Universal Orlando Resorts has recently removed many of its mobile ordering options, and park-goers want to know why.
In the wake of the global pandemic, many practices within Florida’s theme parks had to evolve in order to keep guests and employees safe. While a lot was tiresome, yet begrudgingly adhered to temperature checks, social distancing, wearing masks at all times, others were proven to be extremely convenient and guests thought they ought to stay, even when the Covid-19 risk lessened.
The top one was, of course, mobile ordering.
Hanging out at the Caro-Seuss-el and the family starts feeling a hankering for tacos? Just go to your Universal Orlando app, mobile order from Bumblebee Man’s Taco Truck, and by the time the family makes it to Springfield (and have said “Hi” to Homer) lunch is served. No wait, no lines, no 4 (or 40) year old hunger-induced meltdowns!
At least, that’s how it worked in theory.
There were definitely some bumps in the road, and perhaps that is why the mobile ordering options have been reduced to Volcano Bay- allowing mobile ordering for those who have rented a premium seating upgrade only, or Richter’s Burger Co. and the Leaky Cauldron, who both display “Table Delivery” in the app.
In stark contrast to the past year, The Burger Digs in Islands of Adventure was chock full of guests this past week, now ordering from employees at registers (who confirmed the mobile ordering is now a thing of the past).
I’m all for humans maintaining their jobs, but they do realize the pandemic is still going on, right? Perhaps shuttling 50+ hungry guests into a small restaurant to order and wait around, isn’t the most health and safety-conscious thing to do?
Plus, what about the convenience of it all?
Okay, we all enjoy a table to sit at inside away from the Velocicoaster death screams and the hot, Florida summer sun. Inside dining can most definitely stay. Mobile ordering, however, seemed to be a way of the future, not just a band-aid in place for the pandemic.
Perhaps the food outlets were losing money- after all, browsing on an app as opposed to smelling the food as you wait in line, seeing the orders those in front of you are collecting may bring on a bigger appetite.
It usually is the bottom line that is being looked at when decisions like this are made.
What do you think of the change? Did you take advantage of the mobile ordering when it was available and would you recommend it to stay in all the parks?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
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