Universal irritations?

[lyn9856]

Anyone else feel slight irritations at Universal compared to a couple of years back? I have always loved Universal, and would never plan a trip to Orlando/LA without factoring it in as mandatory. However......I may miss it next year.
The mandatory fingerprint locker system for some rides is a bad faff. Very slow, and we witnessed at least 4 people require help because they coudnt get theirs open. The locker fixer man looked very fed up and overworked lol. It seems another way to make money? Why for Men in Black? I had a small across the body shoulder purse, 8ins square and still wasnt allowed to ride until deposited. Surely unecessary, never needed before for this ride, which is hardly a major speed thing??
The fast pass system is a rip off imho. Sorry folks! just my opinion. Can see that in busy times it could be necessary...but it certainly creates a two tier system...again more money. Today it def wasnt necessary. Waits only max 30mins, several walked straight on.
Today the park was posted as open till 7pm. However at 5pm they began setting out tables etc for private parties, and walkways started getting closed off. By 6pm the rides were shutting down, and we were herded out by 630pm. Not fair! We pay a lot for these tickets, and felt shortchanged today! One of our favourite times of the parks is that last hour...running round to catch our fave rides with no waits at all...or riding our fave for the last time for a last farewell. Notice the shop was left open of course!
The food is mediocre theme park fodder at best. Perhaps because it was a low attendance day. The all day meal plan looked a good deal, but drinks not included. And limited choices anyway. We went to Busch Gardens for the first time ever last Sunday, and in comparison we thought the food was much better??
Cast members on the rides lacked enthusiasm at times....and there weren't too many of them around
Don't get me wrong, we had a great day, and still love the rides, old and new. The park is spotless and the theming fantastic. And we would urge anyone who has never been that they absolutely must must go
This is only our perspective from today. And if we had visited another day, when we could have stayed till bang on closing we may well have felt differently. But I just wonder if maybe there is some slight evidence of the economy effect?
Lyn

 

[kellymonaghan]

Pretty saucy comments, I must say, for someone from Worcestershire!

FWIW, I have long advocated against the Meal Deal, for some of the reasons you mention. That also may explain the "mediocre food" -- the items on the Meal Deal menu are typically on the low end of the price point scale and made in huge industrial quantities. Had you had the Risotto of the Day at Mythos, the Catch of the Day at Lombards, or even the bangers and mash at Finnegan's, I think you might have had a different take on the food quality.

Early park closings are a bother. You can call Guest Services a day or two before your planned visit and they're supposed to be able to alert you to events like that. That way, you can rejigger your plans and come on a different day.

I also don't advocate Universal Express, except in unusual circumstances (high attendance time and only one day per park). The queue lines are part of the story, after all! I do, however, advocate for staying onsite, which means you get FOTL built in.

I'm with you on the fingerprint scan, though. They have it at Busch and SeaWorld too and it doesn't work any faster there. As to restrictions on what you can carry on rides, it used to be said that America is a nation of laws. Now it's a nation of lawyers and I suspect a lot of these "silly" rules have to do with liability issues.

 

[MsDisney]

Lyn,
Just out of curiosity, which park were they setting up for the private event in?
It's too bad you didn't find your way into Mythos to dine in IOA. This is one of the best theme park restaurants out there! I'm not big on counter service at any of the parks really. The meal deal is a great idea, but I usually recommend it for the teenagers...they can eat when they want, and quite a bit for $20 (if that's still the cost). You can add the drink on, so it just gives you the option to have it or pay a little more and not. I'm not sure you can get more than a burger and drink for $10, so if you get two meals out of it, I'm sure it's worth it, especially on longer theme park days in summer, etc. For me, I'd go for quality rather than quantity. The food at Busch Gardens is often touted as yummy.

The Express system offers guests the option at times to purchase Express booklets, but it is really a HUGE perk (I think) for their resort guests who enjoy those queues all day long during their stay. On a slow day, yes, it's silly to buy a book if they offer them, so it's good to be informed ahead to make that decision. At busy times, many feel it is very much worth the extra money!

