Dawn Brott

Review of Universal Studios Orlando

We purchased the Florida Resident tickets and drov...

We purchased the Florida Resident tickets and drove 3 hours to visit the park on Saturday, Oct. 19th. When we arrived we were advised the parks were at capacity by the parking attendant and saw signs displaying the same. The attendant told me that the previous 3 Saturdays, the parks also reached capacity however in the afternoons around 4-5pm they would allow more guests to enter as people left. I agreed to purchase the $26 parking ticket based off that information in hopes we'd be able to get in. As we approached the gate to the park, about 75-100 people were already waiting. We joined the line and shortly after a park employee advised no additional people would be allowed in. They were anticipating the Islands of Adventure people to fill the Universal park up once that park closed at 5pm. We were handed a card to call guest services and told to leave. My 8 year old daughter was heartbroken. She's never been to Universal and was excited to go. As a parent, it's extremely hard to see your child crying and can't do anything about it. If Universal had their act together like Disney, they would require reservations to enter the park. That way you'd know in advance of spending money and drive time and not crush a child who had their hopes up. SHAME ON YOU PEOPLE!! My tickets are not refundable and now had to reserve a room at one of their hotels to guarantee we can get in. Seems like a tactic to take more money from people already under financial constraints with the pandemic. Next time my family will spend our money at Disney and not Universal Studios.