Policy changes for FOTL for hotel guests!!??

[26555]

Any idea if the woody coaster or flying unicorn is on that list? Those are the only ones my kids want to do over and over.

 

[palmbeachguy]

They said major rides, so I wouldn't think the Unicorn. Start up a list of places to call......I called Guest Services, I suggest everyone call them and ask for a manager. Don't talk to the counter people, ask for a manager.

Guest Services: (407) 224-4233

 

[d4est]

Well, after 4 different 800#'s I spoke to a nice lady who said that this was just made effective today--that it is a trial because of the high attendence of park goers. She had no idea if it was permanent or how long it would last. She admitted that she and other workers were surprised about this. I told her how upset I was (and many other guests!!) and asked for a # where I could talk to someone "in the know." She gave me the RPR (because that is where my ressie is) #--she said they are the ones who decided to do this. I will post back after I call...

Oh yes, during one of my phone calls I was told to contact the hotel conceirge so I sent an email.

 

[Metallicat]

Does anyone know a mailing address to send a handwritten letter to and to whom it should be directed? I want to make sure that somebody who is in charge gets it personally. Linda

 

[d4est]

ok--just got off the phone with a manager at guest services. He said the same as the other lady. I told him I was upset about the change and I asked to register a complaint and he took my name, address, & phone number...said someone in marketing would get back to me. I also asked who was responsible for the change...NBC?? Universal??? He could not answer that one!

Here is the list of affected rides (that he gave me):
Shrek
Mummy
BTTF
MIB
Spiderman
ET
Hulk
Jurassic and...
Water rides

 

[palmtreegirl]

Well we were going to try Universal out for the first time this year, not anymore, I'll be cancelling today. We'll stay at Disney for our whole trip instead.

 

[phamton]

My suggestion is they go back to the original rule of no re-rides until one hour.

Maybe I just don't get it but if you can only ride once per ride until 3:00, why it is inconvenient to just go to a different ride. Hit MIB, then BTTF, Jaws, etc. Then at 3:00 go back and hit your favorites. The parks are open during peak seasons until 10:00 PM. That gives you 7 hours to re-ride. You would still get a lot of useage from your FOTL pass.

This new rule is only for peak season so the hours will be longer.

When I stay oniste at WDW it is for the convenience. They don't offer FOTL at all. If I stay at Universal it will be for convenience of being able to walk/boat to the parks. I would still have FOTL, something Disney doesn't offer, just not re-rides until 3:00 PM.

 

[Prince Eric1]

I hate this too but lets not overreact. It stinks that they changed it without saying but by the time you do all the park attractions you do a second loop and its three o'clock. Then you do them over and over as you want until closing. I will be interested in hearing some feedback from visitors staying on site soon to see how much it really affected their trip. In the meantime, while extremely disappointed, I'm not cancelling anything or going to let it ruin my time, I'll just plan differently and do the re-rides later instead of earlier.

 

[tinroad66]

Here's the email reply I just got from RPR concierge regarding the policy change:

"Universal Orlando has modified the express rules for hotel guests during the Peak Season. At each of the major attractions (Shrek 4-D, Revenge of the Mummy, Men In Black, Back to the Future at Universal Studios) and (Spider-Man, The Hulk, Jurassic Park River Adventure, Dudley Do Right, and Cat in the Hat at Islands of Adventure) they will allow hotel guests in the express lines once per ride before 3 PM. After 3 PM all restrictions are lifted. They are trying to keep the wait times down for each of the rides to ensure that everyone has a good time. Other than the major attractions all other rides will have the normal non-restricted use of express lines during the day. "

 

[momof2inPA]

I posted this on the other board, but I'll post here, too. What about the little kids? My four year old basically rides Cat in the Hat and ET over and over again, and my six year old is on the shorter side and can't ride a lot of the attractions and is scared of a few others. What will they do until 3 o'clock. I guess they'll stand in line under the new rules.

