Express system problems

L

Lara B

New Member
Original Poster
Hi

I visited both Universal parks during my holiday in the last two weeks and was really disappointed with there express line system. We were just lucky enough to get in in time to get the last express tickets for Shrek 4D - we arrived at 10.30 and our time for Shrek was 6.20. I couldn't believe it, but thought that the reason was because the attraction was new and so popular. But after walking around the park we soon realised that all express tickets had been given out for the other attractions and therefore we had to queue.

I was surprised that their system only gave you a window of time to return of 15 minutes whereas Disney give you an hour and always have fastpass tickets available throughout the day. Obviously Universal have got something going wrong here. It was the same when we visited IOA - definately a negative for the park. Anyone else had similar problems?

Lara
 
RogueHabit

RogueHabit

Well-Known Member
Maybe Universal give out less Express tickets per an attraction?

I have only ever had this problem once at USF/IOA, happened to us a lot in WDW though.
 
MrNonacho

MrNonacho

Premium Member
The system has less tickets to give out at the kiosks because there's more than one way to have access to the Express lines. The Express lines can only handle so many people. When many of those people are using their room key or a purchased Express Plus pass, it cuts into the number of people who can get and use the free passes from the kiosks.
 
D

Disneynutcase

New Member
Wow, Lara...

This has me a bit concerned. We're planning to hit USF on our next Florida trip and we keep hearing conflicting things about Express Pass.

I don't have a problem with Universal giving perks to people staying in their resorts, but suddenly they are selling Express Pass booklets when you purchase admission. I had a feeling that this would adversely effect normal ordinary Express Pass.

So you're saying you were in USF at 10:30 eastern time in the AM? The park opened at 9:00AM, right? And all Express Passes for the day were gone? Is there a chance you weren't using the machines correctly? How crowded were the parks?

We were led to believe that it would be like WDW--that unless the parks are jam-packed with people, you can still get at least 3-4 Fast/Quick Passes if not many more throughout the course of the day--if, of course, one was inclined to go for that many.

We love Fast Pass, rely on it for thrill rides because of a little one in our party who doesn't like fast or scary rides and my Sister-In-Law who can't ride certain rides because of a medical condition. This is how we always do coasters and motion simulator rides.

With that said, I don't have a problem with any park eventually running out of Passes (either Fast or Quick) as the day goes on, but done by 10:30? Even Disney parks on their most insanely crowded days have Fast Passes for most rides until mid-day if not until early afternoon.

We might have to rethink going to USF. I'm not into an extra $20.00 or so per admission just to get the Quick Pass perk tickets.

If this is the way it is, who can we complain to?
 
NemoRocks78

NemoRocks78

Seized
The problem is you simply were there on a very busy day. Universal Express is actually a better system than the Fastpass.

Disneynutcase,do not re-think about going to USF. The park is no where near crowded from after Labor Day till almost Christmas time. You should have no problems getting a pass. Lara B was just there on a busy day,thats all.
 
blm07

blm07

Active Member
People rely on fastpasses way too much nowadays. Back when I was a kid, there were no fastpasses, we had to wait in line! Geesh you kids today!

note - this wasn't aimed at anyone, I'm just joking around.
 
cymbaldiva

cymbaldiva

Active Member
Originally posted by blm07
People rely on fastpasses way too much nowadays. Back when I was a kid, there were no fastpasses, we had to wait in line! Geesh you kids today!
Click to expand...

:sohappy: Quite well said!!! :sohappy:

I actually miss the way things used to be. Fastpasses = planning, and I completely refuse to be confined by a plan while on my vacation!
 
blm07

blm07

Active Member
Haha, I was just kidding, and I'm really not that old. I'll use them on the fly if I'm in the area, but otherwise I might get one and never use it.
 
P

primusjim

Member
Express is a horrible service when compared to fast pass. My girlfriend works on Shrek and all she gets is complaints about Express. It's supposed to be 15 minutes or less but the line usually ends up being more like 20 to 25 minutes, pushing the stand by line to over two hours. (and then there is the problem that Shrek is not a very good attraction, and waiting that long for a sub par show is really lousy.) Let's hope Disney never starts selling Fast past booklets out for extra admission money.

Complain to guest services about the current shape of Express. Often.
 
RozFan

RozFan

Member
A 90 minute wait is rediculous for Shrek. Yeah its a great show, full of laughs and very entertaining but IMHO no attraction is worth that long of a wait. Everytime we walk by the show building its pandemonium! I feel for the PC that have to work Shrek day in/day out. Thats one helluva job. :lol:

Universal should have been smarter and built two theaters.
 

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