Universal Ticketing Leaving a Bitter Taste...

[MrRomance]

I don't know if it is just me but after looking at tickets for US and UIA for our two upcomming trips, I've been left with a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth.

Nothing much has changed at US since our last visit so we didn't really care much about going, but we were keen to see the New Harry Potter attractions. Both of our visits in Feb 2012 and July/August 2012 are supposed to be busy times so we figured we'd get the express passes for UIA.

I was shocked that in July the express passes were $70 each and that this did not include the Harry Potter attractions! It seems the only way you can get quick access to HPW is to stay on-site.

As we have 2 Autistic children, long lines are not feasible for us which means we are in a sense forced into buying the upgrade which is really overpriced and doesn't even include key attractions. I can't help feeling that Universal are starting to border on ripping people off and it has kinda put me off going at all.

The US park hasn't really seen much development in the park itself but I can't help feeling like the Harry Potter World development is being used to get people to stay on-site.

Anyone else feel like me?

 

[Bluer101]

Well you can stay offsite at a partner hotel to get early entry too. If it was me I would book one night onsite for the 2 days of early entry and unlimited express pass.

The only thing Universal is doing that Disney does not, they offer a purchased express pass or stay onsite for unlimited. Both Universal and Disney both offer some type of early entry or extra magic hours.

Personally I cannot stand the fast pass at Disney. You have normally be there at rope drop on busy times in hopes to get any. If you show up after lunch you can forget about it.

 

[damo]

You can also get the Guest Assistance Pass. Stop in at Guest Services.

 

[zack123]

Have you called guest services and spoken with them about your children's needs? They may be able to help you if you are not able to wait in long lines. I know they have some kind of passes for families with special needs, I don't know what they are called but I've seen several people using them.

 

[joviroxx]

Like others have said, not even hotel guests get express passes for HP although they do get early entry.

Contact guest services. There are special guest passes specifically to aid families like with special needs.

 

[Metro West]

Just to clarify...Express access IS available for attractions in WWoHP...just not Forbidden Journey. Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff accept Express.

 

[schumigirl]

No, don`t feel the same way.

We only paid £84 per person this year for 14 days unlimited access to both parks. That to us is fantastic value in itself. As you are also from the UK you will probably know that is the best value ticket available to us Brits.

We do stay onsite for our trip as that in itself is a wonderful experience, If you only wanted to stay one night you would get 2 full days of Unlimited Express Pass.

We were there in August this year and we found later in the day wwohp got much quieter....we never ever made early entry. As Metro stated Express Pass is fine for FotH and Duelling Dragons. Just not FJ. If your children are not riding FJ then single rider queue goes really quickly, my DH and DS went on about 3 times in a row in the space of 20 minutes this past August.

As others have said stop by Guest Services and I`m sure they would be able to help you. I don`t know much about the Guest Assistance card but have friends who have only had good experiences at Universal regarding their daughters needs.

 

[phamton]

You can also get the Guest Assistance Pass. Stop in at Guest Services.

Damo is correct. You won't need to purchase express. You can receive accomodations at Guest Services which will address your children's special needs.

 

[bumbershoot]

Just to clarify...Express access IS available for attractions in WWoHP...just not Forbidden Journey. Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff accept Express.

Reiterating because it's so important.

2 of the 3 attractions in WWoHP take Express Pass.

 

[Metro West]

Reiterating because it's so important.

2 of the 3 attractions in WWoHP take Express Pass.

 

[dsmom]

absolutely go to guest services for your children. i also have an autistic

son and they have been wonderful to him. they are SO wonderful to him

we will not go anywhere else.

 

[DCTooTall]

It's also worth noting that the Forbidden Journey ride does throw you around a bit, and between the dementors, spiders, etc, can be a little scary for younger children. Without knowing more about what your kids can handle regarding being tossed around, the dark, loud noises, etc.... I can't say if it would be a ride you would want them to experience.

If they are Harry Potter fans and you want them to experience the castle itself, You can always take them thru the Castle Tour.

 

[tinkerpea]

I have an autistic son and have been told that universal are brilliant at helping with accommodations for our children! I know that in universal Hollywood they gave us a special pass that allowed us to ride through the exit or the front of line pass entrance, if the que was a longer one then they would write the time down on a card and we could walk onto the next ride after that amount of time had passed it worked really well for us, I'm hoping to stay at the hotel for just one night to get early entrance to Harry potter but after that we will just use the the other pass for ASD children

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Personally I cannot stand the fast pass at Disney. You have normally be there at rope drop on busy times in hopes to get any. If you show up after lunch you can forget about it.

not sure what time you have lunch at but the only one attraction that may not have any FP's left after lunch would be Toy Story Mania.. even Sorin has been having them as late as 3pm now... all others you can get them through out the day.... not just before lunch.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

My cousin's son is Autistic and he is 13. She doesn't take him in the Forbidden Journey. She has taken him into the Castle for the tour, but not on the ride.. she rode it first to try it out for him and said he would never be able to handle it. So yes, that is something you will have to really think about before having your 2 Autistic children ride.. and as far as the "new Harry Potter Attractions"..that is it.. the others are not "new", they have only taken on a different name. Dragon's Challenge still rides just like Dulling Dragons and Flight of the Hippogriff still rides like the Flying Unicorn They both still have the same tracks.

 

[Bluer101]

not sure what time you have lunch at but the only one attraction that may not have any FP's left after lunch would be Toy Story Mania.. even Sorin has been having them as late as 3pm now... all others you can get them through out the day.... not just before lunch.

Last time we were at Disney was summer of 2008 and it was extremely busy. We have been visiting Disney since before Universal even opened up. It just seems that every time we visit Disney you have to spend your time planning too much and not enjoying a vacation.

At Universal staying onsite you don't need to plan a thing, a true vacation at a cheaper price over Disney. Don't get me wrong, Disney is still great, but Universal has won our hearts.

 

[Sleepyhollowstudios]

^ This! Absolutely this!

-Andy

 

[cuddlykp]

I don't know if it is just me but after looking at tickets for US and UIA for our two upcomming trips, I've been left with a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth.

Nothing much has changed at US since our last visit so we didn't really care much about going, but we were keen to see the New Harry Potter attractions. Both of our visits in Feb 2012 and July/August 2012 are supposed to be busy times so we figured we'd get the express passes for UIA.

I was shocked that in July the express passes were $70 each and that this did not include the Harry Potter attractions! It seems the only way you can get quick access to HPW is to stay on-site.

As we have 2 Autistic children, long lines are not feasible for us which means we are in a sense forced into buying the upgrade which is really overpriced and doesn't even include key attractions. I can't help feeling that Universal are starting to border on ripping people off and it has kinda put me off going at all.

The US park hasn't really seen much development in the park itself but I can't help feeling like the Harry Potter World development is being used to get people to stay on-site.

Anyone else feel like me?

um....it's just you....this is why....US is still a bargain as I see it...for an unlimited pass for 14 days it cost 174.99 per person, at Disney you get 10 days for $304.00.....um need I say more?

 

[Rip]

um....it's just you....this is why....US is still a bargain as I see it...for an unlimited pass for 14 days it cost 174.99 per person, at Disney you get 10 days for $304.00.....um need I say more?

And you can't buy FPs at Disney even if you wanted to, so it's really not a fair comparison. Besides, as PPs have mentioned, he can go to guest services and take care of that gratis.