Locker warning

[SnowWhite2]

Just returned from Universal. We had a great time with the exception of Dueling Dragons. The posted wait time was 5 mins. We put our stuff in a locker and headed to the ride. It is just a 5 minute walk to get to the ride. Then it was backed up and only one train running. It took us almost 30 minutes before we were off the ride and back to the locker. Ooops...the free 25 minutes were up and the locker wanted $3 to open. Luckily for me, my DH had his credit card and I could open the locker. Several other groups were unable to get into their locker and there was no one available from the locker company to help them.

Moral of the story...always keep $3 in your pocket if you use the lockers.

When we left the locker area, the posted ride wait time was only 10 minutes but the ride queue was much longer than when we first arrived in line so those folks goint to ride were going to overrun their 30 minutes of free locker time.

I would have went to guest services and complained but I was too tired and sick at that point to complain and just wanted to leave.

 

[Victoria3]

Just returned from Universal. We had a great time with the exception of Dueling Dragons. The posted wait time was 5 mins. We put our stuff in a locker and headed to the ride. It is just a 5 minute walk to get to the ride. Then it was backed up and only one train running. It took us almost 30 minutes before we were off the ride and back to the locker. Ooops...the free 25 minutes were up and the locker wanted $3 to open. Luckily for me, my DH had his credit card and I could open the locker. Several other groups were unable to get into their locker and there was no one available from the locker company to help them.

Moral of the story...always keep $3 in your pocket if you use the lockers.

When we left the locker area, the posted ride wait time was only 10 minutes but the ride queue was much longer than when we first arrived in line so those folks goint to ride were going to overrun their 30 minutes of free locker time.

I would have went to guest services and complained but I was too tired and sick at that point to complain and just wanted to leave.

You can go to the greeter of the attraction and ask them to radio the locker attendant.

 

[Yoshi]

That's a shame there was only 1 train running, it should be running 2 trains on each side (since I know at times they will only have 2 available if a 3rd train is being worked on) at all times given how popular that section of the park is.

 

[Lycaon]

I had the same experience during my October visit. Friday morning, park had just opened (I was there for early entry), advertised wait was 10 minutes, free locker time was 30 minutes. I took the Express line, only to find a zillion people waiting at the dragons because they were only running one train on each. By the time I was close to boarding, it was close to 30 minutes and THEN they decided they were going to start more trains , which took even more time. The locker time ran out and I had fun trying to convince the locker attendant that it wasn't my fault. I'm sure people try to scam the lockers all the time, but geez, I just wanted my stuff back (my cash was in my backpack or I would've just paid - but you can bet I wouldn't be happy about it).

I like having my backpack at the parks, so you can bet I'll be keeping that $3 in my pocket next time in case something like this happens. Lesson learned!

 

[rpbert1]

This has happened to us a few times at DD, we always got the attendant to open the locker for us, and never had any probs.

 

[GreyStr0ke]

Running one train on each side is complete crap. When I was there a few weekends ago on a very busy Saturday they did this too. The posted wait time was 5 minutes and then you get to the loading area and it was 30 minutes before you were on the ride. I've never been in such a short line and had to wait so long.

 

[ChisJo]

We had this happen to us once on Duelling Dragons. We got to the front and one of the trains was down, and then the wait jumped up. We got out and needed to get our stuff out of our locker and had no money on us. We just talked to the attendant and they opened it up for us. They didn't hassle or give us problems, they were understanding. I'm sure it happens all the time.

 

[Metro West]

Running one train on each side is complete crap. When I was there a few weekends ago on a very busy Saturday they did this too. The posted wait time was 5 minutes and then you get to the loading area and it was 30 minutes before you were on the ride. I've never been in such a short line and had to wait so long.

I completely agree. The whole point of the attraction is the coasters "duel" and near misses really make or break it for me. When they aren't running together...lousy ride!

 

[xApril]

If ever in a situation like this where it is the ride's fault that you weren't back to your locker in time, you should definitely contact the locker attendant. I am sure they are informed of what is going on and they would always be willing to open it for you.

 

[Timmy Boy]

I completely agree. The whole point of the attraction is the coasters "duel" and near misses really make or break it for me. When they aren't running together...lousy ride!

No I think what the poster is saying is that their was only 1 train on each side. So the coasters still "duel", it's just that you have to wait for each train to come back before loading again.

I agree, it looks bad and is bad guest service. When I worked there in 2006, we did the same thing, but it wasn't our decision, it was budgeting. To run more trains, we need more people. To make it 4 trains (2 on each side) you need 4 more people (another person on each platform 2x, then 2 more breakers). So the finance people decided that on slow days, we don't need 4 trains, so we just run with 1 on each side the whole day. However with the amount of money flowing in now from Potter, their really shouldn't be an excuse for not running 4 trains at all times due to budget. If there are problems with the trains and have to be taken out, that's fine, things happen, but 4 should really be on there at all times now.