I'm not sure why, but at some point they DID have a net on MIB for you to place your carryon stuff in. I'm thinking something over the shoulder that hangs down may have been considered either a safety issue (with the bars) or it could fly up when your spinning. I dunno. They provide the lockers as a convenience since families like to ride together and some rides just aren't safe or are too wild to have anything loose. MIB spins, sometimes ALOT. The lockers are free for a long enough time to enjoy the attraction you are visiting but if you decide to ride 6 times, or go to lunch and come back, you'll be charged but they're not mandatory, you can leave your bags with a non-rider, or not ride, or don't bring a bag. They offer it for your convenience because for a few rides, a bag isn't safe and/or won't fit. They offer pay lockers in the parks, but I think some people (not you, just sayin' ) try to use them for longer than their intended purpose.

It sounds like you had a good time anyway, and I understand how certain things can put a dark cloud over a day (like having to leave early would). I know at any theme park I've been to, I have seen both enthusiastic and less than enthusiastic cast members. I've seen downright rude too. Noplace has 100% excited workers, for sure!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Karen

 

[amberandolly]

I totally agree about the stupid locker system - most of the time actually getting a locker took a lot longer than getting on and off the ride - especially MIB and The Mummy!

Busch was better for the food - and we had a free show whilst eating in the desert grill.

 

[Akdar]

I was complaining about the lockers being free at the Mummy for only a 1/2 hour on Monday, well they were free for an hour yesterday (Tuesday). Maybe it's a day to day thing, or maybe they heard me

 

[orlandonyc]

i feel your pain, but it could be worse. i live in NYC and the closest theme park is six flags great adventure. recently they added some really kick butt rides yet the park was dirty, the food was like cardboard and the staff was a bunch of 11th graders working the summer. i had a season pass last year and the perks were non existent. i plan on going there this year but once for the dark knight ride and that's it.

 

[goofy!]

Although the place is certainly not perfect (don't think I've od'd on Mummy Dust lately), I agree with some and disagree with some of your assessments.

The mandatory fingerprint locker system for some rides is a bad faff. Very slow, and we witnessed at least 4 people require help because they coudnt get theirs open. The locker fixer man looked very fed up and overworked lol. It seems another way to make money?

The lockers are free, so unless one is keeping their stuff in it long after the expiration period, I can't see how the lockers could be considered profit generators.

If we use the lockers (which is very rarely) we always use the lockers at the very back row or around the corner at MIB. It seems there is always a jam for the lockers up front, but if you go all the way to the back, the lines are either non-existent or much smaller. I don't think many people even know about the locker bank around the corner at MIB. There is hardly ever anyone there.

Why for Men in Black? I had a small across the body shoulder purse, 8ins square and still wasnt allowed to ride until deposited. Surely unecessary, never needed before for this ride, which is hardly a major speed thing??

I agree that having to stop at lockers is an inconvenience. Just a hint, but next time, wear a fanny pack. As long as it is clipped to your waist, I have never been asked to remove it and stow it in the lockers. And I have a rather large one. I can fit 2 of the smaller bottles of water from the Club in it, our camera, etc. DH claims that if we look hard enough, we could probably also find the Dead Sea Scrolls in it. We go rather often, and never have I been asked to remove it.

The fast pass system is a rip off imho. Sorry folks! just my opinion. Can see that in busy times it could be necessary...but it certainly creates a two tier system...again more money.

This is where we really have a different perspective.

Where you see it as a two tier system, I see it as more choice.

The tickets to get into Universal are extremely cheap. Where else can you find a 7 day unlimited 2 park ticket for $80.00. Or an annual pass for $190 with a renewal of only $100 with all the discounts associated with it?

Universal allows you to enter their parks quite cheaply. If you want to upgrade to Express or stay onsite for FOTL, you have that choice.

