Virtual line

[CdnCarrie]

I just noticed that the new Fast and Furious ride has a virtual line.

So far is it just the 2 rides - F&F and JK that has the VL or do others have it too?

How does this affect FOTL?

 

[damo]

That's it for the virtual line. Those with express pass get to bypass the virtual part and just show up. You are let into the line just like anyone who would show up for their scheduled time but you don't have to schedule.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Ok we haven't been in 2 years. So if we have the FOTL we can skip the VL and just use FOTL.

Do any of the new rides have restrictions on FOTL besides Potter?

 

[Owl X]

Do any of the new rides have restrictions on FOTL besides Potter?

Universal Express Passes now include the Harry Potter rides.

 

[sherlockmiles]

FOTL?

 

[macraven]

FOTL?

It stood for front of the line and basically only used for Give the kids the world organization

This organization works with UO so disabled and life threatening conditions for children could enjoy a day at universal Orlando

This group are the only ones allowed front of the line access to everything in the parks

Arrangements are set up in advance for the families using that program


For some reason I notice others have used it when they really mean using the express lines

FOTL is for a select group only

Peeps that are regulars at the parks don’t use that term

I do see newbies mention it but it does not happen very often


www.gktw.org/help/bio/universal.php

In case anyone wants to help support or learn more about the program, link listed above

(Disney and other companies in Florida also do programs for Give the Kids the World)

 

[CdnCarrie]

Interesting. I've seen FOTL used here over the years to mean the benefit given to those staying at HRH, RPR and PBR.
I wouldn't call myself a newbie as we have been to US a dozen times almost always onsite.
But sorry I will call it EP from now on.

When did they remove the EP restriction on Potter?

 

[General Panic]

We used Express Pass last year for Jimmy Fallon and i think we either used it wrong or were unlucky. We had the pass scanned at entrance and given the colour card. Spent ages down stairs then longer up stairs before our colour came up. Seemed to be just the same as anyone else. did i do something wrong? , could we have just joined the first colour group that got called in the up stairs bit?
Put us off using it again , not that the ride thrilled us that much but as our "group" leader it made the family a bit cheesed off with me with almost 30-40 minutes wait time.

don't want to make the same mistake this year with FAF if i can avoid it

 

[sherlockmiles]

@macraven Thank you

 

[MikeNamez]

We used Express Pass last year for Jimmy Fallon and i think we either used it wrong or were unlucky. We had the pass scanned at entrance and given the colour card. Spent ages down stairs then longer up stairs before our colour came up. Seemed to be just the same as anyone else. did i do something wrong? , could we have just joined the first colour group that got called in the up stairs bit?
Put us off using it again , not that the ride thrilled us that much but as our "group" leader it made the family a bit cheesed off with me with almost 30-40 minutes wait time.

don't want to make the same mistake this year with FAF if i can avoid it

This happened to a group of us too... All that with the fact that I hate Jimmy Fallon equals a never do again and makes me nervous for this ride as well.

 

[macraven]

Interesting. I've seen FOTL used here over the years to mean the benefit given to those staying at HRH, RPR and PBR.
I wouldn't call myself a newbie as we have been to US a dozen times almost always onsite.
But sorry I will call it EP from now on.

When did they remove the EP restriction on Potter?

I know that some still refer to it that way but it is getting less and less we see it used.

It really is not an issue but don't want anyone that is new to the darkside think everything is automatic for not having a line wait even with express.

You will see some groups from Give the Kids the World program to no waits for rides/shows.
They are escorted by a TM to head of the line.
Universal, Disney, Sea World and the other companies in Orlando participate with the WISH program to give critically ill children a free dream vacation.
The Give Kids the World Village houses the families are always looking for volunteers.

gktw.org


Last time I went, i did Potter with the express line.
If someone is new to the ride, good to do the regular walk through so you don't miss any part of what you by pass in express.

 

[macraven]

This happened to a group of us too... All that with the fact that I hate Jimmy Fallon equals a never do again and makes me nervous for this ride as well.

I did Jimmy Fallon three times last October.
Had the express and still had to wait 40 minutes for my color to come up for entering the line upstairs.

I was not impressed with the ride.
Went the first time to see it all, as it was new for me.
Next two times were with friends that love the ride.

