No New Muggles after ???

[beaprn]

I finally experienced this ride yesterday. I arrived at about 6pm and the single rider line was closed "do not know when or if it will reopen" per the guard. The standby at that time was 150 mins but when I started to get in line the whole back of the line area was packed it was 90 degrees and humid. So I decided to wait near the entrance for awhile to see if the single rider reopened, I was by myself and did not feel like waiting 2.5 hrs in hot packed area. Around 7pm a guard announced that the line was closing in a few minutes for the evening. At that time the wait time was 120 minutes so I hoped in line and the back of the line was nowhere near a full as it had been, there was about 50 people behind me. Long story short- waiting and ride 1.5 hrs (Yea for me) But they are closing this ride line down long before the park closes and that is not fair to the people who have purchased park tickets to ride this attraction. I was one of the last groups on and was out at 830pm with the ride down (no tech difficulties) for the night. If they are going make this a every day thing it should be announced so people can decide how to spend their time instead arriving at the ride to be told too bad so sad. I understand they need to get their employees out at a decent hour but let the public know ahead of time. This is the second time I attempted to ride this but the first time was after the magic closing time so they were not allowing any new muggles thru at 730pm that time. Everything else in the park was going right up until closing as it should. Any thoughts?

 

[damo]

I finally experienced this ride yesterday. I arrived at about 6pm and the single rider line was closed "do not know when or if it will reopen" per the guard. The standby at that time was 150 mins but when I started to get in line the whole back of the line area was packed it was 90 degrees and humid. So I decided to wait near the entrance for awhile to see if the single rider reopened, I was by myself and did not feel like waiting 2.5 hrs in hot packed area. Around 7pm a guard announced that the line was closing in a few minutes for the evening. At that time the wait time was 120 minutes so I hoped in line and the back of the line was nowhere near a full as it had been, there was about 50 people behind me. Long story short- waiting and ride 1.5 hrs (Yea for me) But they are closing this ride line down long before the park closes and that is not fair to the people who have purchased park tickets to ride this attraction. I was one of the last groups on and was out at 830pm with the ride down (no tech difficulties) for the night. If they are going make this a every day thing it should be announced so people can decide how to spend their time instead arriving at the ride to be told too bad so sad. I understand they need to get their employees out at a decent hour but let the public know ahead of time. This is the second time I attempted to ride this but the first time was after the magic closing time so they were not allowing any new muggles thru at 730pm that time. Everything else in the park was going right up until closing as it should. Any thoughts?

Lots of people have been complaining that they should close the ride down and fix it. So, now they close it down a bit early to work on things and people complain. Either way, they can't win.

 

[RMulieri]

Lots of people have been complaining that they should close the ride down and fix it. So, now they close it down a bit early to work on things and people complain. Either way, they can't win.

Is that what they are doing? I heard that too.Hopefully it is true and I agree with you..Universal is damned no matter what they do .

 

[schumigirl]

Lots of people have been complaining that they should close the ride down and fix it. So, now they close it down a bit early to work on things and people complain. Either way, they can't win.

Is that what they are doing? I heard that too.Hopefully it is true and I agree with you..Universal is damned no matter what they do .

I read the same thing........yep.......they can't win it seems.

 

[zebsterama]

Universal can't win? Really?

1. They need to get their act together with their attraction and it's technical difficulties. I work in the high tech industry - no customer cry's at my desk or wants to hear excuses, why this or that isn't working - nor should they. I, like Universal are in the delivery business, not the excuse business. They didn't test properly - they should pay the price - not their customers.

2. Universal needs to get their act together with setting expectations with their paying customers (yes those who choose / should be able to wait in line at an attraction 1 minute before the park closes). If Universal can hype something to death, enticing patrons, staff can stay late - I'm sure Universal can afford Florida's minimum wage for a few more hours.

3. Tech people work through the night - it's part of the culture. Fix the monster you created, test properly, or don't launch - everything else is an excuse.


I'm thrilled that I'm going, and I'm sure I will love Universal, and the experience - but everything I'm hearing says they have screwed a good portion of this launch up.

 

[damo]

Universal can't win? Really?

