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Universal Studios Hollywood drops 3-D from Harry Potter attraction

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Universal Studios Hollywood has removed the 3-D special effect from its Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride only eight months after the attraction opened as the centerpiece of the park’s most expensive expansion.

The Harry Potter dark ride, a complex combination of 3-D video images projected on wraparound screens and animatronic characters, is similar to the Forbidden Journey attraction at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Fla. But the Florida version doesn’t have the 3-D effect, one of the souped-up elements touted at the April opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Over the weekend, park workers stopped distributing 3-D glasses to guests and reverted the projected videos in the ride to standard 2-D images.

Theme park officials were tight-lipped about the change, releasing this brief statement: “We continually evaluate our theme park ride experiences, and enabling our guests to enjoy Forbidden Journey without the use of 3-D is one example of how we are assessing various opportunities.”

Theme park experts and fans speculate that the 3-D effect may have been removed because — when combined with the moving seats — too many riders became nauseated.

Jonathan Green, managing editor for InsideUniversal.net, a website that reports on developments in the theme park, said he took family members on the ride before and after the 3-D glasses were removed and found that they enjoyed the attraction more without the glasses.

“I know a lot of people weren’t able to handle the ride with the 3-D,” he said.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is the featured attraction at the $500-million expansion that opened in April, part of Universal Studios Hollywood’s efforts to complete with its biggest rival, Disneyland.

When the ride first opened, reports circulated on social media that some guests experienced motion sickness, although park officials said they had not received an unusually high number of complaints of nausea from riders.

Visual 3-D effects have been in use for years in other Universal Studios attractions, such as Despicable Me, Minion Mayhem, Transformers the Ride: 3D and King Kong 360: 3D. But the Harry Potter ride tries to give riders the sensation of flying by lifting and tilting the seats dramatically as they watch moving 3-D scenery on a wraparound screen.

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Hugo Martín is an assistant editor on the Fast Break Desk, the Los Angeles Times’ breaking news team. He has been a journalist with the Los Angeles Times for more than 30 years, covering politics, transportation, travel, business and the outdoors. A native Californian, Martín was part of the Metro staff that won Pulitzer Prizes in 1993, 1995 and 1998. He is an avid outdoorsman, a proud father and die-hard Lakers fan.

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Hidden magical secrets on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

In 2010, the first Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade opened in Islands of Adventure park at Universal Orlando Resort with the land’s signature attraction: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Since then, three additional versions of the ride have opened at Universal Studios Japan (2014), Universal Studios Hollywood (2016), and Universal Studios Beijing (2021), all with hidden magical secrets.

“Harry Potter is a modern classic that really touches people’s hearts,” said Universal Parks & Resorts CEO Mark Woodbury. “It’s truly amazing to see the reactions of guests as they come through the gates of Hogsmeade and experience stepping into the movies and books that they love.”

But Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey doesn’t only allow fans to step into the magical Wizarding World (and walk the halls of the iconic Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry), the dark ride also employs cutting-edge technology, motion simulation, projections, and animatronics to take them on a thrilling adventure alongside Harry himself – and no matter how many times you ride, there are still new secrets to uncover.

Hidden Magical Secrets on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey:

Harry potter and the forbidden journey queue.

The queue is an attraction all on its own, and guests who don’t want to ride (or don’t meet the 48-inch height requirement) can still explore Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (“students” at the entrance can direct you to the walk-through).

As they make their way through the castle, guests pass through the Portrait Gallery featuring paintings of the school’s founders: Godric Gryffindor, Salazar Slytherin, Helga Hufflepuff, and Rowena Ravenclaw, each holding an object connected to Lord Voldemort’s Horcruxes (Salazar Slytherin’s locket, Helga Hufflepuff’s cup, and Rowena Ravenclaw’s diadem, which became Horcruxes, and the sword of Gryffindor, which could destroy dark magic).

Be sure to linger in the gallery and eavesdrop on the portraits’ conversation.

Magical Fact : The paintings in the gallery were brought to life through technology patented by the Universal design team, which makes the portraits look like actual paintings rather than ordinary video screens.

Hogwarts castle also contains portraits of Academy award-winning decorator for the “Harry Potter” films Stephenie McMillan and Warner Bros. Executive Bob Weitkamp, who oversaw the creation of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Florida and Japan, both of whom passed away during the construction of Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida.

Additional rooms in the queue are Dumbledore’s Office (including his pensive), the Gryffindor Common Room (guarded by the portrait of the Fat Lady), and the Defense against the Dark Arts Classroom, which contains mementos from each Dark Arts instructor: Professor Quirrell’s traveling trunks, Professor Lockhart’s autobiographies, Professor Lupin’s spine candles, Professor Moody’s walking stick, and Professor Snape’s slide projector.

Magical Fact: When the attraction was being built in Orlando, the movies were still in production, so most of the props were replicas; however, by the time the California version was built, filming had completed, so the original screen-used chalkboard (showing the Patronus charm as the lesson for the day) was placed in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom at Universal Studios Hollywood. Later, the screen-used chalkboard was relocated to the Orlando ride, and Florida’s replica chalkboard was sent to Hollywood; the desks in both classrooms are from the movies.

P.S. In the Gryffindor Common Room at Islands of Adventure, the cabinet just past the Fat Lady also contains screen-used actual movie props.

We also learned another magical secret about Orlando’s Gryffindor Common Room from former Universal Prop Master Eric Baker: After having trouble finding an upholstered chair that looked like the one in the movies, he spotted the perfect chair on the side of the road, refurbished it, and placed it inside the ride. Talk about a found treasure!

Also keep an eye out for the glass cylinders full of colorful gems representing the standings of the four houses (green for Slytherin, blue for Ravenclaw, red for Gryffindor, and yellow for Hufflepuff) – though it seems Gryffindor is enjoying a comfortable lead.

A highlight of the queue is the appearances by Professor Dumbledore in his office and Harry, Ron, and Hermione in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. To bring these characters to life, Universal employed a technique similar to the famous Disneyland Haunted Mansion “Pepper’s Ghost” effect (called Musion), which creates three-dimensional images instead of transparent ones.

Last but certainly not least, right before boarding the ride (or exiting the walk-through), an animatronic Sorting Hat gives riders the safety instructions, which is certainly “in character” for the bossy chapeau.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Ride

During their high-flying adventure (courtesy of Hermione and a bit of Floo powder), Harry Potter fans get to visit well-known scenes and locations from the movies, including the Forbidden Forest – complete with the Whomping Willow and Aragog the Acromantula (plus his spidery offspring) – the Hogwarts Quidditch pitch (that has unfortunately been infiltrated by Dementors), and the Chamber of Secrets (a pivotal location in the second movie), which contains a massive Basilisk skeleton.

There is also a rather harrowing face-to-face encounter with Hagrid’s escaped pet Hungarian Horntail dragon, which involves an animatronic dragon head that breathes “fire” (aka pressurized water mist with red lighting effects).

Magical Fact : At Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Hollywood, the Dementor animatronics have hands and forearms. At Islands of Adventure, there are some unlit “hidden” Dementors above the ride vehicles toward the end of the ride which have hands, but the others are missing.

Also Dementor-related: Originally, when riders in Orlando received the “Dementor’s Kiss,” an image of their face was projected on a mist screen, but that no longer works (the Hollywood attraction never had that effect).

At the end of the ride, Professor Dumbledore reminds riders to collect their belongings (unless you want them confiscated by Mr. Filch). Did you ever wonder what he’s talking about? Well, in Orlando, there’s a small secret pocket at the back of the seat that’s only large enough to hold a phone and/or glasses.

it’s so hidden! pic.twitter.com/jUG7wvKMPt — via is the biggest tron fan (@viaviavvia) November 26, 2022

In Hollywood, there’s no such pocket (trust me, I looked), and since both rides have the same audio track, we can assume the headmaster is referring to belongings stored in the lockers.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Voice Cast

Speaking of the audio track, many of the stars of the “Harry Potter” movies reprised their roles for the attraction, including Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, and Emma Watson as Hermione Granger. The highly-anticipated 2010 opening of the very first Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal Orlando Resort was a star-studded event with Michael Gambon (Professor Dumbledore), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom), James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley), Radcliffe, Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), and Grint all in attendance.

Six years later, Warwick Davis (Professor Flitwick, Griphook) and Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) joined the Phelps twins and Felton to welcome The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Universal Studios Hollywood.