Upgrading to Express puts your ticket on par with Disney's tickets where you get Fast Pass included in the price of the ticket. But Bonus - with the Express booklet, you are not running around on a fixed schedule pulling fast passes as soon as they are available. You just decide when you want to use your Express Pass and you use it.

I would have loved the cheap entrance tickets to Disney this past March. DD was there for a cheerleading competition. We had to shell out over $200 each to get into Hollywood Studios and the Milkhouse to just watch her compete for 2.5 minutes. And due to team commitments, there was no opportunity to get on any rides. I would have absolutely loved to be able to pay my $80.00 for a 3 day parkhopping visit and then having the choice to upgrade to a paid fast pass IF we found the time to ride a few rides.

The food is mediocre theme park fodder at best. Perhaps because it was a low attendance day. The all day meal plan looked a good deal, but drinks not included. And limited choices anyway. We went to Busch Gardens for the first time ever last Sunday, and in comparison we thought the food was much better??

If you only ate the choices on the Meal Deal, I would have to agree with you. We never do the Meal Deal because we like the variety of the excellent restaurants available. There is a reason Mythos has been voted Best Theme Park Restaurant so many times.

And using that AP discount at both the Universal and City Walk restaurants makes it very worthwhile.

Don't get me wrong, we had a great day, and still love the rides, old and new. The park is spotless and the theming fantastic. And we would urge anyone who has never been that they absolutely must must go

Glad you had a great time!!!!

 

[phamton]

The hours arer posted online, at the parking toll booth, at the turnstiles, and on the park maps. Universal Studios posted hours stated the park closed at 6:00 PM : http://www.universalorlando.com/hou...dar=uo_park_hours&template=uo_park_hours.html

Islands was open until 7:00 PM last night. It sounds like you looked at their hours.

Lockers are free for the rides that require you to use them. Themepark food---- well that's another story: I personally prefer the counter food at Universal to Disney. Every counter service tastes the same at Disney. The hamburgers or pulled pork at one counter service tastes exactly the same. That is because thet make them all the same.

The hamburgers etc at different places at Universal are made differently. They are not mass produced. I'm not crazy about Mel's hamburgers but love the ones at Richters.

 

[Timmy Boy]

Men in Black used to not require lockers, but due to the spinning, some bags become loose and fell on the ride track. Then, the car behind them would run over the bag, causing the ride to break.

Also, guests would jump out of the ride to retrieve a lost bag, not knowing one touch to that track would cause an electric shock. We have to cater to their stupidity.

 

[LeslieR]

Men in Black used to not require lockers, but due to the spinning, some bags become loose and fell on the ride track. Then, the car behind them would run over the bag, causing the ride to break.

Also, guests would jump out of the ride to retrieve a lost bag, not knowing one touch to that track would cause an electric shock. We have to cater to their stupidity.

Hey Timmy boy--Do you know if all rides let you keep a fanny pack on if it is clipped around your waist securly or does it depend on the person running the ride?

 

[Jason71]

I agree the counter-service food is mediocre at best, but I find that true across Orlando's parks. Definitely worth finding your way to Mythos or Finnegans (or out to CityWalk), future reference.

The scanners are annoying as well, but again, there everywhere now.

One more irritation for me...parking. Disney has it down to a science, and Sea World isn't big or busy enough for it to be a hassle, but at Universal, you're often left to find a space by yourself, with no guidance as to what is open.

 

[Timmy Boy]

^Um, there are always parking attendants directing cars. I've never not seen anyone directing the flow of cars.

^^It depends on who is working the ride. Most of the time, fanny packs are fine.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

^Um, there are always parking attendants directing cars. I've never not seen anyone directing the flow of cars./QUOTE]

I'm with Jason on this one...We've been left to our wanderings to find parking on a couple of occasions in the past year.

 

[phamton]

I'm with Jason on this one...We've been left to our wanderings to find parking on a couple of occasions in the past year.

I agree. I've seen that happen a few times also.

 

[Metro West]

I agree the counter-service food is mediocre at best, but I find that true across Orlando's parks. Definitely worth finding your way to Mythos or Finnegans (or out to CityWalk), future reference.

