Express and the Hulk

[shendley]

Just got back yesterday from a combination Disney/Universal trip. We stayed 3 nights at the Portofino and loved it and had two full days and one evening at the parks. We really enjoyed ourselves, but there were two gripes we had so I thought I'd open a thread on each since they're quite different gripes. And, please, don't get me wrong here: I don't want to be negative about our trip as a whole. We really had a blast. And this second gripe (the first was about the lockers) is really pretty minor. But here goes . . .

They don't give people using the express line (aka 'FOTL' for resort guests) the option to wait for the front of the coaster at Hulk. This is unlike Dueling Dragons where you can leave the express line and get into the longer line waiting for the front of that coaster. And the problem here is that Hulk really rattles you around in the back. I love coasters but I hate being rattled around like that (we rode near the back the first time). So when we went back for a second time I asked if we could wait for the front. I was told express people were limited to what I think was the last three cars of the coaster. I told her then that I didn't want to be rattled around and if I had to ride in the back I would rather not ride. She then spoke with someone and said they could let me have the third row, but absolutely wouldn't even entertain the thought of the first two rows. The third row was significantly smoother than the back, but not - I suspect - as smooth as that first car with the first two rows. I seriously just don't get this. Express is meant to reward resort guests. Why penalize them with bad seats on this coaster?

 

[taylor1293]

I do see what you are saying and understand your frustration! But, the express guarantees you limited (if not zero) lines, not a specific seating area.

We were there this weekend too, DD rode the Hulk once (on Sunday), she was in row 4 (using Express).

 

[shendley]

That's interesting. When we were there we could have never gotten that close to the front without me complaining. Though I was less complaining as simply stating a fact that I wouldn't ride the darn thing seated in the back. And though I understand what you're saying about no specific seating being guaranteed, I just don't understand why they would restrict you in this way on Hulk but not on Dueling Dragons.

We were there this weekend too, DD rode the Hulk once (on Sunday), she was in row 4 (using Express).

 

[taylor1293]

I'm not really sure why. I've never been on either (since I'm NOT a coaster fan , lol). But, my guess is that it really must be superior to ride up front on the Hulk compared to Dueling Dragons, so they are trying to be fair to non-resort guests? That's just a guess. Or, maybe it's whoever is working the ride at the time and/or how busy it is. Again, just guessing! That's a great question for frequent resort visitors and riders of the Hulk .

That's interesting. When we were there we could have never gotten that close to the front without me complaining. Though I was less complaining as simply stating a fact that I wouldn't ride the darn thing seated in the back. And though I understand what you're saying about no specific seating being guaranteed, I just don't understand why they would restrict you in this way on Hulk but not on Dueling Dragons.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

There a number of Factors in play here.

1)Express was created AFTER the attractions were built (everything post 2001 has express already accounted for).

2)To be fair, and due to the Express/Regular Line design, the ONLY way to ride the front row is via regular line. Early in the morning is the best time to do so.

3)It is clearly stated on Express passes that Front of Hulk is not available.

4)If you ask for as close to the front as possible, the Gamma Tech should put you in the 2nd row.

5)In order to keep both lines moving fairly, it's easiest to alternate regular/express lines or have regular take the first 4 rows, express last 4.

6)Some people really like the back rows. To each their own in that case.

 

[inkkognito]

I've never had a problem with using Express and sitting up towards the front. I get row 2 virtually every time because that gives me the option to hop into row 1 if there are only three people (which happens more often that you'd guess...I've gotten many, many front rides that way).

 

[macraven]

i go when it opens at 8:30 and get the front row a few times before the park officially opens.
i go in the fall and stay on site.

yes, i use the express lane.
the TM's have put me in the second row when i ask to be up front and the regular line is long.
since i go solo, i have been placed in the front row during the late day when it is busy. just lucky i guess.

one ride last year i was in the back row but the TM asked me to move.
they needed that row that had the seat extender for some guests.
i just went to the seat/row that was opened then.

i like the front row first thing in the morning.
love the mist on one of the drops that happens then..

sorry you had issues over the rows.
that is aggrevating isn't it.