Both Grand Opening events featured an orchestra performing the “Harry Potter” score conducted by composer John Williams.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Tech Specs

• Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando Resort – Opened June 18, 2010; upgraded to 4K 120 FPS on June 4, 2018
• Universal Studios Japan – Opened July 15, 2014; 3D effects added on May 21, 2015 (removed on March 16, 2018); upgraded to 4K 120 FPS on Jan. 18, 2018
• Universal Studios Hollywood – Opened April 7, 2016 – The California version of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey featured 3D HD Technology, for which guests wore 3D Quidditch goggles. The 3D effects were removed on Dec. 4, 2016, and the ride was updated with 4K 120 FPS on March 28, 2017.
• Universal Studios Beijing – Opened Sept. 20, 2021

All four versions employ a RoboCoaster G2 ride system with KUKA robotic arm technology (developed for auto manufacturing) mounted on an omnimover track. This system allows the ride vehicles to move sideways through the attraction while simultaneously moving riders up and down (a Universal VIP tour guide once described it to me as similar to any movement your wrist and forearm can make).

KUKA arms from Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – apart of the ride vehicles pic.twitter.com/M4HlX62QhT — Park Pass (@ORLParkPass) December 18, 2017

The ride also uses wrap-around dome projection, with each robotic arm met by an individual projection screen and projector traveling at the same speed along the track. Each of the ride’s three projection sections uses a turntable with six screens (one for each robotic arm), so the arms can move freely within the dome screen. When a screen section ends, the ride vehicles continue into a physical scene.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey continues to be a fan-favorite attraction, but it’s also award-winning, named Best New Ride at Amusement Today’s annual Golden Ticket Awards in 2010 and Best Dark Ride for the next five consecutive years (2011-2015).

Check out our video of the full castle walk-through below:

Do you know about any Easter eggs or little-known facts in Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey? Let us know about them below.

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Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood is about to unveil Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and with soft openings running sporadically of late, we decided to drop in last week to check out the Hogsmeade in Los Angeles. This post covers our review of “Wizarding World Hollywood” with a focus primarily on the differences between this version of Hogsmeade and the ones in Florida and Japan. The post also includes photos I took of the Wizarding World during our visit (fortunately, we were able to straggle into the evening, so I got some dusk and night shots with my tripod).

While there are a lot of entertainment options in Southern California, we expect to see a huge interest surge for Universal Studios Hollywood, particularly among those planning trips to Disneyland. Before we do a full-bore guide to Universal Studios Hollywood, we thought it might be worthwhile to post a review of the new Hogsmeade to see if any Disneyland visitors were also interested in heading to the nearby park in Hollywood.

Well, perhaps “nearby” is a bit of an overstatement. Thanks to Los Angeles’ lovely traffic situation, Universal Studios Hollywood can be anywhere from 45 minutes to ??? hours away from Disneyland. From our location in Orange County, Universal Studios Hollywood can be 2 hours or more away. Suffice to say, we don’t get nearly as much mileage out of our Universal Annual Passes as we do our Disneyland APs. Still, we have found Universal Studios Hollywood to be a great park that compliments Disneyland and Disney California Adventure nicely.

Let’s take a look around Hogsmeade to see how Wizarding World Hollywood compares to its predecessors…

In terms of general design, the layout feels very similar to the versions of Hogsmeade in Orlando and Osaka. This one is definitely the most cramped, with other lands immediately outside the perimeter of the land. Other changes for the better have been made, such as tweaks to Ollivanders Wand Shop, which has a large queue behind the building for what has become a surprisingly long wait in the Florida version. Surprisingly enough, it felt like Universal Studios Japan’s incarnation of Hogsmeade had been iterated upon more than this one.

It is a bit of a disappointment that Wizarding World West does not really bring anything substantively new to the table with Hogsmeade. Even minor new areas to explore and added details would be appreciated. However, the practical reality is that outside of those obsessed with theme parks, direct clones don’t matter. A good 90%+ of Hollywood’s guests will never visit Orlando or Osaka’s versions. Still, something new would be nice, and I hope that arrives when the rumored demise of Shrek 4D occurs.

There is a new Hogwarts Express photo op, but you aren’t allowed to take photos of it with your own camera. File that decision under “super lame cash grab.”

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is the star of the show, so let’s start with it. Forbidden Journey is arguably one of the top 10 theme park attractions of all time, and easily one of the best of the last decade. Universal Creative wisely left well enough alone in terms of the layout and substance of the experience here.

They did, however, add 3D. I’ve heard rumors that this is specially-designed 3D and the glasses for the ride have yet to arrive, so generic glasses are presently being used. I sure hope this is the case, as the 3D was a tremendous disappointment. The screen and scenes were too dark, and I found myself cycling between wearing the glasses for screen scenes and removing them for show scenes.

Among theme park fans, Universal Creative has developed a reputation as being screen-obsessed. The same could be said for 3D. I would argue that Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey perfectly balances screens and physical sets, and only uses screens when the constraints of physical sets require it. I can think of no such argument for what 3D brings to the table here. If anything, the prevalence of 3D at Universal attractions is an annoyance for the decent chunk of the population that already wears glasses or is made nauseous by 3D.

Even so, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey remains one of the best theme park attractions of all time, and is an absolute must do regardless of the wait time (thankfully, there’s single rider). I just worry that come 2013 when 3D is passé, all of these 3D attractions will be a bit much.

Flight of the Hippogriff is the land’s kiddie coaster, and it’s cute for what it is. The total ride duration is 1 minute, tops, but I could see this offering enjoyable views at sunset or night when Hogwarts is looking dopest. There’s also an Audio Animatronics Hippogriff that is pretty cute. For those non-Potter fans, from what I can ascertain, a Hippogriff is basically a slightly modified griffin. Not a hybrid of a hippopotamus and griffin, as I was hoping. (How badass would that be?!)

With no wait, we also stopped in Ollivanders for a demonstration. Honestly, I’m not sure why this has become so popular. There is some charm to it and decent effects, but if I waited more than 20 minutes for this, I’d feel like I wasted my time. Maybe it’s because I’m overly-cynical, but it ultimately feels like a dressed up sales pitch for the wands they sell.

There’s also a stage where shows are performed throughout the day, all of which are fine diversions.

On an unequivocally positive note, there’s the food. We had lunch at Three Broomsticks with Guy Selga (who has done his own excellent review of Wizarding World West ), who had already dined at Three Broomsticks once. While some options are the same as the Orlando menu , they have upped the ante on quality across the board. Several menu items are exclusive to Universal Studios Hollywood, and these are the best of the bunch.

Our meals last year in the Springfield ( The Simpsons ) area made us suspect the food was better at Universal Studios Hollywood, and Three Broomsticks confirmed that suspicion. Our ribs, chicken, and stew were all excellent and high quality (I really wanted to try the “Beef Sunday Roast” but the $21 price tag scared me away), but those pale in comparison to the desserts.

For dessert, we all shared the Butterbeer Potted Cream and Sticky Toffee Pudding, which was a huge mistake. These desserts were so mind-blowingly awesome that sharing here is an atrocious idea. The Sticky Toffee Pudding was decadent, moist, and thick, and one of the best theme park desserts I’ve ever tried.

Much like gluten, I don’t even know what “potted cream” is, but I know I need it in my life. As I write this post, I find myself craving both desserts, and much like Butterbeer originally, I think these treats are going to be surprise hits of Wizarding World Hollywood. Of course, they also have the various varieties of Butterbeer (which I’ve compared and contrasted in The Wizarding World of Butterbeer post), but these two desserts should also rank as must-dos. Make sure to wear pants with an elastic waistband (after all, this is L.A., so only the flyest style will do) to Universal Studios Hollywood, because the dessert scene is excellent.

Let’s wash down dessert with a bit of the ugly: sightlines. Without powerful zoom lenses or viewing Hogsmeade from odd angles, the real world and other areas of the park intrude upon Hogsmeade with regularity. We are talking hotels, office buildings, show buildings, and other lands of the park. In fact, there is seldom a view in Hogsmeade that is not interrupted by something that does not belong. This is wholly unacceptable. I understand that Universal Studios Hollywood has a small plot of land in one of the largest metropolitan areas on earth. That doesn’t excuse this complete and utter disregard for show.

It’s one thing when we are talking regional amusement parks and their slipshod attention to detail, but Universal deserves to be held to a higher standard. Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley have raised the bar on themed lands. Ironically enough, it would be a disservice to Universal to hold them to a lower standard when they themselves are clearly aspiring to more. Universal is now a viable pretender to the throne previously held by Disney alone, and it deserves to be judged as such.

