Obviously we love going to Universal: we've done a few extended stays onsight, and will be doing another one in a few weeks. But if there's one thing that I think really needs a rethink, it's the park hours.
Universal needs to keep the parks open later than they do - especially between June and August.
Every time I get a Loews survey at the end of our hotel stints, I blast them on how late the theme parks are open - yes I know it's not Loews that controls the hours, but I'm hoping they have some influence.
Last August (if I recall correctly - but I could be wrong) there was a Sunday night that had the parks closing at like 8-9pm??? We were not thrilled.
No problem, we had dinner at Disney springs/shopped, and scooted over to Disney World.
Since we were staying at Porto-fino we would have much rather had dinner at City Walk and spent the evening/night at the HP attractions (specifically Diagon Alley, which I think is - hands down - the best themed night attraction at both Uni/Disney), but instead - between dinner and shopping - we spent somewhere between $400-$600 at the mouse house.
I understand that there are huge operating costs in keeping parks open late, but at absolute minimal you've got at least 3 packed on-sight hotels, and any number of walk-ins etc. (with the other Hotels - even more!) - and you're closing your attractions down at 8-9pm in the summer months????
I guarantee you, let me repeat, I guaranteed you! - there's money to be made .... maybe not hand over fist like Universal is used to, but bottom line, I wanted to spend a good chunk of vacation budget at Universal, but gave it to their competitor - because the park hours are far too restrictive for my family, and I suspect many others as well.
Furthermore (apologies for the long post) - the parks are more geared towards older themes/guests (although Dr. Sues area/theme is fantastic! - I love it) - here's another reason to stop the early close non-sense.
Between June and September (labour day weekend), there shouldn't be a single night that the parks close before 10pm/11pm - and some extra night hours for hotel guests would be a bonus (but I guess ONE miracle at a time
).
Ok end of rant .... we'll be there in four weeks.
) that the hours would be at least until 10pm. I was planning on buying a ticket for the Wednesday night we fly in (at 7pm) like I always do for Disney but I think that is pretty pointless since it closes at 9pm that night and the other nights as well. One night during our stay closes at 8pm
. I wasn't sure if there is a nighttime event that they are closing for maybe?
