Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic - General Discussion Thread

[GAcoaster]

And the way the upscale quick serve works now with no more ordering at the counter, just order with the app at your table and they deliver, it’s almost “sit down”. I was really impressed when we did this at Three Broomsticks and Captain America Diner. No standing in line, no problem getting passholder or TM discounts, and it felt faster than waiting to order at the counter.

 

[Alicia]

And the way the upscale quick serve works now with no more ordering at the counter, just order with the app at your table and they deliver, it’s almost “sit down”. I was really impressed when we did this at Three Broomsticks and Captain America Diner. No standing in line, no problem getting passholder or TM discounts, and it felt faster than waiting to order at the counter.

Not sure if all locations will be able to do it that way, as it holds tables longer than utilizing the ordering queue, like I bet Toadstool Cafe still uses the queue so tables aren’t sat at until after you order and can be flipped faster. But we shall see!

 

[tielo]

In the content we saw there where 2 versions of the entrance arch. One with theming on both sides and one with bare theming on the portal side and full theming on the Paris side. I wonder what version we get and if the photo op problem a consideration?

 

[saint.piss]

 

[Mad Dog]

And the way the upscale quick serve works now with no more ordering at the counter, just order with the app at your table and they deliver, it’s almost “sit down”. I was really impressed when we did this at Three Broomsticks and Captain America Diner. No standing in line, no problem getting passholder or TM discounts, and it felt faster than waiting to order at the counter.

and...if you don't want to carry a phone around...what happens ?

 

[IzzyB]

And the way the upscale quick serve works now with no more ordering at the counter, just order with the app at your table and they deliver, it’s almost “sit down”. I was really impressed when we did this at Three Broomsticks and Captain America Diner. No standing in line, no problem getting passholder or TM discounts, and it felt faster than waiting to order at the counter.

You got lucky it wasn't a busy day/time. When I go when it is dead food comes fairly fast. When I go when it is slightly busy it can take a decent amount of time and if really busy, you may be waiting 45 minutes for food. It isn't an ideal system and hopefully they drastically change ops and improve because Epic will always be busy for the first year or two.

Not sure if all locations will be able to do it that way, as it holds tables longer than utilizing the ordering queue, like I bet Toadstool Cafe still uses the queue so tables aren’t sat at until after you order and can be flipped faster. But we shall see!

I agree, with the wait time of food from ordering on a busy day being up to 45 minutes I doubt they also want you sitting before ordering.

 

[Mad Dog]

You got lucky it wasn't a busy day/time. When I go when it is dead food comes fairly fast. When I go when it is slightly busy it can take a decent amount of time and if really busy, you may be waiting 45 minutes for food. It isn't an ideal system and hopefully they drastically change ops and improve because Epic will always be busy for the first year or two.

I agree, with the wait time of food from ordering on a busy day being up to 45 minutes I doubt they also want you sitting before ordering.

WDW pushed hard on mobile ordering the past couple of years. During the two weeks we were there in June, we rarely saw anyone picking up at the mobile area. Most everyone was back to using the old tried and true order lines that moved very quickly. A couple of times the mobile areas were so dead that they diverted the line ordering guests to get their orders at the deserted mobile area . Keep it simple. The guests should come first without complicating stuff.

 

[GAcoaster]

and...if you don't want to carry a phone around...what happens ?

There is still an order counter

You got lucky it wasn't a busy day/time. When I go when it is dead food comes fairly fast. When I go when it is slightly busy it can take a decent amount of time and if really busy, you may be waiting 45 minutes for food. It isn't an ideal system and hopefully they drastically change ops and improve because Epic will always be busy for the first year or two.

One time it was almost instant (Captain America Diner), Three Broomsticks took awhile but I was happy to be seated and relaxing. We ordered a TON of food (The Great Feast) so I expected it might take a few extra minutes.

 

[Mad Dog]

There is still an order counter

One time it was almost instant (Captain America Diner), Three Broomsticks took awhile but I was happy to be seated and relaxing. We ordered a TON of food (The Great Feast) so I expected it might take a few extra minutes.