While there is no way to totally quarantine Hogsmeade from the outside world, we aren’t talking about building the land in a bubble or anything impractical. Most of this could have been fixed by planting adult trees at the edge of the land to obscure office and show buildings (likewise, there should be trees between the wooden fence and security fence around the Flight of Hippogriff coaster). J.K. Rowling has a reputation as a bit of a perfectionist, and I wonder whether she has seen this version of the finished land yet and given it her seal of approval.

For a land with an undoubtedly lavish budget, it’s mind-boggling to me that a few hundred-thousand dollars (drops in a bucket) more wasn’t spent ensuring that the illusion of Hogsmeade was maintained to the greatest extent possible. Ever been to an opulent home that is devoid of furniture and decor inside because its owners are “house poor”? Well, it feels as if Universal is “Hogwarts poor” when viewing the sparse and undersized trees around the perimeter of the land. They get no pass because the trees will grow in 5+ years from now. Time to fully shed that bush league image, Universal.

The easy retort to this is that Disneyland is far from perfect when it comes to sightlines. You can see the Matterhorn from multiple lands, Big Thunder Mountain from New Orleans Square, and so on. One of my favorite blogs, Passport 2 Dreams, recently covered the sightlines topic , with the ultimate crux of the issue being whether it really matters to the casual guest, or if this is all academic fodder. Definitely worth a read if you’re intrigued by this.

I think that it does matter to average guests, even if only subconsciously, and it’s more an issue of plausibility and suspension of disbelief than anything else. In the generic lands of fantasy, adventure, frontier, future, etc., otherwise-themed visual intrusions are easier to process and accept. Seeing a castle and Swiss mountain from Frontierland isn’t visually jarring, for me at least, because (among other reasons) the concepts are vague and somewhat blurry.

I’m sure there’s an analytical way to judge this, but for me it comes down to the smell test. The sightlines at Disneyland that might be problematic on paper or in isolation don’t raise any cognitive red flags or interrupt my suspension of disbelief. Perhaps it’s the deft mastery of Walt’s original Imagineers or maybe personal bias and familiarity, but most things that could be dubbed sightline issues at Disneyland pass muster for me. About the only thing I find troubling is the view of Splash Mountain from New Orleans Square.

On the other hand, when you have a narrow thematic concept, such as the world of Hogsmeade or a planet in the Star Wars universe, the bounds on that are clear and viewers are far less forgiving. Narrowly-defined lands that succeed based upon their ability to allow visitors to step into a very specific story and experience those environments necessarily require more. No first-timer walks into Adventureland with a preconceived mental notion of what the land should and should not entail, but you better believe they do with Hogsmeade. The bar is likewise high with Star Wars Land, and I hope Wizarding World West serves as a cautionary tale for Disney.

Neither these sightline issues nor anything else in this review should dissuade anyone from making a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood. While the sightlines do put an asterisk on an otherwise impeccable land, the emphasis should be on the impeccable land not on the asterisk. Along with Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade is one of the most exceptional theme park lands ever created. It rivals the best of Tokyo DisneySea, and of its United States contemporaries, only Cars Land gives the Wizarding Worlds a run for their money. It’s important to remember that this review is largely a compare and contrast exercise to other versions of Hogsmeade, which is why there’s an (admittedly) undertone of disappointment. Were this the first and only Hogsmeade, the prevailing tone here would be, “OMFG, THIS IS $%&$ AWESOME!”

Consequentially, the ultimate take-away here should be that if you’re heading to California and have never visited the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Studios Hollywood is a must-do. Even if you have been to the Orlando version, USH is worth considering for the true star of the park: the iconic Studio Tour. While the park has a reputation as being small with a short list of attractions, the Studio Tour (even with the laughably bad Fast & Furious segment) alone almost justifies the cost of admission. That, plus a solid slate of attractions and shows (including a great version of Springfield from The Simpsons ) makes Universal Studios a full day park that is worth the cost and effort of braving Los Angeles’ traffic. Just be sure to arrive early if you’re coming this spring or summer, as it’s sure to be busy.

If you’re preparing for a Disneyland trip, check out our other planning posts, including how to save money on Disneyland tickets , our Disney packing tips , whether you should stay off-site or on-site in a Disney hotel, where to dine , and a number of other things, check out our comprehensive Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide !

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Your Thoughts

What is your take on Wizarding World Hollywood? Is the sightline thing a big deal or non-issue for you? Thinking of visiting Universal Studios Hollywood on your next visit to Disneyland? Would you like to see a complete guide to the park from us? Share any other questions or thoughts in the comments below!

Written by Tom Bricker

good article

I want to share a horrible experience my family went through in USH during the 2019 Christmas break. After going through this ordeal, my family will never go back to any universal studio resort and I will certainly ask my friends and relatives not to go. It is humuliating and heart broken to my family.

Here is what happened:
My families and other relatives planned a Christmas trip to LA from bay area in California. We bought 12 tickets online. During the buying process, there was absolutely no message displayed to indicate the tickets are not transferable.

So our big families went to LA with great expectation for an enjoyable trip. On Dec 26, two of my brother’s children were sick and their families decided not to go. The others went to the resort and I tried to sell the 4 never unused tickets to a resort goer with a price $10 lower than my original price for each ticket.

After exchanging the tickets and money, our families were suddenly circulated by a group of securites. We were told by security officer Grigor Altunyan with an absolute rude tone: “we saw you sold tickets. This was not allowed and you need to give the money back to the other park goer. The only reason we did not call the sheriff to arrest you is that we saw you had a big familiy and is not trying to make a living out of it”.

I replied saying there was no sign to indicate tickets are not transferable and also no message to indicate so when we bought tickets online, but I complied and gave the money back and the other park-goer passed the ticket to officer Altunyan. Then Officer Altunyan said he was going to confiscate the tickets because I broke their rule. I said I did not agree because those were tickets I paid fully out of pocket, and they were never used and worth a few hundred dollars. I would like them back so that we could use them in the future. I indicated firmly that I want the tickets back and if they intend to keep them, I need a receipt to indicate what rule I broke so that I could fight it in the future. Finally he let me took a picture of his security badge but refused to issue me a receipt for the confiscation. Then officer Altunyan said I had better stop arguing, otherwise they would kick us out of their properties. My wife asked me to stop arguing, fearing that they would do kick us out and ruin the kid’s vacation, so we went to the park with the tickets taken away from us.

The next day I phoned universal studio’s adminstrative office and was told once the secuirties took thge tickets, there was nothing they could do. It seems that the corporate was endorsing this outrageous treatments of their customers.

All our families think our treatments were totally unfair and humuliating and have the following questions/comments:

1. Is it necessary for them to confiscate the tickets while they did a poor job in indicatingh the tickets are not transferrable? Shouldn’t be a warning enough, so that our families can use the tickets in the future?

2. We were threatened by Mr. Altunyan several times with calling for sheriff to arrest me and throwing my families out of the park if I insisted in arguing. Is it necessary to treat our big families like criminals with rediculously rude and threatening languages? Is this the technique he used consistently to force people to comply and stop arguing against the ticket confiscation?

3. I do not think I broke any federal, state or municipal laws and I am sure I will not be arrested for selling the tickets. This is nothing more than Mr. Altunyan’s threatening technique. The only reason I gave up in arguing is that I did not want to ruin our children’s vacation.

We just returned from 2 days at USH. It has been 10 years since our last visit. There has been a huge improvement with the addition of HP Land. I found it to be top notch in the “experience.” It gets even better at night. A must see in my opinion.

Yes, the rides are heavy 3D but many of them use a combination of real movement and 3D. As someone who only sees out of 1 eye many 3D experiences are wasted on me but most here worked (exception being Shrek).

The shows were serviceable but nothing great. The exception being the tri-wizard show in HP land. I’m including the studio tour with this. I think part of it was our guide was just not into it. And the addition of the 3D points just made it super cheesy. The animal actors show is always a fun time.

Compared to Disneyland it is a step down but they are a step closer. I could see visiting the park again in 5 years or so.

Tom, I am so glad to see this review — your information about Disneyland and DCA has guided my trips there. Do you have a recommendation about where to buy tickets for Universal Studios Hollywood?

As of right now, directly from USH’s website. Starting in 2017, that may change (depending upon whether they start doing bundle offers again).

