Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

[cheeseheadwi]

:doh:

Why not?!? Do you know what the problem is/are?

If you don't, I'm not sure how you can make the assumption that they aren't close to working things out smoothly... maybe they are, maybe they aren't, but don't assume...

Palm to forehead??? Here's what we know: they've had months to work out these problems and the ride seems to break down as much now as it did 3 weeks ago. They also have less ability to work on the ride during the day now because it is open to guests. Based on that, what's wrong with suspecting the problems won't magically be resolved in short order. I could be wrong, but chances are I'm not.

 

[rhino4evr]

its opening weekend, cut them some slack. And if you haven't booked your hotel yet, maybe it's wise to wait.

 

[Milla4Prez66]

I'm finally on the ride and it's broken down.

 

[JungleSkip]

they've had months to work out these problems

That's not true at all. They had a few weeks to sort out these problems.

 

[Teebin]

I'm finally on the ride and it's broken down.

I would get a lawyer and sue the bastards!

 

[IzzyB]

So no one sees a guest relations issue when someone gets in line with a posted wait of 240 minutes. They finally get on the ride after 360 minutes of waiting for only the ride to break down while they are on it? Again, if they can resolve this soon we are all good and it won't leave a bad taste in enough guest's mouths. But if 3 weeks from now this is still happening Uni has a huge issue on their hands. Because then we can't use the excuse, well they knew they were coming on opening weekend which is always bad. Which I still hate that excuse because you can't tell me every guest that walked into the park that day knew they were coming on opening week. I understand it is a new ride, but this seems like an extreme in waits. Most rides (outside of HRRR) do normally open pretty close to capacity to help with the larger than normal crowds. Yes, break downs happen with every new ride and is expected, but I think the breakdowns mixed with low capacity is becoming a bad recipe.

I think a good example of how some of this stuff can leave a bad taste in a guest's mouth. My in-laws came down in October a long time ago and I had never been to HHN and suggested we all go. We went on the first couple houses no problem and then we got in line for a house with a posted wait of 20 minutes. It ended up being 40 minutes long. Now not the end of the world, but my in-laws can be difficult at times (as other guests can be too). So we got something to eat and they walked past a bunch of houses with 40 to 60 minute waits and said no way since it would take way longer than that based on their last experience. We ended up riding a couple rides and leaving. They said they would never go to HHN again and they have not. They still don't have the best regards for Uni and only go there every couple years. In fact they haven't been there since Phase 1. Even though I keep telling them they need to go, but they won't listen because they have had too many bad experiences and feel like it is not the same quality as Disney. They go to Disney every trip down here and they are here about 4 times a year. They are now moving down, so we will see if that changes. BTW, these are the type of people that love roller coasters, love thrill rides, and love to go to amusement parks at different places in the US when they are traveling. They didn't have young kids until October of this past year. So they were in Uni's key demographic group and Uni still couldn't get them to try them again.

 

[rhino4evr]

I'm finally on the ride and it's broken down.

oh boy.

- - - Updated - - -

So no one sees a guest relations issue when someone gets in line with a posted wait of 240 minutes. They finally get on the ride after 360 minutes of waiting for only the ride to break down while they are on it? Again, if they can resolve this soon we are all good and it won't leave a bad taste in enough guest's mouths. But if 3 weeks from now this is still happening Uni has a huge issue on their hands. Because then we can't use the excuse, well they knew they were coming on opening weekend which is always bad. Which I still hate that excuse because you can't tell me every guest that walked into the park that day knew they were coming on opening week. I understand it is a new ride, but this seems like an extreme in waits. Most rides (outside of HRRR) do normally open pretty close to capacity to help with the larger than normal crowds. Yes, break downs happen with every new ride and is expected, but I think the breakdowns mixed with low capacity is becoming a bad recipe.

If I was a "normal" guest who just happened to plan a vacation around the grand opening on accident, I would go no where near a 350 wait. Why would anyone but a die hard fan, or an annual passholder that has seen everything the park has to offer, wait that long?

If they can't figure this out within the next week or two, I honestly think they should just close the ride until it's actually ready for the big time.

 

[1.21Gigawatts]

So if you wait 6 hours to ride EFG and it breaks down while you're on it, do the TM's let you ride again so you get a full ride experience or are you out of luck? I know this depends on what kind of "Break Down" it is, the ride could just stop during a scene and continue... or a full evac would be a different story. Just curoious...

 

[cheeseheadwi]

That's not true at all. They had a few weeks to sort out these problems.

