Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic - General Discussion Thread

[saint.piss]

They somehow made a bad situation worse!

 

[UniversalRBLX]

It seems like they're not ready to give out additional slots throughout the day, so they're just hoping to give them out randomly if the ride is operating decently?

I honestly think Disney's system is the best. Drop whatever they feel comfortable on the first, and hope you can release more on the 2nd drop of the day. If they are having issues, just don't drop the 2nd one at all. If you can't accommodate guests with the first drop, give them a one-time express to any attraction at the resort. (excl. Hagrids, Monsters, Mario Kart)

I think its just unfair (and poor guest experience) to drop them randomly.

 

[Rhian]

So it looks like Virtual Line was updated today to randomized drops instead of select time periods. I'm sorry, but that is poor guest experience. Having people on their phones all day is not the solution.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but a 7AM drop doesn't sound too bad now.

Life is a game, who doesn't love a little RNG?

It seems like they're not ready to give out additional slots throughout the day, so they're just hoping to give them out randomly if the ride is operating decently?

I honestly think Disney's system is the best. Drop whatever they feel comfortable on the first, and hope you can release more on the 2nd drop of the day. If they are having issues, just don't drop the 2nd one at all. If you can't accommodate guests with the first drop, give them a one-time express to any attraction at the resort. (excl. Hagrids, Monsters, Mario Kart)

I think its just unfair (and poor guest experience) to drop them randomly.

They could pull a Willy Wonka and give you a mystery box that you open at the entrance and find out there if you get a golden ticket.

So no one feels left out everyone gets handed a loot box but only a few let you get on the ride.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

The more changes that happen the more I’m convinced I won’t be riding this on my first visit

 

[belloq87]

Universal should put a big sign out in front of the ride entrance with a bunch of frank disclaimers (the ride may cease functioning, you have no guarantee of riding if you enter this queue, etc.) and let people get in a standby queue. People can make the choice to take that chance or not.

That's the least unfair way to handle this (short of keeping the ride closed until it can operate reliably).

 

[UniversalRBLX]

If I were opening up a multi-billion dollar theme park with the most technologically advanced rides... maybe I would have built/tested a Virtual Line system months in advance? Not just tinker with a previously used system that didn't work all the time before paid previews?

Edit: It could have been tested for weeks during TM previews with Monsters acting as a test dummy for it.

 

[Mad Dog]

Universal should put a big sign out in front of the ride entrance with a bunch of frank disclaimers (the ride may cease functioning, you have no guarantee of riding if you enter this queue, etc.) and let people get in a standby queue. People can make the choice to take that chance or not.

That's the least unfair way to handle this (short of keeping the ride closed until it can operate reliably).

Yes Stand By....Keep it simple. They'll be in a long line even with Virtual Queue. Stand By is a fairer system for everyone.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Yes Stand By....Keep it simple. They'll be in a long line even with Virtual Queue. Stand By is a fairer system for everyone.

While I'd agree with you on this, when an attraction is experiencing consistent downtime, I think a VQ system is fair to utilize at firstr.

A VQ allows people to experience the rest of the park, without worrying about being stuck inside a queue for a long time not knowing when the ride will be back in operation and "wasting" time that could have been utilized elsewhere. My issue with this process (as of today) is that you can be stuck on an attraction without access to your phone and you end up missing out on your chance. At least with the designated drop time you can plan around it.

 

[Mad Dog]

While I'd agree with you on this, when an attraction is experiencing consistent downtime, I think a VQ system is fair to utilize at firstr.

A VQ allows people to experience the rest of the park, without worrying about being stuck inside a queue for a long time not knowing when the ride will be back in operation and "wasting" time that could have been utilized elsewhere. My issue with this process (as of today) is that you can be stuck on an attraction without access to your phone and you end up missing out on your chance. At least with the designated drop time you can plan around it.

But.... you're still often in a very long line for VQ, especially when it's problematic rides like RotR and Hagrids when they first opened. And sometimes they just shut the ride down while you're in line due to 'long' breakdowns.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Well - fingers crossed we're not still on VQ in September.

I'm curious to see - since MoM obviously doesn't have express, if they may allow those with Express to "bypass" the virtual line.