I was SO happy to see your review of HP at Universal. As a die hard Disney fan with yearly passes since I can remember…I have never been to Universal Studios. But, as an equally big HP fan, I knew I had to make the trip. I will be turning 30 this Friday at universal, then making the trip “Home” to disney for the rest of the long weekend. Thank you for your blog…it makes waiting the rest of the week tolerable. 🙂

Thank you for the information on Harry Potter World at Universal California. It’s good to know the good, the bad and the ugly before you get there so your expectations can be tempered with a reality check. I’m so glad we will be going to Harry Potter before Disneyland. Our trip is in the planning stages, so it would be great if there was a step by step guide. I hope it also includes information on where to stay nearby as that can be a huge expense to those of us on a tight budget. By the way, your pictures are amazing.

One thing for sure – original stuff is original stuff. I had recently visited Universal Studios @ Hollywood – it is much better than the one in Singapore (visited in 2013).

I feel a sense of history – like an antique – perhaps it is just a mind game (i am a history fan). But I definitely recommend folks visiting this place

I agree with previous posters that Universal was a bit of a let down. However, we did go to Disneyland/California Adventure first where the rides are thrilling and much longer. Most of the rides at Universal, including the Harry Potter’s The Forbidden Journey, were basically sit in a chair and watch a 3D movie. While it was fun I would not say it’s a top 10 ride, I would say it’s a top video experience. And the flight of the Hippogriph was all of 30 seconds. Seriously. Shortest. Ride. Ever. If I were recommending to a friend planning a trip to Disney and Universal I would suggest going to Universal Studios first then go to Disneyland/California Adventure so that you are not let down by Universal’s ride selection. And I would set the expectation that Universal is not really about the ‘rides’ but more about experiences and 3D graphics.

Visited last week and thought the Forbidden Journey ride was pretty lame. My 11-year old agreed. It was our first time visiting Universal. Unfortunately, nearly all the rides at Universal follow the same formula: Sit in a vibrating chair in front of a 3D screen and periodically have water sprayed on you. It gets old quickly.

I’ve been to a decent number of theme parks–Universal ranks last. Recommend spending your hard earned elsewhere. That said, if you have kids under 7, then this might be a good option as they will be able to meet height requirements and won’t chicken out like they may for a large roller coaster (after you waited in line for an hour).

Tom, I would LOVE a Universal Hollywood guide to the park! We are huge HP fans and of course will be visiting Universal next time we go to Disneyland. I’ve been to Disneyland dozens of times, but Universal only once years and years ago… I’d love some tips from a trusted pro!

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Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey’s first-ever upgrade

Marc N. Kleinhenz | June 4, 2018 June 4, 2018

The original version of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (located here in Orlando’s Islands of Adventure , but of course) has been remarkably stable across its eight-year lifespan, seeing only the smallest of – if any – changes. While this might initially seem like a rather standard state of affairs, given how infrequently Universal tinkers with the vast majority of its attractions, it stands in dramatic contrast to the ride’s counterparts over in Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Hollywood – at these two locations, the company has been introducing and, sometimes, removing new elements in order to create the optimal wizarding experience for guests.

Now, however, at long last, Florida has gotten into the experimentation game, as well.

Universal has announced today that Harry’s first Forbidden Journey has already received a (long-overdue) high-definition upgrade, with its 2K projectors getting replaced by brand-new 4K ones (we also  think that the ride’s video sequences got their framerate bumped up from 60 to 120 frames per second, but this wasn’t officially confirmed. [Although the human eye really can’t perceive any difference past 24 fps, it can detect a crispness in movement once past that threshold]). The resultant effect is a color palette that is so much richer – blacks look really black in the new HD scheme – and a silky-smooth sense of fluidity. While it won’t feel like an entirely new attraction, it’ll still be a noticeably improved one, with Universal even promising a “seamless integration between the ride’s elaborate sets and its spellbinding media.”

How does this make the Floridian iteration fall in line with its overseas brethren? The Californian Forbidden Journey, the last to go online, received this very same “ultra-realistic” upgrade in March 2017 – just 11 months after it first opened. And the Asian version, meanwhile, saw this update this past January, which means it was the only one to be able to boast that it was in “4K3D” – for two months, that is, until it, too, had its 3D component removed, just as in Hollywood.

But, as it turns out, that’s just the tip of the theming iceberg when it comes to Universal Studios Japan’s take on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – alongside the technical improvements, it also received some powerful new special effects, including heat (for when the Hungarian Horntail dragon breathes “fire” on guests) and cold (to accompany the Dementor attack sequence). Such touches, while small, certainly help to make the overall experience more immersive, and they would be most welcome here in Orlando, as well.

And that’s the real crux of the issue, at least for us Universal Orlando Resort devotees – now that this door has been opened, we can only hope that it won’t be swung resolutely shut again, allowing for the possibility of even more improvements to be made down the line. While it now looks nearly impossible for Florida’s Forbidden Journey to get the 3D treatment, despite the fact that it was initially designed for such – the West Coast was forced to dump its 3D (which did manage to become an opening-day feature) due to too many guests getting nauseous, with Osaka following just recently – receiving the extra blasts of fire and ice is still within the realm of possibility. And then there’s what can be called the holy grail for many die-hard Wizarding World fans: the implementation of some of the elements that were originally built into the attraction but which, for one reason or another, were never implemented, such as the extra Dementors that have remained stationary literally in the shadows as the ride vehicles swing merrily by.

It’s all that a muggle can hope for. Until then, however, here’s a handy, dandy snapshot of the various Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journeys’ change-ups that Universal has made over the years – just in case Professor Binns ever quizzes you on the information.

Opening date: June 18, 2010 4K upgrade: June 4, 2018

Opening date: July 15, 2014 3D upgrade: May 21, 2015 4K/special effects upgrade: January 18, 2018 3D removed: March 16, 2018

Opening date: April 7, 2016 (in 3D) 3D removed: December 4, 2016 4K upgrade: March 28, 2017

Islands of Adventure’s Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey has just received its 4K upgrade.

Find out everything you ever wanted to know about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – plus more! – in our complete insider’s guide .

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram for even more updates on everything Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and other Orlando experiences.

Related posts:

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey set for refurbishment
• ALL Harry Potter rides receive Express Pass access
• Dragon Challenge closing for a new Harry Potter ride
• From the Tunnel of Love to the Forbidden Journey: The past and future of dark rides

4 things you MUST do at Portofino Bay Hotel

Universal orlando: where to have fun away from the parks, about marc n. kleinhenz.

Marc N. Kleinhenz is the former editor of Orlando Informer.

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Does the New Harry Potter Ride Really Make You Sick?

Updated on 5/21/2016 at 11:00 AM

Harry Potter fanatics, the wait is OVER. The new Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hollywood is officially open (!). I toured the park and rode the attractions (and then rode them again, and again) before the big day. Is it everything a Potterhead ever dreamed of? Will you want to quit your day job and live there forever? Yes and yes. From a Harry Potter-obsessed fan perspective, I can honestly say that the magic of the books, movies, and original Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando has officially made its way to LA.

The Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride is one of the main park attractions; the castle looms over Hogsmeade and beckons parkgoers to enter its magical depths. It's an interactive tour of the Hogwarts castle that turns in to a full-blown 3D adventure. There were some early reports that the ride was causing people to feel particularly dizzy or nauseous, and I was curious not only to just experience Forbidden Journey, but to see how I felt afterwards as well. Check out the details on what the new park is like, and then see the stars of the films say their favorite lines from the Harry Potter movies .

You wear 3D glasses.

In order to get the full effect of the ride, parkgoers are given 3D glasses that allow them to experience simulations that occur as you are transported through the Forbidden Journey. This is different from the ride at Universal Studios Orlando, which does not require glasses. The adventure takes you over the Great Lake, the Quidditch pitch, through the castle, and beyond. For me, it definitely added to the experience, and made everything seem more realistic.

You get to see some of your favorite characters.

Faces of famous wizards and old Hogwarts friends show up throughout the ride. You'll soar over the Quidditch pitch with Harry, have an encounter with his arch-nemesis Malfoy, spot Hagrid, a dragon, dementors, and more along the way.

There's a tour through the castle first.

When you're at an amusement park, the absolute worst part of the trip is waiting in lines for rides. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey's solution to this problem is that the path leading to the actual ride is basically an attraction in and of itself. Fans tour the inside of the Hogwarts castle, go through classrooms, pass talking portraits and Gryffindor's Fat Lady, see the Sorting Hat, and may even converse with Dumbledore, Harry, Ron, and Hermione. There are SO many wonderful details throughout this trip that the journey itself is as good as the actual 3D destination.

