OT: Universal Orlando Bans Bottled Water

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

From the Orlando Sentinel...

 

 

 

Universal Orlando is currently not allowing guests to bring bottled water or other liquids into CityWalk or its theme parks.

Spokesman Tom Schroder said in an email "this is the result of a review of our procedures and is not permanent." He would not say how long the ban would last.

 

Universal has generally prohibited guests from bringing in lunches but has allowed small snacks and bottled water.

 

The ban could be a security measure, said Scott Smith, a hospitality associate professor at the University of South Carolina. Airports already have restrictions on bringing beverages through security checkpoints.

 

"It might be that they're concerned about security but in the end they're going to end up selling more food and beverage through not allowing people to bring in the liquid," Smith said. 

 

Mark Mantel, visiting with his wife and son from Claremont, Ca., said he was surprised Monday when he had to give up his two bottles of water.

 

Security guards put unopened bottles in trash cans but ran out of room, Mantel said, so they then placed them on tables. Some people dumped out their water and brought in empty containers, Mantel said.

 

Lines into the area slowed to a crawl, Mantel said, apparently as a result of confusion about the new policy.

"I just couldn't believe it," he said. "I just was thrown off."

 

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-universal-orlando-citywalk-liquids-20150216-story.html

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Wow.  I wouldn't like that.

 

For some reason, I thought that most theme parks already banned bottled water from being brought in, and that Disney was the exception.

 

I know you can't bring a bottle of water in to a college football stadium.

 

TCD

[Beckers 1,136]

The outdoor concert venue in Camden allows 1 sealed bottle of water per person and they will up it if it's ridiculously hot out.

[Beckers 1,136]

Hershey park is 1 sealed bottle as well. I'm googling to see what the norm is.

Great adventure says no food or drink but doesn't mention water bottles.

[Beckers 1,136]

Not sure how legit this is but the word on FB is a pic of someone drinking from a flask in the HP section went viral and caused this ruling.

Someone posted this as well "They let you fill your own bottles for free from the coke machines through out the park. Just bring an empty container and fill it with ice cold water after you walk in."

Don't know the truth behind of it however.

[Travisma 1,317]

I have taken in full refillable thermos type water bottles into Busch/SeaWorld parks and also Disney.

 

At SeaWorld I refilled it numerous times with water at the self serve drink kiosks, but I always asked the attendant first.

 

I've even gotten them filled with water at the regular stands where you were waited on.

 

Busch/SeaWorld limits food to snack type items, but if you are creative you can get small sandwiches in,

[Seals 111]

We always just asked for a cup of ice water at whatever stand we're near and been given one. We've done this at WDW, Carowinds and Busch Gardens Williamsburg in the past 5 years or so. 

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Well that was quick! Orlando Sentinel article dated 2/18/15 10:57pm

 

 

Universal Orlando reverses ban on bottled water

By Sandra Pedicini

 

Universal Orlando has lifted its temporary ban on guests bringing liquids such as bottled water into the park.

 

Universal spokesman Tom Schroder said Thursday in an email that the ban has been lifted. He did not give further details.

 

 

Visitors to the park Monday had been surprised to find they needed to throw away bottled water and other liquids before entering CityWalk, Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure. Universal has generally allowed small snacks and water. Schroder said at the time the ban was a result of a review of procedures and would not be permanent.

 

The ban was mocked on social media and irritated guests, who said it created chaos at the entrance to the complex. Some were upset there had been no advance warning via email, on the company's website or as patrons drove into the resort.

 

"It was not fun to have to walk through sticky liquids around the bag check lines. Patrons were dumping more than water bottles as flavored waters and sports drinks were also getting dumped," wrote Rod Weimer in an email. "Really poor planning and bad excuses."

 

Universal wouldn't give a reason for the ban. Industry watchers said it could have been an attempt to keep people from smuggling in alcohol during Universal's Mardi Gras, or it may have been a security measure similar to airports' restrictions on bringing beverages through security checkpoints.

 

 

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/tourism-central-florida-blog/os-universal-orlando-reverse-bottled-water-ban-20150218-post.html