universal bans bottled water

[Reddog1134]

When we went to Holiday World last year they made my wife dump out her water. We thought it was kind of odd for a theme park that's won "Friendliest theme park" multiple times.

Of course, they have free fountain drinks there.

 

[JanaDee]

The link says any liquid- not just water bottles btw.


For families on a budget, $3 a drink for 4, 5, 6 people adds up quick. It's a cheap move on Universal's part. I don't buy the alcohol excuse for a second. Especially if they're forcing parents to dump out formula. I wonder how many people try and sneak in booze in the baby's formula.

You can still ask for free ice water.

 

[mom2rtk]

The link says any liquid- not just water bottles btw.


For families on a budget, $3 a drink for 4, 5, 6 people adds up quick. It's a cheap move on Universal's part. I don't buy the alcohol excuse for a second. Especially if they're forcing parents to dump out formula. I wonder how many people try and sneak in booze in the baby's formula.

Then you probably should speak with your dollars and stop going to Universal.

And I see no reason to doubt the alcohol explanation, especially as we are on the verge of Mardi Gras and they said the policy is not permanent.

 

[cakebaker]

Then you probably should speak with your dollars and stop going to Universal.

And I see no reason to doubt the alcohol explanation, especially as we are on the verge of Mardi Gras and they said the policy is not permanent.

I agree absolutely! When one does not like what a business does, they should stop going.

I don't buy it when they're tossing baby formula and sealed bottles of water.

Edited to add: It would seem, as I understand it, Universal has Mardi Gras nights on the weekends, not every night of the week, so you'd think if alcohol were the reason , they'd only do it on party nights- that is unless Universal guests are more prone to drink???? Are drunks that big a problem there?

 

[rajak73]

What do you think?

Are you taking bets?

They don't seem to be worried about iPads, phones and other small brick-sized personal electronics that are prevalent in the parks. Disney lets people take in small coolers, the linings of which could be filled with god knows what. If there was a credible security threat, you can bet that practice would be outlawed immediately. This is either a money-grab or a genuine attempt to prevent alcohol issues at US.

The bolded pretty well says it all.

 

[Laketravis]

I sure hope movie theaters don't get wind of this.

 

[mort1331]

I didn't even think of this? Formula is expensive, or could you imagine if they asked you to dump out pre-pumped breast milk? I really hope that's an exaggeration.

My wife doesn't prepump, Guess she is empting her boobs at the guards.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Vodka = clear liquid.
Light rum = clear liquid.
Water = clear liquid...

Clearly the only alcohol in the world. My mistake.

 

[Angel Ariel]

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

It seems that bringing in empty containers (like an empty water bottle, like a Nalgene bottle) is OK, and that is just store bought bottled water they aren't allowing in...did I understand that correctly?

Does Universal give free water at QS like Disney does? We've never brought store bought water bottles to theme parks, but we do bring our personal water bottles. We fill it up with ice and water from the hotel prior to leaving, and fill it up with water from QS restaurants throughout the day as needed. It would be good to know if something similar were not possible at Universal.

 

[cakebaker]

It seems that bringing in empty containers (like an empty water bottle, like a Nalgene bottle) is OK, and that is just store bought bottled water they aren't allowing in...did I understand that correctly?

The article says any liquids.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Only through a Britta filter...Florida water does not taste good to me.

Don't they make water bottles with brita filters now?

 

[Cormoran]

I sure hope movie theaters don't get wind of this.

Wait, you mean I can't bring my own drink into the theaters?

 

[JanaDee]

On what planet does a parent mix ice water with formula powder?

I'm done in this conversation. Continue bemoaning how Universal is dooming you all to dying of dehydration, all the while conveniently ignoring you can ask for FREE WATER (with ice or not) at any QS location.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm done in this conversation. Continue bemoaning how Universal is dooming you all to dying of dehydration, all the while conveniently ignoring you can ask for FREE WATER (with ice or not) at any QS location.