It is a bit of a bumpy ride, but nothing out of the ordinary.

I don't typically get motion sickness in any way. I can read in the car, be on a boat for hours and not be bothered, and ride a roller coaster a hundred times without feeling sick. For me, Forbidden Journey had no effect whatsoever. It was definitely a bit bumpier than the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey in Orlando , but I felt completely fine when I walked out (great, actually, considering my inner superfan was jumping up and down from the experience).

I rode the ride a total of three times, with no ill effects. One of those times, I rode with two other parkgoers who mentioned feeling slightly dizzy/queasy, but nothing out of the ordinary or that couldn't be expected from a 3D ride of this nature. So the verdict? The ride is different (and arguably more elaborate and exciting!) than Orlando's, but it does have a few more dips and curves, not to mention the added 3D effects. If you are prone to getting nauseous already, like with any other roller coaster or 3D ride, this may make you a little dizzy, but no more than any other attraction in this style would. And the whole new park in general? It's straight up MAGIC.

• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
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Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Ride

Universal Orlando

• Getting There
• The Physical Track
• The Filmed Sequences
• Frequently Asked Questions

The best theme park dark rides take guests on journeys to fantastic places and engage them in adventures that embrace their imaginations and senses of wonder. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, the signature attraction at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter- Hogsmeade  at Universal Orlando's  Islands of Adventure , is the best of its kind. Opened in 2010, the popular ride has been such a success that Universal Studios Japan, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Universal Studios Beijing have each opened a version of their own.

It exploits technology in new and startling ways while keeping the " how'd-they-do-that?"  magic seamless. It transports muggles into the fanciful realm of J.K. Rowling's books and the movies they inspired. Forbidden Journey is a stunning achievement and a must-see attraction.

• Thrill Scale (0 = Not Scary at All!, 10 = Yikes!): 5.5. There are lots of "gotchas" typical of dark rides and psychological thrills. This is an aggressive ride that simulates flying with sometimes startling vehicle movements. Note that some sensitive passengers experience motion sickness.
• Attraction Type: Dark ride with vehicles mounted on robotic arms.
• Height restriction (minimum, in inches): 48
• Note that the vehicles may not accommodate heavier guests with certain body types. Test seats are available prior to boarding.
• Take care to stow all loose items in the free lockers.
• Consider the single-rider line when the queue is long. Front-of-the-line passes are accepted in both Hollywood and Orlando.
• Forbidden Journey is one of the 12 Best Rides at Universal Orlando and one of the 10 best rides at Universal Studios Hollywood .

Getting to the Ride Is a Journey

Rounding the bend at the end of The Wizarding World's impeccably detailed Hogsmeade village, the sight of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry punctures the sky and stirs the senses. The mythic building, which had previously only existed in the minds of adoring readers and on-screen as part of the film series, looks picture-perfect in person. To board Forbidden Journey, guests pass through its gates and into the majestic castle.

Ambling through Hogwarts castle is, in itself, an immersive attraction. Nestled throughout the queue are artifacts from Rowling's world that will delight ardent fans. Hey! There's the Mirror of Erised. And look! We're entering Professor Sprout's Herbology gardens. In California, there are stunning views of the Hollywood hills to add to the ambiance.

Going Along for the Harry Potter Ride

The Potter-clueless, however, need not worry. If you don't know a Whomping Willow from a weeping willow, you'll still be charmed by the discoveries at every turn. And when you enter the castle's portrait gallery and discover that the paintings come to life, you'll be captivated by the talking characters, even if you don't have a clue what they're saying. The seamless theme park magic we referred to earlier is abundant in the gallery. Of course, oil paintings can't really come to life; however, the effect is so well done, guests can't help but go along for the ride.

In fact, going along for the ride is the whole point of Forbidden Journey. Professor Dumbledore, Hogwarts' headmaster, has opened the school to the outside world for the first time and has invited muggles (non-wizards) to learn about its history. Guests enter his office, and the professor (actor Michael Gambon) welcomes them. Dumbledore's ultra-high-resolution, high-frame-rate projected image (a trick that attraction conjurers have used before) is somewhat realistic if a bit ethereal.

The headmaster sends his visitors along to the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom for what he promises will be a rapturous lecture. However, Harry, Hermione, and Ron doff their cloak of invisibility in the classroom to warn the visitors about the boring lecture that awaits them.

If the line gets slowed or stopped in either Dumbledore's office or the classroom, as sometimes happens, guests held in those areas may be subjected to more than one repetition of the actors' spiels. It's a slightly incongruous note in an otherwise enchanted pre-ride experience.

Advanced Robotics Are a Dark Ride First

The Hogwarts kids hatch a plan to save guests from the tedious talk by inviting them along for an extracurricular adventure. The means of egress are "enchanted benches" and the Floo Network (a kind of magical transportation system in the Wizarding World. So, it's off to the Sorting Hat to get boarding instructions for the not-all-that-forbidden journey.

The vehicles seat four riders and are on an Omnimover-style, constantly-moving track. Over-the-shoulder restraints hold guests snugly in place—a necessity given the wild ride that ensues.

While it is hidden from view in the loading area, each vehicle is attached to a robotic arm. A dark ride first (and given the incredible success of Forbidden Journey, probably not a dark ride last), the advanced robotics enable the vehicles to pivot, swoop, and otherwise move with an astonishing degree of flexibility heretofore unavailable to attraction designers. After Hermione sprinkles the benches with Floo powder, they magically rise, and guests are flying—and I mean flying—alongside Harry and his pals.

The ride alternates between filmed sequences projected onto mini domed screens and actual sets adorned with all kinds of mechanical dark ride "gotchas." The scare tactic of elements jumping out at vehicles is as old as the classic Pretzel dark rides that used to wreak havoc at places like Coney Island in the early 20th century. But the high-tech wizardry Universal employs—particularly the fluid, sudden, every-which-way movements of the robot-driven vehicles—gives Forbidden Journey a decidedly 21st-century spin.

A note of warning: Universal isn't kidding about stowing loose articles in the free lockers. The ride is not intense in a roller coaster kind of way. But we did lose items from our pockets as the bench moved us into a prone position and shook us down. You would, too, if you have anything in your pockets.

The Filmed Sequences Are an Ingenuity

The vehicles' freedom of movement combined with the enveloping screens gives a " you-are-there" dimensional quality. Among the many design mysteries that had us scratching our heads was the fact that the vehicles are constantly moving forward on a track through the ride building, yet the screens remain fixed in front of the benches for at least 20 seconds at a time for each of the filmed sequences. Each ride vehicle has its own mini domed screen that follows it for the duration of each sequence and the vehicle and screen follow a circular path for each scene. Considering the number of vehicles in the high-capacity ride, that's a lot of screens. And a testament to the ingenuity and level of attention lavished on Forbidden Journey.

In the original Forbidden Journey at Orlando's Islands of Adventure, the filmed sequences were not rendered or presented in 3D. At Universal Studios Hollywood, however, they were originally shown in 3D. There, passengers were given "Quidditch goggles" prior to their journey. The added depth and intimacy made the experience more immersive.

To accommodate the 3D, Universal Creative re-rendered the ride's footage. They also made it noticeably brighter and a bit sharper. The colors appeared to be somewhat more saturated in the Hollywood version, which was a bit distracting. Because some passengers were reportedly experiencing motion sickness, the Hollywood location removed the 3D and reverted to a 2D version of the media. However, both Orlando and Hollywood now present the media in higher resolution. While it is still 2D, it is noticeably brighter and sharper (although not as bright or sharp as media that is created natively in high resolution).

What's the Story?

As with many park rides, the story is a bit muddled. Amid all of the chaos, it's hard to follow the narrative. No matter. The encompassing attraction sends riders into its trippy, fever-dream world where things don't necessarily make sense, yet feel astonishingly real.

The story has something to do with gaining a glimpse into the often-harrowing life of the boy wizard. By traveling through the Forbidden Forest (beware the Whomping Willow!), into a Quidditch match, and to other places featured in the popular series, the attraction plays like a Harry Potter highlight reel. Although we were merely passive guests in the very active ride, we were nonetheless welcomed back as heroes by the Hogwarts gang at the end of the journey.

