Policy changes for FOTL for hotel guests!!??

[Mic]

I can confirm that FOTL access for on-site guests changed on July 4th. We checked in at RPR, got our room keys, and headed to Annual Pass processing to have our vouchers turned into actual passes. While the guy taking our pictures worked on the camera, the guy next to him explained the changes to us. The lady at the front desk did not mention any changes at all. We were never given a list of what we could ride only once before 3 pm; we just assumed it was all rides. The amployees stationed at the Express line at the Hulk, Dueling Dragons, the Mummy, and Spiderman all told us we could not go through the Express line again until after 3. I was very disappointed, as we have 4 kids, plus brought our neighbor with us on a whim, and had paid in excess of $400 per night for the 2 rooms. It really made a big difference to us the day we checked out because we had finally convinced our neighbor(who is 11) to ride Hulk that morning before leaving, and he loved it so much he wanted to ride again! This was our first, and probably last time staying at a Universal hotel, because we really wanted the unlimited ride access. RPR was nice, but we spent too much time at the parks to enjoy it, and wading through a sea of drunks at Cityalk on the 4th to get back to our hotel was not my idea of a good time.
On a side note, the employees at 1800BEASTAR do not know of the new policy. When I called to cancel my room for October, and explained why it was no longer worth the cost, the guy insisted we were misinformed during our visit. He even called someone to double-check, and was told on-site guests have unlimited access. For a minute, I thought I was talking to someone at Disney

 

[Tasha+Scott]

I am curious about one thing. Several posted earlier in this thread that the FOTL policy change really isn't being enforced. Yet Mic said it was being enforced on the 4th. I wonder if it was being enforced on the 4th just b/c of the holiday, or if they have enforced since. Anyone go after the 4th? Was it being enforced then?

 

[phamton]

I know it is being enforced at the Mummy. I was there Tuesday (July 6) and it wasn't being enforced at MIB though. I don't know about the other rides other than the Mummy and MIB.

 

[gschmerl]

Originally posted by Mic
I. The amployees stationed at the Express line at the Hulk, Dueling Dragons, the Mummy, and Spiderman all told us we could not go through the Express line again until after 3.

That's strange because Dueling Dragons is NOT one of the rides listed on anything I've seen. I received an e-mail response from Guest Services and Dueling Dragons was not on their list of restricted attractions. It wasn't mentioned by any of the other posters either. Are they now adding more restricted attractions!!

 

[crazy_for_the_dis]

We stayed at HRH June 15-17 and really enjoyed our stay and FOTL. Would the new restriction prevent us from staying again? Definitely not. But I have gushed to everyone I can get to listen to me about staying on-site, and I will probably encourage this less now.

If long lines for day guests are the problem, the first change I would make is to first ensure that park employees are following the Express pass guidelines. On some rides, the express passes were not collected (not FOTL, but the normal machine distributed ones). I mainly saw this though not on the major rides, but on ones like One Fish, Two Fish (where I think the line is worse because of how slow moving it is). Also, on others I noticed that a party of 4-5 people would only show one express plus pass. I saw very, very few people using hotel FOTL actually, and I don't think it is in Universal's best interest to upset hotel guests to the point of cancelling ressies when I really don't think they are the problem. If people complained, did they realize that the majority of people has machine express passes or express pass plus? Despite all the signs, some park goers don't understand the system. I was asked several times if I had an AP, and that's why I got to use the special line. I then explained that I was staying on-site, how great it was to stay on-site, how it was worth it for the perk alone, and that next time they visited I would recommend they try it, yada yada yada.

At least at Universal you can buy Express or stay at an on-site hotel for the privilege if you choose. What DID really, really upset me was at the Disney segment of our vacation seeing several people lap us several times in the fast pass line with a "guest services pass". Sometimes with two people in their party, sometimes with 15 (all using the same pass mind you). When I asked someone how they are distributed or how you get one, the person didn't even know the person who had showed the pass but "was tagging along for the free fast pass". This irked me to no end.

I'm thinking of trying to squeeze in a quick trip back to Orlando, and even with the changes, I will still only stay and go to Universal. They are still leaps and bounds ahead of Disney to me.

 

[Tasha+Scott]

It's funny how you should mention people not understanding the express pass. When DH and I were there a few weeks ago, I decided to ride the Jurassic Park River ride by myself. I am sure a lot of you know that the single rider line and the express line for this ride are the same line until you get almost to the front. Then the 2 lines split up. Well, I had a party of about 10 foreign tourists in front of me in the single rider part of the line. They could not speak English but I did not think anything of it. They then noticed some people they knew standing in the LONG regular line and told them that they could cut. Well, I didn't say anything b/c the CM was also watching and I thought he would say something. Instead, he said to the first one in line to go ahead and get on. Well, all of them (about 15 at this point) start moving toward the ride! The CM (looking baffled) tries to explain that this is the single rider line and only 1 of them could ride.
Needless to say it took another 5 min. of trying to explain the situation to this group. Finally, he got the group to go to the very front of the regular line. I could see the irritated looks of those who had been waiting for 45 min. in the reg. line who had just been cut by people who were originally behind them.
Basically, what I am trying to say, is yes, I agree it is not just the onsite hotel guests who are the problems. Others do not follow the rules as well. I know it can be frustrating to wait for the FOTL guests to get on when you have been waiting for 45 min., but they paid a lot of money for that perk. So, why take it away? Personally, I am fine w/the new policy as long as they don't take it away all together.

 

[bratray]

hi
this is the reply i rec from guest services after i emailed them a letter 7/8 discussing my displeasure in the FOTL changes;

Lisa,

Thank you for visiting Universal Orlando Online.

