Recording Now 6/22

[k5jm]

Did they say why? I thought ADP had posted WWoHP has been pretty empty since the weekend.

From what I gleamed from the bellman, he said that they "had been unhappy about the initial waits and access to the rides at WWOHP." I think they wanted walk on access on opening weekend. Universal did not manage its customer's expectations at all. I heard similar from our driver who took us to the airport. I see tons of WDW bags here in the terminal and have yet to see a Universal bag.

FWIW, I only saw 2 of the "Thing 1, Thing 2" shirts at WDW this time. I normally see hundreds of them.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

From what I gleamed from the bellman, he said that they "had been unhappy about the initial waits and access to the rides at WWOHP." I think they wanted walk on access on opening weekend. Universal did not manage its customer's expectations at all. I heard similar from our driver who took us to the airport. I see tons of WDW bags here in the terminal and have yet to see a Universal bag.

FWIW, I only saw 2 of the "Thing 1, Thing 2" shirts at WDW this time. I normally see hundreds of them.

I don't think Universal should have to manage customer's unrealistic expectations (walk ons opening weekend). Do you?

 

[RachelsMommie]

I can already hear Pete..."Folks, a two-car funeral..."

 

[Kimberle]

From what I gleamed from the bellman, he said that they "had been unhappy about the initial waits and access to the rides at WWOHP." I think they wanted walk on access on opening weekend. Universal did not manage its customer's expectations at all. I heard similar from our driver who took us to the airport. I see tons of WDW bags here in the terminal and have yet to see a Universal bag.

FWIW, I only saw 2 of the "Thing 1, Thing 2" shirts at WDW this time. I normally see hundreds of them.

Well, that's just plain stupid! Who on earth thinks they can "walk on" a new ride anywhere?!?! Look at Toy Story, it's been open years & the wait is still very long. I don't hear WDW advertising long waits for popular attractions.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Well, that's just plain stupid! Who on earth thinks they can "walk on" a new ride anywhere?!?! Look at Toy Story, it's been open years & the wait is still very long. I don't hear WDW advertising long waits for popular attractions.

Folks...I'm not sure who was expecting "walk on" access, but folks were told they would be waiting 8 - 10 hours for access to the area....not any attraction...just the area. They were then told that they might not even get into the Harry Potter area.

I'm pretty sure I'd be disgruntled as well....especially if I was waiting in 100 degree heat.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Phew! Two shows PLUS a rant! Great week! First it's the last few days of school and now this!

 

[Lou Holtz]

Folks...I'm not sure who was expecting "walk on" access, but folks were told they would be waiting 8 - 10 hours for access to the area....not any attraction...just the area. They were then told that they might not even get into the Harry Potter area.

I'm pretty sure I'd be disgruntled as well....especially if I was waiting in 100 degree heat.

Don't go on opening day then. Nobody was forced into standing in a line. It's a ridiculous complaint.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Don't go on opening day then. Nobody was forced into standing in a line. It's a ridiculous complaint.

I have to agree with this. Disney wouldn't have coped with the crowds any better.

 

[Lou Holtz]

I have to agree with this. Disney wouldn't have coped with the crowds any better.

They might have done moderately better, BUT Disney does not have a park this small and there is no comparable opening they've ever done. IOA is tiny. There isn't much room to put crowds. The weather is NOT Universal's fault. So people are mad at standing in line ON OPENING DAY for hours and hours in 100 degree weather? That's your own fault for not checking the weather and being prepared. It's an outdoor park, mostly unshaded. Do some research and preparation and be smart.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

They might have done moderately better, BUT Disney does not have a park this small and there is no comparable opening they've ever done. IOA is tiny. There isn't much room to put crowds. The weather is NOT Universal's fault. So people are mad at standing in line ON OPENING DAY for hours and hours in 100 degree weather? That's your own fault for not checking the weather and being prepared. It's an outdoor park, mostly unshaded. Do some research and preparation and be smart.

Absolutely true about the size of the park. Good point.

 

[WebmasterJohn]

I understand people have a different points-of-view on this and you are certainly welcome to post them here - but some comments and remarks on this thread are coming dangerously close to personal attacks, which are against board policy.

Please keep all conversation friendly towards your fellow posters or posts will be removed.

Thanks
John

 

[derekburgan]

Don't go on opening day then. Nobody was forced into standing in a line. It's a ridiculous complaint.

It's certainly an odd one. When Apple releases new product (iPad, iPhone, etc) there are always reports of people waiting in long lines to get it, and invariably at first it always sells out, so many (if not most) end up empty handed. I remember people camping out at Best Buys and such for Nintendo Wiis a couple years ago, only to find out each store would get 5 or 10 total. Do those people have a right to be upset at Apple or Nintendo (or Best Buy or Wal Mart) for all the hours they stood in line and possibly not getting what they wanted?

I think part of this is that most of the "fears" of WWoHP have been completely debunked and something new has to be created. I don't think the line for Forbidden Journey has ever gone above two hours, and all reports from people is that it has the most efficient ride loading system of any ride in Florida. It's designed to get people in and out. The only hold up is that people are enjoying the queue too much to move at a fast pace. That's certainly never going to be a problem at Disney parks.