We can't say that we felt like heroes. (Especially when Universal tried to shake us down for a cardboard-framed picture of our enchanted-bench posse in the inevitable post-ride march through the gift shop.) But we can say that we felt like we had been taken to a truly magical place. For a few glorious moments, the Floo Network, flying benches, and willows that whomp seemed not just possible, but actual.

The Forbidden Journey provides a new intersection for park attractions where magic and logic, virtual and reality, and wizards and muggles meet.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is considered a dark ride, a type of indoor theme park ride in which passengers take a vehicle through a series of scenes. In this particular attraction, passengers enjoy physical sets intermixed with filmed sequences projected onto mini domed screens.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is just over four minutes long.

Featuring Dementors, a fire-breathing dragon, and giant, animatronic spiders, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey may be a bit scary for people who don't like being spooked. If you're someone who hates roller coasters, rest assured there are no big drops, although there are some twists and turns.

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Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

Wizarding World of Harry Potter, 100 Universal City Plaza, Los Angeles, CA

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Open to guests 48″ and up, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a thrilling ride that takes you traveling through the castle and soaring over the grounds of Hogwarts. Some sections of the ride rely on screens, so you’ll don 3D glasses to bring those parts to life. Fair warning: this one isn’t ideal for kiddos prone to motion sickness!

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3D Effects Removed From Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Universal Studios Hollywood

in Theme Parks

In a move that’s sure to see both praise and jeers from the theme Park community, the powers that be at Universal Studios Hollywood have decided to permanently remove the 3D stereoscopic effects from the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction in the Park’s recently-opened Wizarding World of Harry Potter .

The ride originated in its 2D format Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Orlando. The Hollywood version of the ride has already been converted to adhere to that format, utilizing the original non-converted two-dimensional video projection and eliminating the need for riders to wear 3D goggles.

Related : Disney Parks Unveils New Shades Inspired by 3D Glasses!

Our friends at Behind the Thrills reached out to Universal for a statement, and they received the following as a response:

We continually evaluate our theme park experiences. By enabling the guests to enjoy Forbidden Journey without 3D is one example of how were assessing various opportunities.

Personally, I’m glad to see the 3D go, as I enjoyed the ride more in its 2D form in Florida. I even tend to remove the Quidditch goggles during the non-3D segments of Hollywood’s Forbidden Journey to get a more immersive experience and a better look at the very impressive animatronics.

What do you think of the change? Let us know in the comments below.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Harry potter and the forbidden journey at universal studios hollywood.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Studios Hollywood. #WizardingWorldHollywood The 3-D adventure you’ve been waiting for has finally landed in the U.S.! Make your way through the corridors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Then experience an unforgettably thrilling adventure on the groundbreaking Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride that lets you soar above the castle grounds with Harry Potter and his friends. ------------------------------------------------ Get ready for the ultimate Hollywood experience! Find a full day of action-packed entertainment all in one place: thrilling Theme Park rides and shows, a real working movie studio, and Los Angeles’ best shops, restaurants and cinemas at CityWalk. Universal Studios Hollywood is a unique experience that’s fun for the whole family. Click here to purchase your tickets: https://bit.ly/2JI6ZJ5 The World-Famous Studio Tour: Go behind the scenes of a real working movie studio! https://bit.ly/2re3XEN See What Awaits You Inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™. https://bit.ly/2rbXKtY DreamWorks Theatre Featuring Kung Fu Panda. https://bit.ly/2HIFm6k Enter the post-apocalyptic world of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” in a year-round attraction. https://bit.ly/2HMhSt5 Fast & Furious – Supercharged. https://bit.ly/2Ks8MU5 King Kong 360 3-D. https://bit.ly/2FyeSyB The Simpsons Ride™ https://bit.ly/2FyJhN1 Despicable Me Minion Mayhem. https://bit.ly/2I77vDn WaterWorld®: A Tidal Wave of Explosive Action. https://bit.ly/2HJBd1K Transformers™: The Ride-3D. https://bit.ly/2JK9QkU EXTRA at Universal Studios Hollywood. https://bit.ly/2JKh0po ----------------------- SOCIAL MEDIA ----------------------- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UniversalStudiosHollywood Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unistudios Twitter: https://twitter.com/UniStudios Site: http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com

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Harry Potter And The Forbidden Journey Drop Height: An In-Depth Look

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is one of the most popular rides at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida. This innovative dark ride takes guests through an immersive journey that brings J.K. Rowling’s magical world to life.

If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer: The highest drop on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is estimated to be around 52 feet high .

In this comprehensive article, we’ll take a close look at the drop heights and key features of this groundbreaking attraction. We’ll examine technical specifications, rider experiences and thrills, and how this ride brings Harry Potter scenes and characters vividly to life.

An Overview and History of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a popular ride at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park. It is known for its thrilling drop height and immersive storyline, which brings the magic of the Harry Potter books and movies to life.

Let’s take a closer look at the creation, mechanics, and key scenes of this iconic attraction.

The Creation and Opening of the Ride

The idea for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey was conceived by J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, and the creative minds at Universal Studios. The goal was to create an experience that would transport fans into the wizarding world like never before.

The ride was developed in collaboration with Warner Bros. Entertainment, ensuring that it stayed true to the essence of the beloved franchise.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey opened to the public on June 18, 2010, at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida. Its success led to the ride being replicated at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2016 and Universal Studios Japan in 2014.

The ride’s popularity has made it a must-visit attraction for Harry Potter enthusiasts from around the world.

Ride Mechanics and Innovations

What sets Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey apart from other theme park rides is its innovative ride mechanics. Riders are seated on a robotic arm that moves freely in multiple directions, creating a truly immersive experience.

This allows for dynamic movements and realistic simulations, making riders feel like they are flying alongside Harry and his friends.

The ride also incorporates state-of-the-art technology, including 3D projection screens, animatronics, and special effects. These elements work together to create a seamless blend of physical sets and digital imagery, transporting riders to iconic locations from the Harry Potter series such as Hogwarts Castle and the Forbidden Forest.

Storyline and Key Scenes

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey takes riders on a magical journey through Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The story begins in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, where Harry, Ron, and Hermione invite riders to join them on a Quidditch match.

From there, riders soar through the skies, encounter magical creatures, and face various challenges alongside their favorite characters.

Some of the key scenes in the ride include a close encounter with a Hungarian Horntail dragon, a run-in with Dementors in the Forbidden Forest, and a thrilling chase on broomsticks through the Quidditch pitch.

These moments are brought to life with impressive visuals, realistic animatronics, and captivating storytelling, leaving riders in awe of the wizarding world.

The Drop Heights and Falls on the Ride

One of the most thrilling aspects of the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride is the series of exhilarating drops that riders experience throughout the journey. These drops add an element of excitement and anticipation, making the ride a favorite among thrill-seekers.

In this section, we will take an in-depth look at the drop heights and falls on the ride, exploring how they are measured and estimating the sensation of falling.

Measuring and Estimating the Drops

Measuring the exact drop heights on the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride is a complex task. Theme parks often keep this information confidential, as it adds to the sense of surprise and excitement for riders.

However, based on various reports and estimations, it is believed that the drop heights range from 10 to 20 feet, depending on the specific section of the ride. These drops are carefully designed to provide an intense but safe experience for riders.

Estimating the sensation of falling on the ride is subjective, as different riders may experience it differently. However, the combination of the drop heights, the speed of the ride, and the visual effects create a thrilling sensation that mimics the feeling of freefalling.

Riders often describe the drops as heart-pounding and stomach-churning, adding to the overall excitement of the ride.

The Sensation of Falling

When experiencing a drop on the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride, riders may feel a rush of adrenaline as they descend rapidly. This sensation is created by the combination of gravity and the forces exerted on the body during the drop.

As the ride vehicle accelerates downward, riders may experience a brief feeling of weightlessness, followed by a sudden increase in pressure as they come to a stop at the bottom of the drop. This sensation adds an extra level of excitement and thrill to the overall ride experience.

How Heights Add to the Thrills

The heights of the drops on the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride play a significant role in enhancing the thrills and excitement for riders. The suddenness of the drops, combined with the visual effects and the sensation of falling, creates an immersive experience that transports riders into the magical world of Harry Potter.

The varying heights of the drops also add diversity to the ride, keeping riders engaged and entertained throughout the entire journey.

The Immersive Experience and Rider Reactions

When it comes to theme park rides, few can compare to the immersive experience offered by Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. From the moment riders step foot into the queue, they are transported into the magical world of Hogwarts.

