Question for those complaining about ride closures

[fervour]

A common thought on all the threads about ride closings is that if Universal is going to close a certain percentage of rides then they should charge take a certain percentage off their ticket price.

Aren't they already doing this? I have an Annual Pass and I figure my daily cost for park admission will be about $16. Is anyone paying the $52/day rack rate? Isn't Universal still offering the 5 days for the price of 2?

I'm not trying to antagonize anyone. It seems every time I read a complaint about the closures people mention the $52/day rate but no one seems to be paying that rate.

I do wish that DD would be dueling when I was there, but I don't see where Universal is price gouging.

For the record, even with the all the closures, I do think that admission to either park is worth the $52 if you've never been. Spiderman is great! T23D --just amazing! ---but I'll never get the WOW factor of my first time again. So there are some diminishing returns for repeat visitors.

Sorry that this is so stream of consciousness. How much are you paying per day?

 

[Prince Eric1]

I think that closings for refurbishing is fine, if not done all to once, but if you are going to advertise your park and promote certain attractions, then they should be running as such during visits. You can not promote certain things and then, after people have invested in airline tickets, hotel, transfers, tickets, etc, sorry, but we don't feel like opening those. If they are going to do this, then they should publish a refurbishment schedule a year ahead of time for people to plan their trips around. Then, if the attraction you want isn't going to be open, book your trip a different day, but you have notice. I booked my trip two/three months prior and i found nothing on the website about the closures until after. Would this have affected my decision to go then, probably not, but I do expect the advertised attractions to be running as advertised, not at half increments. We have been to Disney twice in January and the reduced hours were about the only things to cut the costs i noticed, all rides with a couple exceptions were up and running. Universal has also cut the hours so that should be enough to offset their costs, they should not cut hours and close the rides during open hours too. I am not bashing Universal, I am still very exited to go there, but if they are going to be a prime destination for vacations then they need to provide the product as advertised.

 

[fervour]

Hi Eric,
I can only agree that it would be nice to have a refurbishment schedule ahead of time. I can certainly understand your disappointment about the ride closings.

In some respects we get too much information online. Imagine if you knew nothing about the ride closings until your trip. Imagine that you have just stepped off the best themepark ride ever (Spiderman) and walked to the next attraction to find it closed. There's a good chance that you wouldn't be fuming about it but take it in stride and go on to the next adventure. Don't get me wrong I think these boards are fantastic! But it is easy for me to get into the mindset of planning a project when I should be psyching myself for a vacation.

I would rather all attractions be open too. I think you will really like what is open. I know it is lame for me to say that they are keeping the good stuff open, because you want the opportunity to make that judgement for yourself.

My post was more directed at those who were saying they were thinking of not going. I believe that US is still offering 5 days for arround $100. That's such a deal! That's all. So what if you only spend 2 hours one day? You can spend 6 the next ---or not. You can sleep in. The mouse NEVER gives you a deal like that. There is always some pressure at Disney to enjoy yourself because, by golly, you are spending a small fortune. At Universal you can adopt a more laid back attitude. It's a vacation relax. (really not preaching at you Eric. You sound like you have a good attitude).

I do have to disagree with you on the Disney closings though --CoP?seasonal TimeKeeper? closed Hunchback?dark FotLK? rehab BTM? rehab ---much more. Sure Disney has a lower percentage closed (with FotLK closed at AK. it's pretty sparce there). But I've never seen a Disney ticket at around $20/day for park admission.

I don't want to make my pitch for Universal to be about price/value ratio though. I am saying Universal is a good time. What IS open IS GREAT. Personally, I am looking forward to going to US/IOA and not doing the commando thing ---which I always do at Disney no matter how I say that I'm not going to.

Really, I dont want to come accross as poo-pooing your displeasure. I just want you to know how excited I am about going back!!!

 

[Prince Eric1]

I do very much agree that the five day ticket i got for $89 is about the best deal you could get, and I too am very exited about going and that will not change. Having just come back from a Six Flags where a large percentage of the rides were closed in August so that the remaining rides were lined up, the amount of closures at universal isn't horrible in comparison, but thats what seperates Universal and Disney from the wannabees like Six Flags. Consistency in the product they deliver and the knowledge that you will get what you expect and never walk away disappointed. I would rather pay a few dollars more and get the full attraction than pay less and get less. When you are paying for airfare and hotels, rent a cars, etc, I don't care as much about a few bucks as getting the full experience. That said, I see and fully agree with some of your points, but I also fully understand the disappointment of those planning trips and knowing that they will not get the full experience.

