“Lifetime” Ban - Can it be Rescinded?

[HalfGlass]

Hello Everyone -

Need to throw this one out to the community to see if anyone has known people with similar experiences and how to overcome.

A friend of mine was caught underage drinking about 13 years ago on Universal premises outside of the park. They were being escorted off and apparently one of the friends in the group got upset and kept arguing…so lo and behold, all friends in the group we’re given what the resort security called a “lifetime” ban.

For the last 13 years he hasn’t gone to the parks and really wants to go again. He hasn’t gotten in any trouble with the law, is driven, well-regarded by his professional and personal peers and quite frankly, just made this one stupid mistake when he was in college.

Does anyone have experience with these bans? Are they actually indefinite, or do they reevaluate and remove people year over year? Just curious how he should go about trying to rescind it or who to contact.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[JoeCamel]

Hello Everyone -

Need to throw this one out to the community to see if anyone has known people with similar experiences and how to overcome.

A friend of mine was caught underage drinking about 13 years ago on Universal premises outside of the park. They were being escorted off and apparently one of the friends in the group got upset and kept arguing…so lo and behold, all friends in the group we’re given what the resort security called a “lifetime” ban.

For the last 13 years he hasn’t gone to the parks and really wants to go again. He hasn’t gotten in any trouble with the law, is driven, well-regarded by his professional and personal peers and quite frankly, just made this one stupid mistake when he was in college.

Does anyone have experience with these bans? Are they actually indefinite, or do they reevaluate and remove people year over year? Just curious how he should go about trying to rescind it or who to contact.

Any help would be appreciated!

I have no first hand knowledge of Universal's procedures but generally a low level offense like that is left in the dust after a few years. It's not like a casino hunting cheats where they have the will and resources to keep track for years.
If i were him I would buy an online ticket and go to the park, if they toss you they toss you but they sold you a ticket so I think the chances of that happening are tiny.

eta; even disney let Adam the Woo back in after a few years

 

[HalfGlass]

I have no first hand knowledge of Universal's procedures but generally a low level offence like that is left in the dust after a few years. It's not like a casino hunting cheats where they have the will and resources to keep track for years.
If i were him I would buy an online ticket and go to the park, if they toss you they toss you but they sold you a ticket so I think the chances of that happening are tiny.

eta; even disney let Adam the Woo back in after a few years

Good to know, thanks for the advice. He’s not local anymore, so I don’t think he wants to risk making the trip down and being kicked out after vacation expenses.

Does anyone know if there is a department to call who can confirm that the person is now clear to return?

 

[Freak]

Good to know, thanks for the advice. He’s not local anymore, so I don’t think he wants to risk making the trip down and being kicked out after vacation expenses.

Does anyone know if there is a department to call who can confirm that the person is now clear to return?

This is my two cents, but if I were in the person’s shoes, I’d just risk it. I think the word “lifetime ban” is just for intimidation. If you call them and ask them, you’re basically reminding them.

If Adam the Woo can be unbanned, this guy definitely can.

 

[OrlandoGuy]

I wouldn’t risk just showing up, because in the event your friend’s info is still flagged in the system, it’s out of the hands of the Entrance Team to do anything about it. You’re better off contacting Uni ahead of time and explaining what happened, giving them the time to coordinate with the right teams to make a decision.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

What did Adam The Woo do? I’ve heard of the guy but never understood that situation.

They were correct in tossing them out 13 years ago but I’m sure it’s not an issue now. As long as they control themselves I bet all is good.

 

[JoeCamel]

I wouldn’t risk just showing up, because in the event your friend’s info is still flagged in the system, it’s out of the hands of the Entrance Team to do anything about it. You’re better off contacting Uni ahead of time and explaining what happened, giving them the time to coordinate with the right teams to make a decision.