1. They need to get their act together with their attraction and it's technical difficulties. I work in the high tech industry - no customer cry's at my desk or wants to hear excuses, why this or that isn't working - nor should they. I, like Universal is in the delivery business not the excuse business. They didn't test properly - they should pay the price - not their customers.

2. Universal needs to get their act together with setting expectations with their paying customers (yes those who choose / should be able to wait in line at an attraction 1 minute before the park closes). If Universal can hype something to death, enticing patrons, staff can stay late - I'm sure Universal can afford Florida's minimum wage for a few more hours.

3. Tech people work through the night - it's part of the culture. Fix the monster you created, test properly, or don't launch - everything else is an excuse.


I'm thrilled that I'm going, and I'm sure I will love Universal, and the experience - but everything I'm hearing says they have screwed a good portion of this launch up.

Everything I'm hearing is that some decisions were made to make some changes a few weeks before opening that would be best for the ride in the long run. Those changes are causing some issues. Do we know that staff aren't working late or through the night to fix these issues?

I still think people would rather it was open with some malfunctions rather than not be open at all. That seems pretty evident by the number of people willing to get in a 200 minute line.

 

[HM]

I'm assuming that they cut the line off early, because they want to close the ride at park closing. If the line is at 120 minutes at two hours before the park closes, they are closing the line. If they kept taking Muggles in line until the park close time with a posted wait like that, they'd be there for two hours after park closing.

 

[zebsterama]

Everything I'm hearing is that some decisions were made to make some changes a few weeks before opening that would be best for the ride in the long run. Those changes are causing some issues. Do we know that staff aren't working late or through the night to fix these issues?

I still think people would rather it was open with some malfunctions rather than not be open at all. That seems pretty evident by the number of people willing to get in a 200 minute line.

Clearly they've made their choice -- and in truth -- I probably would have done the same. Obviously there is a captive audience out there ... heck I'm still going

That being said, they've made some mistakes - which is understandable - it's how they handle those mistakes that truly shows their commitment to service excellence.

Universal knew (without question their marketing people knew) what the projected patroon turn-out was going to be --- turning people away from the line hours before close, is really bad PR in my opinion (especially with the amount of downtime the ride has experienced).

They could have (not easily - but could have - and should have IMO) made arrangements to have the ride run late/past close to accommodate the crowds in the short term. If patrons were willing to wait - staff/management/tech crews-testers should accommodate until the kinks are worked out.

Line up between 7 and 9 pm (of whenever the close is) once you're off the ride - you're led/roped out of the park. After the last run - start your tweaking/testing. In my business, if that means we start change management/testing at 2am, then that means we start at 2am and work until 8am for next day open .... and then we do it all over again --- until we're done.

Obviously they're going to do what they think is best, but I'm not a fan of excusing them even if everyone wants to ride their ride.

 

[damo]

Clearly they've made their choice -- and in truth -- I probably would have done the same. Obviously there is a captive audience out there ... heck I'm still going

That being said, they've made some mistakes - which is understandable - it's how they handle those mistakes that truly shows their commitment to service excellence.

Universal new (without question their marketing people new) what the projected patroon turn-out was going to be --- turning people away from the line hours before close, is really bad PR in my opinion (especially with the amount of downtime the ride has experienced).

They could have (not easily - but could have - and should have IMO) made arrangements to have the ride run late/past close to accommodate the crowds in the short term. If patrons were willing to wait - staff/management/tech crews-testers should accommodate until the kinks are worked out.

Line up between 7 and 9 pm (of whenever the close is) once you're off the ride - you're led/roped out of the park. After the last run - start your tweaking/testing. In my business, if that means we start change management/testing at 2am, then that means we start at 2am and work until 8am for next day open .... and then we do it all over again --- until we're done.

Obviously they're going to do what they think is best, but I'm not a fan of excusing them even if everyone wants to ride their ride.

I think they're just trying to squeeze in more time to work on the ride. Leaving it open until midnight means they have less time to work on it without customers. Early admission starts at 7 am, so that means full cycling would have to start some time before that for testing.

