New System For Onsite Guests = BAD!!!!!!!!

[MrNonacho]

I agree that this is not as good as it used to be for on-site guests, but it is still much better than Disney's fastpass. Remember that it wasn't that long ago that FOTL was NOT all day every day. Anything extra that Universal gives its guests is just that..EXTRA. I appreciate the time, effort, and money that have been invested in this new system, and I'm sure the people behind it know what they are doing.

Since most of their guests do not stay on-site, I think that Universal is making the right choice. I know that I feel a little inferior when I see people boarding a ride immediately when I've been waiting patiently. Shouldn't everyone get a chance to do that? A feature like FOTL shouldn't just be for an elite group. I agree that on-site guests should get something extra, and I think being able to use FOTL whenever you want, even if it's only once per ride per day, is a good enough bonus.

I see some people that think that once they use their one FOTL per ride, they can't ride that ride a second time. They are more than welcome to use the kiosks like all the other ticketholders, and to use the standby line.

Who knows? Maybe a system like Jon360 suggests will be implemented if a huge demand for it surfaces, but I think that if the system begins to be used the way it's been described, it will be more than adequate for most guests.

 

[Bob O]

I think this is awful and dumb marketing by universal. We stayed at the portifino for 3 days in early Dec and fotl access was great and i found no lines or group of people at any attraction. I think universal is giving away a unique marketing tool and this would make it alot less likely that i would stay on site as they are greatly reducing the benefit of staying onsite. When you look at all the rides/attractions/shows and the in resort activities the likelihood of long lines of fotl access people blocking the rides from day pass guests is unlikely. The reason i stayed on site was because of fotl access, they will get alot less money if i stay off site and eat the majoritiy of meals off site which i would as they are alot cheaper than on site prices as well as the hotel prices are cheaper off site.

 

[eyesk8r]

Earl, you say this is better than what you get at the mouse. That somehow makes the presumption that the only two choices I have to spend my vacation time and money are at Universal or the mouse! I long ago learned the mouse was not to my taste and I have never had any desire to go back despite actually having some days left on old old tickets sitting in my safe deposit box.

I also used to like to go to an amusement park locally. It was bought out by Six Flags and I have no desire to ever go there again either after the "changes" they made.

Just because it is better than what I can get at the mouse doesn't mean it is acceptable. (If all of the apples in a barrel are rotten, the least rotten one is still rotten.) There are plenty of other places for me to spend and enjoy my vacation dollars. I will just look in a different direction than Orlando which is a shame because I am an annual pass holder. You may in fact be emptying your hotels rather than filling them by cutting back on the benefits.

[This message was edited by eyesk8r on 01-31-01 at 12:05 AM.]

 

[Dad of 3]

Well, we will be at the parks on Feb 5. The infamous day when the new system, I have read will start. I must admit, I am afraid of the first day bugs. I will report back my observations if the new system starts.

Dad of 3.

 

[DW mouser]

I can understand why they may need to make some changes, but why don't they let the travrl agents and even their employees know what is going on? And why keep advertising for FOTL access all day for on site guests?
We have decided to hold off on making our ressies for this summer and see where all this is leading too. We may just decide to go to Disneyland! I know it will be crowded but at least they don't try to sell you with false advertising!!!

 

[fervour]

I'm not trying to be patronizing or condescending. But it seems to me that there are 2 issues being mixed here, one of which is the benefits for on-site guests, the other is the issue of advertising.

If you have reservations for an on-site hotel and you are no longer pleased with the offering, can't you just cancel the on-site reservation?

I don't know where everyone else was getting their information, but many posts on these boards have cautioned that the FOTL all day everyday was probably just during off-season. I think the travel agents have to take some blame if anyone was misled. Anyone who follows these boards new it was too good to be forever.

As for the person who plans to use a single day ticket to see both parks. That's not going to happen. The single day ticket allows access to only one park.

I agree with Eyesk8ter when he said that Orlando is not the only vacation spot. But for me, it is the best value. Have you ever priced Gatlinburg? or any place like that that has only a strip mall type amusement area? You spend $8 a pop per ride, and the ride isn't nearly up to par with Orlando's offerings.

I am serious here ---please---if you know of a better vacation spot, please tell us too. Of the parks I have been to Universal is best. I am not saying it IS the best. It is the best I have attended. But I am willing to try others.

 

[BarryHom]

I remember the days when there was no FOTL access and no Universal Express. I had ways to avoid lines in those days -- arrive early, come back later if the lines are too long.

Barry Hom
The moderator formerly known as Barry aka usagi
Moderator, Universal and Sea World Boards


"If you were me, you'd be good looking."