 

[3guysandagal]

..and you don't NEED snacks.

Potty mouth.

I understand people have a different points-of-view on this and you are certainly welcome to post them here - but some comments and remarks on this thread are coming dangerously close to personal attacks, which are against board policy.

Please keep all conversation friendly towards your fellow posters or posts will be removed.

Thanks
John

Yeah, you two!!

Knock it off!!!

 

[Lou Holtz]

I understand people have a different points-of-view on this and you are certainly welcome to post them here - but some comments and remarks on this thread are coming dangerously close to personal attacks, which are against board policy.

Please keep all conversation friendly towards your fellow posters or posts will be removed.

Thanks
John

Not sure who you could be talking about. There's a difference between commenting on the attitudes and behaviors of the general populace on opening day and making a personal attack. The people are not here.

 

[DisneyKevin]

They might have done moderately better, BUT Disney does not have a park this small and there is no comparable opening they've ever done. IOA is tiny. There isn't much room to put crowds. The weather is NOT Universal's fault. So people are mad at standing in line ON OPENING DAY for hours and hours in 100 degree weather? That's your own fault for not checking the weather and being prepared. It's an outdoor park, mostly unshaded. Do some research and preparation and be smart.

If you waited in line, like you are supposed to, and Universal let people that arrived after you in ahead of you.....would you complain?

If you followed all of the rules and waited where you were told to wait and hours later someone told you that they decided not to allow people in at that entrance and that you should walk all the way around the park and get in line behind the people that were behind you in line....would you complain?

If you were called at your hotel and told that as a hotel guest, that you would have access to the park at 6:00am...and then you arrive at 6:00am and were told that Universal changed their mind and that the area wouldnt open until 8:00am....would you complain?

Just curious....

 

[DisneyKevin]

It's certainly an odd one. When Apple releases new product (iPad, iPhone, etc) there are always reports of people waiting in long lines to get it, and invariably at first it always sells out, so many (if not most) end up empty handed. I remember people camping out at Best Buys and such for Nintendo Wiis a couple years ago, only to find out each store would get 5 or 10 total. Do those people have a right to be upset at Apple or Nintendo (or Best Buy or Wal Mart) for all the hours they stood in line and possibly not getting what they wanted?

If Best Buy or Walmart took the back half of the line (that arrived hours after you did) and allowed them into the store ahead of you.....would you complain?

 

[Tonya2426]

If Best Buy or Walmart took the back half of the line (that arrived hours after you did) and allowed them into the store ahead of you.....would you complain?

I get miffed just when the grocery store opens up a new line and says "next person in line, please" and the person behind me just in front of me.

 

[3guysandagal]

If you waited in line, like you are supposed to, and Universal let people that arrived after you in ahead of you.....would you complain?

If you followed all of the rules and waited where you were told to wait and hours later someone told you that they decided not to allow people in at that entrance and that you should walk all the way around the park and get in line behind the people that were behind you in line....would you complain?

If you were called at your hotel and told that as a hotel guest, that you would have access to the park at 6:00am...and then you arrive at 6:00am and were told that Universal changed their mind and that the area wouldnt open until 8:00am....would you complain?

Just curious....

If Best Buy or Walmart took the back half of the line (that arrived hours after you did) and allowed them into the store ahead of you.....would you complain?

I would be going Carnival Ape Crazy on someones.......ummm...........buttocks.

(we need a carnival ape crazy smiley)

 

[Lou Holtz]

If you waited in line, like you are supposed to, and Universal let people that arrived after you in ahead of you.....would you complain?

If you followed all of the rules and waited where you were told to wait and hours later someone told you that they decided not to allow people in at that entrance and that you should walk all the way around the park and get in line behind the people that were behind you in line....would you complain?

If you were called at your hotel and told that as a hotel guest, that you would have access to the park at 6:00am...and then you arrive at 6:00am and were told that Universal changed their mind and that the area wouldnt open until 8:00am....would you complain?

Just curious....

I complain when it's 73 degrees inside the house. I wouldn't use myself as the threshold for when to complain.

I read every post in the Universal zone on this forum daily and go to another forum focusing on Universal to read their updates as well and heard NOTHING about the first scenario you are talking about. Not a word. I heard plenty about the onsite hotel mishap, which would be infuriating. It's hard to change staffing by two hours in one day, wouldn't you think? Why would guests of just three hotels need to be in the park three hours by themselves? On the surface, that doesn't make sense. Clearly, there is a problem with the lines of communication there. I doubt there was ever any plan to staff it that way.

I think you guys are going to get people who have a negative experience contact you before anyone because they heard your podcast and feel that you want to hear it for some reason. Not to say that I've heard only positives, but it's not the unmitigated disaster that maybe the things you've heard might suggest. The bulk of the hundreds of accounts I've read seem to point to things going about as smoothly as you'd expect by now.

 

[shellyminnie]

Suddenly I'm in the mood for some kool-aid