Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
3-D glasses (identical to those at Transformers: The Ride 3-D) and ascend a spiral
staircase into the stalactite-festooned boarding cave where your vault cart awaits.
Visitors enter the bank at the exact moment that Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Gri-
phook have arrived to liberate the Hufflepuff Cup Horcrux from Bellatrix Lestrange's
vault. Only in this retelling of
Deathly Hallows Part 2
's iconic action scene, you (as
Muggles opening new bank accounts) are ingeniously integrated into the action. Fa-
miliar film moments featuring the vaults' guardian dragon play out in the ride's back-
ground as Bellatrix and Voldemort appear to menace you with snakes and sinister
spells, whereupon the heroic trio pauses its quest to save your hapless posteriors.
Gringotts' ornately industrial ride vehicles consist of two-car trains, each holding
24 people in rows of four. The ride merges Revenge of the Mummy's indoor-
coaster aspects with Spider-Man's seamless integration of high-resolution 3-D film
and massive sculptural sets, while adding a few new tricks like independently rotating
cars and motion-simulator bases built into the track.
As far as physical thrills go, Gringotts falls somewhere between Seven Dwarfs
Mine Train and Space Mountain, with only one short (albeit unique) drop and no
upside-down flips. It was designed to be less intense (read: less nauseating) than For-
bidden Journey and therefore more appealing to families, with fewer height, weight,
and size restrictions. The restraints are similar to the Mummy's, with bars across your
lap and shins, but slightly more restrictive. Use the test seat to the left of the front en-
trance if you're unsure, and request the third or sixth row for additional legroom.
The ride feels noticeably different depending where you're seated. The front row
is closest to the action and has the scariest view of the drop; 3-D effects look better
farther back. The sixth row gets the most coaster action, but the screens are slightly
distorted. Row three may be the sweet spot.
Gringotts is the pot of gold at the end of Universal's rainbow that a kazillion
crazed guests are racing toward. Though the interior line is gorgeous and air-condi-
tioned, the mostly unshaded outdoor extended queue holds 4,000 guests—you don't
want to be at the end of it. If you're a Universal resort guest and you qualify for early
entry, use it. Otherwise, arrive at the turnstiles, admission in hand, 35-45 minutes be-
fore park opening and be ready to haul butt. On most days you will need to retrieve
a
returntime ticket
before attempting to enter Diagon Alley, then queue up again for
Gringotts. As an alternative, try the attraction at the very end of the day. As long as
