Will Universal ever get rid of paper tickets?

[Wdw1015]

I'm planning our first Universal Trip after going to Disney several years ago. While doing my research, I was surprised to see that Universal still uses paper tickets, EP, etc (with the exception of Volcano Bay) Is there any rumers or talk of them getting some sort of electronic bracelet for all parks? More of a curiosity question than anything else.

 

[damo]

It has been on surveys. You have to remember that the hotels are not owned by Universal. Loews may not be keen in getting involved in redoing all of their hotels doorlocks, etc.

 

[bumbershoot]

I sure hope not. I hate wearing toddler-style plastic bangles. Give me my ravenclaw lanyard with pouch any day!

And you still have to carry the cards with you at wdw, even with the tragic bands. ID in case of ticket troubles or being carded for booze. CC for payment, and since we've had issues with room charging (on the rare occasions we've used it). Cash just in case. Insurance card just in case. Keycards and express pass cards for Uni. My witz brand hard plastic waterproof pouch on my ravenclaw lanyard is full, even at Disney.

 

[gotomu212]

I wish they could compromise and introduce braclets (or pins-saw some COOL pins at a coworkers office where they wear the pin and get through their secure doors and unlock office lockers) for those that want them, but still kept the paper tickets for those that don't like to wear an eticket or are standalone visitors with no hotel or EP.

Short of that I wish they could partner with Loews and get your EP (and ticket) linked through your hotel key. Having to carry anything less is a big plus for me. Keeping track of one card instead of three would be nice (add on a family of 4 and that's 12 separate items-even if the kids have their own lanyards, it would just be easier to simplify).

 

[schumigirl]

I sure hope not. I hate wearing toddler-style plastic bangles. Give me my ravenclaw lanyard with pouch any day!

And you still have to carry the cards with you at wdw, even with the tragic bands. ID in case of ticket troubles or being carded for booze. CC for payment, and since we've had issues with room charging (on the rare occasions we've used it). Cash just in case. Insurance card just in case. Keycards and express pass cards for Uni. My witz brand hard plastic waterproof pouch on my ravenclaw lanyard is full, even at Disney.

Yep......hope they don't go down that route ever.......

How difficult is it the way it works now!

Doubt Loews would ever want to spend money implementing a new system when the one they have is just fine.....

 

[flortlebap]

Even switching to plastic cards, like the hotel room cards, would be better than paper.

I wouldn't want a bracelet though.

 

[damo]

Even switching to plastic cards, like the hotel room cards, would be better than paper.

I wouldn't want a bracelet though.

The tyvek tickets are probably greener.

 

[Metro West]

The tyvek tickets are probably greener.

And a lot stronger than paper.

 

[Chuckers]

I absolutely LOVE the magic band at Disney. For WDW, it's probably one of the best inventions they've come up with.. but then again, I had zero problems with mine when I have used them. However, Disney owns almost all of the hotels, restaurants, and parking lots. so the magic band for them is not a problem.

Universal has so many different owners for their restaurants and Lowes owns the hotels. Getting all of them to agree to one system and retro fitting it would be a logistical nightmare. This is one thing that annoys me about the meal plan, it's really only usable in the parks. I want to eat in CityWalk and my hotel..

 

[Wdw1015]

I agree I don't think it would make sense for the hotels to implement it but with technology being what it is, I'm just surprised they don't take advantage of it in the parks.

 

[damo]

I agree I don't think it would make sense for the hotels to implement it but with technology being what it is, I'm just surprised they don't take advantage of it in the parks.

It hasn't been very long since the photo ID express was implemented.

 

[DisBuckMan]

At $175-185 (and up from there) for a single day ptp ticket at Universal, I don't think it's too much to ask for them to upgrade their ticket media to plastic cards. The laminated cardboard ones (they are not tyvek...tyvek is something totally different) simply do not hold up well.

 

[TheRealDrDisney]

... even with the tragic bands...

They are "Magical Tracking Devices", dude! (With thanks to Bill & Ted)

And by the way... they have SEX with their TAILS!!!!!!!

 

[schumigirl]

My park to park tickets are fine after 19 days.

 

[damo]

At $175-185 (and up from there) for a single day ptp ticket at Universal, I don't think it's too much to ask for them to upgrade their ticket media to plastic cards. The laminated cardboard ones (they are not tyvek...tyvek is something totally different) simply do not hold up well.

The old annual pass was tyvek. You could not rip that thing. Tickets used to be tyvek too.

 

[cschaaf]

We've never had a problem with our tickets, either.

We just went to Shanghai Disney and used their paper tickets and Fast Passes. We wore our HHN lanyards It was actually a bit of a pain because you had to keep opening the lanyard to get out the paper Fast Passes. We bought the Premiere Set, so we had to also show the receipt that was dated AND a picture of us, taken on my phone, when we bought the passes (with a CM standing next to us with the date written on a small whiteboard - like a 'proof of life' photo!)

Now that was a lot of juggling.

I do wish Loews would switch to RFID room keys, then you'd never have to open the lanyard pouch. You could just sandwich the RFID card between the park pass and EP.

We did also like the Magic Bands, though. We've only done one trip with them and didn't have any issues - but we only used them for FP. Not for purchasing or a room.

For what it cost Disney to upgrade, I'm fine if Universal puts that money back into rides rather than changing the tickets.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

We were there in June. Kept our paper express passes in our Universal bought lanyard. By the 2nd morning they were ruined. We had got wet so many times that the water ended up seeping in and they were just fell apart.

 

[schumigirl]

We were there in June. Kept our paper express passes in our Universal bought lanyard. By the 2nd morning they were ruined. We had got wet so many times that the water ended up seeping in and they were just fell apart.

You need the resealable type.

We use these every year and have never had any damage to our tickets........we do go on all the water rides with them and they do get soaked. Shame yours got wet.

You can just buy the resealable plastic bit anywhere.

 

[Chuckers]

We just went to Shanghai Disney and used their paper tickets and Fast Passes.

I am FILLED TO THE BRIM with jealousy right now.. TO THE BRIM, I TELL YOU!!!

 

[Gary2T]

...I do wish Loews would switch to RFID room keys, then you'd never have to open the lanyard pouch. You could just sandwich the RFID card between the park pass and EP...

Are some of the hotels still using the door locks that you need to insert your card in? I've stayed at SF and PBH this year, and the locks operated like an RFID reader would. Kept my room key card sandwiched in the lanyard and just bumped it up against the reader. It's been a few years since I've stayed at any of the other resorts, and can't remember what card readers those rooms used.