 

[Dznefreek]

This is exactly why they use this catchy phrase:

Attraction times and availability are subject to change without notice.

 

[Muushka]

I paid only $99 for our AP's. I have enough vouchers to get us through the next 4 years because of their great deal for renewals. Believe me, I am the first one to complain about a company if I feel that they are taking all that they can get, but in USF case, this is not so. But because they have been so fair with their ticket prices, I cannot complain. Yes, I am dissapointed about some of the attractions being closed when we go next week. I love Bluto's Barge, but I will survive.

I feel the same way about their charging to park at the hotels. They give such great rates for such nice rooms, I really don't want to complain about it.

However, IF I were paying full price for room/tickets, yes, I would be a little more than dissapointed.

Now the stuff Disney is pulling, well, I have no problem complaining about them!

 

[damo]

Thanks, fervour for taking up the cause, I'm about talked out

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Originally posted by Muushka

I feel the same way about their charging to park at the hotels. They give such great rates for such nice rooms, I really don't want to complain about it.

People need to look at hotel parking this way: If they don't have annual passes, they'd have to pay at least $8 for parking for the day. At the onsite hotels it's only $6, therefore they save $2.

Of course, I have an annual pass, so it's an "extra" cost, but we don't mind.

anyway, I completely agree with the above posts. The disappointment is there, as expected, but it's not the end of the world...still soooo much to do (so many Ghostbusters Shows to catch...) and then you'll also have something to look forward to on your next trip.

 

[strawberryblonde]

I am paying the same rate that I would have had I gone this summer ( $50 per family member for 5 days, we are military, and $89 per person in my sisters family, the internet rate). These ARE great rates. My sister is paying about $20 a day instead of the gate price of $50. Thing is, will we really go to US/IOA all 5 days? That remains to be seen. I'm not upset about the ticket prices at all, even with things closed, they are still a good deal. Thing is, the major expense was the airfare and vacation days are precious. If US advertised the Curious George playland as "seasonal", I would have checked out it's open season and tried to plan around it. We have wanted to visit it that badly. I feel as though the closure of both side of CG (not just the water part) is a cost cutting measure and not for refurb. Just as Disney's CofProgress and the Timekeeper are closed most of the time to bring down costs. Thing is, disney does state these are seasonal attractions.
Disney doesn't always do it right though. I was plenty dissapointed when Disney extended Blizzard Beaches' refurb. to save money. Alot of people purchase their tickets ahead of time. Having just one water park open is a big enough thing to cause some familys to only want a Park Hopper instead of the Plus passes. You only expect one open Nov - Feb, but not in April. But I have drifted......

I wish US/IOA would list their refurb. schedule in a timely manner so customers can plan for what matters most to them. I think any attraction that is closed during slow periods needs to be labled as "seasonal" in their advertisement materials. The kidzone page in my flyer has a huge pic of Curious George playland, takes up 2/3rds of the page. There needs to be teeny, tiny print saying "seasonal" at the bottom of the colorful/eyecatching pic. When I called to express my displeasure that they planned to close so many play areas all at once, I was told CG always closes from Sept. - Dec. because of the cold, but I've read on another thread that CG had the non-water side open as late as Sept. 2001.

It rubs me the wrong way to be told to count my blessings and be happy with what is left open. I really am happy with what is open and will enjoy our vacation. I do feel misled about what to expect open though. If I could change things, I would have pushed harder to go end of Aug. We would have had longer operating hours and more attractions open for the exact same cost as our trip end of Sept. I didn't know what I know now though.
I'll be back early Oct. writing up a trip report about all of the good stuff. We've never visited US/IOA before so this is their chance to make fans out of two families

 

[Muushka]

strawberryblonde, I can understand why you would be dissapointed. We just drive down to FL and the USF is tacked on to our WDW trip as 3 days added on to the beginning or the end.
For us, we go about 2 times a year, so what is down in Sept will probably be up in Dec.

For those who don't go that often, I feel for ya . Maybe USF will be more up front with their rehabs in the future.

I hope you have a great time and we look forward to reading your trip report when you return.

 

[beatnik]

Just as as FYI,

My husband and I don't like Universal Studios and do not plan to go. We like IOA and would go if not for the closures. We would only have bought single day passes, as we do not want to schlep from our Disney hotel to spend a few hours a day for 5 days at IOA (with the closures would complete the park in a partial day, anyway). Will not be returning within the next year, so not interested in an Annual Pass. We will be back to the Orlando area in the future, so are not too bent out of shape about not going to IOA this visit. But we are very grateful to people on these boards for giving us the heads up, so that we could avoid the feeling of being "ripped off" having paid top dollar for a single day admission, only to find numerous attractions closed.

