Upcoming Budget Cuts - Please Read

[Spaceman Spiff]

if universal does not close its theme parks then i think they have no obligation to reimburse or extend your pass. from the list coasterfev graciously supplied us the only problem and it is a minor one is that many of the food locations will be shut down. i hardly feel the closing of storm force, dragons not dueling and the shortening of park hours is reason to get in a huff. if universal feels they need to cut hours to try and maintain their staff then i give them kudos for making staff cuts the last on the chopping block. with all orlando parks suffering from attendance you should not have any problems with trying to get everything you want done in one day.

...and yes i have given blood and donated to disater relief foundations.

i have said my piece and feel no need to continue this debate, continue if you feel the need to.

 

[BarryHom]

At certain times in the year, USF has parts of the park opening at later times. I think most people head to the Hulk and Spiderman first thing anyway. Now I have an excuse to get multiple rides on the Hulk early in the morning! The thing that surprised me is Dueling Dragons not dueling. Gwazi at BGT doesn't duel anymore. While that decision was due to slow load times and long waits, I can understand why dragons doesn't duel. It does take away part of the excitement of the ride, but I can understand that it also saves money too to run one side at a time.

I think things will get better. It has to!

 

[RhondaS]

Thank you CoasterFEV.

Here's to hoping and praying that our country pulls out of this tragic time very soon and a stronger sense of normalcy and happiness is prevelant again.

 

[MIB999999]

since i live here i will just have a ball riding with no lines and eating at Mythos

 

[SherryfromOK]

COASTERFEV

Thanks for the information. It is very informative. I understand them needing to cut back on things, but if they cut back too much on the rides and things it could make us not sure if to come on now, or wait till the rides and shows are back to normal. We are suppose to come at Thanksgiving, but now are trying to decide depending on our security on airlines improves. We are suppose to see Cirque de souel too, are they cancelling those shows? It is sad for US and WDW. I hope it picks up.

Also, why did they close triceratops?

 

[BarryHom]

Why was Triceratops Encounter closed?

My guess is that it is not an A ride, like Spiderman or the Hulk. I doubt that people journey many miles to see it. It is a good attraction to get away from the crowds, but it's something that won't really affect admission if it was closed.

 

[Quentin Disney]

I visited UO today (9/21). There were traces of visitors in both parks. Everything was either a walk-on or up to 10 min wait. I couldn't even get something to eat at 11:00 am. Now some people would be jumping up and down in joy with no lines, but for some reason, its just not *right*. I want the crowds back! I want the tourist groups! I want the 60 minute waits! I want things to be normal!

 

[DaveOBrien]

I don't get offended by anything, but I'm pissed at the complaining about getting partial refunds on park passes, ect. At this time in all our lives, stop being so self centered and think of others. People are in danger of losing jobs. If closing the parks earlier(especially when they are empty) is going to save people's paychecks so they can put food on the table, well, I think that's somewhat more important than being selfish about a partial refund. Man, you really got a pair. And before you get on my case, yes-I gave blood. Yes, I dropped off fresh clean socks at a depository to help the relief workers up here. And yes, I've made a decent donation for the victim's families. I also drove thru that hellhole known at lower Manhattan this past Monday. It's enough to make you sick and at the very least, you'll cry. Get off the pity pot about park hours. People's livlihoods are in danger.

 

[johare]

Lots of people are in danger of losing jobs at many different companies probably mine included, however we still give our customers 100% value for what they pay for regardless of how tough times are.

I seriously doubt I'll ask for anything, but it would be a nice gesture on Universal's part to add a month or two to the expiration date for existing passholders. Wouldn't cost them anything, in fact it would probably increase their profits. Until then I guess we'll just enjoy the short lines though I do agree with Quentin...I'd rather wait 60 minutes for Spiderman than have things the way they are now.

What's strange is I just got off the phone with the HRH and they are still 100% sold out for 10/6. No Entertainment rate discounts, no passholders resident discounts, in fact NO ROOMS period. Guess they aren't doing as bad as they would like everyone to think.

 

[vwrose14]

If you can call and complain and still sleep at night. Then I say go for it. I myself am still going to fly there and spend 5 nights ant the HRH and 14 nights at WDW and I am going to be thankful that they are still open at all because going on with my life and contributing to the economy is what we have been asked to do and that helps me sleep at night

 

[johare]

As I said in my last post, I will not ask for anything nor will I complain. However it would be a nice gesture on Universals part if they automatically extended seasonal/annual passes by a month or two.

I'm trying to do my part also. We are probably going to go have lunch at Confisco's tomorrow and perhaps even dinner at Mythos. I'm also still trying to book a hotel room at PBH or HRH for a night a couple weeks from now even though I live 30 minutes from the park. Unfortunately the HRH is booked 100% for the weekend I need. I really had not planned on doing any of this prior to September 11th.

