Univeral Studios

[scottishwee35]

Hi

We got back home last night and We feel a bit disappointed with Universal Stuidos/IOA as it was long queue about 1 hour to 1 and half hour everywhere. We were thinking to buy express (fastpass) ticket but find out that the price was 50.00 dollars each extra (if want see spiderman only charge 40.00 dollar). No way so we went to spiderman and queue for one hour and only see it for 5 mins and everywhere was long queue. I think because of Easter Holiday well and lots of usa on holiday too. I never see that worst queue since last twice holidays in October. I don't think go back in Easter as it was very busy times but otherwise we had a fabulous holiday anway

 

[AndRu]

I'm sorry you had such long queues, we've always encountered those in Universal Studios. We've had very long queues for Shrek, Mummy and Jaws. The worst was a 90 minute wait for Men In Black which, after the long wait, was very dissapointing. Buzz Lightyear's Space ranger Spin is much better!

However, on our last visit we went to Islands of Adventure twice and, makeing sure we got there early, had a great time. There was no queue for Spiderman, a minimal one for Hulk with a FP, no queues on either the Bildge Rat Barges, Do-Right Falls or Jurassic Park. In fact the longest queues we had were for the Ptererdactyl(sp) Flyers and Duelling Drangons at about 30 mins each.

Then again, we were there in February - not Easter. Time of year must have some effect as will arriving later in the day.

Anyway, glad to hear you had a good holiday!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I think all the parks would be very busy over the Easter holidays.

The best advice for rides at US/IOA like Spiderman is to get on them first thing in the morning, otherwise you will always be likely to face long queues.

 

[Claire L]

Bar Christmas, Easter is the busiest time in Orlando, so queues of hours are to be expected for most major rides. The best way to cope is to get there early and do the must see major rides as soon as possible. It is not uncommon for some of the parks such as MK to close to new guests, for a few hous, as they have reached capacity!! Glad to hear you otherwise had a good time.

Claire

 

[Miffy2003]

Welcome home!

 

[Chris and Pooh]

I think it is wrong to charge for the fast passes as it IMO discriminates between those who can afford and those who cannot, especially when large families are involved, however unless I am wrong is the $50 you quoted for both parks in one day as I thought the price for a fastpass was about $30?

 

[Gonz Of Lancashire]

We went to US/IOA in february. We took advantage of the free kids pass and 3 free days. It seemed like a great deal. However, we were unaware that Express Pass had finished and that we'd have to pay extra for it. Now we got to the parks early and saw everything we wanted to see, but by noon the waits were up to an hour and so we left. Don't get me wrong, we think US/IOA is great, but the extra expense for a park where for younger children there isn't a great deal to do just isn't worth it. Car parking has just gone up to $10 too. What is great fun though is looking on the Universal forum. It's as though they've got it stamped on there forehead! Attendance is dropping at US, unyet they seem to have this Disney bashing agenda. Crikey, these are only theme parks we are talking about. Now I like the Disney parks, but I'm not a Disney worshipper, and if I have a gripe with the park then I'll air it, but US/IOA are not in the same league.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We went to US/IOA in february. We took advantage of the free kids pass and 3 free days. It seemed like a great deal. However, we were unaware that Express Pass had finished and that we'd have to pay extra for it. Now we got to the parks early and saw everything we wanted to see, but by noon the waits were up to an hour and so we left. Don't get me wrong, we think US/IOA is great, but the extra expense for a park where for younger children there isn't a great deal to do just isn't worth it. Car parking has just gone up to $10 too. What is great fun though is looking on the Universal forum. It's as though they've got it stamped on there forehead! Attendance is dropping at US, unyet they seem to have this Disney bashing agenda. Crikey, these are only theme parks we are talking about. Now I like the Disney parks, but I'm not a Disney worshipper, and if I have a gripe with the park then I'll air it, but US/IOA are not in the same league.

I understand what you mean about the express passes and I agree.

$10 is a bit steep for a parking pass too, we are lucky in that our APs mean we get in free - guess that means we are making more of a saving now.

I don't necessarily agree regarding the Universal forum, I think that many people who are massive US fans get a bit defensive and feel they have to stick up for US/IOA, mainly because it gets hammered by a 'minority' who do have a sort of 'Disney obsession'.

I have seen threads on these boards (not the UK one's) where Universal has just basically been dismissed and criticised heavily, in many cases by people who have never been there
I must admit I have posted many times on the other forums on these boards defending US, or at least suggesting people give it a try at least.

For us , like yourself, it's not a competition..we like Universal and WDW, the fact that they are both there makes our holidays more enjoyable.
It's natural that everyone has their own favourites, in our case to a degree that is driven by what Joshua prefers rather then necessarily what we like best.

 

[Gonz Of Lancashire]

I understand what you mean about the express passes and I agree.

$10 is a bit steep for a parking pass too, we are lucky in that our APs mean we get in free - guess that means we are making more of a saving now.

I don't necessarily agree regarding the Universal forum, I think that many people who are massive US fans get a bit defensive and feel they have to stick up for US/IOA, mainly because it gets hammered by a 'minority' who do have a sort of 'Disney obsession'.

