Just back from my trip and I am a little disappointed with USO.

[Cruz Family]

I totally agree about the timeshare people, it's bad enough having to deal with them while you are staying in a condo calling every morning inviting you to breakfast or lunch, but then having to hide from them at the parks too

I'm sorry your visits did not turn out as you had hoped. I just found it amusing to read your report and think how completely opposite we must be. I just returned a couple of weeks ago from my first real WDW experience, staying on-site (Coronado Springs). I had been to MGM and Magic Kingdom once each before this visit, and while I did enjoy myself I don't think any of the rides can hold a candle to the ones at UO/IOA! I did a Segway tour at Epcot and really loved it, other than that I would have no reason to return to Epcot, just not enough there to keep me occupied, I want rides!!!! Animal Kindom is nice and I probably will go back there because my husband still has not been but the whole park can be done in 4 hours! MGM is kinda boring IMO, I really loved the Muppet thing, I like RnR, but think the ride is rough! and Tower of Terror, once was enough for me! I do however love DisneyQuest and was quite upset to learn that it will be closing in the next year or so

As for price, well I paid $306 for a 6-day park hopper at WDW. I got a 2 year AP for Universal for $190!!!!! With my AP I get a lot of great discounts also!

I guess it is good that we all have different likes and dislikes so that each outfit can stay in business!

It is funny how different people are! I do agree with you about MGM it is pretty boring but Epcot is our favorite. Just curious did you do Soarin and test track? Those are two of our favorites anywhere. Also we hated Disney Quest, I guess that is what makes the world go round.

 

[bubba's mom]

I do however love DisneyQuest and was quite upset to learn that it will be closing in the next year or so

Uh-oh.....DS really enjoyed DQ ...could you elaborate on this please??? (sorry to hijack)

 

[scammermom]

I agree they were pretty aggressive. I told one we would never consider a timeshare and he said that we must have had a bad experience. I said that no, I have looked into them and don't see them as a good value and don't plan on having "an experience at all". Being in sales, he was good at trying to overcome my objections. I finally had to walk away.

Another young girl (no match for me) started with the "how would you like to have a free breakfast?". I had her so confuzzled that her supervisor stepped in and admitted it was a timeshare showing.

 

[bubba's mom]

Another young girl (no match for me) started with the "how would you like to have a free breakfast?".

I would have looked straight at her and said, "Honey, nothin' is for free!"

 

[macraven]

i always stay on site so i miss the salespeople going into the park from city walk area.

i have been going to universal since 1993.

i have not been approached by any time share sales people in the park.
maybe i look too ratty, eh........

about 6-7 years ago i went to a section that was pushing the universal mc in a secluded area and signed up for it. best thing to happen to me. started receiving the discounts that day. this was before i bought the AAA or PAP.

the only ones in the park that have come up to me are the ones for the surveys. i have found this group around the monster cafe area.
i love it and was disappointed i didn't get approached on my last week visit there. in the last 3 years, i have received over $50 in universal script for doing them. the longest one i did only took 20 minutes from start to finish and that includes the paper work before the survey test began.

think, free lunch!
very sad i missed out on it on last weeks visit.

if i was approached by time share sales people, i would ask for their name and company and then tell them no. then, before i left the park, i would let guest services know that info and the time i was approached. if i had a negative feeling about them , i would add that to my gs statement.

i have no problem in reporting to universal things that happen in the park that are unsettling.
i suggest you do the same or otherwise, they can not do anything to change the problems you all are encountering.
we need to let universal be aware what is taking the joy out of our trip if anything is.

on the other hand, i always find at least two employees to praise at guest services at the end of my trip.

yes, i let them know what pleases me and made my trip enjoyable.
and, if there were any negative issues, i will let them be aware of that also.

 

[ChrisFL]

so wait you mean you actually got something for doing the surveys?

I've recently done surveys at both Universal and Disney and seen nothing for it.

 

[macraven]

so wait you mean you actually got something for doing the surveys?

I've recently done surveys at both Universal and Disney and seen nothing for it.

hi chris, i don't know if i am suppose to say here what i did the survey on so if i say the wrong thing, i am sure it will be starred out.

on the survey test on batteries, i was approached at the street area behind the monster cafe across from the park.
when i said sure i'll give you 15 minutes for $15 they took me inside the building.
i did paperwork, showed a picture id and name that type of stuff and then taken to a cubicle.
i was given 3 flashlights with different batteries in them.
all i had to do was use them standing, sitting, across a dark background, then light , that type of thing.
then i answered questions. that one i was given cash.

the other surveys i took i was given universal script.

this year i did not get an offer to do them.
i did them the last three years in the studio side of universal.
i eagerly look forward to these guys. one year it was about soda. that one was kewl.

the survey time was never very long and worth my time with the money i received.
they are looking for a certain age group at times. they approach you and ask nicely if you are interested in giving up 20 minutes of your time for a survey to be compensated.

i think they are doing public surveys for specific companies.

at disney i have done those surveys but they dwell mostly on demographics of the people that come to the parks.
in sept i did a disney survey on my satisfaction of the food at the last dinner had there. it was done on a computer set up by the side of leave a legacy.
no money or incentives involved there.
i didn't ask about money when i said yes to do the survey. that one took me 15 minutes total.

when universal asks you to do a survey, they will tell you how much money they will pay you before you even start the process.
you can decide if you want to do it then.
the least amount of money offered at UO to me has been $5, which i turned down. the least i accepted was $7 and the most was $15 for each survey.

i have not been approached to do any timeshares only paid surveys at universal

if someone comes up to you and asks if you want to do a survey, ask how much money will you pay me for doing it?

the only area i have been approached is the monster cafe area and the park/street area right near that resturant.

