After nearly 15 years of going to the event, I think this year (coupled with '21 and '22) has kind of solidified for me that I'm only going once from now on. I haven't even gone a third time this year to capitalize on my Frequent Fear Pass to make it "worth it" yet for the first year ever because every time I think, "Hey, maybe we should go use it on this day or that day," I immediately think of 180-minute wait times, hourlong waits for drinks, and general misery. I got invited to go with friends this upcoming Wednesday, but seeing how even weekdays have been hectic and overcrowded is just a colossal turn-off, and I don't envy them going without early entry. It's such a bummer for something I've loved for so, so, so long, but it just doesn't even feel entirely... fun... anymore, like the whole event is now a game to stress over playing rather than something to kick back, enjoy, and still get your money's worth while still experiencing it all. I'm hoping something -- anything -- can change operationally, but at this point when it's clear people haven't rejected things like paid early entry or exorbitant express costs, people willing to drown hundreds or even thousands on a single night, Universal isn't going to care about the experience of people who don't want to (or can't) shell out for privileges.