Guest Treatment from Team Members - Bad Experience

Out of curiosity - Why don't they just do metal detectors going into the parks instead of just particular rides?

I'd personally rather go through the metal detector at the start where the bag checks are and know everyone has been checked for dangerous items than only people going on one or two rides. If someone is bringing something extremely dangerous in (thinking the Despicable Me case mentioned above for example), these things can then be prevented early and people may be less inclined to bring stuff in like that if it's a universal check not just for a ride here or there.

Also, then the TMs can just do friendly reminders just to put items in lockers and skip the flagging down/intensity bits to get on a ride here or there.

Lastly - Would cubbies by the ride exit not be an easy alternative as well (doesn't Kali River Rapids do this) for rides that have extreme nothing in pocket rules? I realise it could create crowding but I don't recall problems at Busch Gardens Williamsburg or other similar places that I never needed a locker for a wallet. They just had us place things by an exit or in a cubby as you get off the ride car.

Metal detectors at the entrance don't prevent cell phones and cameras in pockets though, at the rides, and that is the issue at hand. They are not worried about guns and knives so much as cameras and phones going flying. The new rule is nothing like that in pockets. No keys, cameras, phones, etc. Just about all you are allowed to have is money, credit cards, and chapstick.

It's not really any different than when CMs have to yell at people to not stop in walkways during parades or fireworks. They're not being rude, they just have to be forceful to get the point across but if you've ever sat and watched them doing that job there are certainly plenty of guests who think the CM is being rude to them by enforcing the rules.

And it's definitely needed at Universal, with the injuries they've had from people who lied and said they didn't have anything in their pockets that later went flying and injured guests. I'm sure every one of those people thought "Oh it can never fly out of my pocket" and sure enough, it did. The only safe and fair thing to do in that situation is to make everyone empty everything and be extra suspicious if it looks like someone has something in their pocket.

I think the quality of Team Members at Universal and quality of Cast Members at Disney is very similar and in both instances those front-line employees do a remarkable job of being polite and helpful to guests for what are basically minimum wage positions.

BrerGnat;2453602 wrote: Metal detectors at the entrance don't prevent cell phones and cameras in pockets though, at the rides, and that is the issue at hand. They are not worried about guns and knives so much as cameras and phones going flying. The new rule is nothing like that in pockets. No keys, cameras, phones, etc. Just about all you are allowed to have is money, credit cards, and chapstick.

And in some cases, people are not being allowed to bring on even that.

It would be nice if Universal would provide more of an explanation as to why these new safety measures are being tested/implemented on rides. I think that would go a long way in ensuring rider cooperation.The more I read about this the more convinced I am that it's focused on restricting cell phone use (and selfie sticks) on rides.

my thought is:

they cannot trust that anything you have in your pockets will not be removed during the ride. Example: You go through with cell phone zipped in pocket. Ride starts, you go up the hill, take phone out to selfie the ride. Phone can then fly out of your hands.

(Look at the amount of people who cannot follow "no flash photography".)

So since people cannot be trusted to follow simple rules, stricter ones had to be put in place and enforced. Metal Detectors at the ride are part of the enforcement.

Nanc

Except no other park (that I'm aware of) makes guests go through a pat down before getting on a ride. As many have mentioned in this thread Universal has rides that are similar in nature to six flags, Busch Gardens, or Cedar Fair. In fact, those parks have rides that are far more intense. Cedar point has a ride that launches 0-120 mph in seconds then shoots you up a 420 foot hill and they like me keep my phone or keys or whatever else I have in my pocket that latches shut.

It's overkill and ridiculous. I am all for safety. But they have taken it to the ultimate extreme. I'm seeing people being wanded like going through airport security! And I'm sure this is a stressful situation for everybody. Guests aren't happy. Teammates aren't happy. And I'm sure tempers flare often.

LittleSpirit02;2453598 wrote: Out of curiosity - Why don't they just do metal detectors going into the parks instead of just particular rides?

What will metal detectors at the entrance do for the idiots who throw things while on rides? Nothing... So maybe they stop knives or guns from entering the park... But it doesn't stop someone thinking it is funny to toss loose change at people while flipping upside down on Dragon Challenge... Or stop that idiot who needs a selfie of them on Hulk, and thei iPhone flies out of their hands hitting guests in the head, or loose items flying out of pockets and nearly hitting children... By doing what they are doing at the ride entrance, they are preventing mouth breathers from endangering other guests on the attractions...

dnickels;2453605 wrote: And it's definitely needed at Universal, with the injuries they've had from people who lied and said they didn't have anything in their pockets that later went flying and injured guests. I'm sure every one of those people thought "Oh it can never fly out of my pocket" and sure enough, it did. The only safe and fair thing to do in that situation is to make everyone empty everything and be extra suspicious if it looks like someone has something in their pocket.