The attention to detail is remarkable, with intricate set designs and special effects that make guests feel like they are truly part of the story.

Special Effects for a Realistic Feel

The special effects used in Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey are truly awe-inspiring. From flying alongside Harry and his friends on a broomstick to encountering a fire-breathing dragon, every moment feels incredibly real.

The ride utilizes a combination of state-of-the-art technology, including 3D projections, animatronics, and practical effects, to create a seamless and immersive experience for riders.

One of the standout effects of the ride is the use of 3D glasses, which enhances the visual experience and makes everything come to life in vivid detail. Riders can’t help but be amazed as they soar through the air, feeling the wind in their hair and the exhilaration of the adventure.

Physical and Emotional Reactions

As riders experience the twists and turns of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, they can expect to have both physical and emotional reactions. The ride features sudden drops, sharp turns, and simulated motion that can elicit a range of responses from riders.

Some riders may find themselves gripping the edge of their seats, their hearts racing with excitement. Others may experience a mix of fear and exhilaration as they are confronted with the challenges faced by Harry and his friends.

It’s not uncommon to hear screams of delight and laughter echoing throughout the ride.

Why It’s Such a Popular Ride

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey has become one of the most popular rides at theme parks around the world, and for good reason. The combination of the immersive experience, the incredible special effects, and the thrill of the adventure make it a must-try for any Harry Potter fan.

Not only does the ride allow fans to step into the world of Harry Potter, but it also appeals to a wider audience who appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into creating such a memorable experience.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or simply looking for an exciting ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is sure to leave you spellbound.

In conclusion, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey features an estimated 52-foot drop as part of an immersive dark ride experience. Technical innovations help bring J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world to life in vivid fashion, thrilling riders with falls, close calls, and realistic scenes.

The ride’s groundbreaking integration of robotics, special effects, and simulated flight creates an unforgettable journey that has made it immensely popular at Islands of Adventure.

Jennifer Morris is an avid solo travel adventurer who founded Solo Traveller after many years of journeying on her own around the world. She has backpacked through over 50 countries across 6 continents over the past decade, striking up conversations with locals along railway platforms, learning to cook regional dishes in home kitchens, and absorbing a global perspective while volunteering with various community initiatives.

With a Masters in Tourism and Hospitality, Jennifer is passionate about responsible and meaningful travel that fosters cultural exchange. Whether trekking through the Atlas Mountains, sailing to Komodo National Park, or taking an overnight train across Eastern Europe - she is always seeking her next epic destination.

When not globetrotting, Jennifer calls Vancouver, Canada home. There she enjoys kayaking local waters, curling up with books on faraway places, and gearing up for her next solo backpacking trip. As the founder of SoloTraveller, she hopes to motivate and inform fellow solo explorers from all walks of life to take the leap into their own adventures.

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TOP > Attractions > Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™

You can experience the magic like never before…

An upgraded version of the beloved adventure ride brings the thrill of a new dimension..

Walk through the winged boar gates and enter Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Explore the familiar passageways of the castle and feel the excitement of the upcoming Quidditch™ match being discussed amongst everyone - students and portraits alike! As you enter the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, meet Harry Potter™, Ron Weasley™, and Hermione Granger™ who have just come up with a plan on how to get you to the Quidditch Pitch for the match instead of sitting in on a boring lecture from Professor Binns – you just need to meet Hermione in the Room of Requirement to board an enchanted bench. With the help of a little Floo Powder™, you are ready to soar high above the Hogwarts castle grounds with Harry Potter and friends on an incredibly thrilling adventure that is sure to be unforgettable.

Experience the fine details with your naked eye with realism that goes beyond 3D!

With the implementation of recent technological enhancements, images become shockingly clear, and smooth, and the feeling of dimension and depth impactful. Experience realism that goes beyond 3D as you find yourself exploring the castle grounds without the need for 3D glasses.

• *Photos are for illustrative purposes only.

Enhanced special effects intensity the sensation of magic!

You can experience the magic that Harry Potter™ encounters in the story not only visually, but with your whole body. This time, the special effects have been enhanced even more. The dragon’s fire will become hot air as it strikes you, and the Dementor’s sinister chill will engulf your whole body as you find yourself wrapped up in this thrilling experience.

Go on an adventure through the wizarding world with Harry Potter™!

Go on an adventure through the wizarding world with Harry Potter!

As your feet dangle in the air, the ride's movements are synchronized with the visuals to give you a complete 360 degree experience. Whether you’re having a close call with the Whomping Willow™, or focused on chasing the Golden Snitch™ in a Quidditch™ game, you’ll feel it in your whole body as you partake on this thrilling adventure!

Hogwarts™ Castle Walk

You can walk through Hogwarts™ castle without riding the ride attraction.

Fully enjoy the world of Harry Potter™ including “Moving Portrait Corridor” and “The Portrait of the Fat Lady” like Harry Potter™ and his friends did!

• *Please ask crew members about the operation hours.

Ride and height requirements for all Attractions

Attraction requirements.

Guest experience: Approx. 5 minutes Capacity: 4 persons ◆Special Effects "Fog, smoke, strobes, water, soap bubbles, loud noises, pitch black scents, Rapid acceleration, abrupt stopsturning、sudden upturns, abrupt falls, This ride simulates dramatic aerobatics. *Persons with conditions aggravated by these special effects cannot use this attraction."

◆For Your Safety In an emergency situation you may need to climb up and down the stairs or walk a long distance through a narrow passage by yourself （*） or with your supervising companion. Also, in such a circumstance you may need to wait for a long period of time inside the vehicle. *'By yourself' means you are able to walk without assistance of others.

◆Guests requiring supervising companions - Guests with mental disabilities - Guests with impaired vision - Guests experiencing difficulty using stairs or getting in/off the vehicle

◆Guests who should not use the attraction (1) heart conditions (2) back, neck, or similar conditions, spinal diseases, (3) expectant mothers (4) motion sickness, dizziness, (5) acrophobia (fear of heights) (6) claustrophobia (7) Guests suffering from lack of sleep or poor physical condition (8) Recent surgery (9) Guests unable to maintain the proper posture (10) a physical build not compatible with the seats (11) unable to secure the body by the safety bar

◆The following guests can use the attraction. - Guests who can get in/off the vehicle with or without the support of their supervising companions - Guests who can hold on to the safety bar and remain seated upright at all times - Guests who can endure the violent movements of roller coasters - Guests with impaired vision are assisted with reconfirmation of instructions by the crew. *For those guests with impaired vision, a crew member will explain the attraction experience in details. * Guests with hearing impairment will be assisted by a crew member explaining the attraction experience in details.

◆Request ・For your safety, please sit back in the seat with your back firmly against the backrest during the ride. ・You will be asked to leave the park if you disturb or offend other guests. ・No smoking in the facility ・Please do not bring your belongings into the vehicle. ・Please stow all loose articles (caps, hats, glasses, cameras, wallets, keys, etc.) in the lockers or with an accompanied non-rider.

Universal Express Pass

The Universal Express Pass shortens your waiting time for designated popular attractions!

Single Rider

Guests can use this service to shorten waiting time by taking separate seats on the ride. This service is not available on certain days or at certain hours during the day. For availability and other requirements, please ask a crew member at the attraction.

Child Switch

The Child Switch system enables guests with children/companions who do not meet an attraction’s height or other requirements to take turns and enjoy the attraction without waiting in line again. For details, please ask a crew member at the attraction.

The Ultimate Guide To Simulator Rides At Universal Studios Orlando

Universal Studios Orlando Resort’s theme parks are home to a number of simulation-based rides, which, depending on your sensitivity to motion can cause real sickness issues.

Personally, we rarely experience any form of motion sickness when flying or driving, however, we have both been known to get a little queasy on some of these rides.

Thankfully, we’ve visited the Universal Resort enough to know which rides to avoid for motion sickness and what can help counteract those motion sickness feelings so that you’re able to have an incredible time at the theme parks.

Simulator Rides At Universal Studios Florida

There are six rides within the Universal Studios Florida theme park that are simulation-based.

In our experience, you tend to find that the older the ride is, the more motion sickness it causes.

Subsequently, we find ourselves getting the sickest from The Simpsons Ride & Transformers: The Ride-3D while Harry Potter And The Escape From Gringotts and Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon causes fewer issues.

