Policy changes for FOTL for hotel guests!!??

[sarhenty]

The REAL benefit it seems in having FOTL access is for those who don't like some of the rides (like rollercoasters) or can't on account of small children or a handicapp. The few rides that they do enjoy can be ridden again and again.

If only there were a way to make this work for those guests-- than I think some of us would have an easier time accepting the new policy.

 

[grumpyandbashful]

We are heading to the HRH July 18. Originally had 3 nights booked and changed it to 2. Figured we would stay until closing at Universal and then head over to WDW for the rest of our vacation. Hope we can fit everything in by 4:00 on our day of checkout.
The FOTL perk was so great that it has led us to staying at Universal for part of our FL trips - maybe from now on we'll go back to staying at WDW for the whole trip. I'll bet that Universal sees a decrease in their AP sales as a result of this change (and a decrease in on site hotel guests).

 

[goofy!]

I have to agree, when I first read the policy, I was incensed. More than incensed! Of course, the fact that the thread hit the boards less than an hour after I hit the "send" button to purchase 5 PAP's probably didn't help my mood any. I called guest services to ask if it was true, and they confirmed it, trying to explain how good we still had it. I wasn't buying it. I steamed and steamed for awhile. "How dare they take away something that I have grown to enjoy so thoroughly the past few years." But then I started to think about it....

....About the thread that was on here not too long ago discussing how many of us, when in the FOTL line, tend keep our eyes downcast as we lap the same people in the regular queue over and over again. How we sometimes feel almost sinfully guilty at being able to ride over and over again while the same "off site" people stand and swelter in the heat. If I felt a bit guilty last year, there was probably a reason for it.

So, while I am still not happy that "my" FOTL perk has been reduced, it can be easily understood that Universal had to do something about those 2 hour queues for the off-site guests.

And I still get more perks at Universal than at some other resorts. We are paying $139.00 a night for RPR, a bargain for that quality of a resort and with such easy access to the parks. Also, we are a family of 5 and Universal does not force us to get a second room. In fact, they don't even force us to rent the roll away. Many other hotels and resorts we have stayed at have required us to reserve 2 rooms for our family, or at the minimum, pay a premium for a roll away. Universal tends to be very nonchalant about it - "Hey, if your kids wants to sleep on an air mattress, then it is ok with us." (My son LOVES his air mattress).

And it's not like they are taking FOTL away completely. We still get to ride everything at least once without having to stand in the long queues. Of course, I do bristle at the fact that I will now have to plan a bit more, but I do that anyway at Disney. And after 3:00 -watch out, MIB, here I come.

And as my DH and DS (14) Hulk fanatics said, "well, if we need a coaster fix before 3:00pm, we will just ride Fire and Ice. And get our fill of Hulk in the morning and after 3:00pm. And as they pointed out, Spidey, MIB, and the others, being mostly "indoor" type rides, aren't really affected by the afternoon storms. We can keep riding them and stay nice and dry!

In hindsight, I see how absolutely spoiled I was with full time FOTL. As much as I don't like to admit it, something had to give sooner or later as travel and attendance picked up the past few years. While I am still not happy with the way Universal announced this change, I can live with it. And will have a great time this August regardless.

Grumpy!
oops, make that
-Goofy!

 

[Rob_b]

Our first stay on-site will be in December for 3 nights at RPR. We are DVC members and wanted to try FOTL. I have been telling my wife all about FOTL for the past 6 months. I hope they revert the policy back to normal by December.

FOTL was really the only reason I was going to stay at RPR. I'm sure I we will still like RPR beside not having true FOTL. But will we like it enough to come back to RPR?

 

[nuts4sn00py]

Hi Goofy! Very well built. I just decided today to check in on the Universal site because we plan on being at Universal for 2 days over Labor Day week-end. I for one have stayed onsite to use FOTL, and I thought it was great! We used it to ride each ride only once. I can understand being upset when rules have changed in the middle of the game (people booked prior to change). I for one believe in fairness. I don't think it is fair for offsite guests to have to wait hours to ride one ride while onsite guests re-ride the same ride umpteen times with FOTL access. After all, we all have to pay to get into the park, It is unfair for same people to never be able to get on a ride, while others ride it over & over. JMHO. Kathy

 

[phamton]

Nice post, Goofy. I like your attitude.

I also love to ride MIB over and over. Since I now live in Orlando, I don't have a good excuse to justify staying onsite anymore.

It is easy to ride MIB multiple times if you go when the park first opens. Then when it gets crowded just do single rider line. I have been known to spend an entire day at MIB without FOTL.

 

[Goofy'sFriend]

I totally agree Goofy.......I admit I was steamed at first too, but I know we will still have a great time. Thanks for posting.

