Trial period for a new type of express

[phamton]

Universal is trying out a new type of express for those who don't need or want express for all the rides and shows. You can purchcase a one ride express for $5 or a three ride express for $10. This is a trial run during Spring break when express for the whole day for all rides and shows can be up to $40-60. If there are only 1-3 rides you need express for, this could be cheaper. This started a few days ago but I hestitated posting it here as express discussion tends to turn into a flamefest.

It's too soon to tell if this will continue past the trial period. I guess a lot will depend on guest feedback (pro and con) and whether it negatively impacts the express on some of the more popular rides.

 

[Melanie230]

Do people get mad about the express tickets? Is it the price?

 

[macraven]

six flags great america/chgo has had this option for 4 years now.

they sell their version of fast pass lane and you get 3 passes for $10. they do not have the $5 program you mentioned.

they are only valid for the day they are purchased.

six flags makes money off of this. mostly the teens buy them.


if you lose your ticket for it, no refunds is that park's policy.

 

[macraven]

thinking about the new trial program, don't think it is worth it.
it appears at first to be a good deal until you break it down.

3 fotl for $10
if express pass is $40 a day for one park, that would be 12 rides or attractions. might as well buy the ep for the day then if it is $40 if someone wants to do everything in the park that day.

 

[Planogirl]

This is one thing I dislike about Universal's ticketing. I wish that they would come up with an unlimited express feature that can be purchased. It would make it a lot easier to ride MIB over and over....

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I think this is a good option for people that want to ride one ride more than once. Buying the booklet is good for people that want to do 'all' the rides and this option is good for those that don't.

I don't like that Six Flags already does this and now Universal will once again be compared.

 

[damo]

This is one thing I dislike about Universal's ticketing. I wish that they would come up with an unlimited express feature that can be purchased. It would make it a lot easier to ride MIB over and over....

Single riders line in the answer to that problem. We've done it for 3 hours in a row. Crazy 17 year old boys.

 

[damo]

Maybe they should just change it to a booklet of 10 passes or something like that that can be used on whatever rides you want. You could use them all on Hulk, for example or spread them around.

 

[Jason71]

Does the $5 option entitle you to one FOTL ride on, say, Spiderman? Or is it unlimited FOTL on Spiderman all day for $5?

I guess more importantly, is the $10 option 3 rides on Spiderman, or unlimited FOTL on Spiderman, Hulk and Dr. Doom?

Either way, even if not permanent now, I could see this returning for the houses at HHN.

 

[macraven]

I think this is a good option for people that want to ride one ride more than once. Buying the booklet is good for people that want to do 'all' the rides and this option is good for those that don't.

I don't like that Six Flags already does this and now Universal will once again be compared.

sorry, i wasn't trying to compare it to universal.
it's just that six flags near where i live and go to, started that program some years back. it's a complete rip off as that special line is up front to a point and then merges into the regular line. you could have 45 people or more in front of you where the lines merge.

my point was sf does it to make money and the benefits are not all that great.

i only do sf on bored summer days.
no way can it be compared to universal........

 

[macraven]

Does the $5 option entitle you to one FOTL ride on, say, Spiderman? Or is it unlimited FOTL on Spiderman all day for $5?

I guess more importantly, is the $10 option 3 rides on Spiderman, or unlimited FOTL on Spiderman, Hulk and Dr. Doom?

Either way, even if not permanent now, I could see this returning for the houses at HHN.

excellent question jason.
ugh, i would hate for this program be implemented for the houses at hhn.

 

[Arvandor_Ilfirin]

I think this will be good for a half day, or maybe a family that doesn't have much time to spend there...But I think I'll stick with the regular express passes on my visits, since I'd rather go on everything quickly than just a few rides.

I'm glad they're doing this now, it's a great way to offer more versatility for different situations!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

sorry, i wasn't trying to compare it to universal.
it's just that six flags near where i live and go to, started that program some years back. it's a complete rip off as that special line is up front to a point and then merges into the regular line. you could have 45 people or more in front of you where the lines merge.

my point was sf does it to make money and the benefits are not all that great.

i only do sf on bored summer days.
no way can it be compared to universal........

I don't want to highjack this thread, but wanted to give you a heads up to expect a PM as soon as I have enough time. We plan to go to SFGAm between our visits to Milwaukee & Chicago this summer. I'll be looking for tips & inside secrets.

To get back on topic.... We won't go to UO w/o staying onsite, but at other parks we'd most likely rather pay for EP/ FP tickets for just the rides we want to ride rather than getting a one time pass for each ride. There's a lot of rides our son wouldn't want to ride at most parks. That's usually not even an option though. I think it's great that UO is offering both options.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

sorry, i wasn't trying to compare it to universal.
it's just that six flags near where i live and go to, started that program some years back. it's a complete rip off as that special line is up front to a point and then merges into the regular line. you could have 45 people or more in front of you where the lines merge.

my point was sf does it to make money and the benefits are not all that great.

i only do sf on bored summer days.
no way can it be compared to universal........

Not you! You're a USO junkie like the rest of us. I was referring to the USO haters that will add this to their ammo for dissing USO. I do wonder if all the Six Flags offer this or just a select few.

 

[macraven]

i only do the chgo and st louis six flags.
i'd have to pull up the season ticket holder website to see what the others do.

yea, i am a certified universal homie.......!!


tarheel, i have to run to union station in chicago tomorrow evening, do you want me to pick up the tourist brochures for you for chgo?

 

[4greatboys]

Maybe they should just change it to a booklet of 10 passes or something like that that can be used on whatever rides you want. You could use them all on Hulk, for example or spread them around.

I think that would be a great idea. Its something I would be interested in if we didnt stay onsite.

 

[macraven]

I think that would be a great idea. Its something I would be interested in if we didnt stay onsite.

deena .......... an UO homie that wouldn't stay on site !!

 

[4greatboys]

deena .......... an UO homie that wouldn't stay on site !!

Thats if we didnt stay onsite but I cant see that happening.

 

[phamton]

It is just one time on one ride. Someone on another board posted why this might be a good idea: Say someone arrived at IOA for opening and were able to hits all the rides they wanted with minimal crowds. Then they head to the Studios late in the afternoon and see that both Mummy, MIB, and Jaws have long wait times. They buy an express for 3 rides and use it for those rides. They would have had to spend $40-60 for express combo for the day but instead only needed it for 3 rides and so only spent $10.

 

[Amity 3]

It is just one time on one ride. Someone on another board posted why this might be a good idea: Say someone arrived at IOA for opening and were able to hits all the rides they wanted with minimal crowds. Then they head to the Studios late in the afternoon and see that both Mummy, MIB, and Jaws have long wait times. They buy an express for 3 rides and use it for those rides. They would have had to spend $40-60 for express combo for the day but instead only needed it for 3 rides and so only spent $10.

it's a great idea for people who know their way around the parks.

I'm going to copyright this idea phamton...maybe it's the fever talking...

couple the wireless standby boards with an ATM interface that can allow people to purchase EP's the way we used to reserve them freely at a nominal cost.

Disney has already begun stealing my idea.