Gringotts

ReallyBigKid

Member
Original Poster
Currently in-line for Gringotts. Staying off-site so no early entry. At park at 7:45. Had a 45 minute wait to get into DA. Gringotts is currently not operating as of 9:24am. Hasn't ran yet this morning. They are estimating a 6.5 hour wait once it starts running. They are giving free bottles of water to people that are in-line. Selling fruit and sandwiches in-line. They are giving return tickets to people so they may use the restroom.
 

Mike C

Well-Known Member
What exactly is this ride? I read its a roller coaster simulator? is this the train?

It's very difficult to shoehorn into a category, it has elements from so many different types of rides. It reminded me most of Indiana Jones at Disneyland, but that's still not a great description of it. It has screen based and huge sets mixed so well its hard to tell when they begin/end, including points where they project (like the Disaster preshow or Haunted Mansion ballroom) video elements into the huge sets (hologram like). So it really doesn't compare to Spiderman/Transformers in that sense.

The car is similar to Mummy, but it's not 100% the same. The car can move it's direction it faces around on the track as it moves. (Gentle spinning/tilting) It's not very intense though, tamer than Mummy for sure, and Forbidden Journey, and much less likely to get you motion sick than either.

There are big set pieces moving too in spots (I think on the big kuka arms), so sometimes its hard to tell what is real and what is projected. And toward the end your vehicle actually goes INTO the screen.

It's barely a rollercoaster as the only part that glides down is near the beginning and a small bit toward the middle, most of it is powered.

This one is really in it's own new category of ride. What's Gringott's like? Gringotts.
 

RandomPrincess

Keep Moving Forward
It's very difficult to shoehorn into a category, it has elements from so many different types of rides. It reminded me most of Indiana Jones at Disneyland, but that's still not a great description of it. It has screen based and huge sets mixed so well its hard to tell when they begin/end, including points where they project (like the Disaster preshow or Haunted Mansion ballroom) video elements into the huge sets (hologram like). So it really doesn't compare to Spiderman/Transformers in that sense.

The car is similar to Mummy, but it's not 100% the same. The car can move it's direction it faces around on the track as it moves. (Gentle spinning/tilting) It's not very intense though, tamer than Mummy for sure, and Forbidden Journey, and much less likely to get you motion sick than either.

There are big set pieces moving too in spots (I think on the big kuka arms), so sometimes its hard to tell what is real and what is projected. And toward the end your vehicle actually goes INTO the screen.

It's barely a rollercoaster as the only part that glides down is near the beginning and a small bit toward the middle, most of it is powered.

This one is really in it's own new category of ride. What's Gringott's like? Gringotts.
Thanks for the breakdown.
 

disney4life2008

Well-Known Member
How devoid of anything your life has to be to stand in line for that long......I can see showing up at open to try and get on a ride but other then that I would just head somewhere else at Uni for the day...

I agree - but some people like to be the "first". I will wait until January when the weather is cooler and hopefully the waits will decrease.
 

ReallyBigKid

Member
Original Poster
Once ride started, wait was 3.5 hours. Ride was neat but did not live up to the hype for me. The roller coaster ability is wasted/under used. To me it was very similar to Spider-Man with updated graphics/effects to Harry potter. Everyone in my group was a little disappointed by ride length. I enjoy forbidden journey and feel it is a more immersive ride.

Corey,
I feel sorry for anyone who's family or friends are so devoid of enjoyment/enrichment that they can't enjoy each other's company under any circumstances.
Even just standing/sitting inline we were having a good time together. I had a 10yr old teach me the "cup song" while waiting inline. Vacation is what you make of it. The trip was a last minute opportunity not planned around potter opening.
 

psherman42

Well-Known Member
I went with my friend on Wednesday. We got to UO around 7, waited close to an hour to get into Diagon Alley, and got in line for Gringotts around 9:15 when it was a posted 300 minute wait. It ended up turning into about 7 and a half hours because of the ride going down a couple times. It was great that Universal handed out free water to everyone in line and was allowing everyone to come and go in the line as they wanted to get food and go to the bathroom as long as one member of their party was still in line. As for the ride itself, it was a lot of fun and I can't wait to ride it again but I was a little let down by it. I definitely prefer FJ. However, the visuals in the ride were absolutely fantastic.

Diagon Alley as a whole though definitely did not disappoint. After we got out of Gringotts we ate at the Leaky Cauldron and were still able to explore all the shops and take the Hogwarts Express to IOA, ride FJ, and ride it back to UO. I really want to go back on one of my days off next week just to explore the shops and enjoy the atmosphere a little bit more, even if I have to go by myself.
 

TalkingHead

Well-Known Member
FWIW, I enjoyed it more the second time. It felt a tad short my first ride; the second time, I didn't notice that. And the 3D is just so good. I can't wait to ride it again (and experience the standby line when it's a reasonable wait).
 

IAmFloridaBorn

Well-Known Member
Gringotts..where do I start.

Okay got there at 6:50.
Parked got to the (NON Hotel guests line) at about 7:15.
Started single file line then woman came and said spread out at gate .
They escorted the crowd behind a yellow line ( i thought this was a terrible very stupid idea by universal)
During that time, saw a few kids and adults get trampled. I went from being near front to being in the middle/back.
Luckily I had a short friend who manages to stay in the front.
Chose not to do return time ticket since she was in the front.
We walked right into Diagon Alley after about 7 minutes of waiting.
Walked straight to Gringotts as I had already seen Diagon.
Got to the entrance, posted wait time was 240 minutes.
Walked to get in line and turned around because we thought it would take forever.
Walked to Leaky Cauldron but found the breakfast severely overpriced.
Went back to Gringotts, 210 minute posted wait so we got in line.
Through out the length of queue the wait time built up to 300 as I saw.
It was about 8:20-30 ish when I got in line. Didn't get off of the ride until 1:13 PM.
Wouldn't dare wait more than 40 minutes for this short ride. So I'll likely wont ride it for years to come.
That being said, it's the best ride I've ever been on!
The 3D on this ride is actually pretty awesome.
Its not a roller coaster (Needs its own classification) but it is the most thrilling ride at Universal just far too short!
Love the new technology. This ride is a must do at least once.

Only thing was difficult for me to follow the story because it all was a blur and I'm not a dedicated Harry fan.

Very very friendly enjoyable ride. Universal needs more of these innovative attractions! Hopefully so!

1. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
2. Escape from Gringotts (If more roller coaster ish it would be my favorite)
3. Mummy
4. Popeye
5. Men In Black

(I like Forbidden Journey but the Robot Arm twirls a bit too much to enjoy it.)
 
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IAmFloridaBorn

Well-Known Member
Oh and if you have long legs don't ride the ride. I'm 6'ft even, ride hurt my legs and knees like hell. That turned me off about it but when you become fully immersed in the journey you forget about it. While loading , if you are tall, you will feel it. I assure you.
 

IAmFloridaBorn

Well-Known Member
im 6-6 and no issues with the ride..

i did have issues with main gates letting both regular tickets holder in at 7 am with hotel guests on thursday..

not that it mattered in long run because G had been offline most of the day..

but on weds. they were checking to make sure we had hotel stay room cards for epa..
Well maybe it depends on which row. I have long legs and I sat on the back row man.
 

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