 

[Earl]

Jon360, You can write to Guest Services, but I absolutely must correct you on one point. Perhaps it was just your choice of words, but you, or anyone, that stays on-site is no more important than any other guest. You may get more priviliges for staying on-site, but that's where it stops. Each and every guest shares the same level of importance at Universal.

 

[Earl]

All of these comments about the advertising don't make much sense. The system is all day long. You can get access from opening to closing. All that you can't do is use it to ride the same attraction over and over. There has to be a limit somewhere so that everyone that has a ticket has an opportunity to used the system. For all of the complaints that are going on about this, what would you do if you purchased a ticket, went to the park, and couldn't use the system at all because it was booked up, especially the more popular attractions.

 

[Nan]

But, Earl, with the new system, isn't it possible that the ride will get booked up early in the day, anyway, if all the reservation times get filled?

 

[Earl]

Sure, it's possible. The system tracks each time window and calculates a maximum wait of 15 minutes. Once it's reached the time slot closes. That's one reason there needs to be some sort of limit. If there weren't, it would be over before it started. At least this provides the best opportunities for the largest number of guests.

 

[Jon360]

"Perhaps it was just your choice of words, but you, or anyone, that stays on-site is no more important than any other guest. You may get more priviliges for staying on-site, but that's where it stops. Each and every guest shares the same level of importance at Universal. "

Earl, this statement is ridiculous. It is BLATANTLY OBVIOUS that on-site guests are more important to Universal than off-site guests. Every guest does not share the same level of importance. For example, one night I went to Margaritaville in City Walk. The wait for a table was 60 minutes. As a Portofino guest I showed my card a boom, I had a table within 5 minutes. This is just one example of the different level of service and treatment Universal offers on-site guests as opposed to off-site. The fact of the matter is Universal wants to give on-site customers enough value to make it worth their while to spend 2-3 times the price of staying at an off site hotel.

"All of these comments about the advertising don't make much sense. The system is all day long. You can get access from opening to closing. All that you can't do is use it to ride the same attraction over and over."

Earl, if a family with little children can only go on the kiddie rides such as Cat in the Hat and ET, then the system is good for a few hours, not all day long.

On the other hand if someone like myself is visiting the park and only likes to go on the thrill rides such as Hulk and Dragons the system is only good for a few hours as well. It is not "UNLIMITED FOTL ALL DAY EVERYDAY" as advertised.

"There has to be a limit somewhere so that everyone that has a ticket has an opportunity to used the system. "

The system as it exists now is working perfectly. The KIOSK reservation system should be intended to help better manage the time of off site guests by allowing them to make a reservation. It should not impede on the privileges of on-site guests.

"For all of the complaints that are going on about this, what would you do if you purchased a ticket, went to the park, and couldn't use the system at all because it was booked up, especially the more popular attractions."

I guarantee you that when I am there this summer no matter how good the system is, rides like Spidey, Hulk, and MIB will be booked completely by mid-day giving me no option but to get there early and hoard tickets for later at night or wait in the normal line.

 

[JessicaR]

All written materials, advertisments, and brochures clearly state...*Guest Entitlements subject to change. Okay so now they are changing!I do understand anyone that is traveling in the near future that booked an onsite for the sole purpose of having FOTL all day and unlimited being dissapointed. It is unrealistic to expect the former plan to work properley since they opened Hard Rock. A change has been made and it will be enforced before the "peak" season. Once this season hits...(spring break and all the winter recesses) had they left the all day unlimited FOTL in effect nobody would have benefited! Earl and CoasterFEV are not paid to come here and clue us in to any of this! Perhaps you would have prefered to hear it once you arrived? At least you now have options. If you are so unhappy, stay offsite. The announcement they made of impending changes were meant to help and inform us. If you care to take a look the official websites have already changed the wording.
Front-of-the-Line Access
On-Site Hotel Guests Enjoy "No Line, No Wait" Express Ride Access All Day, Every Day!
Guests of Portofino Bay Hotel and the Hard Rock Hotel can enjoy “No Line, No Wait” UNIVERSAL EXPRESS access at most rides and attractions at Universal Studios® and Islands of Adventure theme parks. This special privilege is valid during normal operating hours, seven days a week, 365 days a year!

I don't see the word UNLIMITED anymore. We were given information prior to the actual change.

Perhaps the only people this will affect are those that are already booked and now feel slighted. I admit if this changed just before being able to take advantage on my vacation I would be dissapointed. However I do have another trip booked for March and I still feel I am lucky to have "any" perks at all.
One can book the Hard Rock for $117 a night. I hardly consider that an outrageous amount. I stay at the Contemporary in Disney and pay triple that and receive no perks. My perks come in the form of being able to make my trip more special by staying onsite period. If Universal discontinued the entire FOTL and express benefits tomorrow, I would still stay onsite.

