Universal irritations?

[orlandonyc]

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.

I agree. its all about perception. if u r on the long line and get flustered then the ideal thing to do is to get a pass. sure its like another 100 bucks or so for a party of like four but it can be an investment of time if you got plans for other things or want to eat somewhere nice not too late. i got a fourteen day flex plan so if lines are too much i can just wait another day. but when i was there last time i got the express plan and save a whole lot of time to do other things later in the day. it works out. i remember once getting on the JP falls and someone asked me why i got to the front, and if i stood at the hard rock or something. i said no, i simply brought a pass. the other dude didnt even know they existed and said he was going to get one.

 

[donaldduck352]

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

Popeyes was not free. Not when we went last month.We just stored our stuff in the barge cover.

 

[phamton]

Popeye's doesn't require you to store your stuff so their lockers are not free. The only rides that require storage are Hulk, Dueling Dragons, Mummy and Men in Black. Those rides have free lockers. The other rides do not have free lockers because you can take your stuff with you on them.

 

[Figment22]

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.

Excellent points made here. I've never felt the need to purchase express passes because we're always in the gates at opening but this really gives a different perspective to purchasing the express tix. We're AP holders, BTW.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

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 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.



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.



Glad you had a great time!!!!

You are very lucky that no one has stopped you with your fanny pack.. I have been stopped with it. I no longer even try to get by with it. I now put it in a locker. Once I had ONLY my cell phone case.. not even my phone.. just the case clipped onto my shorts and I was told to take it off. So I did .. I stuffed it into my pocket... I had totally forgotten to take it off.. my cell was in my pocket from the last time I used it.. I had the case just clipped to my belt loop... I was told ...nothing can be "carried on"... so I do not try.. that only holds the line up if you are caught...

 

[Detailor]

Popeye's doesn't require you to store your stuff so their lockers are not free. The only rides that require storage are Hulk, Dueling Dragons, Mummy and Men in Black. Those rides have free lockers. The other rides do not have free lockers because you can take your stuff with you on them.

What about Ripsaw Falls? This year I was directed by the Mountie who greeted us at the entrance to take our backpack to the lockers. I thought it really odd that I had to use a credit card when I got to the lockers. Do you think it was just a training issue?

Dick Taylor

 

[the Dark Marauder]

The Ripsaw lockers were temporary. It's back to the "use them if you want to" system, last I saw.

-side note-
Ripsaw has an on-ride photo now!

 

[Detailor]

The Ripsaw lockers were temporary. It's back to the "use them if you want to" system, last I saw.

Thanks, good news. Our March '08 visit was the only time that we were required to use one.

-side note-
Ripsaw has an on-ride photo now!

That's cool. I've always wondered why they didn't have photos for this ride.

Dick Taylor

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Do people find the fact that at certain times of the year some of the attractions open later than others irritating? It's something we have seen regularly at all parks not just Universal over the years.

My son Joshua is autistic and loves certain rides both at IOA and US, favourites are ET and Woody Woodpecker.
With our Annual Passes we try and spend a fair bit of time at both parks but as our son is an early riser we do get there for park opening, this is also an advantage because as we all know it is very hot in summer and we feel getting there early is important - Josh does sometimes struggle (as we all do!) with the high temperatures at times.
Unfortunatley we are restricted to going in August because of the UK summer holidays, obviously we realise the likes of Woody doesn't open till 10am but we found in 2006 Jaws, Earthquake were still not open at 1030am.

Barney was also scheduled to open at 10 but at 1045 was still closed. So after riding ET (a few times), we then have Barney closed, Woody closed, Jaws closed, Curious George closed and Earthquake closed. In this area of the park then that doesn't leave too many rides actually open.
It just feels like everyone was expected to head for Shrek and Jimmy Neutron at park opening.
'Lucille A Tribute' was open at 9, no disrecpect but it isn't something we normally go and see - if this attraction had been located at the back of the park would it still open at 9? I doubt it to be honest.
My own personal opinion is maybe unrealistic but if a park opens at 9, all rides should open at that time too. Joshua is a bit older now and when we return this August Jimmy Neutron and hopefully the likes of The Simpson's may be options for us too.

Maybe mid August is coming to the end of the summer crowd level wise and I am sure that is part of the reason, but we still find it frustrating.

 

[ckay87]

Never needed the lockers. Always used DH. Just bought a pink flowery packpack. Will probably need the lockers.

 

[keishashadow]

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.[/quote]

i'm with u, would be a splurge we'd take advantage of at least once during peak travel times @ WDW

after reading reports of the system they patented a few years ago as to extra FPs tied into your level of stay/via interactive tv in room; i had held out high hopes

another tested idea as to getting FPs via cell phones...not sure how that turned out

they even are testing a sytem wherein you can get ride updates on a Nintendo DS, in lieu of Pal Mickey...personally, i draw the line @ gaming in the parks

must say, i'm apprehensive about our 1st foray as day guests this October; guess we'll just have to keep our commando hats on