Just Back and a few take aways

[chrystie4141]

We just got back from our 8th trip (we go twice a year) and a few things I noticed. Universal is getting more popular for sure. We stay at the Hard Rock most of the time for the express pass and I will say this trip was much more crowded. We go the same times each year (1st of June and also in Oct for HHN), however this trip the express lines were crazy. There were times they were just as long as normal lines. It seems that it all depended on who was working the lines. Example : The Mummy.. the wait time was 25 minutes and the express pass line was longer than ever before after say almost 20 minutes of standing in line the line started moving very fast. We got up front and I joked with the girl what was going on and she replied " the boy didn't know what express meant so I had to move him". Other rides were sheer volume. Rock It they were moving express as fast as they could and couldn't keep up, same for The Hulk. One other take away is the new metal detectors. I understand the need to for them, if someone hit me with a coin while on the Hulk I would be pissed cause I know it would hurt, however be sure you don't get someone who clearly abuses the power (or go in armed with the rules). After, days of riding Rock It and The Hulk with no problem (if my front beeped they would ask is that your belt or button and I would yes) we rode Dragon Challenge for the first time. I beeped (I had buttons in the front and back). The man said pull up your shirt to show me the button so I barely lifted it, then it beeped in the back and he once again said pull up your shirt and that time I said Nope you can not ask me to do that. He then said you can not ride and asked me to leave. I called CS from my phone and a supervisor was there within minutes. It is a HUGE no - no to ask you to pull up your shirt. Needless to say I rode I just didn't feel like I needed to show the whole line my belly or backside as my shorts were not tight fitting.

Bottom line we had a ball as always but didn't get to do nearly the amount of rides again and again that we normally do just because of sheer volume in the parks.

 

[Robo56]

We go the same time very year. We just returned home Thursday. I also noticed this year far more people in the parks and at the resorts then in previous years. Never had to wait for boats from Portofino to parks and from parks back to Portofino. Harry Potter additions have really added interest in our favorite Orlando destination. We had a great time while there.

 

[RMulieri]

I am glad people are enjoying universal more, it is an awesome place.I just hope it doesn't turn into Disney, where it requires the nutso planning and commando touring in order to enoy it ....Not a fan of ressies 180 days in advance, losing express pass to some other form and packed parks all day, every day , all year..We love it BECAUSE it isn't Disney and doesn't require the amount of planning Disney does and love the freedom it gives you to have no plan .

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I am glad people are enjoying universal more, it is an awesome place.I just hope it doesn't turn into Disney, where it requires the nutso planning and commando touring in order to enoy it ....Not a fan of ressies 180 days in advance, losing express pass to some other form and packed parks all day, every day , all year..We love it BECAUSE it isn't Disney and doesn't require the amount of planning Disney does and love the freedom it gives you to have no plan .

+1

 

[littlejimmy]

i dont get the need for metal detectors if one can refuse to show them the metal. so you beep and he wants to see the metal? I don't get why you got so offended. show him the button and move on.

 

[chrystie4141]

I totally agree, this is why we we stopped going to Disney. We love the express pass and the no planning a trip!!!

For the metal detectors, if I don't beep in on the sides (where my pockets are) and you clearly can see that I have nothing in my back pockets I shouldn't have to lift my shirt and show everyone else is line my backside or frontside for that matter. I may be the only one but I prefer not to pull up my shirt in front of strangers. I no longer feel the need to show skin at every chance I get and clearly not for someone who could see there was nothing in my pockets ( I had on a white shirt that was not tight but not overly loose therefore they could clearly see there was nothing in my pockets).

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

I normally go every December but this will be the second year I also went in July. I will be going to Universal twice and know at least once I will get the express pass. Last July it wasn't that bad except for the water rides which was long with or without the express pass.

 

[2Gma]

Your analysis is right, crowds are bigger according to the recently released data...somewhere the link is posted on the boards. Universal saw "huge" increases in attendance. I personally think a lot of people are looking for alternatives to Disney as they are tired of all the planning/ 180 day ADRs/30-60 day FP+ window "stuff" that is now "required" if you want to go. I know that was a big factor for us in choosing Universal this past trip in May and so many others I encountered as well. Plus, having new attractions that are super cool definitely helps Glad you still had a good time despite some small annoyances.

 

[ElenaJane]

I'm always interested in park numbers. I was just there last week and thought it was as crowded as July 4th weekend last year. I still felt the Express Passes were amazing, and only felt like I really had to wait in a long line at Rockit.

Looks like Disney may not be losing guests to Universal as much as there is just increased attendance everywhere. Not sure if 2Gma, you meant http://www.teaconnect.org/images/files/TEA_104_611784_150604.pdf

 

[damo]

i dont get the need for metal detectors if one can refuse to show them the metal. so you beep and he wants to see the metal? I don't get why you got so offended. show him the button and move on.