 

[Earl]

Well, beg to differ, but you're only seeing this from your perspective. It's not worth discussing further.

 

[Jon360]

Jessica,

Just because the printed material says that things are subject to change doesn't mean that I as a customer do not have the right to be upset about the changes. It also does not mean that I don't have the right to vent on these message boards that I do not like the changes.

Earl seems to think I should be greatful for the fact that Universal is allowing me the opportunity to spend my money at their parks. Before the on-site hotel privilages, I would spend 2 days at Universal, one day at the Studios, the next day at IOA.

Because of the unlimited nature of the FOTL perks, I have been compelled to spend the money to stay on-site for 3-5 night stays. Even when FOTL was from 9am-12noon last year, it was still better than the upcoming system because you could ride as many times as you wanted within that time period.

Honestly it is just my opinion and I am entitled to be upset about the change no matter how much Earl and JessicaR disagree with me.

 

[Earl]

Jon,

Your analysis of my comments is incorrect. You certainly have the right to not like anything. Do I think you should be GRATEFUL of the fact that Universal will let you spend your money? Not hardly. Nobody's saying you need to go to Universal or anywhere else and spend your money. Why would you spend your money if your not happy with what you get?

It's a fact of life that you can't please everybody. Like my previous post, the attempt was to please as many as possible. If it doesn't include you, I'm sorry. I stand by my comment that all guest are equally important, I am sorry that you don't understand what I am saying. Importance has nothing to do with FOTL or being seated before others. Think of the families that save for a decade to bring their kids to the parks. It's a once in a generation trip. Are they no less important to Universal, or less deserving of having a good time? It happens everyday. I don't care if you come once every ten years or once every ten days, neither deserves any less of an experience.

I don't know what line of business you are in, but from this end, there's a different perspective of what is being done. It's past time of letting this subject die.

 

[Bob O]

Earl when i last went to Universal and stayed at portifino i did ride my favorites mutiple times in a row several times a day and this new system is awful compared to that and universal will ose money if i stay off site and eat the majoirity of meals offsite and their advertising right now is false and a outright LIE until its changed and their new wording reminds me of the clintons changing the meaning of words.

 

[Jon360]

Earl,

Every airline says ALL passengers are important, however if you fly in first class you do receive preferential treatment over customers flying in coach.

Off-site guests at Universal are the equivelent of flying in coach and on-site guests are the equivelent of flying in first class. My point is there is a specifically defined different class of service that one is paying for when they stay on-site. I based my 2 vacations this year on the fact that unlimited FOTL access was offered for on-site guests. Going from unlimited rides per day to once per ride per day is a VERY big change in the rules and does impact my enjoyment on vacation and it does affect the value I receive from staying on-site.

 

[joe]

I think the problem in all of this is giving such an excellent perk and then taking it away. I feel this is the right move and maybe they shouldn't have started this to begin with because now people feel that they have been downgraded. It is very important to give everyone an opportunity to ride even if they don't spend as much money than someone else.

Many people will be upset and I can understand it but the majority of people will not care as they are not your true "hardcore" fans like many on this board and do not take these changes so deathly serious.

I have been to Universal and IOA several times (even during peak season) and I think planning is the most important element. This fastpasss system will make it even easier for everyone to see it all. If it is so important to ride everything multiple times, go early and plan ahead. I usually leave at 2pm when I go with my family because we have ridden every ride so many times.

Don't take this so seriously, it's a vacation.

 

[Jon360]

JessicaR,

You more than anybody should not be in favor of these changes. The following quotes are directly from your trip reports. Maybe if you look at your own enjoyment on your trip from unlimited FOTL, you will see why others are upset at losing this perk!


Spiderman:



-But I bet anyone that rides this once, rides it again and again. We
did!! This was my favorite ride at IOA.



-We headed back to Marvel Island and of course rode Spiderman again
before leaving the park for the day.






MIB:



-We will not discuss my score the first time through. I had a scared of the
dark 3-year-old sitting next to me so my score was low. (Buyable?) The
next time I rode MIB I scored 350,000 not too shabby!






Hulk:



-This ride had a 40 min wait and I used my FOTL and got right on. I was a
little nervous riding alone but still more excited that anything. I loved
this coaster!! It is a very smooth ride no jerky motions at all. I would
highly recommend it to anyone that may be skeptical. I couldn’t wait
to ride again.






Cat In The Hat:



-Who needs the real world when I have Seuss World! We rode The Cat in the
Hat right away and it had a 30 min wait and again we used FOTL. We all loved
this ride! My husband mentioned that although it was great to see he was
a bit nauseous and wouldn’t be repeating this ride again. I rode
again with the kids.