You say your going to be staying down here for 14 days. Would it be acceptable to you if your hotel room was only cleaned every 3rd day due to 'budget cuts'? How about if they tell you that you need to bring your own soap?

 

[vwrose14]

If that is what it takes to get the economy on track and to save someones job yes it would be fine

 

[CPM]

Are they still using express for on site guests? If not I would rather spend much less $$ on a hotel room, in fact I could only get one night at HRH Columbus Day weekend & no discounts on PBH that weekend, maybe if there is such a low occupancy rate at PBH they should lower their rates. There are lots of us suffering in this economy right now & can't afford a $200. a night room so we stay elsewhere. I don't understand them not offering a discount.

 

[JessicaR]

I visited UO today (9/21). There were traces of visitors in both parks. Everything was either a walk-on or up to 10 min wait. I couldn't even get something to eat at 11:00 am. Now some people would be jumping up and down in joy with no lines, but for some reason, its just not *right*. I want the crowds back! I want the tourist groups! I want the 60 minute waits! I want things to be normal!

I'm with you. The crowds add to the whole experience. Never thought I would say that. We experienced both on our last trip and my husband and I both said...It just doesnt feel the same w/o the crowds! I hope they come back very soon. HHN should help a lot!

Thanks again CoasterFEV for keeping us all posted.

 

[Figment78]

CoasterFev, Thanks for all of your info, it is very helpful...

Any info on FOTL access for onsite guests? Not that it is probably needed now, but just wondering since you said express access is no longer available.

Thanks again for all of the information you have given us...

 

[CPM]

You know just one thing is bugging me about all the cuts in theme parks. I went to all of them this time last year, BG was a ghost town, Disney was probably the busiest with maybe a 10 minute wait, USF/IOA also very short waits. I think that making such drastic cuts in less then two weeks at an already slow time of year seems a bit premature IMO. Why not close some rides for half a day instead of closing them all together, it seems the people that are still going to spend the $$ at the theme parks should still get to see everything. They should encourage guests to come visit not discourage them. I was going to spend two days at the parks but now am only going to spend one, I just can't seem to justify two days with all that's closed. Maybe once I'm there I'll change my mind.

 

[MIB999999]

FOTL which is in reality the use of the express line with your on-site hotel key will still be available during the near future, however there are rumblings in this direction. IMHO it is to important of a hook for the onsite hotels for it to go away, however if i were an onsite guest i would be checking in detail concerning the do's and do not's of the hotel key and the express line. I doubt there will be an expres line if the wait time is less than 15 minutes. I think you will also see only two lines the regular and the single rider, with the single rider being used to as an express line also, but only when the wait times exceed 15 minutes. I was at the park today and the MIB single rider line was not opened until sometime after 12:00 and the single rider line was handling both single and express and they were split at the entrance to the car boarding room. also there is a sign of returning to normal. Hulk wait was 35 minutes, Spidey was 45. it was definately more crowded than last weekend.

By the way let's not blame all this on the WTC attack, we had a hurricane go thru central florida with 12 inches of rain in some areas last week late that made going outside not the smart thing to do.!!!!

 

[nhrenee]

CoasterFEV: Thanks for all the information. I'm glad to be aware of the changes before we go.

I'm sad Confisco's and Thundering Falls are closing. They are 2 of our favorites. Too bad it's not Enchanted Tavern instead.

But I certainly understand why. I hope things pick back up for the sake of everyone.

 

[MelodyD]

IMO the cut backs are just a way for the tourist traps to spend less but still bring in the same revenues. I understand admission has been low for a couple of weeks. IMO, big deal...... these parks have reaped the rewards of overpriced admission (making HUGE profits on food and beverage) and large crowds and lots of wait time. Hardly time to panic. It is moves such as this that can do more harm than good to the economy. If ppl see the big companys panicing they are going to do the same.

We were planning on going to Universal for the last two days of our Disney trip, I am really starting to rethink that. I can fully understand cutting hours but to close attractions just doesn't seem fair to the consumer. This would have been our first visit in 11 years! I already had tickets purchased but I really think I will send them back for a refund. Only one family but I am sure there are others that feel the same.

 

[DW mouser]

SuperMom, I know how you feel! Our first US/IOA trip Oct.20-27. I can understand why they have to do it, but our costs are still the same for alot less. It does make you feel down a little, especially since I'm paying for 7 (son&family) and my husband and myself. It's a hugh cost just staying at HRH for 2 delux rooms and all the tickets (HHN too) and now some things closed!! I do wish we had went this summer now!