Universal Not For Us

[Hey Blinkin]

Wow we are finishing up our week here and have to say we wish we would have booked Disney again. Our kids wanted to really see Harry Potter and in my opinion it is one of the only things keeping this place afloat. Volcano bay is also very nice but I wasn’t a huge fan of their tapu tapu system as you are stuck sitting in the wave pool or lazy river until your ride time which for some simple slides was 40-80 minutes. If a slide is 10 min wait you can’t ride it unless you cancel the other ride you are waiting for. They need to fix that.

All around we have been dissapointed by poor customer service both at the parks and hotel. I really want to know who is employed on their attractions. How many times getting squirted water on a 3d screen ride is to much? How many screen rides in general is to much? I mean it is laughable how poor some of these rides are. Kong Skull Island is a bus that rocks back and forth while my ear drums bleed from the loudness while i watch a 3d movie and get squirted with water again. Pitiful. The theming of the ques is pretty good but seems they ran out of money for the actual ride. Every ride the attendants clap at the end. I think they are trained to clap to give the impression “all is well”

The hotel service has been ok. Concierge at their deluxe hotel is worthless. Can’t answer or help with any basic universal questions and point you to wait in line at the universal desk. Yes i know the hotels are not owned by Universal which is a problem IMO. We put a card on file so could charge to the room. First two days the system “was down” so coudn’t use it and they couldn’t release the hold on our card. Yikes talk about poor tech.

For those that love Universal great. This post isnt for you. For those that are thinking about trying it instead of Disney I would caution you to book a short trip to test the waters. We are regretting our decision.

 

[Lynne G]

I am sorry you did not enjoy your stay. If you are unhappy with the hotel, please send an email to the manager. I find the hotels’ staff usually very helpful, and if I have an issue, I ask for a manager.

As for the parks, I am not good with screens, but there is so much more to ride and do.

And, I don’t mind getting wet when it is so hot out.

At least you know what works for your family, and at least you gave it a try.

 

[Lynne G]

Oh, and I can remember when Disney had their IT down, and many were stuck with no way to pay in their parks. So, it can happen anywhere, including Southwest Air.

 

[damo]

And this is a good example of how different strokes are for different folks. There is another post up right now saying that the people loved Universal way more than they expected to.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...iversal-islands-of-adventure-so-much.3750233/

The tech comment isn't really something that would hold me off. I spent several days trying to book at the Disneyland Hotel. Spoke to someone online who kept saying there were no issues, keep trying, blah blah blah. Finally called (long distance from Canada) and was told they were having a glitch booking hotels when your party included a 2 year old. How's that for poor tech?

 

[schumigirl]

lol....nice and unique first post........well, posts on the Universal board are there for everyone to read.....not for you to decide who should read them.....

It`s obviously not for you.....obviously Disney is a much better fit for you...

I am not sure what you may have done to cause so many people not to help you....wow.....we have never experienced that at Universal. Ever!!! Staff at hotels and the parks have only ever been friendly, courteous and so helpful....haven't ever ask a question and not get an answer....strange you experienced such negativity everywhere.

Not all hotels are Loews owned and run. PBH, HRH, RPR and Sapphire are Loews owned and run...…..Aventura, Cabana Bay, and the new Endless Summer are Universal owned and operated...they are merely managed by Loews......but Universal has quite a big say in how they all operate so it`s not such a distinction between the two companies.

I would have taken more consideration of your post if you hadn't compared everything to Disney......Disney certainly isn't the magic fairyland it`s made out to be…...but I would never tell anyone not to try out Disney if they haven't been.....your bad experience certainly isn't the Universal most of us know and love...…..

Still, least you know and won`t go back...….

You didn't say which hotel you stayed in.....things can go tech anywhere.....heck it happened to us at POFQ many years ago....these things happen...…

You do know many staff work both places......

Enjoy Disney......we`ll carry on being happy with Unlimited EP for our trips, but I`m sure this will fall on deaf ears anyway...….. so you take care now...…..

 

[luvsJack]

Did you really go into this trip with no expectations? I ask because it sounds like you were looking for reasons not to like Universal.

We have found the employees at Universal to be absolutely wonderful. Always helpful and always knowledgeable! Not sure if it’s true but the lady in the gift shop at Cabana Bay said they had to take a test about Universal at hire and the ones in the HP sections had to take one about HP. The lady working the front desk went so far and beyond that I called when we got back to leave a major compliment about her customer service.

As for the rides, well everyone has their preference but we quite enjoyed them. I would never tell anyone they shouldn’t try the place because they absolutely should!

 

[Hey Blinkin]

lol....nice and unique first post........well, posts on the Universal board are there for everyone to read.....not for you to decide who should read them.....

It`s obviously not for you.....obviously Disney is a much better fit for you...

I am not sure what you may have done to cause so many people not to help you....wow.....we have never experienced that at Universal. Ever!!! Staff at hotels and the parks have only ever been friendly, courteous and so helpful....haven't ever ask a question and not get an answer....strange you experienced such negativity everywhere.

Not all hotels are Loews owned and run. PBH, HRH, RPR and Sapphire are Loews owned and run...…..Aventura, Cabana Bay, and the new Endless Summer are Universal owned and operated...they are merely managed by Loews......but Universal has quite a big say in how they all operate so it`s not such a distinction between the two companies.

I would have taken more consideration of your post if you hadn't compared everything to Disney......Disney certainly isn't the magic fairyland it`s made out to be…...but I would never tell anyone not to try out Disney if they haven't been.....your bad experience certainly isn't the Universal most of us know and love...…..