He wanted her to lift her shirt and show him her

I'm always interested in park numbers. I was just there last week and thought it was as crowded as July 4th weekend last year. I still felt the Express Passes were amazing, and only felt like I really had to wait in a long line at Rockit.

Looks like Disney may not be losing guests to Universal as much as there is just increased attendance everywhere. Not sure if 2Gma, you meant http://www.teaconnect.org/images/files/TEA_104_611784_150604.pdf

The problem with those numbers is that nobody actually knows what they represent. We do know that there are no actual attendance numbers that are released by the parks, so those numbers are projections or approximations or guesses and we don't know if they are supposed to represent first park per day or multiple parks per day or what. The only numbers that can actually be used to mean anything are those revenue numbers that are released during quarterly earnings reports to shareholders.

 

[GCS2000]

Getting a bit concerned for our trip. We leave Friday. We have 4 day passes and I feel that even though 2 of our days will only be partial days due to other things planned I think we will still get in everything we want to do included multiple rides on things we enjoy most. Just not wild about the massive crowds that will be there. I know its going to be super busy as I called to extend my reservation (front end or back end) and the RPR is fully booked for the entire time we are there. Had to go with a cheap hotel elsewhere.

Oh well it is what is and we will have to make the best of it.

 

[jon18uk]

We just got back from our 8th trip (we go twice a year) and a few things I noticed. Universal is getting more popular for sure. We stay at the Hard Rock most of the time for the express pass and I will say this trip was much more crowded. We go the same times each year (1st of June and also in Oct for HHN), however this trip the express lines were crazy. There were times they were just as long as normal lines. It seems that it all depended on who was working the lines. Example : The Mummy.. the wait time was 25 minutes and the express pass line was longer than ever before after say almost 20 minutes of standing in line the line started moving very fast. We got up front and I joked with the girl what was going on and she replied " the boy didn't know what express meant so I had to move him". Other rides were sheer volume. Rock It they were moving express as fast as they could and couldn't keep up, same for The Hulk. One other take away is the new metal detectors. I understand the need to for them, if someone hit me with a coin while on the Hulk I would be pissed cause I know it would hurt, however be sure you don't get someone who clearly abuses the power (or go in armed with the rules). After, days of riding Rock It and The Hulk with no problem (if my front beeped they would ask is that your belt or button and I would yes) we rode Dragon Challenge for the first time. I beeped (I had buttons in the front and back). The man said pull up your shirt to show me the button so I barely lifted it, then it beeped in the back and he once again said pull up your shirt and that time I said Nope you can not ask me to do that. He then said you can not ride and asked me to leave. I called CS from my phone and a supervisor was there within minutes. It is a HUGE no - no to ask you to pull up your shirt. Needless to say I rode I just didn't feel like I needed to show the whole line my belly or backside as my shorts were not tight fitting.

Bottom line we had a ball as always but didn't get to do nearly the amount of rides again and again that we normally do just because of sheer volume in the parks.

Do you think they will remove the Express Pass perk from one of the hotels as they are getting to the point where the Express queue can't cope?

 

[chiefmickeymouse]

We'll be there tomorrow, staying at Royal Pacific. I'm nervous about the crowds. We decided against Disney because of crowds, new fast pass, etc. Are the metal detectors only on the roller coasters? We haven't been in years, so all of this is new to me.

 

[Music City Mama]

We'll be there tomorrow, staying at Royal Pacific. I'm nervous about the crowds. We decided against Disney because of crowds, new fast pass, etc. Are the metal detectors only on the roller coasters? We haven't been in years, so all of this is new to me.

We're here now. Metal detectors just on coasters. Also, Universal Studios opens at 8:30 every day despite the 9:00 opening time.

 

[Grumpy92]

You really do need the EP in the summer. I am another US convert, love it and the resorts. I hate the mega planning required for a trip to WDW. I bought the Power AP pass this last year and have been to US much more then WDW. I am considering not renewing my WDW AP. US is a better value, quality and much less planning. 2014 - WDW saw a 2% increase in attendance and US saw 11% increase.

 

[ElenaJane]

We got the Premiere APs so there is built in EPs after 4pm everyday, so we could stay off property if we wanted too. Also includes free Valet! It is of course pricey, but cheaper than buying out of pocket EPs!

 

[schumigirl]

Do you think they will remove the Express Pass perk from one of the hotels as they are getting to the point where the Express queue can't cope?

No.

 

[RMulieri]

Do you think they will remove the Express Pass perk from one of the hotels as they are getting to the point where the Express queue can't cope?

Doubtful.Anything is possible though.But If they did eliminate it, they would likely eliminate from all the resorts, not just one,.

 

[chrystie4141]

I don't think the express pass will change anytime soon (fingers crossed).

 

[Lisaloo]

I think they would stop selling express pass as an add on before taking away the hotel perk. We would never consider staying off site, but getting rid of express pass would drastically change that.