 

[robvia]

This situation seems so "deja-vu" to me. Didn't they do the same thing last year? Changing the rules during the season? I think back then they installed the card readers, and everyone went nuts. And by the time everyone yelled, the season was over in August. I agree though, they should announce the new rules in Jan/Feb at the start of the year.

People will still pack the resorts for the "feel" of the action and shuttle to the parks. I just got back from Hershey Park and stayed at Hershey Lodge for this very reason. It was nice taking the bus to/from the park and not having to drive.

 

[aaronr121]

Robvia, you were just at Hershey park? You were in my neck of the woods.
How was the Hershey hotel? I checked rates on that once and they were enough to make a non-discounted night at the RPR look like a bargain.

I'm glad to hear some of the posters are calming down about this FOTL debacle. I don't think it will be that bad, once you get used to it. I think anyways. At least I'm not the only person who feels guilty about bypassing the whole line occasionaly. We tried it a couple times for the novelty, but when you see so many disgusted faces staring at you as you walk by, you can't help but feel bad for everybody who has to wait 2 hours at a shot on every major attraction.

How is the single rider line for MIB this time of year? We'd like to hit it together once as a family, and then just do singles a few times.

 

[phamton]

Right now, single rider line at MIB is a walk on the first 2 hours of park opening. It gets busy from noon until about 4:00 PM. but even then the wait is 15 minutes or so.

 

[Patch'sD]

Just back 7/6 through 7/10. Only the mummy was restricting guests, when I made a scene, was allowed on. Rode MIB at least 15 times per day same ride ops checking passes and no one said a word. I thought mummy was different since it was new. There was no checking at any of the other rides for Hotel Guests. Flashed cards and got in. Did not hear of any plans for change and spoke with a lot of the ride ops checking tickets. Doesn't make sense since some of the peak wait times are in the afternoon.

 

[sha_lyn]

just back... on Sunday the 4 they were restricting FOTL for Mummy, Hulk and spiderman at least. Mummy was the only one scanning, but if the person checking remembered you, you could not get back on. just the day before DS was able to ride Hulk 20 times in a row. On spiderman they told him when he showed his room key. For hulk they told him when he got back back in line. They did let him go the 2 time but told him to not come back to the express line again until after 3. He was able to ride DD over and over.

 

[aaronr121]

Originally posted by phamton
Right now, single rider line at MIB is a walk on the first 2 hours of park opening. It gets busy from noon until about 4:00 PM. but even then the wait is 15 minutes or so.

Thanks Phantom, this is the one ride I understand why people would want to ride over and over again.

 

[robvia]

Originally posted by aaronr121
Robvia, you were just at Hershey park? You were in my neck of the woods.
How was the Hershey hotel? I checked rates on that once and they were enough to make a non-discounted night at the RPR look like a bargain.

We stayed at Hershey Lodge, $229 and $249 per night. The Hershey Hotel is much more, that's the one you are thinking of. The Lodge was good, rooms were just like any other hotel, but clean, two ice machines down the hall that worked and friendly people who always said hello. Pool is nice, they even have a snack bar with beer next to it. The Lodge is worth the money for the shuttle, pools, free mini golf, and the "feel" of being there. If you needed to save money, there is a Best Western right across from the Lodge. When they build the next thrill ride, I'll go back on my own and stay there. But if you are taking the family, it's worth spending the extra money to be onsite.

 

[cocowum]

I just received a response from USO and it was also from Darlene. I guess they are just sending out the same form letter. After reading everyone's posts I'm calming down a bit and getting used to the new policy. I hope it is just in effect for the summer months.

 

[Purrrrfecta]

Aahh go off these boards for a week or so, and this is what I come back to. After praising USO, this is what happens.
OK, I can get used to it. I just hope they do not do away with it for the USO resort guests.

 

[phamton]

With all this complaining about Universal limiting the FOTL for hotel guests, I thought you might be interested to see that Disneyland is slowly eliminating Fast Pass. How long before Disneyworld does the same? Maybe fastpass and express pass will soon be gone from all the parks.

http://www.miceage.com/allutz/al071304a.htm

 

[Familyof14]

I've never received a reply to my letter. I am also use to the new policy, we will just have to see how it goes.
Poor PR on Portofino's part in not responding to my letter though.

 

[MadamG2U]

Thanks Phamton. That is indeed food for thought!

 

[terrygl]

If we settle for this without opposing it, then we get what we settle for. This is the one SPECIAL perk that you can't get anywhere else.

Allowing this to proceed without voicing opposition just tells management that we are willing to just take what we can get.
Lets see if they respond well to this.

I get the feeling with Disney that they feel like you can just take what we give you.

I sort of felt different about Universal. We'll see!