4. The ride system is somewhat familiar but completely new
The ride system for Gringotts will seem distinctly familiar to guests who have experienced other parts of Universal Studios in the past. At first glance, the cars are very similar to what you find on Revenge of the Mummy. The ride restraint system is very familiar from this attraction with a lap bar that locks down over your legs.
What makes the ride system unique from Mummy, however, is that the cars can rotate, rumble, and perform a host of other movements while on the ride track. You’re also given 3-D glasses. These elements are strongly reminiscent of Transformers and Spiderman (which are themselves nearly identical). The ride makes use of both elaborate sets and 3-D videos, though the latter are much more prevalent. Unlike Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which uses a few video screens but many actual ride pieces, like the dementors, spiders, and Whomping Willow, nearly all of the action in Gringotts takes place on the screen.
5. The exterior dragon is more than a statue
The exterior of Gringotts looks exactly like the set from the films with one giant addition. The escaped dragon perches atop the building. If you drive past Universal Studios on the right streets, you can actually see the backside of the dragon’s wings from outside the park. Take Turkey Lake Road north to Vineland and turn right. The massive grey building you see on your right is the show building and you can spot the dragon sitting atop. Best leave the dragon spotting to your passenger, though, as this road is prone to accidents and drivers should keep their eyes on the tricky traffic.
The tail of the dragon is the only part of the hidden Diagon Alley world that’s visible from elsewhere in the park. Settle in for a taco in Springfield, and you’ll notice the conspicuous tail poking up above the rooftops of the London façade opposite you.
Though the dragon doesn’t move (consider the massive structural failure of the Yeti in Disney’s Expedition Everest and you’ll understand why a moving dragon was probably ruled out), it does come to life periodically. A series of rumblings heralds the dragon’s roar, and the sound it makes as it breathes fire above the streets of Diagon Alley is so distinctive that it’s easily heard in the Leaky Cauldron.
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts is everything that avid fans hoped it would be, with a thrilling ride system and many of the film’s most beloved characters. However you decide to experience the attraction, you're sure to have an amazing time.
Comments
I feel the wait time is incorrect as well. We have been on the ride 2x, most recently last week, and have waited only an hour and the ride broke down during our wait. This ride is awesome and the best so far, totally worth the wait.
I just want to add that you can only purchase and view your Gringotts ride picture in the Harry Potter area of the theme park. I was disappointed to find out that I couldnt view the picture at the end of the day by the main gate entrance because of this.
ROFL about the alleged photo op in the line. It's very easy to miss, unless you are searching specifically for it. And when I got the photos later, there we were still against the gray screen in the photo, with no emeblishments at all to make it a "Gringotts ride photo". Of course, Universal's version of Photo Pass was sadly lacking the whole trip.
Nice description of the ride, but disagree about the wait times. I was their during the cold spell the week before Thanksgiving week (on weekdays), and the wait the 1st day I was their was 15 minutes in the middle of the day, 2nd day the line was a bit longer at 25 minutes, so took the single riders line and walked right to the ride without a single person in front of me.