Honest question. Even a parent can bring a bottled water through airport security.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Interesting that on the Universal thread, someone there is saying that they watched the guards make a guest pour out pre mixed baby formula. Weird and wrong.

Now that would piss me off, absolutely. One of the few places DD ever got formula was Universal..I had to exclusively pump for her, and she'd gone through all of the milk I had expressed and available. (Plus what, would they make me pour out expressed milk too?) She was physically unable to nurse, and we had the ready-to-go formula with us as a backup. If I were that mother, I would have raised a *lot* of noise about that.

 

[cakebaker]

On what planet does a parent mix ice water with formula powder?

Never mind that if you're on site they're dumping the formula before you get on transportation-Seriously, no excuse for dumping baby formula. Are they allowing baby food? 'Cause I can see lacing some pureed plums with a little vodka...yum!

 

[lugnut33]

Pretty sure the policy is similar to what major music festivals have so they can keep people from bringing alcohol in.

However, in a tradition as old as time, the website has not been updated and says the following:

We offer a variety of fresh, delicious food for our guests to enjoy at restaurants and concession stands throughout our resort; however, we understand that guests may need to bring outside food and drink into our parks. Please note the following guidelines for bringing food and drink into our parks:

Acceptable items:

• Bottled water
• Small snacks that do not require heating
• Any food required for medical purposes and medically–indicated nutritional supplements
• Any food required for special dietary needs
• Baby food/baby formula
• Soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5" wide x 6" high x 6" deep

Prohibited items:

• Picnic lunches
• Food that requires heating or refrigeration
• Alcohol and glass containers
• Hard-sided coolers
• Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5" wide x 6" high x 6" deep
• Coolers, suitcases, and bags with wheels
• Folding chairs
• Clothing with offensive language or content
• Clothing that represents someone as emergency personnel

Please be advised that all bags and personal items are subject to inspection.

https://www.universalorlando.com/Resort-Information/What-to-Bring.aspx

 

[NJlauren]

I'll tell you right now if they made me dump expressed milk or formula I would never give them another dollar. Other parents should feel the same way.

That's ridiculous.

 

[Angel Ariel]

The article says any liquids.

I was listening to the video, and I must have missed the any liquid. Regardless, my question is still relevant - are they allowing you to bring in empty containers which could then be filled with free ice water in the park? As long as that option is available to me, the restriction on bottled water doesn't really affect us (not saying I agree with it, but it wouldn't affect us). If that option is not available, that would be a change I'd need to make note of and re-check the next time we go to Universal (since they did say it wasn't permanent).

 

[Cormoran]

Pretty sure the policy is similar to what major music festivals have so they can keep people from bringing alcohol in.

However, in a tradition as old as time, the website has not been updated and says the following:

We offer a variety of fresh, delicious food for our guests to enjoy at restaurants and concession stands throughout our resort; however, we understand that guests may need to bring outside food and drink into our parks. Please note the following guidelines for bringing food and drink into our parks:

Acceptable items:

• Bottled water
• Small snacks that do not require heating
• Any food required for medical purposes and medically–indicated nutritional supplements
• Any food required for special dietary needs
• Baby food/baby formula
• Soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5" wide x 6" high x 6" deep

Prohibited items:

• Picnic lunches
• Food that requires heating or refrigeration
• Alcohol and glass containers
• Hard-sided coolers
• Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5" wide x 6" high x 6" deep
• Coolers, suitcases, and bags with wheels
• Folding chairs
• Clothing with offensive language or content
• Clothing that represents someone as emergency personnel

Please be advised that all bags and personal items are subject to inspection.

https://www.universalorlando.com/Resort-Information/What-to-Bring.aspx

I wish they's update their site so everyone knows what is and isn't allowed. I really have a hard time believing that they would throw out baby formula. I'm not saying it couldn't happen, but I'd like to see their website updated