 

[Motherfletcher]

Universal Orlando® Resort:
1000 Universal Studios Plaza
Orlando, Florida 32819-7610

Islands of Adventure Guest Services – (407) 224-6350
Annual Passholder Services – (800) 564-5764
Portofino Bay Hotel
5601 Universal Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819
Phone: 407-503-1000
Fax: 407-503-1010

Hard Rock Hotel
5800 Universal Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32819
Phone: 407-503-ROCK (7625)
Fax: 407-503-ROLL (7655)

Royal Pacific Resort
6300 Hollywood Way
Orlando, FL 32819
Phone: 407-503-3000
Fax: 407-503-3010
guestservices@universalorlando.com <mailto:guestservices@UniversalOrlando.com>

 

[momof2inPA]

What's the e-mail for RPR concierge?

 

[Seahag]

Has any one had "peak" defined?
Is it just summer time?

 

[d4est]

Is February (president's week) considered peak?? I think I read that the parks close at 7 or 8pm during that time of year.

Call me stingy or greedy or even a blat baby, but I think it stinks. I am not rich, BY ANY MEANS, and my vaction hotels are usually through priceline so that I can "getem' cheap." This time I have (and continue to) scimp & scrape for extra $$$ so that we can afford to stay on-site and enjoy this FAB perk. I just hate to see it changed. I was really & truly planning to ride the Mummy over & over & over & over.....etc....I am a ride freak & Egypt fanatic. I say why mess with what makes people so VERY happy!

 

[d4est]

What's the e-mail for RPR concierge?

rprconcierge@loewshotels.com

 

[Metallicat]

Well, some of us only get to go once or twice a year and love to ride the same ride many times in a row. like my DD, she likes to ride the hulk over and over until she gets tired of it. it's a bad move to take away something that people are used to. people don't stay in their hotels just because they like the hotels. they like privaleges. why not buy their express booklet and use express passes too? seems like a better deal if you ask me.
maybe they are just doing this in attempt to sell more of their express books? thats ok b/c they will lose in the long run when people stop staying with them. I'm sure this new idea won't fly with their hotel guests for long before they get back to unlimited FOTL access again.

 

[26555]

I don't think I would cancel over this, for one thing, it may change. Also, if you lap the park once doing the restricted rides once (or maybe twice if you get a fastpass with your regular ticket) and get all the multiple rides out of the way on the unrestricted rides, you'll be ready for a pool/lunch break and then can go back after 3pm. One of the advantages of FOTL is getting to take it easy and still get a lot done. You still can do that. Noon - 3pm is a great time to break from the heat anyway. If you really don't want a break, try to get some of the shows done before 3 so after 3 you can make that time all about the rides. If you are really ambitious, lap both parks and by the time you are done with that, it will be after 3. You'll have always achieved FOTL access for everything you rode, but done a lot more walking. There's also the single rider line if that works for you. Its not the end of the world but I would also prefer the once an hour rule before 3 as a medium measure. It calls for a bit more strategy in planning your day but still much less than a day at Disney.

 

[palmtreegirl]

I asked this over at the resorts board and foigured I'd ask here too.

Before I cancel, how does this affect the baby swap?

For example we'll have an 8 year old and 4 year old. Now if we want to ride say Men in Black, the 4 year old isn't tall enough so say I take my DD on first, can she then ride again with my DH or will he then have to ride by himself?

If it doesn't affect the baby swap then I won't cancel but if we'll have to wait till after 3pm or go on rides by ourselves then I'll cancel.

Thanks!

 

[d4est]

Just my guess, but I would say that your DH would have to ride alone. If it is limited to once/day until after 3pm, then your DD wouldn't be able to ride again--the fact that she is 8 wouldn't matter--it is not like she would be left alone, she would wait with you & your 4 year old. Otherwise, and not to sound mean, it wouldn't be fair--she would be getting to ride more than others--and their supposed idea is to keep it fair to all.

Again, just a guess!

 

[phamton]

Baby swap will still be the same. It has always allowed the second person and any other children to go into the express line rather than waiting in line again. Even those who don't have FOTL are handled that way.