Universal Orlando Resort (USO, IOA) Discussion Thread

[INDIOUK]

left the line at 7pm, fed up with the rain delays etc, was on the ground floor, must have been 90mins away, anybody know what time if at all it got going again and would we have made it?

[Guest]

Me and some friends went on HRRR today. After line times of 150 minutes early in the day, it lowered to 120 and we decided to wait it out. We got in line around 4PM, and after a rain delay we finally got to ride it around 6:15PM. The ride was awesome, and all the glowing reviews on this forum do it justice. We will be going back tomorrow, and will definitely ride again.

 

HOWEVER

 

The video system was up and running (previous reviews said it wasn't). Afterward, the crew calls you to terminals to watch your "preview" of the ride. It is only 3 short clips (which are hilarious in themselves). The crew went on to assure us that the purchased DVD would include the full ride with the song and audio from riders. We purchased the DVD (which is a whopping $40) and were excited to get home to watch it, only to be greatly disappointed. The video is a ~4 minute CG "music video" of the ride with abbreviated versions of preview clips inserted randomly. If your expecting the entire ride footage (as we were told), you might want to reconsider.

 

We are planning to complain at the ride tomorrow, and will update on the response provided. If you know of a link to review/comment websites, let me know so we can prevent further confusion and wasted money.

 

Thanks.

[Fenderbabi14]

seriously, the pacing on this is so slow but just watched the first two saws not that bad =] actually a pretty good thriller movie(s)

[crazydaveh]

I too was there today, and didn't even try to attempt to get in line. We saw that the single rider line was open for a bit this morning, but closed later in during the day.

 

Being local, I can't justify waiting 120-150 minutes with rain delays coming. In my opinion, I really think they should have waited to open the coaster when it's 100% operational. I saw a TM have an argument with a tourist from across the pond where the TM was saying the coaster is 100% operational and it's just "so popular that the wait time is so long." I have to agree with the tourist here... Yes, the new coaster is drawing a lot of attention, but if Universal ran four cars and not two, 120 minute wait would cut down to 60 (general math here folks, don't think too much into it) and guests would be a lot happier.

 

I also saw the same TM threaten what looked like a mother and her son who left the line saying they had to go to the bathroom... He told them if they returned, they would be "jumping in line" and could be escorted from the park. Let's think about this... You're standing in line for two hours. Mother nature calls and you just have to go... Have a heart. I'm sure many of you will disagree with me on this, but think about it... That's a long time to wait and when entering the que, we don't always think about if we'll have to "go."

 

I'm going to try again in a few weeks, when school is back in session and it's just locals and our European friends here in September! Until then, I'll hang at Disney and SeaWorld...

[King_K.]

Here's a more updated list of Hidden Songs..

 

101 - ??? by ??? (Heavy Metal)

102 - ??? by ??? (Soft Rock)

103 - Break on Through by The Doors

104 - ??? by ???

105 - ??? by ???

112 - Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd

123 - Stockholm Syndrome by Muse

127 - Urgent by Foreigner

131 - ??? by Blue Man Group

 

301 - Float On by Modest Mouse

306 - Lose Yourself by Eminem

311 - ??? by ??? (R&B)

312 - My Everything by Barry White

 

508 - ??? by ???

 

702 - ??? by Metallica

710 - ??? by Judas Priest

 

901 - Moving Right Along by The Muppets

902 - The Rainbow Connection by The Muppets

 

??? - ??? by Phish

??? - Channel Z by B-52s

??? - Television by The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy

??? - Start Me Up by The Rolling Stones

??? - Vertigo by U2

[adeuce02]

Whoever said they left the line at 7 today fed up with the rain delays you wouldnt of gotten on. I know we kicked people out at hulk at 6:15 cause we knew the rain was gonna be awhile. I left at 7:15 and it was still pouring. Oh and the wait is consistently 2hrs everyday from the rockit crew there not officially open yet. It still has a technical rehearsal sign out front.

[King_K.]

They haven't had the Technical Rehearsal sign out, I was there yesterday.

[adeuce02]

My gf works at mib she said they still had it out yesterday when she rode. Im not saying your wrong i just hear from the rockit guys its still out there.

[ryno1986]

The sign wasn't there the other day, and the park is calling it officially open. Billboards on the road claim "Now Open", and all of the news stations have reported it's now open.

 

Universal has shot itself in the foot now because any audio problems are inexcusable. And it's not like a ride like California Screamin' or Space Mountain where the audio is just a nice addition. Here, it's the entire point of the ride. From the second you entire the queue, the only theming or diversions is referencing our ability to pick our soundtrack.

[JT3000]

I also saw the same TM threaten what looked like a mother and her son who left the line saying they had to go to the bathroom... He told them if they returned, they would be "jumping in line" and could be escorted from the park. Let's think about this... You're standing in line for two hours. Mother nature calls and you just have to go... Have a heart. I'm sure many of you will disagree with me on this, but think about it... That's a long time to wait and when entering the que, we don't always think about if we'll have to "go."

 

Wait.... This surprises you? Why? It's standard procedure. If you leave the line, for any reason, you have to queue up back at the entrance. Attempting to jump back into whatever spot you were previously in WOULD be line jumping. This isn't Six Flags. The rules are enforced, thankfully.

[atem122]

Back when I was probably around 7, I was waiting in line for Rocket Rods at Disneyland and was probably 3/4 through a very long line, but, I really had to piss. Luckily Disney will do anything to please their guests and gave us exit passes to come back after we used the restrooms. While I don't think every park needs to be as nice as Disney, I'm just putting it out there that the line jumping rule is not standard protocol at every park.

[Capitalize]

I too was there today, and didn't even try to attempt to get in line. We saw that the single rider line was open for a bit this morning, but closed later in during the day.

