Just Back!!! Problems With FOTL: Please Read!!!

[MarkLem]

We staye at Hard Rock 12/29, 30, 31, and with FOTL never waited more than 10 minutes and that was for Spiderman. They did scan cards at some rides, but never limited our riding. It was great!

 

[seashoreCM]

Shouldn't non-hotel guests have the privilege of doing things in the parks as well?

To me it does not make sense for hotel guests to be able to zip through rides again and again while others wait for hours.

I have purposely stayed away from Universal Studios Florida because it costs extra to have a reasonable chance of enjoying rides without spending hours and hours in line, and I cannot afford the room rates at Universal's resorts.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[phamton]

I spend more time waiting in line at WDW parks. Universsal also has express pass which is free and works like Disney's fast pass except you also have a choice of return times on your pass. You can buy an express pass booklet that includes a one time ride for each ride. Or you can book a VIP tour.

Why is it not fair? It's as fair as Disney having extra magic hours for onsite guests. If there were no perks, very few people would stay onsite at either Disney or Universal. They'd pick the Value Inn and save money.

 

[Beanie]

I spend more time waiting in line at WDW parks.

I agree! Universal spoils me and I don't want to go back to Disney! We went in June last year and waited for hours in lines at Disney! Then we went to Universal, stayed at Portofino and used FOTL access. I honestly don't think I would wait in another line! It is awesome and one of the best perks that I can see! We also rode things again and again without any word from CM's. We love it now!

 

[MarkLem]

Shouldn't non-hotel guests have the privilege of doing things in the parks as well?

To me it does not make sense for hotel guests to be able to zip through rides again and again while others wait for hours.

I have purposely stayed away from Universal Studios Florida because it costs extra to have a reasonable chance of enjoying rides without spending hours and hours in line, and I cannot afford the room rates at Universal's resorts.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

Non-hotel guests can get almost the same benefit by getting express passes (just like Disney's Fast Pass). I believe you can only get one every 2 hours or so, but hey, thats about all you get at Disney. Don't know why you would stay away for the same benefit that Disney provides. I think it's great that they have an extra perk like FOTL for resort guests, and personally I think Disney should provide more perks for people who stay at their resorts like they use to some years back. It gets people who can afford it to stay at their on-site hotels., so it makes good business sense.

 

[wayne1959]

Iguess I am one of the masses that Mr. Samanant is referring to, well I enjoy
being able to buy the express pass and Im sorry if he feels like he is above standing in line with me.

 

[jewelleigh99]

I love staying at the HRH. I went to Universal years ago before all these express ideas hit and before IOA was even a thought. The day was a nightmare. We started out with a pleasant 2 hour wait to get on King Kong, followed by a 2 1/2 hour wait for earthquake (they actualy served beer in hte line) and then off to Back to the Future where the current wait time was four hours.... Day was gone saw almost nothing. Without the lore of express I probably would have never gone back. Since then I have stayed at HRH three times and am going again in 2 wks. The convienence of the location and the unlimited express pass make it all worth it. I have referred many friends to stay there just for these reasons. Without the perks its not worth the price. My understanding with the express that you can purchase is that it is only good on the larger attractions and only one ride per booklet. Not sure of the cost. I do avoid the parks ALL PARKS during school breaks and seem to make out OK. Hopefully they will continue to provide these perks for guests staying at the hotels, and not get too greedy. I will definately express this during my stay.

 

[Paul Samanant]

Wayne,


We respectfully do not think that we are above anyone - and we are not blaming you and others for Universal policy. However, we consider FOTL to be one of the perks for the premium prices we pay to stay onsite.

Consider this analogy as an theoretical example: If you paid $25 per person for your family to get express privileges, you would not be happy if that express line was not express because Unversal was selling or giving passes to everyone else for much cheaper under a separate deal.

Whether you stay at a Disney Resort for EE, or pay exorbitant prices to stay at a mediocre Monorail resort at WDW, or eat mediocre food at MGM for the fantasmic deal, there are supposedly perks that accompany the prices you pay for such things. You expect things in return (MK access, phantasmic line exemptions, early entry) because those perks have been advertised as an incentive. If/when those perks cease to be an incentive, then it is your choice to not pay the money.

This isn't an indictment or "denial of privilege" of the regular public. It is about spending money for perks that arent real.

 

[phamton]

We were there during a busy time - Dec 26-Dec 29. Now that Universal is selling the express pass to the general public, and furthermore, they are limiting repeat rides for resort guests during these periods, express is not express anymore - during busy periods.

They weren't limiting repeat rides for resort guests during Dec. 26-29 when you were there. They only did that for one month this summer. This Christmas season was unusually busy this year, much more than last year. Even WDW was feeling the pain as they had to close the gates a few times.