The problem is not the switch backs, its the fact that you will enter Grus house, exit into un themed switch backs, then re enter his house.
Haunted Mansion and Tower of Terror do not do this. Once you enter the building you are fully immersed and at no point taken out of the story of the ride.
And based on the video and photos so far, Universal made no attempt to theme the ramp leading from the facade to the pre show rooms. So whether the queue is short or long you will always have that gap in theming and that's the problem.
This is a DISCUSSION forum, correct? And exactly! Thank you. Nowhere at Disney do you enter an unthemed queue after initially entering the themed main ride building. All the examples given about Disney are EXTENDED or EXTERIOR queues which are separate from the main building.
THAT is my issue. I've made that clear a few times. That you enter a beautifully themed facade and go a few feet through Gru's house, only to be dumped back into an unthemed metal queue, and then back into a themed queue. The disconnect and gap in themeing disturbs me, that's the thing.
That's why I don't have an issue with Transformers' extended queue AT ALL. It's separate and...an extended queue. I'm not THAT anal in thinking that every queue space HAS to be themed to the brim. My issue with DM is that gap in themeing. I feel like a broken record...
Everyone likes different things and different details regarding theme parks. I'm not bashing the ride or the overall DM project. I'm very excited for it. Just pointing out what I'd like to see improved.
On the podcast, some of you go hours on end complaining about certain aspects about Universal or certain attractions or details. To this day I know for a fact a few of you still complain about the Transformers Ride mural we got compared to what Florida/Singapore got for their facade. Everyone has their own opinion!
As a reminder, it won't take away from the rest of the attraction for me. It won't reduce my overall enjoyment of the experience Universal is creating. Just noting an initial reaction I have to something I find is a very small flaw in the beautiful and grand scheme of things.
Don't see what's wrong with offering our initial thoughts in written form though....it's a discussion forum.
I think questioning our personal opinions makes this subject drag on longer than it needs to be. Again, some of us like to see more details or like different things. Pretty simple.
Speaking of themeing, I'm curious if Universal will theme the outside of the show building from the viewpoint of SSFL, especially the "curved" T2 structure above the exit of the gift shop. I would extend the SSFL themeing to the building.