As long as there's an order line option I have no problem with the policy. If they would eliminate that aspect, I would opinion it's a bad mgt. decision. Catering to guests should always be prime to any procedure. Sometimes parks have been getting a little too crazy about phones. WDW has gotten lots of bad feedback and is backing off the reliance on phones. Tourists, especially, want a relaxing stress free vacation. It doesn't always happen, but mgt. should always focus on that aspect when making policy decisions.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

As long as there's an order line option I have no problem with the policy. If they would eliminate that aspect, I would opinion it's a bad mgt. decision. Catering to guests should always be prime to any procedure. Sometimes parks have been getting a little too crazy about phones. WDW has gotten lots of bad feedback and is backing off the reliance on phones. Tourists, especially, want a relaxing stress free vacation. It doesn't always happen, but mgt. should always focus on that aspect when making policy decisions.

I don't have a problem doing mobile order - but ever since the Universal app update it literally doesn't work on my phone. So I need the order line option lol

 

[Alicia]

In the content we saw there where 2 versions of the entrance arch. One with theming on both sides and one with bare theming on the portal side and full theming on the Paris side. I wonder what version we get and if the photo op problem a consideration?
View attachment 22694
View attachment 22693

The top image is correct. No carvings facing park (the muggle side). Carvings only on Wizarding Paris side in final version.

I believe this is how it is in the fly through video?

 

[OLSinFLA]

I think it’s artistic liberty to show all riders… I’m fairly certain actual RVs only hold 12 riders.

Wouldn't there need to be an aisle to get to the back (a la Tot) or does it load differently

I know @Alicia has all the “scoop” but my opinion on these vehicles and them being compared to TOT, I have my indifferences. TOT relies on gravity, not to say these vehicles wont drop us, but I feel they will more “pull” us down rather than gravity. So always need to remember the wear and tear on the “scissor” mechanisms and how long that “pull” can consistently last…idk what Im talking about lol just basing my opinion on what the insiders have said here and applying physics.

ToT does not rely on gravity. You are actually pulled down fast than you would fall. The cables pull in both directions. Hence the "faster than gravity" you hear designers talk about.

 

[Alicia]

Wouldn't there need to be an aisle to get to the back (a la Tot) or does it load differently

There’s gaps in between each set of two seats for loading. This unofficial image may illustrate it better than the art.

 

[HHN Maddux]

There’s gaps in between each set of two seats for loading. This unofficial image may illustrate it better than the art.

View attachment 22695

How exactly are we entering the vehicle? ToT-style or Spidey style?

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Correct. None of the lands have a full service restaurant. Only Atlantic and Blue Dragon inside Celestial Park are full service locations at opening.

Each land will have at least 1 upscale quick service location though, where you may order at the counter, and then you're food is brought to your table. Both dining locations in the Wizarding World are set up this way.

Exactly the same situation as in IOA and USF.

 

[MartyMcFly]

Exactly the same situation as in IOA and USF.

One of the lands at IOA does have full service though, what do you mean?

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

One of the lands at IOA does have full service though, what do you mean?

IOA has 2 sitdowns, Mythos and Confisco Grill.

USF has Lombard’s and Finnegans, as and many other of the quick service sit down locations. As well as walk ups and festival foods.

 

[Alicia]

How exactly are we entering the vehicle? ToT-style or Spidey style?

I assume from the front, like ToT. Hence the two little doors to go to back row from the front.

 

[Eckert]

How exactly are we entering the vehicle? ToT-style or Spidey style?

I'm interpreting this room as the loading area, so I'd assume Tower of Terror style down the middle?

 

[Alicia]

I'm interpreting this room as the loading area, so I'd assume Tower of Terror style down the middle?

View attachment 22697

Yes. It’s a dual load station, disguised as lifts with two that actually have opening elevator doors.

The funny thing is, one of the doors here will be a real elevator, for ADA, as there is a set of stairs to get to load from the last queue section.