed it capped at about 15000 people. Hotels are only booking every other room at max and some have portions completely closed. If you want to guarantee entry you have to stay onsite.

Ok, I'm looking at a resort stay now. Any idea what they're cancellation policy is? It says that stays for travel through 8/31/2020 are fully refundable up to 24 hours in advance. Are they planning on reverting back to their normal cancellation policy? If so, what is it?

 

[macraven]

Yes
That is the present policy.

Keep an eye on the UO website for any changes/updates.

 

[mala55]

We just booked for October. I was told if you cancel 46 days or more from your date of arrival, it will cost you nothing. Less than 46 days and it will cost you a $200 cancellation fee. I decided to purchase the cancellation insurance ($49.99 per person) just as a safety. Since there is only 3 of us that is less than the cancellation fee and gives me peace of mind.

 

[macraven]

When a person books a package, they have the cancellation fee of $200 if you are 45 days out.

 

[wagman67]

Remember when discussing UOR cancellation policies, there are two things you can be talking about: packages or a la carte (booking your room and purchasing your tickets, meal plans, etc...separately).
If you take time, you will usually find a la carte to be the same or close to the same price as booking a package...at the standard rate.

But, packages are going to cost you, if you have to cancel...either the fee if you are x number of days out, the entire package price, if you are not far enough out when cancelling (you will still get your tickets), or the cost of the insurance. And, you have to pay all of the cost, up front.

A la carte is generally the best way to go, because you can more easily change hotel reservations, apply Annual Pass Holder Rates, cancel within 5 days, without penalty and buy your tickets/passes after you arrive. And, you only have to put down a single night's deposit, up front.

Of course, at the moment, policies have shifted, but it still is usually better to not book a package (monetarily, anyway). If you have booked a package, don't fret over this post, you'll be fine. Just some food for thought about your next trip.

 

[Polyonmymind]

Ok, I'm looking at a resort stay now. Any idea what they're cancellation policy is? It says that stays for travel through 8/31/2020 are fully refundable up to 24 hours in advance. Are they planning on reverting back to their normal cancellation policy? If so, what is it?

Yes, normal cancellation policy is by 6:00 PM EST 5 days prior to arrival, fully refundable. I know this as my October reservation falls under this cancellation policy.

 

[ruthies12]

Just a heads up that staying onsite does not guarantee you entry anymore, Universal changed that policy from their original statement. I can't seem to find the info on their website so don't take my statement as gospel, but you might want to call and double check if that is the only reason you are booking onsite. I believe the current policy is that onsite guests get priority for entry if they hit capacity but not the guaranteed entry they initially promised.

 

[rosebudd21]

Just a heads up that staying onsite does not guarantee you entry anymore, Universal changed that policy from their original statement. I can't seem to find the info on their website so don't take my statement as gospel, but you might want to call and double check if that is the only reason you are booking onsite. I believe the current policy is that onsite guests get priority for entry if they hit capacity but not the guaranteed entry they initially promised.

That's what I read too after looking at the website. If I do choose to stay onsite, I'd book the hotel only, not a package. But hotels are much cheaper offsite. I wish I knew what to expect in terms of crowds for early December so I could figure out if having priority is worth it...

 

[miksilver]

I was there on property and in the parks on Sunday (Fathers Day) and Monday. It was not what I would consider crowded -- at all. It was never busy. Almost every ride was a walk on, with the lines to the locker stations being longer than some of the ride lines.

Priority was not worth it with the limited capacity in the parks.

Also, with the social distancing measures in place the difference between the on property resorts greatly decreases in terms of "perks". No hotels have valet (all self park); no bell services (get the cart your self and bring your luggage up yourself); no housekeeping (text what you need and they'll bring it to you); closed restaurants inside the onsite hotels (not everything is open and it all shuts down at 11pm, CityWalk at 10pm). To me, that makes a more deluxe hotel and a moderate hotel the same and for that I'd save the money and spend it somewhere else.

The hour early entry into the parks is the perk that I found the greatest this stay. No employee once ever checked our hotel key for early entry. We had them and kept expecting, but nope, just ticket scanned, ID seen and go right in.

 

[TommyJK]

That's what I read too after looking at the website. If I do choose to stay onsite, I'd book the hotel only, not a package. But hotels are much cheaper offsite. I wish I knew what to expect in terms of crowds for early December so I could figure out if having priority is worth it...

With the full refund available at worst 5 days in advance (currently 24 hours in advance) I would book onsite for now and then when it gets closer to December you could decide if you want to keep it or cancel it and stay off site.