The folks who post on these boards are not your average vacationers. I have never come across such a concetration of theme park annual pass holders...

You may think those of us who just want to spend a single day in a park and get maximal value for our pass are "complainers." Sorry, I'm not a complainer, but will just vote with my wallet on this trip. Don't have the spare money or time to go to IOA numerous times per year, and if I go, I'd like to get my full money's worth.

Beatnik

 

[h20jag]

I have never come across such a concetration of theme park annual pass holders...

Get real, visitor.

Sorry, I'm not a complainer, but will just vote with my wallet on this trip.

And a very important vote to all parties, I'm sure.

 

[beatnik]

What sass I am getting from you h20jag!

Sorry I have voiced an opinion. I will leave the boards to you veterans from here on out!

Beatnik

 

[Prince Eric1]

Anyone read about Disneylands BTMR. After that, I may be having a change of heart. Close them down and fix them up.

 

[ninac.]

I couldn't believe it when I heard it on the news. One person died and I think 10 were injured.

nina

 

[robvia]

I see the making of the SF (Six Flags) attitude here, and it makes me frustrated.

SFMM (Six Flags Magic Mountain) closes their rides just because.
Knotts Berry Farm closes the entire park if the weather is predicted to be bad. I've read reports of this, where people have walked up to the ticket window, and been turned away, when the sun was shining. Why? Becuase they sent the park staff home thinking it was going to rain, when it didn't. Because of this, I won't fly out west to visit those parks.

In the case of USF/IOA, they've started this bad trend. Opening the park at 10am, and closing early is frustrating.

People come to the park in September and February to AVOID THE CROWDS. Yet they are penalized with the park opening at 10am and some of the rides not open.
I know it's cold in January/February, but that's when rehab should happen. Not Sept thru Nov. It's wrong.
So many people are speaking out about this, the suits have to listen.

Meanwhile, SWF is open at 9am all the time. Guess where I'm going this Monday morning? To the park that opens first. And I'm eating lunch at SWF and having a few drinks.

IOA/USF Please stop being like Six Flags. It will catch up to you.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

I just heard!!!!!

Hopefully none of this will happen again.

Also, closings will happen, so we just have to deal with it!

 

[h20jag]

I really feel there are some very unfair comparisons of these parks going on.
These parks (USF & IOA) are open all year long, not seasonal. Wrenches need turned sometimes and can't always wait till Jan./Feb. If you gotta miss a particular attraction, 20-30 mins. of your visit (approx. wait & ride time) because it's down, spend that time with your kid or sig. other eating an ice cream & talking. You're still on vacation, be it a week-end or a week. Enjoy NOT doing your routine, back-home stuff (which seems to be too much working for most people).
Plus, there is an ownership change taking place (talk about your "bigger fish to fry"). Keeping the parks open, period, can't be that easy during this kind of transition.

The bang-for-the-buck is definitely still there for us.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Six Flags opens for a season not year long. The only reason these refurbs... are not as noticeable at Disney is because Universal is not as big, so when they close something it's a big deal. I have to agree, it would be great if they didn't close alot of things at once, however, this is slow season so it would make business sense. I definitely feel for those that are traveling during this time and cannot travel during any other times (myself included) but business is business.

 

[fervour]

Damo --- You are my hero or heroine (I haven't checked your profile so choose the correct gender reference please ) You always have upbeat posts without being judgemental.

strawberryblonde - I am sorry that the play area is closed. As an adult with no children it is hard for me to relate. I'm sure there are a lot of factors I can't even imagine that are involved when vacationing with small children. I have gone to Disney with my sister and her 3 year old. The great thing about being an uncle is that you can always just turn the kid back over to the parent.

beatnik - I totally agree that if you aren't satisfied with the offerings you should spend your money elsewhere. I can understand your reluctance to journey over from Disney especially if you have ultimate park hopper passes because then you'd really be paying twice. But for me, if I were buying individual day passes. Either Us or IOA on half cylinders beats AK firing on all it's got. As far as studios goes US beats MGM (though I'll grant Tot is one top-notch ride). We all have different values. I'd never dream of telling you that mine were right and yours wrong. Mine are right for me though

Sadly, I won't be able to frequent the boards so much. They've installed monitoring software at work. (Imagine that, they want us to work for our salaries )