Universal Cheaping Out In 2009

[damo]

Um, I know this isn't a Disney vs USF you-know-what contest, but Disney does have single rider lines for at least one good ride (Test Track comes to mind). And I am pretty sure I remember seeing them at at least 1 or 2 others.

When I was at USF I attempted the single rider lane at Mummy and was discouraged from doing it because they told me the line was about the same and at MIB, the regular line was 60 minutes and the single rider line was 30, not much of a deal to me.

Honestly, I have no dog in this fight, it is just that USF has problems (at least they did when I was there) and I remember being able to go and get to ride a lot of rides (several years ago). I just want to do that again!

Again, I

Disneyland has single rider lines that we have used too. I think certain rides work well with single riders and others don't.

 

[Disneyhappy]

Uh..would that busy time be that they are out of fastpasses by 10 a.m.?

And you have to make a plan to run from each fastpass attraction to get them. Meaning that you are exhausted from running all over the park to get said "fast" passes...

I like the Motherland and all, but their system isn't the greatest either...

This is a great point. It has been my experience that FPs are usually all given out for hot attractions before noon. I love Mickey but IMHO, we visit him less frequently over the last few years due to the ovewhelming crowds and lines, even with FP. We visited the week before TG in 2008 and only went to parks on 2 days and decided to call it quits after that because of the lines. No big deal for us since we love hanging at the resorts as well. Our one goal was to ride the new Toy Story Mania but they ran out of FPs early. We got lucky and won dream fastpasses on RNR so we did end up riding it. I also hate when we get a FP for later in the afternoon. We never spend a whole day in the park. We go back after lunch when the crowds become crazy and hang at the pool. We then usually have plans to have dinner in a different park so we end up giving away the FP before we leave the park. We always schedule our USF visit at the end of our WDW stay. We did USF before WDW one time and were so spoiled by the FOTL that it put a damper on our visit. I do agree that if I stayed offsite that I would miss the express passes that had previsously been available to offsite guests for free.

As far as Suess Island being worn down, I had to laugh because our SIL was with us 2 weekends ago for her first visit. She made a comment about how well maintained USF is and specifically made a comment about Suess Island and the vibrant colors - "The upkeep must cost a lot." Maybe they rehabbed it after the PP's visit?

It is not fair to compare the two icons as they each have wonderful things to offer. I, however, do find that I do not need a vacation to recover after my USF only visits but I do feel like I need one after my WDW visits. WDW is just too dang large with too much to do! LOL!

 

[Muushka]

snip....
It is not fair to compare the two icons as they each have wonderful things to offer. I, however, do find that I do not need a vacation to recover after my USF only visits but I do feel like I need one after my WDW visits. WDW is just too dang large with too much to do! LOL!

I agree! We just stayed at BCV and at the end of the 3 days there we were pooped and we didn't even visit much other than Epcot and MGM!

 

[LuvOrlando]

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[macraven]

LuvOrlando, i don't think we are going to see the BOGO ap before parry hotter island opens up.

even for the times i did not use my ap to the fullest for park admission, i was able to renew it forever at the low renewal price.
they finally increased that ap renewal in march 08.
it now is $117.10 for it but still a great deal!

 

[GuestServicesMonkey]

Since it costs the same to run the parks regardless of how many people are there why don't they go back to the great 2 years for the price of one year annual pass.

You do realize this is a bit naive. There are certain fixed operational costs such a lighting electricity that do not change based upon attendance, but almost everything else is variable.

As attendance increases, so does staffing and more rides are fully operational running 'both tracks' instead of one with more 'cars'. The operational expense of an attraction can quadruple from slow season to busy season.

As the parks haven't had a truly brand new ride in years, that worked offering AP promotions. With HP opening in 2010, there is a big drive to make people pay to visit. Annual passes do not receive promotions that will extend the year into HP time. Comps expire at the end of 2009 now (unless previously issued with no expiration).

If you also look at the timing of 'promotions', the extra 'free' months usually end up being during a 'slow' period with the buy1/get1 being an exception that resulted in too much revenue loss. There really is no reason to give away so much money when the value of the AP is well worth it

While it is true that tickets are not the biggest source of profit, they are still a good source of revenue and in today's market expescially, every cent is being scrutinized.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

We have noticed this over the past few years. It seems like Universal is very lacking during the slow times. In Sept 2006, it was fine- slow but still felt like Universal. Sept 2007 though, was far from desirable. The parks were basically empty, restaurants opened late, shows started late, tracks weren't open... the whole feeling of the place made me never want to go back EVER.

