My FOTL experience

[macraven]

I'm just whining because I liked the old way better. It seemed easier.

 

[Rhonda922]

I'm sure the parks are really crowded at this time of year anyway, so even if they were FOTL's, you're going to experience a wait time with so many people being there.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

This is why I get so aggravated when people on the DIS refer to the EPs as FOTL. But I think Universal's language can be misleading. I've seen where they advertise front of the line treatment but we all know that doesn't happen. Newbies think they don't have to wait in line with Express and this simply is not true.

The only time you would get to skip to the front of the line is a private VIP tour.

I totally agree. We really need to stop with the FOTL.

Sorry Metro, the quotes got messed up. That's your quote at the top.


And Both of these statements are spot-on. I've never heard the term "FOTL" anywhere but here.

 

[bumbershoot]

Well, if we were the only ones at the park with an Express Pass, then it would be FOTL. Maybe it should be FOTL-If Only Those Other Pesky People Weren't Here As Well? FOTLIOTOPPWHAW?


Carrying stuff...don't other people bring sunscreen with them? I love being minimalist if I can, but the sunscreen ruins it all. I have no interest in carrying the tube of it around all day in my hand (carried my sunglasses case, since I have separate glasses and sunglasses and have to switch them out, around Disneyland the other day for 5.5 hours and I disliked it!).

As for the cards, i bought a clear Witz waterproof case with a skinny lanyard. I don't like that around my neck, so I loop it into my beltloop and put the case in my pocket. Tremendously easy to carry it around. I especially love doing that with my Ravenclaw lanyard; I know I look like a grade A doof, but still, I love it.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

Not to beat a dead horse...but...as I remember it, Universal originated the "FOTL - front of the line" term when it first started offering this on-site hotel perk. It was changed by them to Express Pass once they realized that FOTL can be misleading. I've been going to US since it was new, and I do remember that term.

Also, I just returned today from the parks. We were at US on July 16 and IOA on July 17. We stayed just one night at RPR before moving into our pool home, and I just can't say enough about the Express Pass benefit. The line for Despicable Me was 45 minutes at only 9:20. We got on w/in 10. Express Passes are just a dream...they make touring the parks so enjoyable!

 

[damo]

Not to beat a dead horse...but...as I remember it, Universal originated the "FOTL - front of the line" term when it first started offering this on-site hotel perk. It was changed by them to Express Pass once they realized that FOTL can be misleading. I've been going to US since it was new, and I do remember that term.

Also, I just returned today from the parks. We were at US on July 16 and IOA on July 17. We stayed just one night at RPR before moving into our pool home, and I just can't say enough about the Express Pass benefit. The line for Despictable Me was 45 minutes at only 9:20. We got on w/in 10. Express Passes are just a dream...they make touring the parks so enjoyable!

Yes, it was called FOTL when it first started way back in the olden days, lol.

 

[AlexandNessa]

Its not the time involved, but it is just one MORE thing to carry! passes, room key, club key, express pass with pic ID, money, etc...

Yup, with you here. They could already scan the hotel keys. Wouldn't have bothered me one little bit if they asked me to have picture ID out when presenting my room key for express as I always carry that anyway (learned the hard way when trying to buy one beer at USF .. at age 40). Now, like you said, it's just one more (stupid) thing to carry. And at what cost? Dumb investment, for those kiosks IMHO.

 

[crostorfer]

I didn't try Old Navy yesterday. I can't tell you the last time I went into a sports store.. we aren't sporty types. Guess I will have to go in.

I'm a minimilist to begin with, so I try to be very bare when I go into the parks. If I can get by with only two -ok 3 cards now- I will. I hate hate hate the bag lines. Some people pack stuff like they are scaling Mt. Everest! It's only an Orlando theme park- not some outer limit area.

I learned the lesson to not bring anything with me to US or IOA that can't fit into my pockets the first time we went. I refuse to wait in a line for a locker, then get in the queue for the ride. At WDW I usually only wear sundresses because of the heat, but if we go to US, I always wear cargo shorts. I have a pair of North Face tekware ones that dry super fast, have SPF 50, and aren't too terribly hideous. Tons of pockets. They make me look 10 pounds heavier because the pockets poof out, but oh well. It beats the alternative.

 

[Cindy B]

I learned the lesson to not bring anything with me to US or IOA that can't fit into my pockets the first time we went. I refuse to wait in a line for a locker, then get in the queue for the ride. At WDW I usually only wear sundresses because of the heat, but if we go to US, I always wear cargo shorts. I have a pair of North Face tekware ones that dry super fast, have SPF 50, and aren't too terribly hideous. Tons of pockets. They make me look 10 pounds heavier because the pockets poof out, but oh well. It beats the alternative.

I found two pair at Burlington Coat Factory today. They have long deep pockets. I'm at a point where I will ask my hubby to carry things as well. We also need one phone between the two of us as well so we can communicate with our teens.

The locker line is crazy, but I will say that they actually let you use them for a limited basis for rides vs other parks

 

[Azazel27]

I was at PBH and we did use our Room Keys....we are going sunday again....do kids 5 and 7 need their own photo EP?? I agree the room keys were fine! and studier!

 

[damo]

I was at PBH and we did use our Room Keys....we are going sunday again....do kids 5 and 7 need their own photo EP?? I agree the room keys were fine! and studier!

Yes, everyone needs their own photo EP.