Still, least you know and won`t go back...….

You didn't say which hotel you stayed in.....things can go tech anywhere.....heck it happened to us at POFQ many years ago....these things happen...…

You do know many staff work both places......

Enjoy Disney......we`ll carry on being happy with Unlimited EP for our trips, but I`m sure this will fall on deaf ears anyway...….. so you take care now...…..

I like how you assume I am bad person because we have had a bad 1st experience. I am actually very patient and understanding and know that stuff happens. What separates Disney IMO is how you react to a problem. From my over 20 visits to Disney the reaction is typically swift and quick and they solve the problem. My experience here is the exact opposite. Sorry sir but go ask them.

Here is a good example. Check in line was only 4 deep and took almost 30 mins to check in. After checking in i am told to now go wait in the univrsal line to get my park tickets. Another 20ish minutes. Now as a 1st timer maybe i missed something to make it faster but i feel that 50 mins to check in and get tickets is silly.

Another example. As i said my room card charging wasn’t working and they issued me a new set of cards trying to resolve the problem. My first attempt to fix I went to the concierge desk and she promptly told me the hotel will fix it and go wait in the check in. It was 10 deep and I said is there a faster way to get it fixed. Sorry, she said that is the only way. So i wait in line for another 30 mins. He issues me the cards and says “hey next time since you are club level just go to the club level sign and we will help you first. Ok hmmm i was just told there was no faster way.

Another example: So my room charge cards didn’t work again so i went to the club level sign as i was told to do. I sat there for 20mins while they kept taking guests in the regular line. I finally said something to the next open desk and they said “oh sorry we didn’t see you”. Really I am standing right at the sign.

Again my 1st experience is poor. I have many other example this week of where I feel the experience is much worse than Disney.

I agree the Express Pass system is great. I love it. However i express passed to quite a few rides that were pretty bad. Some of them pretty new, Kong, Fallon and Fast Furious are all trash IMO.

I am typing this from a perspective of someone who wanted to swayed to the Universal side. They had the chance and quite frankly blew it.

 

[Hey Blinkin]

Did you really go into this trip with no expectations? I ask because it sounds like you were looking for reasons not to like Universal.

We have found the employees at Universal to be absolutely wonderful. Always helpful and always knowledgeable! Not sure if it’s true but the lady in the gift shop at Cabana Bay said they had to take a test about Universal at hire and the ones in the HP sections had to take one about HP. The lady working the front desk went so far and beyond that I called when we got back to leave a major compliment about her customer service.

As for the rides, well everyone has their preference but we quite enjoyed them. I would never tell anyone they shouldn’t try the place because they absolutely should!

I don’t think i said anywhere to not book a trip. I said book a shorter trip to test the waters. Read my reply to another for just a couple of examples. I wish they went above and beyond. That has not been our experience.

So here is one from today. We are at Hard Rock. Eleveator bank had a huge cup of ice water in tHe middle of the floor. Told an employee so nobody slips and falls. I waited by the puddle to alert others for over 5 mins. Nobody shows so I left for the park. Guess they dont see it as a danger. Hope nobody fell.

 

[luvsJack]

I don’t think i said anywhere to not book a trip. I said book a shorter trip to test the waters. Read my reply to another for just a couple of examples. I wish they went above and beyond. That has not been our experience.

So here is one from today. We are at Hard Rock. Eleveator bank had a huge cup of ice water in tHe middle of the floor. Told an employee so nobody slips and falls. I waited by the puddle to alert others for over 5 mins. Nobody shows so I left for the park. Guess they dont see it as a danger. Hope nobody fell.

So from what I am seeing, your complaints about staff are all at the Hard Rock. Not the Universal parks. Perhaps you should complain to the Hard Rock. Perhaps try a different resort?

If some of the rides are not for you, then you certainly have a right to your opinion. I just don’t see the need to trash the entire theme park because of your preferences. Not everyone is going to like everything about any theme park honestly.

 

[Monykalyn]

I have to lol at people who rave about Disney’s “best” ride Flight of Passage - a screen based 3D simulator with air, water, and scents blown at you- while scoffing at Universal’s “screens”. Yes several are screens, a few are hybrids, and some are flat out thrill coasters, or water rides etc.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

For those that love Universal great. This post isnt for you. For those that are thinking about trying it instead of Disney I would caution you to book a short trip to test the waters.

I am typing this from a perspective of someone who wanted to swayed to the Universal side. They had the chance and quite frankly blew it.

I wish they went above and beyond. That has not been our experience.

Your posts though sound like you expected things to be just like Disney (which as I've said before and others have said before this seems to be the hardest thing for people who love love love Disney and want to try out Universal). You went on 1 trip and you disliked it so they "blew it" in your opinion (I would say try again but I'm not sure Universal is your cup of tea) but to be honest I'm not seeing constructive things you're saying about it to help out other people. You may say "book a shorter trip" but what parts of your comments actually speak to that? It sounds a lot like a warning to stay away from Universal than it does to say "try a day or two first, then go for longer trips".

Why did you want to be swayed to the Universal side? By swayed were you saying you were done with Disney and wanted a different theme park to attend? Otherwise perhaps it was more like you wanted to try out Universal and it just didn't work out for you.

Universal doesn't need to be for everyone for sure though.

 

[macraven]

To end this thread in a positive note, thanks to all for posting and sharing

Obviously since this is the UO forums, we enjoy going to the darkside for vacations
and we love sharing info to all for an enjoyable trip