mardi gras and AP questions

[ruthies12]

When I was at US last November I upgraded my tickets to a seasonal pass because it was only 30 bucks to do so and I have a trip planned to Disney next October and might go over for a day to US. A few days ago my sister and I got a really great offer on a cheap flight to Orlando so decided to go. We booked the holiday inn across the street from universal and are planning to spend Friday February 3rd and Saturday February 4th at the parks.

only I just today noticed the dang mardi gras thing and the little tiny notice about seasonal passes not being accepted at US on concert days. So am I correct that I can only go to IOA on Saturday the 4th? If I upgrade to the power pass I can go into both parks that day right? And it looks like it would be $60 to upgrade?

How bad will the events cause the crowds to be at US and will the crowds affect the lines at all? I have less than zero interest in the parades or the concert, just want to go on the rides and to the harry potter stuff, so would I be better off avoiding US that entire day?

Really sucks cause we only have the two days so I hate having to avoid an entire park one day, especially since we really love the Hogwarts express. Kicking myself for not noticing that this was going on before I booked the flight!

 

[humphreydog]

It's not on their AP blackout (or blockout as they call it) calendar.

 

[mya1k9]

You are correct about the concert. I had to wait till the concert schedule came out before I bought my AP. You will be able to access. IOA

 

[damo]

Yes that is the policy. This is what it says on the website for seasonal passes:

Blockout Dates (apply to both Universal Studios Florida™ and Islands of Adventure™):

• December 21, 2016 – January 3, 2017
• April 8, 2017 - April 22, 2017
• June 10, 2017 - August 13, 2017
• December 21, 2017 - December 31, 2017
• Any concert date (If there is a concert during a non-blockout date, Seasonal Passholders will only receive access to Universal’s Islands of Adventure™, but not Universal Studios Florida™)

 

[wagman67]

Yeah, they do make it confusing (on purpose, perhaps?), by making the first bullet point about the Seasonal Pass read:

• "Free admission to select special events such as Mardi Gras* and Grinchmas™"

See that asterisk after Mardi Gras? That leads you to the explanation about the concert blockage.

So, other than the concert each week, why would this be a perk of having a Seasonal Pass? The answer is 'there is none'. The only other 'special' things about Mardi Gras is the theme in the park and the parade...which you get with a regular ticket...no 'special' perk you get for having a Pass...so, not only should you not list it as a perk, you definitely should not have it listed as the first perk.

Now, I am not downing the Seasonal Pass...will have one myself...just the way it is marketed on the site to entice and confuse.

They really should list concert blockout dates to their blockout dates calendar...it would make their customers less confused.

 

[Patience]

Yeah, they do make it confusing (on purpose, perhaps?), by making the first bullet point about the Seasonal Pass read:

• "Free admission to select special events such as Mardi Gras* and Grinchmas™"

See that asterisk after Mardi Gras? That leads you to the explanation about the concert blockage.

So, other than the concert each week, why would this be a perk of having a Seasonal Pass? The answer is 'there is none'. The only other 'special' things about Mardi Gras is the theme in the park and the parade...which you get with a regular ticket...no 'special' perk you get for having a Pass...so, not only should you not list it as a perk, you definitely should not have it listed as the first perk.

Now, I am not downing the Seasonal Pass...will have one myself...just the way it is marketed on the site to entice and confuse.

They really should list concert blockout dates to their blockout dates calendar...it would make their customers less confused.

Thank you for posting this. I plan to update our tickets to annual passes while we are in the parks next month and I looked at the blockout dates but didn't even think to check the Mardi Gras concert dates. Fortunately, there aren't any concerts on the 3 days we will be in the park but, if there were, based upon what you are saying, we would only be allowed to use an AP in IOA on that day, correct? Good information to know.

 

[TheConsciousness]

based upon what you are saying, we would only be allowed to use an AP in IOA on that day, correct?

Yes, you'd only be allowed to enter IoA for the entire day.