Theme Park Review: Escape from Gringotts

How to Get the Most Out of Your Visit to Universal Orlando

I could have gone to Paris for my 60^th, but no.  That would have been too...grown up. What did I choose instead?  Yep, the inner Potter Head in me had to jump on a plane to visit the new expansion of Universal Orlando’s The Wizarding World of Harry Potter—Diagon Alley.  Of course, to truly enjoy all it has to offer, I had to try the rides. 

Is that a dragon on your rooftop?

As soon as my hubby and I entered Diagon Alley—amazing btw—we couldn't help but notice a huge, chain-adorned dragon atop Gringotts Bank at the end of the block.  Of course, the fire it spewed every 15 minutes rather gave it away.  And boy oh boy is it hot!

All HP fans will recognize our fire-breathing friend as the dragon our three heroes release and use to escape Gringotts in the final book/movie. Seeing the dragon in the ...flesh...well, let’s just say it was very realistic.  Unforgettable would be another word for it.

Note: Great photo op.

A withdrawal please.

To access the ride, we must enter the Gringotts Goblin Bank.  Attention to detail extends, not only to the building itself but to the goblins as well.  The lobby is grand with crystal chandeliers, marble floors, and pillars adorned with gold.  The wood of the teller’s stations is solid dark wood.  The tellers are exactly what fans will remember from the movies—goblins.

One, at the end of the bank talks to us telling us what to do next, which is to keep moving.  

The line travels through a long passageway to our next stop.  Along the way, we noticed some amazing décor and the armor of three goblin warriors.  These armors pre-shadow a scene from the ride. 

Before we can get to this next stop, we find ourselves in front of a roped-off scene.  It’s an amazing 3-D simulation/movie with Bill Weasley and the goblin bank executive, Blordak, discussing keys and our tour.  At the end of the discussion, the goblin tells us what our next step is.

(Video by MyThemeParkPOV)

Entering the elevator

We now enter a small room facing giant elevator doors.  Once in, it feels as if we are diving deep into the underground caverns where the bank vaults are kept.  As the doors open, we take a pair of 3-D glasses and follow our line to be sorted onto carts.

The bad guys nearly get us!

The premise of the ride is that the bank’s security has been breached. Of course, as fans we know this is about our three heroes.  As such, we are an issue as well. We barely escape Bellatrix Lestrange, Voldemort, and ginormous armored guards who toss our cart and ultimately pull it down the cavern—very realistic.  Thankfully, Bill saves us from falling just as the dragon arrives to fry him.  Of course, Bill puts out the fire with a simple “Aguameni” spell.  All the while, Harry, Hermione, and Ron are trying to escape with the horcrux.  Very exciting.

This stimulating ride is an indoor rollercoaster that guides us through a 3-D movie/simulation.  Each movement of the cart simulates what happens in the movie and is enhanced even further with haunting music from the films.  It’s quite exciting.  We are spun, dropped, and thrown through the movie as if we are a part of it.  It feels and appears as if Bellatrix and Voldemort are actually after us, especially when he sends his snake into our cart.

In the end, our heroic trio leads us out to safety atop the once-chained dragon.  The music crescendos as we ride safely home to Diagon Alley.

Will this ride hurt me?

Truthfully, this is a roller coaster, no doubt about it.  As such, it could cause those who have previous neck or back injuries harm.  In fact, many may find it a tad extreme.  The carts do spin a few times, drop, fall and travel fast in spurts.  If not a huge fan, I may not have tried the ride, as I have damaged my neck several times resulting in chronic pain.  However, I’m glad I indulged my inner Potter Head.

I feel the key to enjoying this ride for those like us, is to relax.  I kept reminding myself to relax my neck throughout the ride.  As a result, I didn’t experience any issues, except the great need to do it again...and again.  This isn’t to say that it will work for everyone.  I’m not an expert nor a doctor.  Nevertheless, it worked for me.  It worked so well that I escaped from Gringotts three more times!  Woo hoo!

Taking advantage of skipping through the line.

Universal has provided a tool for people like me--who cannot stand in line for long periods due to health issues--called The Guest Assistance Pass.  It allows me to skip through portions of lines if they are too long.  This is very helpful.  For those who are of good health with no disabilities, there is an Express Pass, which performs in the same manner.  I would suggest getting this pass, as the line can be very long.  It is common to wait for well over an hour.

Note: While this pass is an amazing tool for people like me, please do not abuse it if in good health.