The scanners are annoying as well, but again, there everywhere now.

One more irritation for me...parking. Disney has it down to a science, and Sea World isn't big or busy enough for it to be a hassle, but at Universal, you're often left to find a space by yourself, with no guidance as to what is open.

I enjoy most of the food at Universal and I mainly do counter service since whenever I go to a table service restaurant, I get the worst server on the planet.

Agree on the scanners...they seem to be using the hand helds when it's busy to move the lines which are not an issue.

Parking is hit or miss...I call the Disney parkers the "Parking Nazis"...but they know the job.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

Hey Lyn.. I hope you had a good time otherwise.

I actually have had similar feelings about Express creating a class system in the past but I actually like it now. And no, I'm not any richer than before.

I like having the option. Unfortunately I can't get too much time off from work to spend a lot of time at the parks so I find Express to be a lifesaver, especially when I'm trying to take a small vacation and can actually sleep in without worry. Before I used to come back from Orlando feeling more exhausted than when I left. Now I can just take my time and spend a lot more time by the pool or in bed!

Now, when I'm going without Express, I know exactly what I have to do. Get to the parks at opening and if I want to leave and come back, return during the last hour or so of the parks opening to take advantage of smaller lines.

I see Express as a perk for staying on-site which can run you as much as a discounted Deluxe Disney property sometimes or as little as a Disney Value during peak times. Disney has a perk for their guests.. Extra Magic Hours. I do enjoy this perk and to be honest, I would pay for it if it were available for a similar price as Express ($20-$40) to get to stay in the park for a few hours after closing.

But that's not an option, unless you count the Pirate & Princess/Halloween/Christmas parties at Magic Kingdom which causes the parks to evac at around 5 or 6pm (your $75 day tickets be damned) to set up for people being charged another $50.

But it depends on how you look at it. Regardless, everyone's out for your money.. so make the most of it. Hope you had a good trip.

 

[lyn9856]

Thanks for the debate guys! Really interesting to share views.
Just thought I would add an update.
We had a fantastic day at Islands today.
Ate at Mythos....very good for a park restaurant. Thanks Dis people for recommendations. And lots of choice for snacks/sweets/ice creams around the park also. We really felt it was all well presented today.
Walked onto most of the rides..max 20 mins around lunch time/early afternoon. Even Dragons was a swift walk through, 5mins wait at top....great ride on Fire then a quick run back cross for Ice. Twice straight off on Spiderman and Hulk with barely 5 mins between. Good job I hadnt paid for a fastpass!
I have the lockers sussed now. Gentle and patient on the finger scans and wait for the couple of second delay on the release. Relax and it works well. Sorry for some folks who were in a right tizz over them though. Only gripe I had was that the lockers near the JPark wet ride were mandatory $2. No free minutes. Oh no. A quick run back to dragons.....and used the lockers there for the free 45 mins. No probs.
So. All in all...Islands balanced out yesterdays small niggles at Universal The good movie rides at Universal are still as good as ever, but we still think some more thought to food outlets etc. And we were definitely told 7pm closure on entry. Probably a slip I guess by one of those board cast members.
We are off to Disney PFFQ for 10 days from tomorrow. So will wander over to the appropriate threads!
Thanks again
Lyn

 

[ChrisFL]

Only gripe I had was that the lockers near the JPark wet ride were mandatory $2. No free minutes.

That is something worth making a statement about, I thought all of the lockers were free up to a certain time.

 

[phamton]

The rides that require you to store your stuff are free. JP doesn't have that requirement.

 

[micksterlee]

I don't understand the problem with Express creating a class system.I look at it as a perk whether you buy it or get with your resort stay, that makes me want to visit the parks when ever possible.I understand that not everyone wants to pay extra for Express or can afford to, but I don't think they should look at people who do as trying to be better than others.I would glady pay for a front of the line pass of some kind at WDW, not to look better than anyone else but to avoid waiting in the long lines.