I have been waiting for this ride since the initial announcement came out from Universal Orlando. In my head, I was expecting a thrill ride through the Gringotts' underground vaults that rivaled Revenge of the Mummy; but to a larger extent. However, when more details were revealed, and the first press reviews came in, I found out it was going to be quite a different experience. So going into the ride on opening day, I pretty much knew what to expect. I went in with an open mind.
First off, the queue is spectacular. From the massive chandeliers to the animatronics, there is detail in every part of the queue. The lobby of Gringotts alone is a marvel to view. It's literally breath-taking. Those goblins are also creepy to watch as they move, type, and write at their stations. Look around when you walk through. There are so many little treasures to see, such as the Daily Prophet Newspaper with moving photos, or one of the open vaults.
Once you wind your way around the queue, you end up at a pre-show area. This, of course, is Bill Weasley's office, where you get a rundown of the story. This scene/technology is very similar to pre-show of Disaster and the queue scenes of Forbidden Journey. It involves a mix of projections and physical special effects.
Once the pre-show has ended, you then board one of two lifts to "descend" to the vaults of Gringotts. The lift experience is quite good. With a mix of jittery moves, lighting effects, and overhead projection screens, you really feel like you're moving down to the dark and cavernous vaults below Gringotts. However, the lifts don't actually move.
After exiting the lifts, you will be preparing to board the ride. The queue extends up a long and winding staircase to get to the loading area.
The loading area itself is a two sided load in. At the current time, however, only one side was being used. The details are amazing here as well. There are huge stalagmites coming from the ceiling, and the walls have a worn and aged look that almost look wet.
The Ride Experience
So now for the ride itself. I want to preface by saying that the ride is a technological advancement in every regard. Universal Orlando has definitely pushed the envelope. However, in saying that, for the ride experience overall, it lacks some of the thrills that other Universal attractions have. Let me first explain some unique ride elements that impressed me.
Sets/Projections - This ride has MASSIVE sets. I took some time to truly look around, and each room/set you go into is larger than life. The projection screens are huge and they encompass the entire room. It is a nearly 360 degree experience from start to finish. Projections are very similar to Transformers, but much better (good 3-D HD Quality). Also, with how they laid out each set, the move from one projection screen to the next is seamless. Note, you will not find any animatronics here. This ride is all screen/projection based. However, there are set pieces as you move around.
Ride Vehicle - This is a hybrid Coaster vehicle. You are definitely on a coaster track, but the ride vehicle does some very interesting spins/moves while traveling along. It is fascinating how this vehicle moves and follows the projections perfectly. I think this is one of my favorite things about the ride. It is truly unique and advanced.
Coaster Elements - The ride has some nice coaster elements to it. It has two small launches, some winding tracks in the dark, and a some good pivoting moments where you face down on the track. However, don't expect more than the equivalent to Revenge of the Mummy at most. Actually, you get less of a Coaster feel here.
So how is the ride experience overall?
The ride has a GREAT start. When you first meet Bellatrix and the story begins, the track has a pivoting effect and a launch into a dark coaster section section that really sets your expectations high. When the first scene ended, I actually was clapping in excitement.
The next scene is where you get to experience the spinning effect of the ride for the first time. Danger comes as the Gringott's Trolls attack your car. The Trolls grab and hurl your car, and you are sent spinning down the track into the next scene. This is one of the most fun parts of the ride. The spinning movement on the track is amazing.
The following scene continues with the Trolls, but this time you do the classic "fall", much like what you experience in The Amazing Adventures of Spider Man and Transformers. This is nothing really new. But between the projections and ride vehicle movement, the sense of falling is much better here than previous Universal rides.
From here on out is where the ride loses my attention. The next several rooms are nearly ALL story based. You have already experienced most of the "thrills" of the ride at this point. You go through several rooms, meeting the dragon of Gringotts (you feel some heat/water effects here), and ultimately have a face to face encounter with Lord Voldemort and Bellatrix. Bellatrix jinxes the ride vehicle and sends you backwards a little on the track to the FINAL scene.
In the finale room, I'm expecting a "WOW" ending. Instead, I find a rather ridiculous battle between Voldemort/Bellatrix and the Harry Potter gang (riding the dragon). The setting is a lava filled cavern with some fog effects and lighting. You are eventually launched into one more thrill as you exit the finale set. The vehicle is launched again and you go through another small Coaster section while the ride vehicle rotates. This, in fact, is really fun. But the overall feel of the Finale is quite a let down in my opinion.
One finale "Goodbye" scene as Bill greets us and the ride wraps up to go back to the station. This is a nice little touch as Bill ironically promotes Gringotts as "The safest place on earth."
The Final Verdict
For the ride experience overall, on scale from 1-10, I would definitely rank it about a 7. Technology - definitely a 10. In the Harry Potter universe, I still like Forbidden Journey more overall. However, Gringott's is a unique experience that expands on other projection screen rides at Universal. With the additional vehicle movements, spinning, and coaster sections, I would put this ride above Transformers. The only let down is the strong start and rather lack luster middle and finale. I wish the excitement would have kept up through the entire ride rather than falling flat.
If you haven't experienced it yet, you should. This is the next step of evolution for Universal Orlando. Although it has it's flaws, it is quite a unique ride experience.
