Even if Transformers 3-D and Jurassic World go down at the same time - as they did at one point Thursday morning - you can ride them later in the day or on another visit to the park. Remember: The parks aren’t going anywhere - despite extended pandemic closures. Passholders and daily visitors will have to pack their understanding, consideration and generosity along with their sunglasses, masks and hand sanitizer. (Photo by Michael Owen Baker, contributing photographer) Ride operator Matt Gonzalez, right, directs people into the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride during the reopening of Universal Studios Hollywood, Thursday, April 15, 2021. It’s going to take some time for everyone to get the hang of things again and shake the rust off. There are new protocols for veteran employees, new procedures for new hires and new traffic patterns and rules for longtime passholders. After being closed for a year the issues are similar. In many ways, California theme parks are going through the growing pains often experienced by brand new parks. SEE ALSO: The Secret Life of Pets ride finally debuts at Universal Studios Hollywood and it’s worth the wait The hiccups were all part of the opening day jitters and the learning curve for seasoned pros. The hard-ticket kiosk broke down at times - forcing employees to help passholders in the line figure out how to navigate the app. But the virtual queue had its issues on opening day - as is common with any new tech and particularly at launch. Passholders by their nature are seasoned veterans at theme park navigation. Virtual queue tickets are also dispensed at two kiosks near the ride entrance. The best way to get in the virtual queue is through the Universal Studios Hollywood mobile phone app. Universal has tested virtual queues before, but Pets is the first official attraction to offer the time-saving service. The Secret Life of Pets attraction required riders to get in a virtual queue before getting in line - to help manage crowding on the new ride during reduced capacity restrictions due to COVID-19 health and safety mandates. People line up to enter Universal Studios Hollywood for its reopening, Thursday, April 15, 2021. Riders move continuously through indoor queues without stopping and immediately board rides to keep indoor activities under 15 minutes, as required by state guidelines. SEE ALSO: Knott’s targets Disneyland passholders with $101 season pass as theme park wars heat upĪll indoor attractions are required to only use outdoor queues under COVID-19 health and safety guidelines. “You have no idea how excited we are,” Gutierrez said.īy 10:30 a.m., wait times were short for the most popular rides with Secret Life of Pets and Revenge of the Mummy only 10 minutes, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at 20 minutes and the queue for the Studio Tour at 15 minutes. Newly engaged couple Cindy Anaya and Phillip Gutierrez of Montebello arrived at Universal at 8:30 a.m. People ride the Flight of the Hippogriff coaster during the reopening of Universal Studios Hollywood, Thursday, April 15, 2021. before the park officially opened at 10 a.m. The attraction only had a 10-minute wait around 9:30 a.m. They planned to head straight for the new Secret Life of Pets dark ride. The Harry Potter fans weren’t heading to ride the Forbidden Journey attraction first. “We stayed up all night trying to get opening day tickets,” added Kang-Kim, 26. “We’ve been waiting for them to open,” said Kang, 24. Sisters Ellen Kang, left, and Joanne Kang-Kim, both of Rowland Heights, wait in line in Harry Potter costumes at Universal Studios Hollywood on Thursday, April 15, 2021. Sisters Ellen Kang and Joanne Kang-Kim of Rowland Heights waited outside the gates in matching Gryffindor robes. By 9:30 a.m., there were no lines at the front gate and passholders could easily enter without any wait. At 9:20 a.m., passholders gave a cheer after counting down from 10 before streaming into the reopened park. Socially distanced lines that formed at a dozen front gate turnstiles stretched halfway back to the spinning Universal globe. There were no lines for security near the front entrance. Inside the park, COVID-19 health and safety reminders were visible everywhere.Ĭrowds were light prior to park opening. Temperature screenings took place inside the Jurassic parking structure before guests reached the security checkpoint. Visitors were greeted by a new arrival procedure. People wait in line for The Secret Life of Pets ride during the reopening of Universal Studios Hollywood, Thursday, April 15, 2021.
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