 

[zebsterama]

I think they're just trying to squeeze in more time to work on the ride. Leaving it open until midnight means they have less time to work on it without customers. Early admission starts at 7 am, so that means full cycling would have to start some time before that for testing.

You're right. I would strongly suspect, that's exactly the reason.

Truth be told -- I shouldn't be so combative on this point -- since we're going in a few days, and the more time Universal has to fix the kinks now -- the better off my experience will be .

I say they close it down for testing for the next 3 days

Just kidding

Can't wait to check Universal out for myself

 

[damo]

You're right. I would strongly suspect, that's exactly the reason.

Truth be told -- I shouldn't be so combative on this point -- since we're going in a few days, and the more time Universal has to fix the kinks now -- the better off my experience will be .

I say they close it down for testing for the next 3 days

Just kidding

Can't wait to check Universal out for myself

Hahahaha....ya the people who are calling for its shut down are the ones who aren't there yet!


Everyone should be happy to hear that they are running both sides right now.

 

[Metro West]

I'm assuming that they cut the line off early, because they want to close the ride at park closing. If the line is at 120 minutes at two hours before the park closes, they are closing the line. If they kept taking Muggles in line until the park close time with a posted wait like that, they'd be there for two hours after park closing.

I'm curious how this will work once HHN is upon us. DA will not be part of HHN this year and since the park closes at 5pm for day guests, I expect the line to close very early on those days. Otherwise they would have to escort every person who's in line and would be getting out after park closing so they aren't hanging around for HHN w/o paying.

 

[ilovemk76]

I finally experienced this ride yesterday. I arrived at about 6pm and the single rider line was closed "do not know when or if it will reopen" per the guard. The standby at that time was 150 mins but when I started to get in line the whole back of the line area was packed it was 90 degrees and humid. So I decided to wait near the entrance for awhile to see if the single rider reopened, I was by myself and did not feel like waiting 2.5 hrs in hot packed area. Around 7pm a guard announced that the line was closing in a few minutes for the evening. At that time the wait time was 120 minutes so I hoped in line and the back of the line was nowhere near a full as it had been, there was about 50 people behind me. Long story short- waiting and ride 1.5 hrs (Yea for me) But they are closing this ride line down long before the park closes and that is not fair to the people who have purchased park tickets to ride this attraction. I was one of the last groups on and was out at 830pm with the ride down (no tech difficulties) for the night. If they are going make this a every day thing it should be announced so people can decide how to spend their time instead arriving at the ride to be told too bad so sad. I understand they need to get their employees out at a decent hour but let the public know ahead of time. This is the second time I attempted to ride this but the first time was after the magic closing time so they were not allowing any new muggles thru at 730pm that time. Everything else in the park was going right up until closing as it should. Any thoughts?

Wasn't your wait really 2.5 hours when you include the 1 hour you waited for the single rider line to open up?

I agree the line should not be shutdown. Does Universal do this for all lines or just this line?

 

[beaprn]

I read the same thing........yep.......they can't win it seems.

I do not have a problem with them daily closing the ride down early for whatever reason they have, it is their park they can do what they want. But put up a notice at the entrance of the park stating this, so you know going in that you need to be in that line by that time no matter what the wait time is if you want to ride. That is all I am saying, give a heads up for crying out loud. The "guards" are not giving any type of answer of what is going on. I still have not found out when or why they are closing the single line well before the 7pm closing. This is one of the theme parks most anticipated ride and people come wanting experience this attraction above anything else in the park. A lot of folks do not plan the way folks on this board do and could be putting off getting in line until later in the evening hoping for a shorter line, then they are screwed. Especially if they are one/two day people there to see only The Potter part of the park and do not get the notice that this attraction closes early. Again just my two cents worth.

 

[beaprn]

Wasn't your wait really 2.5 hours when you include the 1 hour you waited for the single rider line to open up?

I agree the line should not be shutdown. Does Universal do this for all lines or just this line?

LOL I guess you are right, but at least one hour of it was sitting with my feet up reading my kindle, people watching and taking in the scenery!