I have seen threads on these boards (not the UK one's) where Universal has just basically been dismissed and criticised heavily, in many cases by people who have never been there
I must admit I have posted many times on the other forums on these boards defending US, or at least suggesting people give it a try at least.

For us , like yourself, it's not a competition..we like Universal and WDW, the fact that they are both there makes our holidays more enjoyable.
It's natural that everyone has their own favourites, in our case to a degree that is driven by what Joshua prefers rather then necessarily what we like best.

Guess it's just a class of cultures. In the main, it seems to be if someone says a simple thing like "coffee has gone up a cent", the immediate response is "well, Disneys is going up too y'know", then the thing escalates into a slanging match for trivial reasons. Reading a thread regarding the EP charge and one said if the park was queiter, it would mean he'd get on the rides quicker. Now the forces of economics dictate that if attendance keeps dropping, the park will shut and we'll all lose out, but this scenario seems to be lost on people at times. Mind you the park itself seems to have digs at Disney, like the waiting area at Shrek 3-D. It's a bit like the Virgin/BA competition where Virgin seems to have an obsession with telling you what you don't get with BA rather than improving it's own product, especially from Manchester, more.

That said there is a noticable Disney minority who appear to go on the forum to wind them up, which I can't understand either.

 

[AndRu]

All the theme parks in Orlando (even Epcot!) have something to offer and I dotn't think it's right to compare them. Sure, Disney parks could be tagged as being more for kids than adults but I think that's the point - if you don't feel a buzz when walking down Main St USA towards the castle then the child you once were has vanished.

As for charging extra to reach the front of the queues quicker, that's something I wouldn't ever participate in. I like the FP systems that the parks use and it's a fair way to get a time to see what you want and once they're gone, they're gone. At least everyone gets a go that's paid the same price to get in.

 

[Frances999]

I think it is wrong to charge for the fast passes as it IMO discriminates between those who can afford and those who cannot, especially when large families are involved, however unless I am wrong is the $50 you quoted for both parks in one day as I thought the price for a fastpass was about $30?

I don't wish to start a debate but I have to say that I disagree. Everything in life has a price and "discriminates" between those who can afford and those who cannot. You could argue that it is "wrong" for theme parks to even exist as they "discriminates" against those who cannot afford the entry fee.

 

[Gonz Of Lancashire]

I don't wish to start a debate but I have to say that I disagree. Everything in life has a price and "discriminates" between those who can afford and those who cannot. You could argue that it is "wrong" for theme parks to even exist as they "discriminates" against those who cannot afford the entry fee.

The discrimination isn't so much in the pricing, more what you get for the money. It's a case of "If you cough up the extra cash, you can by-pass all these people who can't afford the extra lay-out". I believe once you get in and paid your admission, you should be entitled to the same level of treatment as everyone else in that park. Fastpass is a privelege to visitors who enter WDW either as day trippers or people staying at the Grand Floridian for a fortnight, and that's the way it should be at US/IOA too.

 

[Chris and Pooh]

I don't wish to start a debate but I have to say that I disagree. Everything in life has a price and "discriminates" between those who can afford and those who cannot. You could argue that it is "wrong" for theme parks to even exist as they "discriminates" against those who cannot afford the entry fee.

But then you could take it to the Nth degree, charging for certain seating in shows, sitting in the front middle or back on a rollercoaster, only allowing those who pay extra the priviledge of coming into the park before 12, where does it stop?
Of course for those who have the money it would not necessarily be an issue, but ask those those who have scrimped and saved for years for a holiday of a lifetime unlike you or me and find that they can only take their children on one or two major rides because they cannot afford to fastpass and are disadvantaged by those who can afford.
So I am afraid that I cannot agree with your views

 

[AndRu]

The discrimination isn't so much in the pricing, more what you get for the money. It's a case of "If you cough up the extra cash, you can by-pass all these people who can't afford the extra lay-out". I believe once you get in and paid your admission, you should be entitled to the same level of treatment as everyone else in that park. Fastpass is a privelege to visitors who enter WDW either as day trippers or people staying at the Grand Floridian for a fortnight, and that's the way it should be at US/IOA too.

Couldn't agree more. Well said.

 

[Frances999]

The discrimination isn't so much in the pricing, more what you get for the money.

Many people obviously class the express pass as a system offering good value for money and enhancing their theme park experience. Few people who are paying thousands of pounds for a holiday to Florida could not afford the extra outlay - even if it meant cutting back souvenir shopping/dining. It's about priorities. Universal Orlando is a business - if they feel they can charge for express pass - and there is a clear demand for it - then there is no reason why they should not.

It's a case of "If you cough up the extra cash, you can by-pass all these people who can't afford the extra lay-out". I believe once you get in and paid your admission, you should be entitled to the same level of treatment as everyone else in that park.