And we didn't in 2008.

Nor will we in 2009.

Only when the new Harry Potter land is ready will we return but if it's not ready in Sept 2010, we may have to wait until 2011.

The rides are good, Dueling Dragons and Mummy are some of my favorite rides ever but the overall park has to do it for me so spend the time and money getting there.

Come on Universal, help me out.

 

[muffyn]

I emailed them last week. & actually got a phone call back!
she wanted me to elaborate on my email which I said how dissapointed we are with the way the rides are being run, In december we also had long lines with only one ride vehicle running.
she asked why we didn't complain why we were there.. I said , well I figure I can complain on bad service or injury or something. but figured I had no input on how they run their park & couldn't very well demand that more vehicles are put in service.
um, she had no really answer to WHY there is this problem, actually sounded like she did not know it was happening . but did say the emails are sent higher up in the chain & they do want to hear complaints like this.
sooooooo
when in park, complain to guest services & also email!!!

 

[ky07]

I emailed them last week. & actually got a phone call back!
she wanted me to elaborate on my email which I said how dissapointed we are with the way the rides are being run, In december we also had long lines with only one ride vehicle running.
she asked why we didn't complain why we were there.. I said , well I figure I can complain on bad service or injury or something. but figured I had no input on how they run their park & couldn't very well demand that more vehicles are put in service.
um, she had no really answer to WHY there is this problem, actually sounded like she did not know it was happening . but did say the emails are sent higher up in the chain & they do want to hear complaints like this.
sooooooo
when in park, complain to guest services & also email!!!

I think the person you were talking to is exactly right cause how are they going to know what thier customers think when we never tell guest sevices how we feel about these things if we wait till we get home and do e-mails
Not that it is a bad thing but you can always tell them about it while your there

 

[donaldduck352]

Maybe its us,but everytime we go we never encounter many problems at all and we go very often!!

Guest service has been great.We had a problem during HHN and without hesitation we got free express passes!!

I agree with GSM,they dont make much money off of AP holders.But they do make it up on the reason that you will spend more money since you get in with your AP.Like restruants-souviners etc..

I'm rambling on here.If you have a problem take it too GS.Dont go with a tude talk and the problem will be resolved,I promise!!

 

[GuestServicesMonkey]

Dont go with a tude talk and the problem will be resolved,I promise!!

*giggles a little inside because this is really true*

Going with a 'tude will get you a 'thank you for taking the time to let us know. We will be forwarding your comments on to management for consideration. Thank you (...now get out of my lobby)

Always amazes me that people with pith and vinegar want to yell at someone as if they are personally responsible for 'ruining their vacation (yes! all of it... all over cold french fries) calling you a thief and a liar.... and then asking for your help. Can you guess exactly what this person got? *evil laugh*

 

[ky07]

*giggles a little inside because this is really true*

Going with a 'tude will get you a 'thank you for taking the time to let us know. We will be forwarding your comments on to management for consideration. Thank you (...now get out of my lobby)

Always amazes me that people with pith and vinegar want to yell at someone as if they are personally responsible for 'ruining their vacation (yes! all of it... all over cold french fries) calling you a thief and a liar.... and then asking for your help. Can you guess exactly what this person got? *evil laugh*

Take it from someone who has worked in customer service field from regular employee to management and that is if you come with attitude that can you help in a nice and calm way a employee will go out of thier way to help and answer in anyway they can but come in with you need to do this or I demand this only adds fuel to the fire and makes for I could care less attitude toward you and I always liked it when people told me about problems face to face instead of phone calls or emails cause if you think about it we could resolve it while your here and would be able to fix it then

 

[Muushka]

*giggles a little inside because this is really true*

Going with a 'tude will get you a 'thank you for taking the time to let us know. We will be forwarding your comments on to management for consideration. Thank you (...now get out of my lobby)

Always amazes me that people with pith and vinegar want to yell at someone as if they are personally responsible for 'ruining their vacation (yes! all of it... all over cold french fries) calling you a thief and a liar.... and then asking for your help. Can you guess exactly what this person got? *evil laugh*

This is so true. I didn't get upset with anyone at the park, but I did email them about my disappointment with the parks on my last visit. I got such a nice phone call from them, an apology, and an incentive to visit again!

 

[Metro West]

Just wanted to let everyone know I went over to Universal today and it was pretty slow. Nothing had a wait longer than 20 mins except the P-Flyers at IOA...but that ride always has a long wait. Everything seemed to be running smoothly and the weather was perfect!