Do park passes get your personal info attached? I know the APs do and I thought you had to assign the pass like when buying HHN tickets. I would think if the sale went through online there is no flag.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I have no first hand knowledge of Universal's procedures but generally a low level offence like that is left in the dust after a few years. It's not like a casino hunting cheats where they have the will and resources to keep track for years.

Underage drinking isn't a low level offense at Universal.

 

[JoeCamel]

Underage drinking isn't a low level offense at Universal.

13 years ago?

 

[OrlandoGuy]

Do park passes get your personal info attached? I know the APs do and I thought you had to assign the pass like when buying HHN tickets. I would think if the sale went through online there is no flag.

If it’s an online order, for sure. Not 100% if you just walk up and buy something.

 

[SkiBum]

Good to know, thanks for the advice. He’s not local anymore, so I don’t think he wants to risk making the trip down and being kicked out after vacation expenses.

Does anyone know if there is a department to call who can confirm that the person is now clear to return?

I would call Guest Services first. The number is at the bottom with a link via "Contact Us". Posting the link to the site (hopefully not doing something wrong here):

Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando Resort

www.universalorlando.com

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

What did Adam The Woo do? I’ve heard of the guy but never understood that situation.

Trespassed into backstage areas.

 

[tielo]

I would call customer service and say I'm asking for a friend, then explain "that friends" situation and see what comes out.

 

[HalfGlass]

Thank you everyone for your advice and help! As always - this board never disappoints.

 

[CyborgDinosaur]

This is my two cents, but if I were in the person’s shoes, I’d just risk it. I think the word “lifetime ban” is just for intimidation. If you call them and ask them, you’re basically reminding them.

If Adam the Woo can be unbanned, this guy definitely can.

For the record, I don't think Adam the Woo has been back to Universal Orlando since he was banned. He's posted plenty of videos of Universal Hollywood, and of Disney World and other Orlando attractions, but none of Universal Orlando since 2017.

 

[Nick]

Do park passes get your personal info attached? I know the APs do and I thought you had to assign the pass like when buying HHN tickets. I would think if the sale went through online there is no flag.

No, but if you pay with a credit card that has all of your info attached, you will likely come up flagged if Universal already has the person on a ban list.

 

[JoeCamel]

No, but if you pay with a credit card that has all of your info attached, you will likely come up flagged if Universal already has the person on a ban list.

Be a good no contact way to see if there is a flag

 

[natespf]

Adam the Woo was unbanned from Disney World with the help of an inside contact. Since then he was also banned from Universal Orlando, from what I understand an insider tried to help him there but was unsuccessful.

 

[SkiBum]

Adam the Woo was unbanned from Disney World with the help of an inside contact. Since then he was also banned from Universal Orlando, from what I understand an insider tried to help him there but was unsuccessful.

If that is true, I don't really have a great deal of sympathy. It's pretty clear what spaces we, as guests, are allowed to be in. We are not to go backstage or in the utilidors or the old waterpark on the island. It's private property and pretty clearly stated.

 

[Evan]

Hello Everyone -

Need to throw this one out to the community to see if anyone has known people with similar experiences and how to overcome.

A friend of mine was caught underage drinking about 13 years ago on Universal premises outside of the park. They were being escorted off and apparently one of the friends in the group got upset and kept arguing…so lo and behold, all friends in the group we’re given what the resort security called a “lifetime” ban.

For the last 13 years he hasn’t gone to the parks and really wants to go again. He hasn’t gotten in any trouble with the law, is driven, well-regarded by his professional and personal peers and quite frankly, just made this one stupid mistake when he was in college.

Does anyone have experience with these bans? Are they actually indefinite, or do they reevaluate and remove people year over year? Just curious how he should go about trying to rescind it or who to contact.

Any help would be appreciated!

This may be tricky. Underage drinking is a big issue, with Universal extremely liable. So despite it being a mistake 13 years ago, they likely want to take a very hard stand on something like this.

However, the best they could do is call, explain their situation, and see if they can be directed to the appropriate person. You never know.