One could say "If you cough up the extra cash, you can dine in a nicer theme park restaurant" - which one can. In real life it is ridiculous to say that everyone should be treated with the exact same level of treatment - if people want extra/better treatment, let them have it. If people don't, then that is their choice and it is obviously not their #1 priority. All theme park guests are treated to the same service by staff members, the same attractions and the same surroundings. One can choose to enhance their experience further if so desired.

Fastpass is a privelege to visitors who enter WDW either as day trippers or people staying at the Grand Floridian for a fortnight, and that's the way it should be at US/IOA too.

Extra Magic Hours offer the parks exclusively for resort guests. This is a prime example of Disney not "entitling guests to exactly the same treatment" - if you are not staying onsite, you don't get it and must leave.
Also, Disney are not discarding this idea either. There have been talks of introducing a fastpass system exclusively for onsite guests. Further details are here

 

[Chris and Pooh]

Many people obviously class the express pass as a system offering good value for money and enhancing their theme park experience. Few people who are paying thousands of pounds for a holiday to Florida could not afford the extra outlay

There are many, if you read some of the threads from the US who cannot to afford to spend thousands going to Florida.
Secondly as far as I could see from the Universal website there is no noticeable mention of the express pass or prices likewise on the Keith Prowse website, so if its such good value for money why is not widely advertised ,why are the express tickets offered once people are in the park, is it because Universal realise that it may put people off coming if they had to pay effectively the same price for their tickets again if they wish to a decent return for the cost of the original tickets

 

[Gonz Of Lancashire]

Many people obviously class the express pass as a system offering good value for money and enhancing their theme park experience. Few people who are paying thousands of pounds for a holiday to Florida could not afford the extra outlay - even if it meant cutting back souvenir shopping/dining. It's about priorities. Universal Orlando is a business - if they feel they can charge for express pass - and there is a clear demand for it - then there is no reason why they should not.


One could say "If you cough up the extra cash, you can dine in a nicer theme park restaurant" - which one can. In real life it is ridiculous to say that everyone should be treated with the exact same level of treatment - if people want extra/better treatment, let them have it. If people don't, then that is their choice and it is obviously not their #1 priority. All theme park guests are treated to the same service by staff members, the same attractions and the same surroundings. One can choose to enhance their experience further if so desired.


Extra Magic Hours offer the parks exclusively for resort guests. This is a prime example of Disney not "entitling guests to exactly the same treatment" - if you are not staying onsite, you don't get it and must leave.
Also, Disney are not discarding this idea either. There have been talks of introducing a fastpass system exclusively for onsite guests. Further details are here

Firstly, if it's such a great idea, why are attendances dropping, and the majority of posters against it? I can afford the passes, but won't buy them on principle.

With regards to the extra magic hours, that doesn't bother me in the slightest, but at least when the gates are flung open, I'm no different than anybody else.

With regards to dining, everyone has to eat, and where you choose to eat depends on budget and food preference. But if I choose Mcdonalds or Victoria and Alberts, my descicion will not affect anyone else in the park. By your standpoint, I could walk in to a restaurant just as you are about to be served, wave a wad of notes and take your table from under you. That's business, and you would have no problem with that would you.

I think your opinion on the passes is very much in the minority.

 

[Tron[ADS]]

I must be a bit out of date, my last visit to US/IOA being about 15 months ago.....at that point they had machines just like the Disney FastPass system where I put my ticket in and got a slip booking a fastpass on a particular ride.
Am I right in thinking that I can no longer do this unless I purchase an upgrade to my ticket ? Can I upgrade our tickets when I get there if we wanted to, or does it have to be purchased at the onset ?

 

[Gonz Of Lancashire]

I must be a bit out of date, my last visit to US/IOA being about 15 months ago.....at that point they had machines just like the Disney FastPass system where I put my ticket in and got a slip booking a fastpass on a particular ride.
Am I right in thinking that I can no longer do this unless I purchase an upgrade to my ticket ? Can I upgrade our tickets when I get there if we wanted to, or does it have to be purchased at the onset ?

The upgrades can only be purchased in the parks, and the price varies depending on what time of year your going.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I must be a bit out of date, my last visit to US/IOA being about 15 months ago.....at that point they had machines just like the Disney FastPass system where I put my ticket in and got a slip booking a fastpass on a particular ride.
Am I right in thinking that I can no longer do this unless I purchase an upgrade to my ticket ? Can I upgrade our tickets when I get there if we wanted to, or does it have to be purchased at the onset ?

Universal Express passes are no longer free, you have to pay upwards of $15 each (depending on when you go).
They are issued seperate to your theme park tickets and generally valid for just 1 day.
You can buy online or at the parks themselves, see links below.

Otherwise you can get to the parks early and in theory get on the busier rides first thing.
Must admit this usually works for us, we qualify for a GAC pass with Joshua although we try and use it as little as possible.

http://www.universalorlando.com/tic_faq.html#expressplus

see link below for online purchasing:
http://www.univacations.com//events/index.asp
Click on the "Buy Tickets" tab which is at the top of the page on the right hand portion.

It will take you to a new page, where you then click on the map for Orlando.

When you get to the next page, you click on "1 Park Express" or "2 Park Express" for dates and prices.