New virtual queue for Hagrids

[jbrinkm]

Velocicoaster open again during EE today. Head toward Lost Continent and possibly take new bypass bridge.
This is the URL.

https://vltest.universalorlando.com/#

New bypass bridge? Do tell...

 

[TommyJK]

New bypass bridge? Do tell...

The bridge has always been there, but I believe previously it was only for team members to use. It's now been expanded and is for public use. See image below for it's location (just past Mythos)

 

[soniam]

I searched this thread but guess I didn't figure out the correct terms. Is there any provision for guests who don't have smart phones? We'll be there in November with my sister, who will probably want to spend more days at UOR than we will, specifically to ride Velocicoaster and Hagrid's and the other thrill rides. She is a technophobe and does not/will not have a smart phone. Is there a way for her to get in the virtual queues without a phone?

Who knows what they will be using in November. This only started in the last couple of weeks.

New bypass bridge? Do tell...

Like other poster showed. If you have been during really busy times, they had used it sometimes for guests. We have done it before. It’s now permanently available to guests, and they may direct you that way. My husband and son got some conflicting info this morning though.

 

[nkereina]

I also recommend that you go to that site, set up an account, and bookmark it (or however you want to make sure you have access to it when you need it)... and do it right now. There's no reason not to.

I tried setting up the account using the web site link and after allowing location services, it tells me I have to be in the park and takes me back to the start of the process. It looks like I will have to set up the account when I get there. Has this been yours/anyone else's experience too?

Separate question but do I need tickets linked to obtain VQ? We are traveling with another couple but I'd rather be in charge of grabbing VQs for all four of us, but they have their own Universal account and will have separate tickets.

 

[cschaaf]

I tried setting up the account using the web site link and after allowing location services, it tells me I have to be in the park and takes me back to the start of the process. It looks like I will have to set up the account when I get there. Has this been yours/anyone else's experience too?

Separate question but do I need tickets linked to obtain VQ? We are traveling with another couple but I'd rather be in charge of grabbing VQs for all four of us, but they have their own Universal account and will have separate tickets.

You should be able to set up an account anywhere. It won't let you book the actual VQ reservation until you are inside the geo fence.

To set up the account, open the site and click the Activate Virtual Line icon. Pick a party size - doesn't matter what it is. Enter an email address and a password, then try to click through and it will eventually error our since you aren't in the park. But, you will have successfully created your account.

No, you do not need to link any tickets. This site is completely separate from your ticket, Universal account... everything.

 

[123SA]

These directions worked perfectly for me.

 

[nkereina]

You should be able to set up an account anywhere. It won't let you book the actual VQ reservation until you are inside the geo fence.

To set up the account, open the site and click the Activate Virtual Line icon. Pick a party size - doesn't matter what it is. Enter an email address and a password, then try to click through and it will eventually error our since you aren't in the park. But, you will have successfully created your account.

No, you do not need to link any tickets. This site is completely separate from your ticket, Universal account... everything.

Thank you! Looks like I'm registered now because it didn't prompt for the email again, just tried to add me to the VQ and then denied me when it knew I wasn't at the park. Thanks for your help!

 

[cmarsh31]

Reporting back from yesterday! Did early entry for VelociCoaster, then right to Hagrid's. Posted 45 min wait. Forgot to check but it was much less (it started running around maybe 8:20? Not right at EE). As we got off, I snagged a Virtual Queue spot fir about 90 minutes later. Rode again and later got a third! Original 3rd time was 2pm... it was constantly moving up but I kept on it all day (we wanted to ride then take the Hogwarts Express). Probably could have gotten on before 1pm. Opted for 2:30 but it was WORK to keep it at the 2pm range. I moved it about 10 times because ot kept creeping up.

We'll try again today for a later afternoon. Spending the day at US.

 

[thevolcanogod]

We wondered what they would do if you don’t have an internet-capable phone. We saw a couple cast members around the line entry doing stuff on phones and handing out some type of paper slip. But we didn’t go over there because there was a huge ring standing around them. I’m assuming if you don’t have access one of those people could make a reservation for you and maybe write something down to allow you to come back? This is just guesses since like I said we didn’t go near there. Too crowded.

Also yes the QR code just takes you to the website I posted. You can just bookmark it and skip the QR experience. You only have to register once but you have to “activate” the VQ every day and THEN click another spot to actually make the reservstion.