Exactly... People need to be protected from themselves... And Universal needs to protect themselves from morons... Just like Disney shutting down the Tigger bouncing area by the Pooh queue... It is all about safety... Oh and the fact we live in a society where the first thought in someone's mind is SUE SUE SUE not OH IS MY LITTLE ONE ALRIGHT???

MNNHFLTX;2453612 wrote: And in some cases, people are not being allowed to bring on even that.

It would be nice if Universal would provide more of an explanation as to why these new safety measures are being tested/implemented on rides. I think that would go a long way in ensuring rider cooperation.The more I read about this the more convinced I am that it's focused on restricting cell phone use (and selfie sticks) on rides.

Disney never provided a reason why they shut the Tigger bounce area down... But we know why... Safety and legal's fear of a little one playing too rough, getting hurt, and parents worrying about a payday from Disney, not their little one's broken arm, so much for today's society... We also know why Universal has started using metal detectors, and maybe pat downs, in the queue for certain rides... I wouldn't ever expect them to say why they are doing it... They just are... No one forces anyone to queue up for any ride... But if you do, follow procedure...

Tink1;2453620 wrote: my thought is:

they cannot trust that anything you have in your pockets will not be removed during the ride. Example: You go through with cell phone zipped in pocket. Ride starts, you go up the hill, take phone out to selfie the ride. Phone can then fly out of your hands.

(Look at the amount of people who cannot follow "no flash photography".)

So since people cannot be trusted to follow simple rules, stricter ones had to be put in place and enforced. Metal Detectors at the ride are part of the enforcement.

Nanc

Exactly... People need to be protected from themselves... Universal needs to protect themselves as well... People today are animals, ingrates, and selfish... They don't feel they need to follow rules, policies, or procedures... The entitlement attitude is crazy... People would simply lie... And the next time a guest is blinded by loose change being tossed from one of those animals on the coaster, Universal will surely have multimillion dollar lawsuits to fight...

DonaldDuck1117;2453621 wrote:
It's overkill and ridiculous. I am all for safety. But they have taken it to the ultimate extreme. I'm seeing people being wanded like going through airport security! And I'm sure this is a stressful situation for everybody. Guests aren't happy. Teammates aren't happy. And I'm sure tempers flare often.

Is it over kill? Maybe... Not many people, even the most ardent Universal defender agrees with it... But it is an unfortunate necessity... Until legal and park management can find a better solution... Yes it adds stress to the work day for the team members... it makes it majorly annoying for guests to have to go through this... Not going to disagree... Blame the brainless, oxygen deprived guests who create situations where now people who are decent get punished... It isn't Universal's fault guests are now subjected to metal detectors... Blame the idiots whose actions led to it...

We are planning a day trip from WDW in May. I just want to make sure I have this correct- nothing in pockets- even zipped? what are their rules on glasses ( I have Rx sunglasses and literally can't see without them) is a lasso sufficient?

tundramom;2453630 wrote: We are planning a day trip from WDW in May. I just want to make sure I have this correct- nothing in pockets- even zipped? what are their rules on glasses ( I have Rx sunglasses and literally can't see without them) is a lasso sufficient?

You cannot wear glasses on the rides like Hulk, Rip Ride Rockit, or Dueling Dragons. I really don't know how that works with people who HAVE to wear them to see? Regardless, ALL sunglasses must be removed but last time I went (last October) you were allowed to hold them in your hand. My friend accidentally forgot to leave hers in the locker and boarded dueling dragons with them. She held them in her hand. Probably won't be allowed these days.

tundramom;2453630 wrote: We are planning a day trip from WDW in May. I just want to make sure I have this correct- nothing in pockets- even zipped? what are their rules on glasses ( I have Rx sunglasses and literally can't see without them) is a lasso sufficient?

I will be there this week. Will report back with first hand information.

Nanci

Tink1;2453620 wrote: my thought is:

they cannot trust that anything you have in your pockets will not be removed during the ride. Example: You go through with cell phone zipped in pocket. Ride starts, you go up the hill, take phone out to selfie the ride. Phone can then fly out of your hands.

