Fans visiting Universal Orlando this morning encountered a new restriction at the resort's bag check — no more carrying water or other beverages into CityWalk and the theme parks.
Busy day at Universal Orlando: pic.twitter.com/0Zj2Np0pOB
— Attractions Magazine (@Attractions) February 16, 2015Visitors were forced to either discard or empty their beverage bottles before they could pass the bag check point on their way from the parking garages into CityWalk. On a busy holiday, the additional restriction added to the back-up at the checkpoint.
Universal Orlando spokesperson Tom Schroder wrote in an email: "This is the result of a review of our procedures and is not permanent. And yes, guests can bring in baby formula and other necessary items."
The U.S. Transportation Security Agency for years has banned passengers from bringing on airplanes liquids in containers larger than three ounces, in an effort to prevent bomb-making material from getting on planes. But this is the first recent incident of a theme park banning liquids from entry, although, as Schroder noted, this restriction is limited to beverages and does not affect baby formula, medicines and other "necessary items."
Universal Orlando traditionally has enforced a stricter policy on the entry of outside food and beverages than has rival Walt Disney World, where pretty much anything that isn't in a hard-sided cooler, in a glass bottle, or obviously alcohol is okay. Given the lack of any out-of-the-ordinary, additional law enforcement presence at Universal Orlando this morning, one might reasonably suspect that alcohol was the target of this morning's restriction, rather than any new security threat.
Though the new restriction is temporary, there's no other word from Universal on how long the restriction will remain in place. Universal was allowing visitors to bring in empty water bottles, which they could refill inside the resort.
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Water World enforced it due to numbers of guests bringing cocktails or hard liquor in the bottles. Wether or not that's the case with Universal is unknown.
Parking $18 or $25
Express Pass $80 - if you don't want to waste half the day in queues (no good for Harry potter)
Hot dog and drink $12
Digital photo pack $60 (ish, if I rbet correctly) - can't take your own photos on ride so forced to buy this if you want prints.
1 unlimited refill soda $13
So for a family of 5 (which we are) you're looking at an extra $550 to make the most of your day there. To have your water and fruit taken from you at the entrance is a kick in the teeth and we won't be going back anytime soon.
Flask in the pants it is!!
Good to hear that the ban has been lifted but it was a crass move in the first place and merely emphasises for me that Universal still haven't quite susssed the concept of Customer Service.... It's 3 steps forward and 2.5 steps back....
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