Says virtual queue at capacity? Just keep refreshing. Spots opened up throughout the day. It also moved our times up pretty drastically. At least once I reschedule for a time 1.5 hours out and it moved me back by 30-40 mins and rescheduling again wouldn’t work for some reason. We just changed our plans slightly and headed over early.

 

[CarolynFH]

We wondered what they would do if you don’t have an internet-capable phone. We saw a couple cast members around the line entry doing stuff on phones and handing out some type of paper slip. But we didn’t go over there because there was a huge ring standing around them. I’m assuming if you don’t have access one of those people could make a reservation for you and maybe write something down to allow you to come back? This is just guesses since like I said we didn’t go near there. Too crowded.

Also yes the QR code just takes you to the website I posted. You can just bookmark it and skip the QR experience. You only have to register once but you have to “activate” the VQ every day and THEN click another spot to actually make the reservstion.

Says virtual queue at capacity? Just keep refreshing. Spots opened up throughout the day. It also moved our times up pretty drastically. At least once I reschedule for a time 1.5 hours out and it moved me back by 30-40 mins and rescheduling again wouldn’t work for some reason. We just changed our plans slightly and headed over early.

Thanks for this information - I hope someone will confirm the TMs are giving out return times for those without smartphones. My sister will be there for 4 days before I arrive, and I know she’ll want to ride Hagrid’s before I get there!

 

[mrd7896]

My assumption for the movement of times:
—your time gets pushed back later because of slight delays of the ride
—your time gets moved forward because they are trying to maximize the amount of people who can ride

Since it’s a continuous loading maybe there’s a way that the physical queue is monitored in regards to the VQ and to not really waste time with an empty queue

That would be my only rationale for times to be bumped forward especially if it seems relatively easy for other people to move their times back..random number but imagine 500 people get 1:00 and 250 push it back, then all of a sudden the 1:00 spot is looking mighty low for returns

Doesn’t seem like it’s a bad system by any means and I’m glad it seems to have some more flexibility (and chances) than ROTR over at Disney and I’m excited to use this VQ system since the last time i was at IoA it was the older one in the app

My next trip is with a group of over 10 of us and this makes it more likely that everyone who wants to ride the bike will have the chance!

 

[cschaaf]

I agree about the VQ system being an attempt to maximize capacity and, in theory, moving up a reservation is a good thing for everyone. But in practice, unless you are camping out near the entrance, you’ve probably planned other things while waiting for your originally scheduled time.

I still think they need 3 changes: integrate with the app, notify you when there is the possibility of your time moving up, and allowing you to accept the new time or not (with the default as ‘not’ if you don’t notice the notification).

Don’t know how simple or difficult those updates would be nor what changes you would need to make to the logic, but those changes would make it a much better system overall.

 

[Bibbobboo2u]

Interesting note - the link worked as described from my laptop but it won't advance beyond the "tutorial screen" on my phone, so I was unable to go through the process on phone.

 

[mamapenguin]

Interesting note - the link worked as described from my laptop but it won't advance beyond the "tutorial screen" on my phone, so I was unable to go through the process on phone.

It might have something or everything to do with your location. You must give the app permission and you must be somewhere on property. I could get a time from Sapphire and Citywalk.

 

[cschaaf]

could also be a browser issue. I'm not near the parks right now and am able to get past the tutorial, log in, and start the process to get a VQ before I get to the step where it checks my location. Using Chrome on my phone.

Try a different phone browser?

 

[Erica Ladd]

Do we now know it can be done from resorts? Do we know which ones or is it all of them?

 

[jolene63]

Do we now know it can be done from resorts? Do we know which ones or is it all of them?

Do we now know it can be done from resorts? Do we know which ones or is it all of them?

I was able to get some sitting in my room at Cabana Bay last month.

 

[jbrinkm]

No VQ today, which kind of messed us up since we didn't come here quickly. Hour long wait now. The worker said it probably will go down a bit around lunchtime. Still stinks that we didn't get in line when wait was 25 minutes...

 

[jbrinkm]

No VQ today, which kind of messed us up since we didn't come here quickly. Hour long wait now. The worker said it probably will go down a bit around lunchtime. Still stinks that we didn't get in line when wait was 25 minutes...

Update - we waited around 30 minutes at lunchtime (I think it was 12:30). Sign posted 45 but TP said 30, and that was about right. The worker said that they haven't been doing the VQ since schools went back and the line stays an hour or less. SUCH A GREAT RIDE! DH, who rides a real motorcycle, said the experience was similar with the acceleration.