 

[Wesker69]

They could pull a Willy Wonka and give you a mystery box that you open at the entrance and find out there if you get a golden ticket

Captain Cacao's chocolate frogs are going to sell so fast for those Wizarding Golden Tickets.. sucks for the people who only get the collectible photocard.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

my concern is that Universal has a long track record of having a crappy mobile app experience, including the management of virtual queues. i have very little faith they’re going to suddenly change all that by may 22.

MDX has given me more problems than the new uni app. Anedotal yes but i don't think it's a universal opinion (pun intended).

 

[Frank Drackman]

The VL on 4/16 dropped at 11, 3, and 6. Each time I had between 3 to 5 time slots to pick from, each time I picked one that did not have 2 spots open as when it would check after picking a time slot, it would tell me it was not available and I should try another time slot.

I did speak w/ someone who got a time from all three drops, they told me to make sure I turned wi-fi off (though I do not recall ever using UOR's wi-fi but I get why one would not want to use wi-fi when demand hits like it does for these drops.

Speaking to some folks that went towards the end of the night (one folks I spoke to) mentioned their wait was under 20 minutes, so it sounds like VL can be a good experience for those that win the lottery.

I should not that the drops opened (for me) a minute or two (maybe three minutes) after the hour.

 

[boomerthom]

The VL on 4/16 dropped at 11, 3, and 6. Each time I had between 3 to 5 time slots to pick from, each time I picked one that did not have 2 spots open as when it would check after picking a time slot, it would tell me it was not available and I should try another time slot.

I did speak w/ someone who got a time from all three drops, they told me to make sure I turned wi-fi off (though I do not recall ever using UOR's wi-fi but I get why one would not want to use wi-fi when demand hits like it does for these drops.

Speaking to some folks that went towards the end of the night (one folks I spoke to) mentioned their wait was under 20 minutes, so it sounds like VL can be a good experience for those that win the lottery.

I should not that the drops opened (for me) a minute or two (maybe three minutes) after the hour.

Were you required to link your party’s tickets to your wallet in the app, or did it ask how many were in your party at the time of booking the VL?

 

[saint.piss]

Had the queue loaded up for nearly an hour and already didn't get a time slot. I hate this crap.

Edit: just to add, worst part is that the time slots kept showing up for me. But every time I clicked on any of them it would say it was sold out. So frustrating.

 

[LPCaptainDeath]

Had the queue loaded up for nearly an hour and already didn't get a time slot. I hate this crap.

Edit: just to add, worst part is that the time slots kept showing up for me. But every time I clicked on any of them it would say it was sold out. So frustrating.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Me: *upset that I won't be at the park and can't ride MoM until September*

Me realizing that most people may not ride MoM until September:

 

[Rhian]

I spent about an hour and a half in the queue yesterday after getting a VL time slot. I was able to get on the ride! I was scared it would break down at sometime before then but luckily it didn't.

There's a ton of chaos on the ride and it's more hectic than FJ or Gringott's. One ride wasn't enough to see everything happening.

Spoiler

The quality of the screens and graphics are insanely good. There were moments where it was tough to see where screen ended and physical sets began. AAs do impress in a different way compared to Monsters.

 

[saint.piss]

I spent about an hour and a half in the queue yesterday after getting a VL time slot. I was able to get on the ride! I was scared it would break down at sometime before then but luckily it didn't.

Any advice? I had it loaded for awhile too and yet I wasn't so lucky

 

[kristenabelle]

The VL on 4/16 dropped at 11, 3, and 6. Each time I had between 3 to 5 time slots to pick from, each time I picked one that did not have 2 spots open as when it would check after picking a time slot, it would tell me it was not available and I should try another time slot.

I did speak w/ someone who got a time from all three drops, they told me to make sure I turned wi-fi off (though I do not recall ever using UOR's wi-fi but I get why one would not want to use wi-fi when demand hits like it does for these drops.

Speaking to some folks that went towards the end of the night (one folks I spoke to) mentioned their wait was under 20 minutes, so it sounds like VL can be a good experience for those that win the lottery.

I should not that the drops opened (for me) a minute or two (maybe three minutes) after the hour.

I hate that some folks are getting multiple drops and others can't get any. I hope that's something that changes