Universal Cutting Hours At Some Attractions

[JROK]

http://www.wesh.com/money/18642454/detail.html

ORLANDO, Fla. --Universal Orlando is closing its Fear Factor attraction until the spring and cutting hours on a limited number of other attractions at its theme parks.

A Universal representative said Fear Factor will close on Thursday and open again in the spring. All other attractions will remain open but the hours will be reduced at some others, he said.
It will be a limited number of attractions within Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. He said visitors shouldn't experience problems, because the attraction hours will be aligned with demand.

Staffing will also be impacted by reductions, the Universal representative said. All team members will remain active, so there will be no layoffs. However, team members' hours will be affected. Team members will also retain their health benefits. All team members under contract will be paid their full contract rate for 30 days. After 30 days, they will have a chance to pick up additional hours. It was unknown how many employees will be affected by the hour reductions.

The move is in reaction the poor economic forecast for 2009, he said.

The decision comes just days after Universal ran a promotion during the Super Bowl offering free passes to people. And it comes a day after Disney announced its profits were down 32 percent during the last quarter of 2009.

 

[71jason]

At least they manned up and admitted to the real reason, rather than some lame "Guests think they have too many choices so we just HAVE to cut 5 Fantasmic! shows a week" rationale.

I do feel bad for any TMs whose hours are cut. I hear anecdotally Sea World is doing the same. Rather see them do this than lay people off, tho.

 

[Skip]

At least they're just shutting down that embarassment-of-a-show Fear Factor Live instead of closing something great (like Jaws or Popeye, which tend to go into seasonal hibernation during times like this). I wouldn't be surprised at all if Fear Factor just remained closed.

The shortage of operating hours kind of sucks, but given the light crowds during this time period it shouldn't be too bad. Beats laying off employees or shutting down more attractions altogether.

 

[NemoRocks78]

At least they manned up and admitted to the real reason, rather than some lame "Guests think they have too many choices so we just HAVE to cut 5 Fantasmic! shows a week" rationale.

I do feel bad for any TMs whose hours are cut. I hear anecdotally Sea World is doing the same. Rather see them do this than lay people off, tho.

Amen.

I have no problem with T2:3D shows getting trimmed down. It already runs at certain times at USH instead of every 1/2 hour as it does here. Doing "show times" will at least keep the theater full instead of the 1/2-full shows they do now.

As for FFL... good riddance. :lol:

 

[JROK]

An update:

Most of the employees who were at FFL have already been sent to new locations in the park. While their hours still may not be as much as doing FFL, they are indeed still working. Good move Universal, this is much better than kicking these people to the curb. And hopefully with Rockit opening, there'll be a lot of transfers and more hours in the park.

 

[teebin]

This is a kind, thoughtful move on the part of Uni. It shows they really value their long term employees. That is "Magic" for both employee and tourist.

Is Disney kind and thoughtful and Magical with their employees?