1. Harry Potter And The Escape From Gringotts

🤢 Motion Sickness Rating: 4/5

The Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts ride is located inside Diagon Alley in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

This ride sees you do your best to avoid the likes of Bellatrix and Voldemort as you escape through the caves of Gringotts Bank back to the safe haven of Diagon Alley.

This ride is a dark roller coaster with a number of screens and simulations.

However, the motion experienced is what’s usually associated with a roller coaster and this combined with smooth movements generally causes minimal discomfort.

2. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

🤢 Motion Sickness Rating: 2/5

This ride sees you be recruited by supervillain Gru to become a Minion.

During this time you’ll take a trip through Gru’s laboratory, but of course, the journey doesn’t quite go to plan!

This ride is much like a show, with a large projection screen at the front and a number of single rows which move through motion simulation.

While the ride is well done and relatively modern it can be a rough experience if you’re extremely prone to motion sickness.

For those who are worried about potential motion sickness, there are a number of stationary seats that don’t move, however, you’ll still need to wear the 3D glasses so you’re able to see the screen correctly.

3. Fast And Furious – Supercharged

🤢 Motion Sickness Rating: 3/5

The Fast and Furious Supercharged ride sees you join Dom, Letty, Hobbs and Roman on an adventure of a lifetime.

This ride features iconic cars, a recreation of the crew’s HQ along with actual props from the films all of which is sure to delight fans of the movie franchise.

The vehicle you’re seated in during this ride is parked and doesn’t move. However, the fans, water, and heat all make your body make you feel that you’re moving which can be triggering for some guests.

4. Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon

Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon provides you with an opportunity to look at 60 years of the show’s memorabilia before strapping into the “flying theatre” and speeding across Manhattan.

During this ride, you’ll join Jimmy Fallon alongside other well-known characters from NBC’s “The Tonight Show” on a journey to the broadcasting studio.

This ride is a motion simulation ride that uses both 3D and 4D technology. Much like Despicable Me Minion Mayhem! you’re seated in a large flying theatre that moves as one.

As a result, the movements are relatively smooth, however, those with extreme motion sickness may find it uncomfortable at certain times, especially near the end.

We’ve personally found that the motion sickness on this ride is reduced significantly if you sit in the middle of the row rather than on one of the ends.

5. The Simpsons Ride

🤢 Motion Sickness Rating: 5/5

The Simpsons Ride is situated inside Springfield, home of The Simpsons at the Universal Studios Orlando theme park.

This ride sees you head to Krustyland with Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie.

However, in true Krusty the Clown fashion, Krusty only spent a small amount of money on the theme park and subsequently, it’s falling apart.

This ride is designed to emulate you going on a ride within Krustyland that’s falling apart, as such it’s bumpy, very bumpy!

You’ll watch the ride in 3D on an 80-foot domed screen, and experience multiple twists and turns simulated by motion and 4D technology.

Unsurprisingly given the theme of this ride, it can be incredibly uncomfortable for those who are prone to any amount of motion sickness.

We would not class ourselves as people who suffer from motion sickness, but on this ride, we certainly experienced it and were left feeling incredibly sick for up to an hour after getting off.

6. Transformers: The Ride-3D

🤢 Motion Sickness Rating: 4.5/5

The Transformers Ride 3D sees you join forces with Bumblebee and Optimus Prime to take on the Decepticons on a mission to keep the AllSpark out of the hands of the villainous Megatron.

This ride is one of the older ones inside Universal Orlando and subsequently, the movements can be quite jerky at times which combined with the 3D glasses can cause some feelings of motion sickness.

What also doesn’t help with this ride is that it’s relatively long at just over five minutes, subsequently, if you do start to feel quite sick then it can be a while before the ride ends.

Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Universal’s Islands of Adventure has three simulation rides, and therefore substantially fewer than Universal Studios Orlando.

Subsequently, Universal’s Islands of Adventure may be a better choice if you’re unable to visit both parks during your trip to the Universal Studios Orlando Resort.

1. Harry Potter And The Forbidden Journey

Harry Potter And The Forbidden Journey is a ride located inside the Hogwarts building at Hogsmeade. This ride see’s you join Harry and his friends on a ride you’ll never forget, as you soar across Hogwarts grounds.

The ride uses motion simulation with 4D technology to make you feel as though you’re travelling with Harry, Ron & Hermione around Hogwarts.

This ride has some simulated drops and a five-foot physical drop and while the ride does not go upside down, you will be pulled to lie on your back for a short time.

Given the mixture of real-life movement and simulated movement, this ride can cause many people some nausea.

However, you can minimise the feeling of nausea on this ride by focusing on the centre of the round screens and sitting in one of the two middle seats (the vehicle comes in a row of four).

2. Skull Island: Reign Of Kong

Skull Island: Reign Of Kong is similar to Fast & Furious: Supercharged in the sense that you’ll board a bus-like vehicle with the majority of the ride taking place in a long screen tunnel.

During your journey, you’ll head to a mysterious island, where you’ll encounter prehistoric creatures and predators who see you as a tasty snack.

When it seems like you’ll never make it out alive, the silver screens favourite ape, King Kong shows up.

Selected portions of this ride can cause some motion sickness, especially towards the middle part of your journey. However, on the whole, this ride isn’t too bad.

While all the seats move during this ride, you’ll generally find the motion is smoothest in the middle seats so we recommend trying to sit there where you can.

One benefit of motion-simulated rides is that they are not subject to the Universal Studios weather delay. However, this often results in the rides having longer wait times since there are significantly fewer rides available during this time.

3. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is an indoor ride that takes you on a journey alongside the incredible superhero Spider-Man as he challenges some of the most maniac villains Marvel has to offer across New York City.

While The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is one of the oldest rides inside the Islands of Adventure theme park it has undergone a number of modifications that make the motions significantly smoother than they were ten years ago.

That being said, those extremely prone to motion sickness may still experience some feelings of nausea in which case we recommend focusing on the centre of each of the screens as you move through the building.

How To Prevent Motion Sickness When Visiting Universal Studios Orlando

Depending on your personal preferences there are a number of ways you can try to prevent motion sickness during your trip to the Universal Orlando theme parks.

Take Dramamine

Dramamine is a non-drowsy medication which is available in the form of either a tablet or a gummy and is designed to help minimise the feelings of nausea.

The medication is designed to be taken between 30 minutes and an hour before you go on your first ride and usually lasts around four to six hours.

Dramamine is the most common form of medication that people take to minimise motion sickness when visiting Universal Studios and is available over the counter at most grocery stores and pharmacies.

Please read the label on the packet in advance to ensure that Dramamine is suitable based on any illnesses you have or any other medication you might be taking.

Choose Your Seat

You’ll have noted that throughout the rides listed above we’ve commented where choosing your seat can have a major impact on the level of motion sickness you experience.

Generally speaking, you’ll want to go for a seat in the middle, either of the row or the ride as a whole. This is because the seats at the front and the back of the ride are subject to the most force when moving.

Maintain A Straight Back

It can be tempting to lean forward and grip the handlebars during a ride. However, wherever possible we recommend keeping your back straight and your head pushed back to the headrest.

This not only minimises injury (I’m looking at you The Incredible Hulk ride) but also helps to reduce nausea and dizziness.

Consider What You Eat & Drink (And When!)

It can be incredibly tempting to fill up on delicious theme park food during your trip to the Universal Studios theme parks. However, what you eat and when you eat can have a major impact on both how you feel both during and after a ride.

We recommend eating bland foods wherever possible (boring we know!) and minimising the number of fizzy drinks you consume.

We also recommend avoiding rides for at least an hour after a meal – thankfully, there’s still a lot to do at both Universal Studios theme parks aside from just the rides that are sure to keep you entertained.

Suck On Ginger Candies

Ginger has been known to minimise feelings of sickness. However, thankfully you don’t have to take a clove of ginger to the Universal parks with you.

Instead, you can purchase ginger candies – which are surprisingly tastier than they sound.

Suck on one of these candies as you stand in line for the ride and afterwards where required.

We advise against having anything in your mouth (candies, gum etc.) during the ride as it is a choking hazard.

Keep Your Eyes On A Fixed Area

If you begin to feel nauseous during the ride try to focus on a fixed point in front of you.

On selected rides, this can be the centre of the screen while on others it might have to be the car in front of you.

Breath In Through Your Nose & Out Through Your Mouth

When you begin to feel nauseous on a ride it can be hard to think of anything else (well aside from when is this hell of a ride going to stop!).

However, that tends to only make things worse. Instead, we recommend focusing on your breathing taking deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.

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