The things I do to hang with my friends.....

Next trip it could happen again...if with friends, hang with them in the line so we can visit.
But the days I do the park solo, will give this ride a pass.

 

[CdnCarrie]

I just told my kid that we can now use EP for Potter. I was excited about this. He said he wouldn't use it for Potter as the queue was too much fun.

 

[MikeNamez]

I did Jimmy Fallon three times last October.
Had the express and still had to wait 40 minutes for my color to come up for entering the line upstairs.

I was not impressed with the ride.
Went the first time to see it all, as it was new for me.
Next two times were with friends that love the ride.

The things I do to hang with my friends.....

Next trip it could happen again...if with friends, hang with them in the line so we can visit.
But the days I do the park solo, will give this ride a pass.

I usually go with the same group and we all felt disappointing with the ride and wait after it was over. I also think its because we had forgotten about the VL and were in the Jurassic park area of IOA... I think we had like 15 minutes to get there, made it exactly on time and then waited forever. Just put a sour taste in our mouth. I'll give FF a pass on the VL until i try it.

 

[psac]

Interesting. I've seen FOTL used here over the years to mean the benefit given to those staying at HRH, RPR and PBR.
I wouldn't call myself a newbie as we have been to US a dozen times almost always onsite.
But sorry I will call it EP from now on.

When did they remove the EP restriction on Potter?

I agree, back when we did our first universal trip 7 or 8 years ago, EVERYONE referred to the onsite perk as FOTL, I think to distinguish it from the purchased EP. I agree it’s a misleading term though, and just calling it all EP is better.

 

[nkereina]

We used Express Pass last year for Jimmy Fallon and i think we either used it wrong or were unlucky. We had the pass scanned at entrance and given the colour card. Spent ages down stairs then longer up stairs before our colour came up. Seemed to be just the same as anyone else. did i do something wrong? , could we have just joined the first colour group that got called in the up stairs bit?
Put us off using it again , not that the ride thrilled us that much but as our "group" leader it made the family a bit cheesed off with me with almost 30-40 minutes wait time.

don't want to make the same mistake this year with FAF if i can avoid it

We used EP and had this exact same experience. I *think* that if/when the ride is very busy and you have to schedule a time to come back to the ride then that is the only time EP is useful for this ride. With EP, they will let you in at any time and give you a color card but without EP, you'd have to schedule a return time if they aren't taking walk-ins. I would imagine this rarely happens or only happens during holiday season.

Someone please correct me if this is wrong because I still find it confusing!

 

[General Panic]

Glad though sorry to hear i'm not alone in the confusion for the EP vs Virtual Line!
I have to try Fast and Furious at least once as it's a "new" ride but if the same set up as Jimmy i think it'll be just the once

 

[slpeters]

We used EP and had this exact same experience. I *think* that if/when the ride is very busy and you have to schedule a time to come back to the ride then that is the only time EP is useful for this ride. With EP, they will let you in at any time and give you a color card but without EP, you'd have to schedule a return time if they aren't taking walk-ins. I would imagine this rarely happens or only happens during holiday season.

Someone please correct me if this is wrong because I still find it confusing!

My impression from what I've read is that EP doesn't actually allow you to skip any of the line with virtual queue it merely allows you to skip the return time portion, i.e. you can get in the line (pick a card) whenever you want. Is that right?

 

[nkereina]

My impression from what I've read is that EP doesn't actually allow you to skip any of the line with virtual queue it merely allows you to skip the return time portion, i.e. you can get in the line (pick a card) whenever you want. Is that right?

Yes... that is essentially what I was trying to convey in my post. But from my own experience, we've never needed a return time. It's never been busy enough. Whether we've ridden EP or standby, we've been able to walk up and enter, grab a colored card, and wait. Maybe wait a few minutes downstairs and then proceed upstairs for a longer wait. I assume when it's busy that they stop people at the door and only permit those in to receive a colored card who have a scheduled return time?

It would be great if they could give those with EP the colored card that's next to be called. We've waited as long as 40 minutes from the time we walked in the door til the time we were boarding the ride, and this was during early February when the parks were low crowds.

 

[Elle :)]

We used the express pass and had the same experience as @General Panic . Lots of waiting. Im really in no rush to do that ride again.