 

Being local, I can't justify waiting 120-150 minutes with rain delays coming. In my opinion, I really think they should have waited to open the coaster when it's 100% operational. I saw a TM have an argument with a tourist from across the pond where the TM was saying the coaster is 100% operational and it's just "so popular that the wait time is so long." I have to agree with the tourist here... Yes, the new coaster is drawing a lot of attention, but if Universal ran four cars and not two, 120 minute wait would cut down to 60 (general math here folks, don't think too much into it) and guests would be a lot happier.

 

I also saw the same TM threaten what looked like a mother and her son who left the line saying they had to go to the bathroom... He told them if they returned, they would be "jumping in line" and could be escorted from the park. Let's think about this... You're standing in line for two hours. Mother nature calls and you just have to go... Have a heart. I'm sure many of you will disagree with me on this, but think about it... That's a long time to wait and when entering the que, we don't always think about if we'll have to "go."

 

I'm going to try again in a few weeks, when school is back in session and it's just locals and our European friends here in September! Until then, I'll hang at Disney and SeaWorld...

 

I can't speak for this ride specifically but I know most popular rides explain through signage that you CANNOT leave and return to the line where you were, it is cutting in line. Which makes sense to me. It seems like you are asking for trouble when you start saying people can come and go as they please as long as someone from their group is waiting to hold their spot in line.

[Moonchild125]

I ride RRR 5 times today and I found a few hidden songs.

 

#701 is Cyanide by Metallica.

 

#702 and 712 are both metal songs but I didn't know what band they were. Mabey someone who know the song could identify them.

[Moonchild125]

I meant to say rode in the first sentence, sorry.

[weathers]

the last time i saw a line that long was Tatsu's opening day. ':omg:'

 

Getting back to HRRR... the lighting effects on the trains is pretty neat (it's the first time i've seen a roller coaster train light up like a county fair ride) and the elements are also cool. '

[Mr. Starr]

Here is a purchased onride music video from yaytez over at IOACentral.

 

 

Check out a full review at behindthethrills.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=244:rip-ride-rockiteriks-take-with-video&catid=54:the-yates-factor&Itemid=118

[blueberrybunchx]

Here is a purchased onride music video from yaytez over at IOACentral.

 

Wow. If you ask me, that video is deff not worth $40. I really had hoped they would have more actual clips of the riders and not just those silly animations. That video was a let down for me.

[atem122]

That's basically paying 40 bucks for a HRRR promo vid with about 15 seconds worth of footage of you. They really should have stepped things up if they're gonna charge 40 bucks for that

[Homeboy23]

Which is why I will be picking a hidden song since I won't be purchasing a dvd.

[alpengeist04]

I agree that the Rockit' DVD is definitely not worth it. They could have at least given you an entire POV of the ride. Just proves how much of a deal the TPR videos really are.

[10foottoenails]

Why would you pay $40 for that?

[Swiminn6]

I went the other day and was EXTREMELY MAD. Heres why,

 

I ran to the ride around 10:30, the ride was closed still and the crew members had no idea what time it would open, I waited in the line which was huge! Around 12:00 PM they opened the gates and let people in the queue. I have to say the queue is quite impressive besides the chipped paint. After 5 mins waiting in line, the ride broke down but I stayed in line, 1 minute later it opened back up, about 3 minutes later it broke down AGAIN! I waited for it to start working again and it did, but wait about 6 minutes after that it broke down again! I finally left and never got to ride. I wasted 3 hours waiting for nothing. Then it rained the rest of the day so the only roller coaster I got in was Mummy and like 5 other rides. I was really disapointed for 1, I didn't get to ride, 2, I didn't get to have fun, 3, the only ride I could ride in IOA was Spiderman!! I wanted to have a fun day but it was totally ruined. Universal shouldnt have opened this ride yet....

[BeemerBoy]

I went the other day and was EXTREMELY MAD. Heres why,

 

I ran to the ride around 10:30, the ride was closed still and the crew members had no idea what time it would open, I waited in the line which was huge! Around 12:00 PM they opened the gates and let people in the queue. I have to say the queue is quite impressive besides the chipped paint. After 5 mins waiting in line, the ride broke down but I stayed in line, 1 minute later it opened back up, about 3 minutes later it broke down AGAIN! I waited for it to start working again and it did, but wait about 6 minutes after that it broke down again! I finally left and never got to ride. I wasted 3 hours waiting for nothing. Then it rained the rest of the day so the only roller coaster I got in was Mummy and like 5 other rides. I was really disapointed for 1, I didn't get to ride, 2, I didn't get to have fun, 3, the only ride I could ride in IOA was Spiderman!! I wanted to have a fun day but it was totally ruined.

1. Oh well, it happens.

2. You did get to have fun. You chose not to.

3. So basically, you're whining because it rained....in Florida....in the summer? Yeah, it happens.

 

I wasted 3 hours waiting for nothing.

Nobody forced you to wait for it.

 

Universal shouldnt have opened this ride yet....

Only because you didn't get to ride it.

 

 

As for the video, that was HILARIOUS!!!! $40 for a 7 minute craptacular montage of mostly animated views of a glorified mine train coaster. Awesome!

[ryno1986]

That's basically paying 40 bucks for a HRRR promo vid with about 15 seconds worth of footage of you. They really should have stepped things up if they're gonna charge 40 bucks for that

 

And what's really bad is the preview video they show you has more footage of you than the actual DVD. Plus the Team Members are flat out lying and telling guests that the DVD contains footage of riders for the entire ride, not just three clips.

[DiSab]

Those on-ride videos are really worthless. Charging you that much money for that is more or less a complete scam. I've never liked them, and really think that parks add them to make a few more bucks off the unsuspecting GP.