 

[patster734]

Last December, I received universal dollars for taking a food survey in the same area around the Monster Cafe. The survey was for different types of beef nachos. Not bad. got paid and fed!

 

[macraven]

Last December, I received universal dollars for taking a food survey in the same area around the Monster Cafe. The survey was for different types of beef nachos. Not bad. got paid and fed!

that's great !
you got fed and paid.

all i got was money and no battery.

but, did on one survey get 3 cans/bottles of soda and money

 

[Amity 3]

Uh-oh.....DS really enjoyed DQ ...could you elaborate on this please??? (sorry to hijack)

there's a *RUMOR* going around DQ is closing in the first part of 2008 for a mega-ESPN Zone.

 

[ChrisFL]

ok, my Universal survey was exiting the Studios park and it was general questions about my visit to the park, no 3rd companies involved and I received nothing for doing it. I think if I spend 20+ mins and being taken to another room I could at least get something for it.

The Disney survey was at Spaceship Earth, again a general question about my visit, though a much shorter survey, and again, nothing was given to me for my time.

 

[macraven]

chris the only place i am aware of the paid 3rd party surveys are around the monster cafe/park/street area.

none of my surveys were over 20 minutes.

 

[2BigKIdz]

Uh-oh.....DS really enjoyed DQ ...could you elaborate on this please??? (sorry to hijack)

I was told that it would be closing within a year or so because it was not making money and a new ESPN Zone will take it's place.

 

[2BigKIdz]

It is funny how different people are! I do agree with you about MGM it is pretty boring but Epcot is our favorite. Just curious did you do Soarin and test track? Those are two of our favorites anywhere. Also we hated Disney Quest, I guess that is what makes the world go round.

yes I did ride both of those and thought they were fun but not enough to entice me to return just for those rides, I thought Soarin was a very short ride(I had fast pass so did not have to wait, if i had waited an hour I would have been disappointed!) I will however go back to do the Segway tour

I guess it is a good thing we don't want to go on vacation together

 

[damo]

Another vote for not so impressed with Soarin'. We rode it while in California Adventure and never felt we needed to ride it again. You would think that they could do better with the resolution.

 

[phamton]

At Universal, the timeshare people are between MIB and Fear Factor. The other surveys near Monster Cafe and near Earthquake, pay you to do surveys of different products. You also get paid by those near Delacey Street preview. The payment is anywhere between $3 to $20.

 

[bubba's mom]

I was told that it would be closing within a year or so because it was not making money and a new ESPN Zone will take it's place.

Thanks...hard to believe it's not making money, tickets aren't that cheap and it always seemed full in there (to me anyway!) Oh well, at least been there, done that. IF it becomes ESPN sports something or other, you can have my spot cuz I doubt we'll go.......

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

ok, my Universal survey was exiting the Studios park and it was general questions about my visit to the park, no 3rd companies involved and I received nothing for doing it. I think if I spend 20+ mins and being taken to another room I could at least get something for it.

The Disney survey was at Spaceship Earth, again a general question about my visit, though a much shorter survey, and again, nothing was given to me for my time.

My husband did several at both Universal and DW, one at US that they took him inside took 20 minutes then shook his hand. They had not promised anything up front but he had still hoped The timeshare people were everywhere when we there a few weeks ago, about the only place they weren't were at HRH. Very irritating. I did notice on This trip at DW world a huge push for DVD, but no one approached or said anything just lots of booths and advertising. I even stopped a few times to ask directions etc and even then all they did was offer free Mickey stickers. Love that.

 

[patster734]

My husband did several at both Universal and DW, one at US that they took him inside took 20 minutes then shook his hand. They had not promised anything up front but he had still hoped The timeshare people were everywhere when we there a few weeks ago, about the only place they weren't were at HRH. Very irritating. I did notice on This trip at DW world a huge push for DVD, but no one approached or said anything just lots of booths and advertising. I even stopped a few times to ask directions etc and even then all they did was offer free Mickey stickers. Love that.

You mind me asking how many people were in your group? Last December it was just my wife and I, and we were approached twice (once each day at US) about taking a survey. I did the first one but skipped the second. On the one I skipped, the person seemed kind of forceful, but as it was our checkout day, I was pretty forceful with my response. Two weeks ago, we had 4 in our group and weren't approached by anyone. Perhaps party size influences who gets approached or not.

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

There were four of us, with DS12 and DD9. When he was approached for surveys it was just him and DS. We were only approached on the timeshares when it was the four of us.