We appreciate you taking the time to contact us.

Guests of onsite hotels can enjoy express access to most attractions
throughout the day. After riding the following attractions, you must wait
until after 3pm to enjoy express access a second time:

Universal Studios Islands of Adventure
Shrek 4D Spider-Man
Revenge of the Mummy Incredible Hulk
Men In Black Jurassic Park River
Adventure
Back to the Future Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw
Falls
E.T The Cat In the Hat

This certainly does not mean that guests are not able to ride these
attractions multiple times prior to 3pm. Guests may wait in the regular
queue line after they have used their Express access once for these
attractions. Policies and procedures are subject to change without notice
at any time as stated on the website. Your comments will be shared with
proper management for their review.

Once again, thank you for sharing your remarks.

Please keep watching us here at www.universalorlando.com, as we will have
many exciting and new developments in the next few months.

Best Regards,

Darlene

 

[jgates]

Well at least that is more of a response than I have received so far. I inquired mostly because of getting so sick in the heat. It screws up my blood sugar big time and I was really looking forward to not having to stand in the hot sun and get sick. I am a lot more familiar with Disney parks and how to move about easier and where to go for time periods to keep cool (and healthy), but with only one trip in at Universal - and only about one full day total, I do not have that advantage at US. So FOTL was our primary basis for staying onsite. It is a stretch for us - a BIG stretch. Each night there is the equivalent of 2 days gross pay for me. And that's just a regular room - add breakfast, etc and it's higher. At least at Disney I have a friend/family rate so I can afford my stay there and spread it out over a longer period and still see all of it!!!

Sorry - getting tired and REALLY GRUMPY.

 

[jxh1]

I have reservations at RPR for the last week of September. Anyone have any idea if this new FOTL program will still be in place at that time? That is still a "slow"season and the parks close early so I don't think it would be necessary. They always change the good things!

Thanks!

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

You know I am torn on this issue since they have to make everyone happy and if the day guests/offsite are unhappy with FOTL then something would have to be done. It seems that scaling it back could be the best of both for everyone so that it is still available but also fair to those who stay offsite or are local.

 

[Tinkbell]

ignore

 

[BarbOKW]

We're staying at the HR Dec 31 & Jan 1st, I asked about the change in policy and I was told that it's only for "peak season" which is currently defined as July and August. Even though the Christmas time is very busy they are not planning on changing the policy for anyother time except July and August. I sure do hope she was correct.

 

[d4est]

that sure would make me happy!! I hope Feb isn't considered peak either...

 

[mickman1962]

Always done Disney in September. Have never waited in line. Your discussions convinced me to try Universal in August (not take kids out of school) since with FOTL it wouldn't matter. Used to getting less and less from Disney, used to getting less and less from work. Not liking getting less and less from someone I'm doing business with for the first time. I cancel in a heartbeat and spend my money at Disney (can get a room at AKL for same as Ent RPR) and just drive over to Universal for the day.

Less for my money=Less money for them!

 

[phamton]

Originally posted by mickman1962
Your discussions convinced me to try Universal in August (not take kids out of school) since with FOTL it wouldn't matter.

Not to single you out but most of these posts talk as if Universal has stopped FOTL until after 3:00. It has not. You still have FOTL all day, just no re-rides until 3:00.

When FOTL was first started, you could only use FOTL once per hour. Now it is unlimited rerides after 3:00 and FOTL all day long---no waiting an hour.

 

[714atuf]

I sort of agree with some that this is not the worst thing in the world and we will all have a great time by just modifying our approach to touring the park.


What I have a real problem with is HOW it was done........ without warning


A policy change as drastic as this, that affects something we all pay quite a bit of money for, should never have been implemented so quickly, without notice given to the people affected. If Universal felt it was necessary to make this change, a date in the future should have been selected, notifications made to those already with reservations for after that date and a heads up given to people making new reservations. At least that would have given people the opportunity to make other plans. Possibly stay at other Parks.
Because we will strongly consider that in the future if this policy remains.


I guess I am most upset with the timing........We arrive next Wednesday for five days.

 

[mickman1962]

phamton,

I do realize what it is. And I take no offense at your reply. What I do not enjoy are companies that consistently "reserve the right to change policy" when part of our purchase decision is based upon the added value they agreed to at my time of purchase. I'm not sure if you have kids but riding over and over again is big to them (once did Space Mountain 13 times in a row). Now sure we can go ride Hulk and checkout Twister (crap according to most of you) then swing on over to Jaws (dated you guys again). We were going there for the big rides and agreed to pay a premium (however big or small in your eyes) for that type of ADVERTISED and HEAVILY promoted access. I'm kind of strange in I believe in getting what I paid for. If not we're going to become a country of disclaimers and terms of service, If we're not there already. Universal mad a decision and I made mine. Everyone has to decide for themselves when they've had enough. I have and you haven't. I respect your views as well as my own. No one is right here however no one wins either.

 

[Dznefreek]

"Attraction times and availability are subject to change without notice." The fine print.

 

[pietnoeck]

I was just going to add another night to my stay at RPR, now i'm just going to cancel and stay off site !

Great PR I dare say !

 

[AuntieDuck]

This is the reponse I received from Guest Services when I asked
if the new policy would continue beyond peak season:

Thank you for visiting Universal Orlando Online.

At this time the new policy does not have an ending date. It may continue during non-peak times, however, changes may be made. We would suggest contacting us again at a later date for information on any changes that may take place.

Please keep watching us here at www.universalorlando.com, as we will have many exciting and new developments in the next few months.

Best Regards,

Guest Services