raven
Well-Known Member
That queue is used for guests with a Universal disability pass and return passes when the ride breaks down (those red ones you were talking about). But it isn’t Express.
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Hagrid's Motorbike Adventure is open
- Thread starter RustySpork
- Start date
Tom Morrow
Well-Known Member
It will eventually be the normal Express line just like how Forbidden Journey, Gringotts, and I believe Rip Ride Rockit were built with an Express line but didn't use it for a few years.
It's Express. They aren't going to build a new Express queue when it's officially added to the ride. That is it.
raven
Well-Known Member
Please post a sign of this queue clearly labeling it as “Express.” That will prove it.
Tom Morrow
Well-Known Member
It's GOING TO BE the Express line eventually, dude. That is what he meant.
Forbidden Journey and Gringotts both operated for years using what is now their express queue as the queue for disability passes and re-entry tickets. It's the exact same situation here. They would be exceptionally stupid to not build the Express queue during construction unless they never planned to offer Express for the ride.
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Are you for real right now? Do you think a different Express queue is going to just appear out of thin air at some point?
I don't have to prove this queue's intended function. It's obvious. And yes, the red passes count as Express. They literally say Express Pass X on them. 
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raven
Well-Known Member
No. They say “Universal Orlando Resort” on them. The other side says “Single Attraction Pass X.” I know this because I’m looking at one right now.They literally say Express Pass X on them.
But my point is that there isn’t an Express Queue yet and you referred to it as Express. That line is only being used for people with disabilities and for this Single Attraction Pass return. They could very well be planning to start the Express at the front entrance when they finally open it instead of way up next to the entrance into the castle like you complained about. There are 2 lines coming from the main entrance after all.
macefamily
Well-Known Member
Rode it for the first time two weeks ago. Awesome ride. universal did a great job with it. Only problem I had was getting pulled off the ride twice. Technical difficulties. Hopefully they smooth things out soon.
You need to read my initial post again. I said from the start that the queue started at the entrance. I didn't even complain about that, I complained that it eventually merges with stand-by.
Tom Morrow
Well-Known Member
Finally got another ride on this bad boy tonight. I think what I said in my initial reactions (posted long ago in the threat) remains how I feel - this is a really good ride, but not a game changer, and I wouldn't put it at first place for UOR's attraction lineup. I'm happy to say that this time, I didn't notice any infrastructure or backstage other than the obvious painted show building that you get a clear look at, so it seems that they've addressed the issues that were present at opening. This time I got a much better look at the animatronics. Hagrid looks really good, his movements are limited but you don't see him for long enough for it to register as limited. The Skroot, on the other hand, still looks pretty bad and I really think they need to place hay around it or something to disguise the pole it's on and the fact that its feet aren't touching the ground or moving. It looks more like a mechanical bull at a bar with a rubber suit around it than anything else. I also think that you should be hit with a bright strobe before entering the drop track building, because if you ride at night, you can see too much of empty walls of the room. The audio throughout has been cleaned up significantly from opening and everything loud and clear.
Operation-wise, it seems to be running pretty well now. I'm unsure of how many trains they were running, but at times you could see three trains out on the track, which is pretty impressive. The chain of trains at load seemed to be close to unbroken, which seems to be the ultimate goal.
The first time I rode, I was on the bike. This time, I had the side car. I feel that the ride is significantly better on the bike seat, to the point that it's kind of a big issue. The bike seat feels exhilarating and like actually riding a flying motorcycle. In the side car, I felt like I was on a moderately more intense version of Slinky Dog Dash. I understand that they wanted the cars to look like Hagrid's motorbike, but I'd prefer two bikes because 50% of the riders are getting a lesser experience.
Also one final note, I know that single rider lines are hit or miss, but I really advise against using this one. Single Rider lines are hit or miss to begin with - you typically have to get lucky and hit them at the right time. They also work best on rides that dispatch large groups of people rapidly. So it works typically pretty well on something like Mummy, but is dreadfully slow here and on Rip Ride Rockit. I had about 40 people in front of me and waited about 45 minutes. I've been told that the full interior queue is about one hour. So I saved 15 minutes but would have been much happier moving at a much faster pace through the full queue.
Operation-wise, it seems to be running pretty well now. I'm unsure of how many trains they were running, but at times you could see three trains out on the track, which is pretty impressive. The chain of trains at load seemed to be close to unbroken, which seems to be the ultimate goal.
The first time I rode, I was on the bike. This time, I had the side car. I feel that the ride is significantly better on the bike seat, to the point that it's kind of a big issue. The bike seat feels exhilarating and like actually riding a flying motorcycle. In the side car, I felt like I was on a moderately more intense version of Slinky Dog Dash. I understand that they wanted the cars to look like Hagrid's motorbike, but I'd prefer two bikes because 50% of the riders are getting a lesser experience.
Also one final note, I know that single rider lines are hit or miss, but I really advise against using this one. Single Rider lines are hit or miss to begin with - you typically have to get lucky and hit them at the right time. They also work best on rides that dispatch large groups of people rapidly. So it works typically pretty well on something like Mummy, but is dreadfully slow here and on Rip Ride Rockit. I had about 40 people in front of me and waited about 45 minutes. I've been told that the full interior queue is about one hour. So I saved 15 minutes but would have been much happier moving at a much faster pace through the full queue.
Tom Morrow
Well-Known Member
So word on the street is that Hagrid's was only about a 20-30 minute wait today (parks are absolutely dead due to hurricane Dorian and the usual post-Labor Day slump), yet they were still posting 90 minutes all day. At this point I think they are artificially inflating the line, not just to temper people's expectations, but to make the ride look more popular than it is.
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It's a bit of both, and also to account for potential breakdowns, but it's common practice. They've really been doing this since it opened.
Rich Brownn
Well-Known Member
They post a longer wait time in case of a delay. That way people's expectations are still met. Its the old under-promise and over-deliver aspect that Disney has forgotten.
OG Runner
Well-Known Member
Doesn't the difference between 20 minutes and 90 minutes seem a bit excessive. From my standpoint, I would be more turned off by a 90 minute wait and would not even approach the ride with the wait time. Why not post a 40 minute wait? It would accomplish your point and at the same time not discourage those not willing to wait an hour and a half.
Tom Morrow
Well-Known Member
Disney over-posts their wait times too, but not by 70 minutes.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
Last time I rode Flight of Passage it was listed as 2 hours with an actual wait of 30 minutes. I was actually at Universal yesterday and Hagrid’s was posted as 60 but the wait was only 40 minutes.
Tom Morrow
Well-Known Member
What time of the day did you queue up for Flight of Passage? If it was the end of the night, then yeah, the top draw attractions are typically overposted significantly for a few reasons, one of them being because they calculate the wait time based on if the Fastpass line was also being used, but once the entrance is closed, no more Fastpasses can come in to keep artificially inflating the standby wait time. (not defending this - Fastpass is trash). The second reason is to discourage people from queuing up at the end of the night - another thing I don't agree with - BUT, they're at least still giving you the option to queue up right up to closing time.
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OG Runner
Well-Known Member
I totally believe you on the times for Hagrid's. On the posted time on FOP being 2 hours and you waiting only 30 minutes, I am throwing
the BS flag.
Rich Brownn
Well-Known Member
They also don't have rides that have a usual 45 minute stoppage. No one is going to complain about a short line, but if its posted at 20 and takes 65, then people are ed.
BrerJon
Well-Known Member
Last week the wait was always posted as either 120 or 180 minutes, but the only time it ever got close was when there were weather delays or technical issues. I found when the ride is running smoothly and there's no weather problems, the wait was only about 90 minutes in the regular line and about 60 in single rider (which lets you skip the more boring parts of the queue and takes you directly to the final room).