Despicable Me: How exactly does a soft opening work?

[jkshel]

We know by the posted signs that Despicable Me will be opening sometime this summer. My question is do they always have a "soft opening?" How exactly does a soft opening work? are there signs posted or announcements?

Come on Gru Gurus rotfl2: tee hee could'nt resist) let me know!

 

[damo]

In our experience, you just have to be in the right place at the right time. Generally, someone will have posted somewhere that they got to ride and word will spread. It is not usually announced.

 

[Bluer101]

In our experience, you just have to be in the right place at the right time. Generally, someone will have posted somewhere that they got to ride and word will spread. It is not usually announced.

 

[DLB-GOUROCK]

Soft openings are an opportunity to try out a new ride before it is officially up and running. It is a testing period where they can see how it performs with guests coming through the doors, how the queuing works, any bottlenecks. Also there will be downtime to tweak aspects that arise during this period. There is no guarantee that the ride will be up during all park hours.
You are really helping the park test the ride. You may also be asked some questions by canvassers when you exit.

David

 

[macraven]

i did the soft opening for Shrek the week before it opened.

just happened to be walking across the street when the sign went up for that soft opening.


it's kind of a hit or miss thing.

when i did the Shrek soft opening, the express lines were not in use so if you are an onsite hotel guest, you stand in the one line with everyone else.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Soft openings are an opportunity to try out a new ride before it is officially up and running. It is a testing period where they can see how it performs with guests coming through the doors, how the queuing works, any bottlenecks. Also there will be downtime to tweak aspects that arise during this period. There is no guarantee that the ride will be up during all park hours.
You are really helping the park test the ride. You may also be asked some questions by canvassers when you exit.

David

^^^^^This.

One day you go and the ride may be running all day. The next day it might be closed. Or it might only be operating from 12-5. It might close early. It might open late. The ride may take a long time to operate. It may operate perfectly fine.

Express is NOT VALID during soft opening aka Technical Rehearsal. It will also not be posted on the map. You just have to hope for the best.

 

[Magalex]

Any guesses out there when Despicable Me ride will be open? I am hoping for June (we will be at Universal June 11th-12th).

 

[Metro West]

Any guesses out there when Despicable Me ride will be open? I am hoping for June (we will be at Universal June 11th-12th).

My ample gut tells me the ride will be open for Memorial Day weekend...just in time for the busy summer season.

But...I'm sure I'm wrong.

 

[damo]

My guess is end of June.

 

[CentralFloridian99]

Florida Thrills has a construction update.

http://www.floridathrills.net/content/universal-orlando-report-04-21-2012-658/


I'd say it will open in the next month or two.

 

[Magalex]

Lets be positive & hope for the Memorial Day weekend/beginning of June

 

[jkshel]

from the floridathrills.com site:
Opening this summer park guests will become Minions for Gru, eventually ending in a giant dance party. At the construction site we see Gru's house is closer to completion with most of the roof shingles installed. The team is now busy affixing individual bricks to the house. Finally installed are the marquees for both the attraction and the store that accompanies it. Hopefully universal releases a more precise date soon, until then it will be opening "Summer 2012"

Well, if the gift shop is ready, it cant be long now!!!

 

[Capt_BJ]

side bar

We did a 'soft opening' ride on Mission Space in EPCOT

6 of us rode - two lost their cookies as soon as we exited the building and 4 (including the two mentioned) needed a 10 minute sit to recover from the vertigo they experienced.

We've ridden often since that 'soft' ride and I'm sure the ride has been tamed down by 30% or more . . .

It is a valuable learning process for the park - but if you go realize you are a vol'try test rat!

 

[Metro West]

Well, if the gift shop is ready, it cant be long now!!!

 

[jkshel]

side bar

We did a 'soft opening' ride on Mission Space in EPCOT. 6 of us rode - two lost their cookies as soon as we exited the building and 4 (including the two mentioned) needed a 10 minute sit to recover from the vertigo they experienced.

!

Sounds like you were treated to the EXTREME Mission Space ride.

 

[Victoria3]

from the floridathrills.com site:
Opening this summer park guests will become Minions for Gru, eventually ending in a giant dance party. At the construction site we see Gru's house is closer to completion with most of the roof shingles installed. The team is now busy affixing individual bricks to the house. Finally installed are the marquees for both the attraction and the store that accompanies it. Hopefully universal releases a more precise date soon, until then it will be opening "Summer 2012"

Well, if the gift shop is ready, it cant be long now!!!

I don't see where it says the gift shop is ready... The article just says that they installed the marquees.

Here's a pic btw.

 

[jkshel]

A shot of Gru's ship?

 

[jkshel]

Reading posts that they took the construction barriers down from the front of the building....I smell MINIONS!!!!

 

[buckeev]

Reading posts that they took the construction barriers down from the front of the building....I smell MINIONS!!!!

LOL...I sure hope so!....I'm gonna try to take Number One Son there in early June, but if it isn't up-n-running by then, We'll hafta reschedule. I don't want to say anything to him yet, because he will be so disappointed if it falls through.
Sure looks & sounds like it should be open by then.

 

[yaytezIOA]

Was told by.....someone.....that it will be open first week of June...possibly sooner. They still have queue work to do.