universal bans bottled water

[AustinTink]

Ugh. This will affect our spring break trip to Universal. The hubs is going to be mad.

 

[JanaDee]

I never carry water with us at any theme park. It wouldn't bother me if either Disney or Universal did this.

Sounds like maybe they've had issue with people over indulging during Mardi Gras in the past.

We never carry liquids into the parks, either. Not a big deal, IMO. I'm willing to pay the $3 Disney charges for the convenience of bottled water while on vacation.

 

[JanaDee]

It also sounds incredibly wasteful. All those bottles of water are being thrown away because Universal didn't notify guests that they would not be allowed to bring them in. I haven't been to US in years, but if it was allowed up until that morning and they changed without warning I would be very upset. Obviously US would be under the same obligation to provide free ice water as Disney?

Just like Disney, they can change the rules at any time, without notifying anyone else. Mucha ado about nothing.

 

[Feralpeg]

Universal has prohibited taking in open bottles of anything for some time. You can buy all you want once you are inside the park. You can't buy a drink in one park and take it into the other park if it has been opened.

 

[Chimaera]

We never carry liquids into the parks, either. Not a big deal, IMO.

I always love replies like this - "I don't do <insert thing here>, so it's not a big deal". People who didn't use paper FPs didn't think the switch to FP+ was a big deal either. Different things affect different people, news at 10.

 

[Planogirl]

"this is the result of a review of our procedures and is not permanent"

Is this due to drunkenness or security? It seems odd to do it so suddenly.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

what if it is a security thing - like at airports....makes you wonder if they have received a threat or if they are perhaps being proactive from a safety point of view. There is a lot of crazy stuff going on in the world right now. Just a thought.

 

[Cormoran]

I always love replies like this - "I don't do <insert thing here>, so it's not a big deal". People who didn't use paper FPs didn't think the switch to FP+ was a big deal either. Different things affect different people, news at 10.

You're absolutley right about being upset if something affects you, it's important. But you know what I don't see in the poster's replies? I don't see anyone jumping down your throat and telling you you're being ridiculous because you don't like this policy change. Something that I frequently see when someone says thay don't like FP+.

 

[cakebaker]

Just like Disney, they can change the rules at any time, without notifying anyone else. Mucha ado about nothing.

It's only much ado about nothing if you aren't in the habit of bringing beverages into the parks- and an awful lot of people are. Just cutting out buying 1 drink a day saves us $15 or so for us - every day. Mulitiply that by a week and it's not small change.

 

[JanaDee]

"this is the result of a review of our procedures and is not permanent"

Is this due to drunkenness or security? It seems odd to do it so suddenly.

I don't think it coming right before the start of Mardi Gras is any coincidence.

 

[JanaDee]

It's only much ado about nothing if you aren't in the habit of bringing beverages into the parks- and an awful lot of people are. Just cutting out buying 1 drink a day saves us $15 or so for us - every day. Mulitiply that by a week and it's not small change.

You aren't being prohibited from bringing in empty containers. Fill them up once you're inside. Problem solved.

 

[cakebaker]

You aren't being prohibited from bringing in empty containers. Fill them up once you're inside. Problem solved.

With what? And is it free? Some of us drink Pepsi, others Dr Pepper and others still want bottled water. Not Florida tap water.

Let's face it, if Disney did this the boards would be in an uproar and people would be claiming Disney is nothing but money hungry.

 

[AustinTink]

what if it is a security thing - like at airports....makes you wonder if they have received a threat or if they are perhaps being proactive from a safety point of view. There is a lot of crazy stuff going on in the world right now. Just a thought.

I'm inclined to agree. I have always wondered why open liquids and other consumables were not more tightly monitored given the state of the world today.

I personally would be fine never taking another water bottle or snack item into the parks again. My DH, however, refuses to pay the 3 or 4 bucks they charge for water. Yes, he knows you can get filtered ice water anywhere in the parks. But for him that seems inconvenient when he can carry one in his backpack.

 

[Planogirl]

With what? And is it free? Some of us drink Pepsi, others Dr Pepper and others still want bottled water. Not Florida tap water.

Let's face it, if Disney did this the boards would be in an uproar and people would be claiming Disney is nothing but money hungry.

Ice water is free.

 

[rajak73]

if Disney follows suit they will never see another dime from me.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-universal-orlando-citywalk-liquids-20150216-story.html

Universal banning bottle water is going to save me $20,000! We are just NOT going to Universal the next 4 years, (or to Disney for that matter, or to Florida) So Universal is saving us $20,000. Have to blame it on something!!

 

[AustinTink]

With what? And is it free? Some of us drink Pepsi, others Dr Pepper and others still want bottled water. Not Florida tap water.

Let's face it, if Disney did this the boards would be in an uproar and people would be claiming Disney is nothing but money hungry.

They could have filtered water stations around the park. ACL fest here in Austin has strict rules about water being brought in, so they provide water stations to fill up empty containers.

 

[JanaDee]

With what? And is it free? Some of us drink Pepsi, others Dr Pepper and others still want bottled water. Not Florida tap water.

Let's face it, if Disney did this the boards would be in an uproar and people would be claiming Disney is nothing but money hungry.

You can ask for ice water for free, just like at Disney. I'd be fine if Disney went ahead and did this. They'd make a lot more money by not allowing in any outside food or drink. They do it as a courtesy, one that can be stopped at any time.

 

[cakebaker]

Ice water is free.

It's inconvenient to have to stop and get a cup of ice water and as I said, this isn't just water they're banning.

I wasn't ever returning to Universal anyway. I'm glad WDW is much more generous with their guests. I just hope they don't see this and decide it's a great way to increase sales. It would sure put a dent in the value of a resort mug and it comes off as cheap and money hungry to me.

 

[JanaDee]

It's inconvenient to have to stop and get a cup of ice water and as I said, this isn't just water they're banning.

I wasn't ever returning to Universal anyway. I'm glad WDW is much more generous with their guests. I just hope they don't see this this and decide it's a great way to increase sales. It would sure put a dent in the value of a resort mug.

Resort mugs can't be used at the parks, so that is a moot point.

 

[cakebaker]

Resort mugs can't be used at the parks, so that is a moot point.

I fill my mug at the resort- on the way to transportation. So it's not a moot point. If the only time I can use the free refills is when I'm at the resort, it's hardly worth the price.