 

[Subi WRX]

When it's busy, the gamma tech directs you to a row. When it's not, there is not a gamma tech at the end of the express entrance and you can choose your row, except for the front.

The front row of Hulk usually has quite a wait. Not fair to butt that line with your express pass. There is no easy way to do it. As far as row 2-3, just ask the GT nicely.

I don't like the modified seating. If I think I'm going to get row 6 when I use express, I just ask the GT politely if I can have row 7 or 8 and I don't mind waiting.

I find if you hold your head back and always look straight ahead that helps with the jarring.

 

[Metro West]

As much as I love coasters, I will rarely wait for the front row unless I'm there at opening...which I rarely am. It doesn't bother me to ride in any row and pretty much have. On Hulk, I have to ride in the "big boy" seat but on DD, I don't have that problem. Now that I've lost 17 lbs...hopefully I don't have to squeeze into the larger seats.

 

[DeblovesPoohbear]

The only row I don't like on The Hulk is the very back
I think it shakes you around too much

We were just there in the beginning of July and one night I had a "scary" ride on the Hulk. It was a Sunday nite and there were major thunder storms, it poured for hours. So we just did all the inside rides, Spidey, Cat in the Hat etc...
ANyway, it's 10 oclock and the park is getting ready to close and we hear The Hulk, and people are on it and screaming . And it's still raining. My DH
is telling me to go ride. So I walk up and ask if they are still letting people on and they tell me yes. So I go but my youngest son (5)
starts to cry and says "I don't want you to die"
SO I get up there, the platform is totally empty and they tell us this is the last ride of the night.
It was awesome, and it was so strange to pull up to the platform and there was not a soul around. Very cool indeed. And I did not die

 

[shendley]

Reading the responses, I realized that I'd forgotten that my daughter mentioned to me that the first row was inaccessible from the express line. But I still don't understand why the person directing traffic when I was there drew such a hard line on the second row. She stressed that there was absolutely no way she could give us row two.

If I were Universal, though, I would try and re-do access to that first row. A lot of Coaster fans, such as myself and 17yo daughter, really love that first row (though this is not just an issue about being rattled around - it's just a lot of fun to be in front!). Resort guests shouldn't be penalized if they're willing to join the longer line for the front row after the express line. It works that way at Dueling Dragons (where being in front is really even more fun as you get to see the other coaster coming straight at you).

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Reading the responses, I realized that I'd forgotten that my daughter mentioned to me that the first row was inaccessible from the express line. But I still don't understand why the person directing traffic when I was there drew such a hard line on the second row. She stressed that there was absolutely no way she could give us row two.

If I were Universal, though, I would try and re-do access to that first row. A lot of Coaster fans, such as myself and 17yo daughter, really love that first row (though this is not just an issue about being rattled around - it's just a lot of fun to be in front!). Resort guests shouldn't be penalized if they're willing to join the longer line for the front row after the express line. It works that way at Dueling Dragons (where being in front is really even more fun as you get to see the other coaster coming straight at you).

As for the Gamma Tech not giving you row two, that's on the Gamma Tech. I know *I* would have simply said "I can give you row two." when asked for the front.

And redoing "front row access" would require a complete restructuring of the queue, which means the Hulk would have to be closed for a few weeks, or the majority of the queue would have to be closed.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

It's not about being penalized. For the most part, you have access to 7 other rows of that coaster without a wait. Like Pteranadon Flyers (sp?), Express is just not offered for the front row of Hulk. If you want the front row (which is most people's preference), there is a separate line for it which can add up to an hour to your wait. If you really want it that bad, you're just going to have to wait it out.

 

[inkkognito]

Reading the responses, I realized that I'd forgotten that my daughter mentioned to me that the first row was inaccessible from the express line. But I still don't understand why the person directing traffic when I was there drew such a hard line on the second row. She stressed that there was absolutely no way she could give us row two.

You must have hit her on a bad day or she was on a strange power trip or something. I almost always ask for row 2 (to give myself the possibility of grabbing a seat in row 1 if there's a party of three), and I have never been refused.