 

[zebsterama]

I do not have a problem with them daily closing the ride down early for whatever reason they have, it is their park they can do what they want. But put up a notice at the entrance of the park stating this, so you know going in that you need to be in that line by that time no matter what the wait time is if you want to ride. That is all I am saying, give a heads up for crying out loud. The "guards" are not giving any type of answer of what is going on. I still have not found out when or why they are closing the single line well before the 7pm closing. This is one of the theme parks most anticipated ride and people come wanting experience this attraction above anything else in the park. A lot of folks do not plan the way folks on this board do and could be putting off getting in line until later in the evening hoping for a shorter line, then they are screwed. Especially if they are one/two day people there to see only The Potter part of the park and do not get the notice that this attraction closes early. Again just my two cents worth.

This

 

[Senator Tressel]

I'm curious how this will work once HHN is upon us. DA will not be part of HHN this year and since the park closes at 5pm for day guests, I expect the line to close very early on those days. Otherwise they would have to escort every person who's in line and would be getting out after park closing so they aren't hanging around for HHN w/o paying.

Or they could require everyone who gets in line past about 4:30 either have an HHN ticket or a park to park ticket. That way you either go into HHN when you're finished riding or take the train into IOA.

I don't think it will be an issue though. Crowds weren't that bad for the first Harry Potter expansion in the afternoons once September came and I don't expect this to be a whole lot different. Day crowds on HHN days at Universal are pretty low to begin with.

 

[Metro West]

Or they could require everyone who gets in line past about 4:30 either have an HHN ticket or a park to park ticket. That way you either go into HHN when you're finished riding or take the train into IOA.

I don't think it will be an issue though. Crowds weren't that bad for the first Harry Potter expansion in the afternoons once September came and I don't expect this to be a whole lot different. Day crowds on HHN days at Universal are pretty low to begin with.

Yeah...I was thinking the same thing about requiring a HHN ticket after a certain time to enter the line.

I'm not so sure it's not going to be crowd issue this time. True...Hogsmeade may not have brought those big crowds in the afternoon but this is the Studios now. HHN hasn't been in IOA since 2005 so opening weekend should be interesting since lots of locals like me come to the park later in the day for S & S.

 

[phamton]

I think they're just trying to squeeze in more time to work on the ride. Leaving it open until midnight means they have less time to work on it without customers. Early admission starts at 7 am, so that means full cycling would have to start some time before that for testing.

Damo, you are absolutely correct. Are you sure that you don't work there?

It has nothing to do with paying the ride attendants a few more hours of work. It has everything to do with the ride techs having enough time to do the maintenance and tweeking of the ride. When a ride closes for the night, the ride attendants do a track walk to retrieve lost items and clean under the ride which takes 30 minutes or longer. The techs can't work on the ride until the area is clear of non-tech people. With early entry into the park, that cuts down further into the amount of time they have to work on the ride. Then before the park opens, they have to cycle the ride X number of times before guests can get on. Usually it takes about an hour to get most of the rides cycled and ready for guest. So that is another hour lost. The techs need at least 6 uninterrupted hours for most rides and more for new rides. If they don't get enough time, the ride will not be ready to open the next morning. And believe me, there would be a ton of backlash from guests if the ride didn't open after they got there for early entry.

 

[beaprn]

Damo, you are absolutely correct. Are you sure that you don't work there?

It has nothing to do with paying the ride attendants a few more hours of work. It has everything to do with the ride techs having enough time to do the maintenance and tweeking of the ride. When a ride closes for the night, the ride attendants do a track walk to retrieve lost items and clean under the ride which takes 30 minutes or longer. The techs can't work on the ride until the area is clear of non-tech people. With early entry into the park, that cuts down further into the amount of time they have to work on the ride. Then before the park opens, they have to cycle the ride X number of times before guests can get on. Usually it takes about an hour to get most of the rides cycled and ready for guest. So that is another hour lost. The techs need at least 6 uninterrupted hours for most rides and more for new rides. If they don't get enough time, the ride will not be ready to open the next morning. And believe me, there would be a ton of backlash from guests if the ride didn't open after they got there for early entry.

Again if this is what they need to do, so be it, but let the public know so they can plan accordingly!