Dawn M.
Yelp
Of all of the major tourist attractions in Sydney, this was the one I enjoyed the least. It involved standing in lineups with no clear expectation of when the lineup might move, or how long the wait was.
We had pre-bought tickets, and tried to time it so that we would be there in a low traffic time frame (weeknight at 7p or so). When we go there, signage was not clear as to where pre-ticketed folks should go, and no one was on the desk. We managed to find the queue.
The signs at the queue indicated a 10 minute wait. 25 minutes later, I started wondering out to the desk to see if we could get an update when my group called me back - suddenly someone had appeared and was directing us to the obligatory 4D movie. The movie was fine, but would have been much more relevant to us if this had been one of our first stops in Sydney, instead of one of our last. However, it was relatively short.
Next we were channelled into the (also obligatory) "let's take your green screen photo" lineup, which I despise. I don't so much mind having the picture done as I do lining up for 15 minutes for a picture I know I'm not going to buy.
Finally onto one of the (working) elevators. Upstairs we were greeted by the lineup to get back down. Ugh. This took all the wind out of my sails and I decided I really did not like this tourist trap. It was all about the lineups - which works directly against my goal to always avoid lineups. What is this place like at peak times?
We did one circuit, then sat and waited for the last member of our group to catch up. While we waited I looked in the souvenir store. They had some great shirts! But not in the right size. The gal that was in the store was a bit over-controlling, making it clear that me mussing up the shirts was not appreciated. Sigh. Overall our customer service experience in Sydney has been amazing - but overall, on this evening, at this tourist trap, it's been a big fail.
How to improve:
1) Better, accurate signage
2) More live-updates to people standing in line. Don't make me guess how long my wait is!
3) Arrange it so I step out of one line, get my picture taken and leave. Don't make me stand in line for a picture I don't want. That's just annoying.
4) Really look at how one might be able to minimize the line up for going back down. This is a tough one. However, you've already made me stand in two lines, have a picture taken and made me watch a movie I wasn't interested in. You need to get me back out quickly. Is there any way that people who are so inclined could exit via staircase (with lots of disclaimers about safety of course)? Do something here.
5) Identify why there was a 25 minute wait at the first line for any movement at all, when the signs seemed to indicate a 10 minute wait between sections moving into the movie area. Resolve.
Would I return? No. I think other similar venues have more going on at the viewing floor to keep people more entertained. While the view was lovely, it was not worth the time it took to get it.
Would I recommend: No. However, if you have a higher tolerance for lineups, go for it! The view is lovely but that's all you get. Equally lovely (although of course not as panoramic) can be found by walking across the (coat hanger) bridge.