Question re: single use express pass when ride breaks down

[LaurenT]

So, just want to see if one of our Universal veterans had the real answer. I got very conflicted info in the park.
We are staying onsite and have unlimited express pass. Transformers was pretty crowded - so even the express line took about 20 minutes. In the middle of the ride the sound cut out, then the screen froze, then our car stopped. It took a little while to get us moving again and the ride never regained it's footing. We were handed white slips of paper on our way out that said "express pass plus". They explained that they were good for all but forbidden journey and pteradon flyers (I think).
I asked one of the NEST TMs if it was just like express pass (because if so, I would just give them away... ) she said no - that we could use them to get right to the very front of the line. We wouldn't have to wait in the express line again. She even offered that if we went to forbidden journey and showed them the slip and our Unlimited Express Pass, they would let us right on (we didn't do this since my dd was actually frightened by it the first time).
So, we planned our day around getting right back on Transformers later in the day and then heading right to the meet and greet with the girls from Despicable Me.
We went to the express line and gave the TM our slips and she took them and pointed to the express line. I explained about our earlier conversation and she insisted that it doesn't work that way and that there were plenty of people waiting over an hour and we could wait in that line or the express line which would be about 20 minutes. I explained that we had already waited the 20 minutes earlier when the ride broke down and were assured we could walk right on and that's what we based our plans on. And that we preferred not to wait an hour - which is why we were staying onsite - which the other guests could have chosen to do if they didn't want to wait on line so long. She told me that I misunderstood what the other TM said (I hate being told I misunderstood something that I am quite certain about). She was just very rude - the only truly rude person I ran into during our trip. I asked for my papers back and went to the guy next to her. He explained that if I had the unlimited pass, I should have been given a gold ticket - and asked if I told the TM at the ride that I had the pass. Well, no .... I wasn't aware of the rules - the TM maybe should have asked me? Anyway, he was very nice and radioed for an escort who took us right to the loading zone.
But I never noticed any gold tickets anywhere during the trip.
Does anyone know what the real story is?

 

[macraven]

if i receive conflicting info from the ride TM's, i go to guest services for the answer.

GS would be the way to go in obtaining the correct info.

 

[LaurenT]

if i receive conflicting info from the ride TM's, i go to guest services for the answer.

GS would be the way to go in obtaining the correct info.

Thanks. We're at the airport now - but next time I go through, I'll check with them and report back - in case anyone else winds up in the same situation.

 

[macraven]

Thanks. We're at the airport now - but next time I go through, I'll check with them and report back - in case anyone else winds up in the same situation.

that is very nice of you to help out others in case it happens to them.


please let us know what you find out.



i have been doing the darkside since 1993 and staying onsite when the hotels went up.
prior to those onsite hotels, i would stay near the property.

over the years i have found out that some TM's give out info that can be conflicting to what i have experienced.

in case policies have changed since my last trip, i always go to guest services to find out as they are current on all park policies.

i have not experienced what you went through.
i stay onsite and use the express lines.
have not been offered a "gold" pass and your post is the first i have heard of it.
i'm sure there are some type of provisions for guests to get a special pass to redo the ride.
especially if they are on a time limit and can not wait in the express line.


i have been on MIB and it broke down.
ended up with the lights coming on inside and all peeps walked out.
passes were handed out to everyone but i didn't take one.
my stays onsite are lengthy and i figured i would catch the ride another day.