Today we are going to talk about one of the best attractions in Orlando, the incredible Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey!
On this post
The attraction is at Islands of Adventure in the area of Hogsmeade, more specifically, inside the famous Hogwarts Castle.
We have already shown this attraction several times on our social networks as our Instagram and in videos of our Youtube channel.
It is worth mentioning that she is one of the most requested attractions at this Universal Studios theme park.
If you are a fan of the series Harry Potter and intend to visit Orlando soon, you must be wondering if this attraction is worth going to.
We already said yes, it is perhaps the best Harry Potter attraction in the world, in my opinion.
So read on to find out the answer to this and other questions involving Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey!
How is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
One of the first questions that most people have about Forbidden Journey is what it is like and if it is suitable for all visitors.
After all, she's not a roller coaster, but she's not a simulator either.
What kind of ride she is?
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a dark ride type attraction.
It gets its name from taking place in a darkened room, with the cart riding on rails and simulator panels on the walls.
It may seem strange, but in a way, an attraction of this type is a bit of a mixture of different types of attraction.
One of the coolest features of this Harry Potter attraction is that it uses a robotic arm that controls the cart where riders are.
It is even worth mentioning that because of this, it spins and moves a lot!
This robotic arm moves the cart sideways, according to the simulator video, to give it a sense of movement and adventure.
We do not recommend this attraction for people who have labyrinthitis, who get seasick easily, or who cannot ride rides with sudden movements.
How is the attraction inside
Inside, the attraction of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is truly incredible.
We don't normally see this level of detail on Universal Studios attractions, but they really did something unique and very faithful to the movies and books.
The project shows Universal's dedication not only to the Islands of Adventures, but with fans of the series as well.
So, to better talk about how the attraction is, let's divide it into two topics: the queue and the attraction itself.
Row
Nobody likes to stand in line at theme parks.
However, if the queue is like this, it is a little less tedious because in each room you pass there is something different to see and entertain you.
Including appearances by beloved characters like Harry, