robbalvey

And I'm assuming by your picture you're saying that T Express is sending empty seats because there aren't enough reservation people to fill them, yet you're being turned away to ride because you don't have a reservation? This is exactly the type of thing I'm talking about that will frustrate so many guests if it happens.

But it is. At Magic Kingdom, for example, if I have an 10:30am FP+ time for Space Mountain and I get in the park at 9am, I can look at the app and see "Oh, Barnstormer is a 5 minute wait, It's a Small World is a 5 minute wait, Buzz Lightyear is a 15 minute wait" and there are plenty of other smaller attractions with shorter lines I can do IN ADDITION to maybe getting a drink or food & beverage, etc, while I wait for my FP+ return time. *OR* I can "choose" to go wait 60 minutes for Big Thunder if I wanted to and get on TWO "E Ticket" attractions within that 90 minute window and maybe even get a drink as well. Volcano Bay is saying there aren't any stand by lines for *ANY* other attractions, other than maybe the wave pool or the lazy river (which I'm just assuming based on a picture of a guy floating in a tube on the 'things to do while you wait' section of the Tapu Tapu instructions.) Universal has reported "We will NOT have standby lines" at all. If I'm having to wait 30-90 minutes per attraction, and I can SEE other attractions that don't have a long line but I am not allowed to go on, I'm not sure I'll be happy with ONLY being allowed into the wave pool or lazy river. Think about the lines you can actually SEE at Magic Kingdom. Take the Speedway for example. If I have a return time for Space Mountain, and I walk by the Speedway and I see a short line and I think "Oh, I want to ride that!" but then when I go to get in line I'm told "No, no. You don't have a reservation for this. You can ONLY ride the Peoplemover and the Train until your reservation time for Space Mountain" I think I'd be pretty annoyed. So what happens in the middle of September when the park is empty and all the slides are a walk-on? Are you still going to have to tap to reserve a slide if all the wait times are 5 minutes or less? That seems like an extra step that you wouldn't need. We are either not being told everything about how that system is going to work, or they will have to make some pretty drastic changes once the park opens and they see that in practice that kind of system won't work. Again, we'll see when the park opens, but I'm just trying to picture in my mind how this would all work based on the information that is on Universal's official website and everything that the Universal creative team have shared with the media. I'm not sure if it is amusing to me or irritating. Both? Oh, it's both. Amusing that people who consider themselves "experts" know so little yet claim so much. But irritating when you try to have a legit educated discussion with one of them and they tell you things that you absolutely know are incorrect and they refuse to believe anything because they haven't stepped foot outside of either Orlando or a Disney park in another country. That's when I stop talking to them.

Don't even get me started on this!!! I've have had to explain to so many theme park "experts" out here that third world countries have water coasters JUST LIKE the one going into Volcano Bay and even Six Flags has had a "wearable" band for virtual queuing for years. But so many of the theme park bloggers here in Orlando have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA any of that exists and legit think that Universal invented the water coaster and the water park "magic band" and that's exactly how they will report it, and I'm sure the park is totally ok with that! *sigh* I still have no idea how this is going to work or IF it will even work. If you read all of the reports done so far (although I admit I'm reading reports by these same theme park "experts" who don't realize that most of what Universal is installing is right out of the ProSlide catalog. Not knocking that because I love ProSlide, but you know what i mean! Anyway...) Universal claims there will be "no standy lines" in the park at all. You will be able to reserve ONE ride at a time on your Tapu Tapu band, and like the picture I posted above suggests, you go sit under an umbrella with a drink until your time is ready. Ok, that's all well and good, but... What happens with their big new water coaster has a 90 minute return time on it, and you tap to get a return time and in that 90 minutes you're not allowed to "standby" for one of the tube slides that has a 45 minute wait on it because there is legit NO STANDBY line and on top of that, you can only reserve one ride at a time. Do we assume that maybe the lazy river and the wave pool are open to guests without reservation is it implies in the picture I posted above? But how many times can you do that? Unless they can figure out a way where ALL LINES never get more than about 15-20 minutes, I'm not sure how not having a standby line makes logistical sense. Clearly some rides will have longer wait times than others just by the nature on how theme parks work. But not being able to do much of anything until your ride time is up is like saying.... "Hi! Welcome to Magic Kingdom! You can choose ONE RIDE right now to get a return time for. In that time, you can ride the train and the Peoplemover AND THAT'S IT or maybe go find some shade and get a drink. If you see a ride that is shorter than your wait time YOU CAN'T RIDE because of course we wouldn't want you to experience as many of our attractions as possible..." I know I'm over-exaggerating here... but by how much? Because this is the scenario I see with having a park with no standby lines where you can only reserve one ride at a time....

Actually, yeah! When we go to the water parks we actually like to go either the first couple of hours of the day or the last. Here's why... in those first couple of hours, people haven't bothered to get up and go to a park yet, and you can usually ride almost everything at the park in the morning before the crowds get there. (get there EARLY like 30 minutes BEFORE the park opens!) In the last couple of hours, people start to get tired and stop riding stuff. So I'd say pick a park to start at, get there for opening, spend a couple of hours there, take your time park hopping to the other park, and close that one out! It's totally realistic to be able to do!

I'm not sure what system some of the Six Flags parks are using, but I know they've had an Accesso wristband system for quite a few years now. Six Flags St. Louis discontinued it, but when they had Flash Pass in the waterpark, it was Accesso's Qband. I can only speak to that one, as I haven't used it at any other Six Flags waterpark. Looks like Magic Mountain still uses it: And as you can see, at least the ride reservation system works EXACTLY the same at Six Flags as it will at Volcano Bay. (Which does make me question why Universal is making such a huge deal over this when SIx Flags and many other water parks have had it for years, but that's a whole other discussion!)

I'm not sure what system some of the Six Flags parks are using, but I know they've had an Accesso wristband system for quite a few years now.

Let's not forget that these special Tapu Tapu Volcano Bay Wristbands are (from what I understand) made by Accesso and just a custom Prism band. This is what I was led to believe. While neither party seems to confirm or deny this fact (just like Disney will never tell you that Vekoma supplies the hardware for their coasters, etc...) the Tapu Tapu band looks eerily similar to the Accesso Prism band, and I just cannot see Universal spending the kind of "Disney Money" for their water park system, especially when Accesso already has their system in place as many water parks and Universal already has an existing relationship with Accesso for their Express Pass....

Don't you already use your MagicBand at the Disney water parks to get in and to pay for stuff? I thought the touch points at retail, F&B, and the park entrance have been there for a while, have they not?

Aquatica is "ok" and I've had a good time every visit, but I'm not rushing back. The reality is this - locals here just don't seem to do water parks very often. I know very very few who frequent them and usually it's more of a "once a year MAYBE" kind of thing. I feel like we do a water park once every 2-3 years and for a "local" that seems about right. I actually have 14 water park days remaining on two non-expiring passes we've been holding onto since 2003. We'll have free Disney water parks for at least the next ten years! lol In short, basically what I'm trying to say is that I don't think locals play a huge role in the water park attendance figures at all. And if I had to guess, the majority of "Orlando locals" going to any water park are probably going for very cheap if not free due to having friends or friends of friends that work at said resorts.

Why is it important for Disney to compete with something they already have? I mean, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train isn't as long or as thrilling as Big Thunder, but yet that ride does just fine on it's own.

You can't even buy a ticket for Volcano Bay unless you buy a 3-day park ticket and there is no option right now for annual passholders. I assume that will probably change in the future, but I personally don't think the water parks even look at "locals" as being their core audience. At least not the Disney parks. I'm sure those parks meet their numbers every day on resort guests alone so any additional locals are just a bonus. I mean, look at SeaWorld Aquatica. Every time I've been to that park, I feel like 90% of the people there have their Discovery Cove lanyards or are there because they have bought a length of stay SeaWorld pass or flex ticket. Not many are walking up to the gate and buying a water park ticket. It will be interesting to see how Volcano Bay does because, IMO, it's a different kind of park than Wet N Wild. To me, Wet N Wild was a water park that people would do as a stand-alone visit. The Disney parks and Volcano Bay are more parks that people do as part of their resort stay. (And when I say 'resort stay' I don't always always mean people who are staying at a hotel on property, but people who have bought into multi-day tickets at a park resort.)

I'm still not understanding people's thoughts behind Volcano Bay being "competition" for the Disney water parks. I honestly cannot see someone staying at a Disney Resort when there are two water parks RIGHT THERE and shlepping all their water park stuff all the way over to Universal to do their water park. IMO, I've always seen the water parks as more of an "extension" to resort amenities and less of a "park" that people are going to go out of their way to visit. If you're on Universal property, you'll go to Volcano Bay. If you're on Disney property, you'll go to one of those water parks. I don't really see them being competition for each other.

FYI - This is equally as stupid of a post as posting pictures. Seriously, why are people SO FUCKING STUPID over this?!?! I just can't comprehend it and it hurts my brain.

Thanks. When you start your own forum you're welcome to make the subtitles and featured links be whatever you want them to be! Why should I go out of my way to have to mitigate stupidity on the forums? The forums are here to announce what is new and upcoming at the parks, not to have to announce "don't be stupid" because, instead of having to post that, here's a better, simpler idea: Don't be stupid.

I am just going to post this again as it would appear there are more stupid people in the world that we didn't get a chance to filter out. (Don't worry, they are gone now...)

This is all just beautiful! lol

What are you talking about??? The ride is almost entirely based on the screen that you watch. Have you ridden it? They literally put you in a room to sit down and watch a TV screen and the ONLY THING to look at in the room is the TV screen! Considering that it's probably one of the most ridden, most popular, not to mention longest attractions in the park, I would absolutely consider it a "screen based attraction." I have ridden it. Several times in fact! However, no 3D glasses necessary! You don't need 3D glasses on Simpsons or Forbidden Journey either so by your nonsensical logic do you not count those as screen based rides either???

What are you talking about??? The ride is almost entirely based on the screen that you watch. Have you ridden it? They literally put you in a room to sit down and watch a TV screen and the ONLY THING to look at in the room is the TV screen! Considering that it's probably one of the most ridden, most popular, not to mention longest attractions in the park, I would absolutely consider it a "screen based attraction."

Yes, all family members get cards. We are currently processing memberships NOW so if you join up ASAP you'll get your cards very soon!

You'd be surprised. I've actually heard this more and more lately from the casual visitor. Especially when the screen based rides seem to be taking over. How many are there now? 1. Kong 2. Fallon 3. Gringotts 4. Forbidden Journey 5. Spider-Man 6. Transformers 7. Hogwart's Express 8. Despicable Me 9. Shrek 10. Simpsons 11. Terminator 12. Fast and the Furious (2018) Did I miss any?

Yes. Yes.

Thanks! Sometimes we get erroneous claims that we have go to in and dispute. Not sure how I missed this one.

Not gonna lie. If you're coming on here purposely asking if being an ACE member is a conflict for us (which it's not, but it sort of just sounds like you're trying to create drama by asking) and you've also been banned from our YouTube channel, which, we don't just go around banning people for "good humor" so I'm sure it was something worse that you're not willing to admit to, you probably aren't a good fit for Club TPR and you should probably just stick with ACE. LIke I said, just being honest.

See if it works now.

So we had a chance to go down and get a sneak preview of the Jimmy Fallon ride today. Let's just say that the previous reviews kind of sum it up. There are certainly positives to take away from the entire package, but don't go in expecting a ground-breaking new simulator style experience. The area in which you walk into the building and the upstairs area is very nicely done. If you are a fan of current or nostalgic television, namely The Today Show, which does have many decades of history behind it, there is a lot to see. The upstairs lounge where you'll find some Tonight Show themed entertainment was also very nicely done. It's great to have a place to hang out and sit, even charge your phone, while waiting for the attraction. Here's some photos and some teaser video from the ride... Yay! We have made it to Universal Orlando! Always exciting to come check out a new attraction! Over at the entrance to the New York area, you'll now find 30 Rock! Home to shows like Saturday Night Live and the Tonight Show! The entrance has a very classic NYC style feel to it. Upon entering the building, you'll find some tributes to all of the Tonight Show hosts... Not a fan of Jay Leno... Poor Conan... The current guy... Yay! Johnny Carson! The ride is using Universal's new "Virtual Queue" system, and much like Dumbo over at Magic Kingdom, when it's your turn to ride, or at least go on to the next part of the queue, your buzzer will go off, or in this case, you are handed a card with a color on it... When the NBC Peacock turns your color, you go on to the next area... We have headed into what I will call the "lounge" and we are greeted by Hashtag the Panda. Hashtag and Elissa seem to be hitting it off. The upstairs area is very nicely done. It feels like a "high end lounge" like something you would see made for DVC members or a really nice hotel lobby. It has a very clean and nice look to it. There are places to sit and relax. Watch the TVs, play some games. You can even charge your phone here. This is the entrance to the attraction. Again, when it turns your color, you will know when to board the ride. The stage is in another room where they have live entertainment while you wait. And again, this area just has a nice, clean look to it. Where the Dumbo queue has a kids play area to hang out in while you wait for your turn, this area has entertainment and "adult stuff" to do. Same concept, different content. Just some artwork of what to expect from the ride. Nice looking vehicle, right? As we wait for our turn, Elissa plays some games... And then the entertainment starts. This is the Ragtime "Gals" Barbershop "Quartet!" (Get the joke? Good!) They were actually really fun to watch! [twitter] [/twitter] Next up, time to do something you do a lot here at Universal...grab those 3-D glasses! There are two theaters in the attraction. House Left and House Right. We go into the next room where we get to watch the pre-show and safety information video, divided into rows. They said no photos or video beyond this point, so this is the best you're going to get. As for the ride/show vehicle itself, it really is more like a giant Star Tours without a roof. Picture a very similar looking Star Tours base of seats, but instead in the middle of an open theater. And you can let your imagination figure it out from there... Hashtag was getting very "friendly" with Elissa, but I an told he does this with all the girls! Seems he had a rough night... He doesn't do so well at video games we found out. The sofas and walls are modeled after the chairs that Fallon's guests sit in. Attention to detail here. it's all very nice. It's what you would expect in a high-end hotel lobby or just a nice waiting area for an expensive show. It feels upscale so that's a good thing. Building front entrance! Yay! Just in case you forgot where you were going! You go here! Ride height restriction sign. Ride vehicle test seats. Inside the shop was all sorts of Jimmy Fallon merchandise and references to the show. I'll be honest, I don't watch very often so some of this was lost on me, but here's a few pics of what you'll find inside... Plenty of Hashtag plush.... Is this a "thing" or is it like trying to make "fetch" happen? And look! An obligatory roller coaster shot on our way out! Go check out Jimmy Fallon. Let us know what you think!