Monsters Unchained - Reviews, Photos & Media

[HHN Maddux]

Couple other things i’d like to add. The part after Drac escapes and you see the pretty static looking brides out the coffin, and then into what looks a scrim with a projection. I was already not a fan of the coffin bride part, it just gave me party city animatronic vibes. But honestly I can overlook that as the scrim that follows is absolutely terrible. Im honestly surprised nobody has really pointed that out but that just looks so bad it’s absolutely inexcusable, especially for a brand new dark ride imo.

The screen itself for the brides is fine but yeah Drac's scrim looks pretty bad.

 

[CaretakerBajaBlast]

Not a good showing for Monsters today. Both Phantom and Wolfman are down, and imo they’re the two best figures in the attraction. The light bleed on the unthemed sections is still inexcusable.

But the big disappointment seems to be that they’ve intentionally shut down both preshows to maintain flow and keep wait times short. We checked at three different points in the day, neither ran. If that is what’s happening and not just technical hiccups (in both rooms for some reason), it’s incredibly disheartening to see these exciting storytelling moments get shorted already, like it’s MIB with the elevators open.

Hope they can optimize this crown jewel before the HHN crowds arrive.

 

[krazyhorrorkid]

Not a good showing for Monsters today. Both Phantom and Wolfman are down, and imo they’re the two best figures in the attraction. The light bleed on the unthemed sections is still inexcusable.

But the big disappointment seems to be that they’ve intentionally shut down both preshows to maintain flow and keep wait times short. We checked at three different points in the day, neither ran. If that is what’s happening and not just technical hiccups (in both rooms for some reason), it’s incredibly disheartening to see these exciting storytelling moments get shorted already, like it’s MIB with the elevators open.

Hope they can optimize this crown jewel before the HHN crowds arrive.

The preshows are ENTIRELY bent on some pacing issues with Victoria. Doesn’t matter if she’s down, I’m unsure what the rest is. If they are having preshow issues they WILL rush you out of the Igor room and not put you in it which is unfortunate.

However, I had this happen last month in the morning and then returned for a full experience with the preshows later in the day.

 

[HHN Maddux]

The preshows are ENTIRELY bent on some pacing issues with Victoria. Doesn’t matter if she’s down, I’m unsure what the rest is. If they are having preshow issues they WILL rush you out of the Igor room and not put you in it which is unfortunate.

However, I had this happen last month in the morning and then returned for a full experience with the preshows later in the day.

Then they need to find a solution to the pacing issues, because those two pre-shows fully make the experience. It'd be like if Rise was running without the transport.

 

[Mad Dog]

Monsters was down often during the past week. Just about every day was a couple hours of downtime. So there's probably some significant tech issues popping up. Lines remain short though, with that 'monster' capacity.

 

[krazyhorrorkid]

Then they need to find a solution to the pacing issues, because those two pre-shows fully make the experience. It'd be like if Rise was running without the transport.

Fully agree.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

I swear if I finally get to Epic and the preshows aren't there for my most anticipated attraction i will lose my mind

 

[boomerthom]

Pacing issues as in how the preshows affect the flow of the line? I noticed often during previews that the room after the lockers would be empty (or at least moving continuously), which I assume would occasionally create at least some short gaps where riders wouldn’t be flowing through to the station. Maybe I’m misunderstanding.

Whatever the case, the preshows are excellent and need to be running imo. Definitely not a Hagrid situation where you can take it or leave it. For anyone who wants to get on quick with no preshows, single rider is right there and works brilliantly.

 

[Jake S]

Pacing issues as in how the preshows affect the flow of the line? I noticed often during previews that the room after the lockers would be empty (or at least moving continuously), which I assume would occasionally create at least some short gaps where riders wouldn’t be flowing through to the station. Maybe I’m misunderstanding.

What I don't understand is: If this is the case ... who cares? This used to happen at Haunted Mansion all the time during the slow season. If you were at load, you'd just walk the treadmill for a few minutes with empty Doom Buggies rolling past. Eventually, another elevator of guests would arrive and you'd continue the cycle.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

We know that Universal is no stranger to skipping pre-shows for flow, but I’d find it hard to believe they’re skipping pre-shows and that demand is THAT low, when they’re clearly so proud of their Frank AA. Which leads me to believe it’s the Frank AA that has to be the problem.

