3. It creates a hurried loading process
Loading ride vehicles usually goes smoothly. Most parties are aware of how many people they have, know how to follow directions, and get in line promptly. However, there are always occasions when things get sticky. At Universal, it’s not uncommon to encounter guests whose body proportions are such that they won’t fit in the constrictive ride restraints. Guests with prosthetic limbs, loose shoes, and common flyaway items like hats and sunglasses are a major concern on many of Universal’s roller coasters.
OHRC demands that you load and dispatch vehicles in a limited amount of time, yet you have to scan every guest for safety quickly and efficiently in this time. Trying to keep one eye on the clock and the other on guests who are trying to lap-seat a child or hold onto a video camera during their ride can create a much tenser environment than guests realize.
4. It can seem impossible to satisfy
In some areas, OHRC seems like a mythical creature you’ll never quite capture. There are a number of things that will pull down OHRC. Slow guests in a particularly engaging queue can make it nearly impossible to pull people through in the allotted amount of time. You can’t meet OHRC if the queue is empty, either. Attractions almost never hit their OHRC early in the morning, particularly at the back of the park, because guests simply haven’t gotten there yet.
OHRC is more of a concern in some areas than others, and there are always seasons when managers are pushing these numbers harder than others. When there’s a big push to hit the numbers, however, it often feels like there’s a corresponding spike in frustration among Cast and Team Members who find the magic numbers seemingly impossible to hit in certain situations.
5. It makes interactive queues pointless
Interactive queues are one of Disney’s favorite new features. They give you a wealth of games and mini-shows to experience while you’re waiting in line. You can explore some of the latest and greatest in Imagineering as you explore the special effects, meet engaging audio-animatronics, and try to solve crafty riddles. That is, if you have time.
If the line is short and you want to meet OHRC, the interactive queue becomes pointless. In fact, it’s more of a hindrance than a help. Setting a target number of guests that you need to push through the line is in direct opposition to the idea of giving them something slow and leisurely to enjoy on their way up to the ride.
Though guests are rarely aware of OHRC, they can feel the frustrating effects of Cast or Team Members trying to hit it. Just keep in mind that the quicker you do rush onto the ride, the more you’ll ultimately fit in your day, even if you do miss some details along the way.
Comments
That's a funny thing.
People don't like waiting in line, they want to ride the ride. I mean, they are there for the rides, not the queues. So in order to make the guests fell better about waiting, they make the lines "fun" but they have to balance the "fun" so that it isn't as fun/good as the ride.
Really, in things like 7DMT or SM (any ride that has times of 60min+) makes sense to have the queue "front loaded" so that the last 10 min or so is "boring" that way people are ready to ride, not look at the cool creatures or paintings. So you have to find a way to keep guests happy at first, then push them along towards the end.