hpriamson
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2013
Just got back from a Universal/Disney trip, and wanted to post a bit about the metal detectors.
As known, three rides now have metal detectors - Hulk, Dueling Dragons, and Rip Ride Rockit. They're tuned to be pretty sensitive - my small belt buckle (which doesn't trigger the detector when going through airport security) set it off each and every time. They were pretty quick with the hand scanners though, and there was never an issue getting on the ride.
Hulk and RRR are set up pretty intelligently. There's a dedicated metal detector for the Express Pass line, and the metal detectors are close to the lockers, so it's a quick trip for the large, large number of people who don't understand or accept what they can't bring on the ride any more.
Dragon Challenge is terrible however. The metal detectors are right before the walkway into the building, so you've already walked all they way up the ramp. They send people who had contraband down the shortcut path to the lockers. And the worst part, IMHO, was that they didn't have a dedicated detector for express pass holders - the line up to the detectors reached 20+ minutes when we were there, even though it was a walk on for express pass after getting through them. They'd be much better if they kept the detectors right at the entrance, and making one express only - don't know why they aren't doing that - maybe their deal with Rowling doesn't let them have anything modern looking in plain sight?
There was one funny moment - since it's such a long walk back down, they have a box for loose change for people who just want to get rid of it instead of waiting in line again. They donate it to charity, don't remember which. Some guy went into this long speech that they should give him a memorial brick on the walkway up for his 75 cent donation. He thought he was being funny, but I heard one of the hot, overworked, TMs behind me mutter "Oh, just shut up" as he walked away.
As known, three rides now have metal detectors - Hulk, Dueling Dragons, and Rip Ride Rockit. They're tuned to be pretty sensitive - my small belt buckle (which doesn't trigger the detector when going through airport security) set it off each and every time. They were pretty quick with the hand scanners though, and there was never an issue getting on the ride.
Hulk and RRR are set up pretty intelligently. There's a dedicated metal detector for the Express Pass line, and the metal detectors are close to the lockers, so it's a quick trip for the large, large number of people who don't understand or accept what they can't bring on the ride any more.
Dragon Challenge is terrible however. The metal detectors are right before the walkway into the building, so you've already walked all they way up the ramp. They send people who had contraband down the shortcut path to the lockers. And the worst part, IMHO, was that they didn't have a dedicated detector for express pass holders - the line up to the detectors reached 20+ minutes when we were there, even though it was a walk on for express pass after getting through them. They'd be much better if they kept the detectors right at the entrance, and making one express only - don't know why they aren't doing that - maybe their deal with Rowling doesn't let them have anything modern looking in plain sight?
There was one funny moment - since it's such a long walk back down, they have a box for loose change for people who just want to get rid of it instead of waiting in line again. They donate it to charity, don't remember which. Some guy went into this long speech that they should give him a memorial brick on the walkway up for his 75 cent donation. He thought he was being funny, but I heard one of the hot, overworked, TMs behind me mutter "Oh, just shut up" as he walked away.
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