General Discussion - Hagrid's Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure

[AB2020]

I agree that Express for any attraction should not be unlimited, but I also understand why Universal isn't eager to claw back any of the perks it's offering to hotel guests.

There also is the question if Universal even could take away or limit the express pass perk.

But even getting rid of the unlimited pass and only allowing once per ride and day (at least for major attractions) would be a major help. We see the effect at Epic. I know a lot of people think wait times in the evening decrease because people head home early, but one big factor is also that there are hardly any people using the express lane after 6pm or so. Most people have used all their express passes by that time, and the regular lines move so much faster without express.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

There also is the question if Universal even could take away or limit the express pass perk.

It's part of the contract with the first three hotels.

 

[AB2020]

It's part of the contract with the first three hotels.

I am aware. But I am unsure about the exact language of the contract. For example, if Universal changed the current system and implemented something similar to lightning lane multi pass, what would that mean for the hotel express perk. Or if they reduced the attractions in Unlimited and then introduced "Express Pass VIP" that allowed for every attraction, which would would the hotel guests get?

In short, if Universal moves away from the current express pass system, how would that affect the contract with Loews?

 

[Mad Dog]

It's part of the contract with the first three hotels.

Yes. No way Hotel Express disappears. Those three hotels would not be able to get the prices and booked room percentages they presently enjoy. ....Universal is a partner in those hotels, so they are gaining profit from the hotels being filled at very high prices.... .Plus, I don't think USF and IOA have been affected by any Express passes to the extent that WDW is with Lightening Lane passes. I don't generally see many guests in the Express lines like you see at WDW's LL. Holidays are probably the main exception where you see heavy Express usage. Hagrids may be the other exception. But it took a long time for Universal to establish Express for Hagrids and Forbidden Journey. Gringotts was a while, but not as long.

 

[Rhian]

I thought that with Epic opening, and a couple of high powered new attractions there, that Hagrid's allure/demand would diminish a bit and wait times would go down, since it would no longer be the powerful fairly new kid on the block.

This might be true if Epic wasn’t capping attendance and APs could access it as readily as the other parks.