So the first time they tried full runs of Gringotts sans real guests was 1 week before media preview? I doubt it. By the way, correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't you in the camp of people commenting that Gringotts wasn't experiencing major problems and would be fine on grand opening?

 

[Milla4Prez66]

It started to work and I rode. It was okay, but not worth the hype or wait.

 

[JungleSkip]

So the first time they tried full runs of Gringotts sans real guests was 1 week before media preview? I doubt it. By the way, correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't you in the camp of people commenting that Gringotts wasn't experiencing major problems and would be fine on grand opening?

No. I said it wasn't unsafe for riders and that cars weren't derailing, also that it wasn't "falling further and further behind" as a certain website put it. I was hoping they would have gotten the computer problems sorted out in the short time of test and adjust they had. That didn't happen.

 

[Teebin]

So the first time they tried full runs of Gringotts sans real guests was 1 week before media preview?

The first time that "outsiders" not on the development team rode was June 6, 2014. Why so late in the game? I have NO idea...

 

[Milla4Prez66]

My thoughts: it is a Transformers/Mummy mashup but not I'm not sure it was better than either ride. It was cool and unique but I need another ride without a 5 hour wait to get a better gauge of how I feel. I did buy a Gringotts ID to remember my first time riding after a 5 hour wait lol.

 

[Milla4Prez66]

Also, another note. I saw multiple bigger guys not even able to ride it after waiting 5 hours because of the restraints. That is NOT good at all IMO. The ride isn't even that thrilling to justify restraints that keep people from riding. In general, Diagon Alley is amazing but Gringotts is a hot steaming mess.

 

[IzzyB]

Also, another note. I saw multiple bigger guys not even able to ride it after waiting 5 hours because of the restraints. That is NOT good at all IMO. The ride isn't even that thrilling to justify restraints that keep people from riding. In general, Diagon Alley is amazing but Gringotts is a hot steaming mess.

Don't they have test seats before you even get on? Are TMs not having guests use the test seats before getting into line if they think the guest will be close?

 

[quinnmac000]

The industry as a whole are changing their restraint systems as an effect of the six flags incident in Texas.

 

[s8film40]

Also, another note. I saw multiple bigger guys not even able to ride it after waiting 5 hours because of the restraints. That is NOT good at all IMO. The ride isn't even that thrilling to justify restraints that keep people from riding. In general, Diagon Alley is amazing but Gringotts is a hot steaming mess.

Wow! How do you not try out the test seat with such a long wait. I'm a pretty average height and I tried it first. I can't imagine how someone could value their time so little that they don't do some basic investigating if the ride is right for them, or worse yet get in a line they're not willing to wait in. I will admit there are definitely some issues in this ride being ready, but Universal has made every effort to make people aware of what they're getting into, if anyone has had an issue at this point it's on them.

 

[UNIrd]

Also, another note. I saw multiple bigger guys not even able to ride it after waiting 5 hours because of the restraints. That is NOT good at all IMO. The ride isn't even that thrilling to justify restraints that keep people from riding. In general, Diagon Alley is amazing but Gringotts is a hot steaming mess.

I'm glad you were finally able to ride and yeah, with a normal wait you should definitely get a better gauge. If I waited 5 hours for a ride, it would have to be life-changing.

How big were the guys that were being rejected?

 

[cheeseheadwi]

The first time that "outsiders" not on the development team rode was June 6, 2014. Why so late in the game? I have NO idea...

... and if they let outsiders ride on June 6, how many weeks before then were they first aware of Gringotts problems? Likely several. I'm booked at Uni in 6 weeks, and won't be surprised if the problems don't improve much before then.

 

[Clive]

No. I said it wasn't unsafe for riders and that cars weren't derailing, also that it wasn't "falling further and further behind" as a certain website put it. I was hoping they would have gotten the computer problems sorted out in the short time of test and adjust they had. That didn't happen.

The ride wasn't unsafe for riders when it allowed guests - but the derail did happen. Not "fly off the tracks into a wall!" derail, but a car did become partially unhinged from the track. There were other major issues, too, that weren't reported... Those were sorted out.

The computer/software issues weren't. Bottom line is OI turned out to be right, whether or not anyone here wants to admit it (or try and change the narrative or whatever). The ride's an operational mess. It'll get there - eventually. But this isn't "good" by any stretch of the imagination.

That said, when it works, I've heard only wonderful things about the ride, and I can't wait to experience it.