 

[CaretakerBajaBlast]

We know that Universal is no stranger to skipping pre-shows for flow, but I’d find it hard to believe they’re skipping pre-shows and that demand is THAT low, when they’re clearly so proud of their Frank AA. Which leads me to believe it’s the Frank AA that has to be the problem.

Even if it is just Frank causing an issue, why skip the Igor preshow room? It sets up additional story and gives guests insight into what the actual attraction is.

We were there with first timers and when it was time to board they looked at us with blank faces and said “uh, what’s going on here?”

I can handle a broken figure or two. But to just walk through both preshows with zero buildup really kneecaps the narrative and fun of this attraction.

 

[Mad Dog]

As I questioned before, is this a tech issue or a staffing manpower issue? I have no info, but after the short staffing we've seen on other attractions,
I have a lack of trust in operations.

 

[CaretakerBajaBlast]

As I questioned before, is this a tech issue or a staffing manpower issue? I have no info, but after the short staffing we've seen on other attractions,
I have a lack of trust in operations.

I agree with you, it feels like cost cutting. Which is insane for a park that has been officially open for less than six months.

Universal’s insistence on acting like a premiere regional park instead of a worldwide destination is possibly my biggest first world annoyance.

 

[LPCaptainDeath]

I had this thought when i was there from 8/7 - 8/10 because the first time i went on Unchained, both shows were down.
(I didn't lose my mind, but i was disappointed, Codeman)
They were back up by the evening, so I was able to see everything, but the ONLY animatronic i didn't see working on the ENTIRE ride -no matter which time of day i tried it- was the finale Dracula.

Here was the 'solution' I came up with.
If IGOR pre-show A is the problem, you just open the door and let people walk past it and go into VICTORIA pre-show B.
If IGOR pre-show A is working, and you hear the "send them in" - "the doctor will see you now," but VICTORIA pre-show B is NOT working, they should use the screens BEHIND the animatronic to create a version of her that looks similar to the IGOR pre-show that shows her in the first room she's in on the ride, so that it pushes the narrative that you have to keep moving to come and meet her. Something along the lines of "You're almost there, please leave your belongings in this next room and load into the vehicles I've prepared for you accordingly."

If BOTH pre-shows are working but there is a FLOW issue, open both doors and let people stand and watch if they want to watch or walk if they want to walk - just like Hagrid's operated for years. They shouldn't be shutting down pre-shows for FLOW nor OPS related issues, not when capacity is nonstop like it's been. Its issues have to be technically based for the Victoria show and they're skipping the Igor show to keep people moving.

 

[CaretakerBajaBlast]

I have seen the Victoria b-mode with her on the screens during TM preview. Effect worked just fine, and might honestly be preferable to some given how terrible the projection face tech looks (Ministry should never have been signed off on).

 

[LPCaptainDeath]

I have seen the Victoria b-mode with her on the screens during TM preview. Effect worked just fine, and might honestly be preferable to some given how terrible the projection face tech looks (Ministry should never have been signed off on).

I really don't mind the projection face stuff. To each their own, i guess.

I've been staring at Buzz Lightyear's face on Space Ranger Spin since i was like 6 - if it looks better than THAT, i have no qualms. lol

 

[etherealyear]

I swear if I finally get to Epic and the preshows aren't there for my most anticipated attraction i will lose my mind

I'm there the end of next week and realllllly hoping the pre shows are working. They add so much to the experience and sets up the story for the ride. Will be a huge bummer for the group I'm with who will be seeing it for the first time.

 

[GA-MBIT]

There are certain preshows in the parks that operate co-dependently. In order for one preshow to run, another has to already be running, and vice versa. They switch off like this all-day. The push button in Room A allows the Push Button in Room B to function. I believe part of this is to ensure that preshows aren't skipped, and that guest flow is relatively even between parts of the queue. So that Room A isn't waiting ages for Room B to finish, or something like that.

I don't have any knowledge of the Monsters queue. But, if it's anything like some other rides, (and given the use of Animatronic effects in both rooms I wouldn't be surprised), Ygor might be Room A and Victoria might be Room B. Since something has gone wrong with Frank in Room B, neither preshow can function and you get the long hallway instead.

This screams like a tech issue more than anything else. Monsters is basically the best staffed attraction at USF, and it certainly isn't missing it's capacity goals. It's doing great in every metric besides potential technical issues with the animatronics, which are common on the ride itself. That is my personal guess.