(Look at the amount of people who cannot follow "no flash photography".)

So since people cannot be trusted to follow simple rules, stricter ones had to be put in place and enforced. Metal Detectors at the ride are part of the enforcement.

Nanc

I agree and I have actually been saying for several years now that I wish WDW would ban cell phones and cameras from the rides. It is extremely annoying to get on a ride, in particular a dark ride, and some rude person take pictures or run their video with the light on through the ride. I wonder how many pictures/selfies there are out there with me in the background looking mad at the world.

It would suit me just fine if WDW put metal detectors at the entrance to every single ride and made you remove everything from your pockets. Is it a bit of a hassle, yes, but it would improve the ride/attraction experience by not having flashes and video lights going throughout the rides and shows.

WDW has sort of painted itself into a corner on this issue though by implementing the use of their App on smartphones. How do you curtail their use on rides by not allowing them but then at the same time try to encourage their use everywhere else?

1DisneyNut;2453731 wrote: I agree and I have actually been saying for several years now that I wish WDW would ban cell phones and cameras from the rides. It is extremely annoying to get on a ride, in particular a dark ride, and some rude person take pictures or run their video with the light on through the ride. I wonder how many pictures/selfies there are out there with me in the background looking mad at the world.

It would suit me just fine if WDW put metal detectors at the entrance to every single ride and made you remove everything from your pockets. Is it a bit of a hassle, yes, but it would improve the ride/attraction experience by not having flashes and video lights going throughout the rides and shows.

WDW has sort of painted itself into a corner on this issue though by implementing the use of their App on smartphones. How do you curtail their use on rides by not allowing them but then at the same time try to encourage their use everywhere else?

I agree with everything you said. I especially agree that WDW has painted themselves into a corner. It will be hard to say use our app, but lock your phone away before you get in line.

On a side note, last year was the first time in over 200 days on-site that we have ever used our cellphones at the parks (in order to use the app). It honestly bugged me that we were so often looking down at our screens instead of being engaged with each other and the parks around us. We went down to a one phone family at the parks very quickly, because we wanted to use the app. the app itself was so very convenient.

They can't force people who wear glasses to take them off-talk about safety issues! Most amusement parks require a strap to be worn on eyeglasses for the really intense rides. They hook to the end of each ear rest and strap against the back of your head abs can be bought at any drug store or target like store :thumbsup:

Despite all of the wonderful things Universal has done with their parks over the years, (and this is simply my opinion) they are still little better than a regional theme park which gets about a day and a half of my attention on our trips.

Because of my perception of the park, the employees have always lived up to my expectations: sometimes happy, sometimes fun, and sometimes just downright rude. I've witnessed rudeness, even been the target of it, but it has never been of a level that would cause me to spend my bucks elsewhere. (unlike Busch Gardens)

Of course, if one had ever gone so far as to accuse me of lying and tried to place their grubby little paws on my person, well, I would likely have a portrait hanging on the wall of "Don't let these knot-heads in the parks".

The lockers, and the stowing of personal belongings has never really bothered me either. Their rides can be intense, and it is for my safety. It can be a little inconvenient, and sometimes frustrating when the lockers don't function properly, but I get over it real quick. Again, it is all for my safety.

Maybe I will need to see it for myself next month, but this latest news has me questioning whether or not I want to.

I mean, it's one thing to post a big red and yellow sign and tell me that all contents of my pockets must be stowed (again, inconvenient, but I'll get over it). Another sign telling me eyewear must also be stowed, though I have to wonder how much I would enjoy spiderman if I can't see it... But to have me go through a check point, because as some here would insist, I am probably lying to you?

No, no. It's the "other" people who are lying...:sick:

I thoroughly enjoy our visits to Universal, almost as much as our trips to Disney. But, somewhere, there is a better way to address this issue. I am hoping they find it. Otherwise, my trips will get a few hundred bucks cheaper.

In the past I have witnessed many people in line for Forbidden Journey NOT following the rules and trying to bring things on the ride. Staff must then tell them that they have to get out of line and find a locker. This does not go over well with a lot of guests, especially after being in line for 30 mins. Staff may appear to be "yelling" and "too forceful" but they are just trying to get their point across to people trying to ignore the rule and sneak things on the attraction.

Now I have not been to Universal since last April and have not seen the new rules or the metal detectors. Which rides do the new rules apply to? Am I understanding this correctly....you can not have anything in your pockets at all on this attractions?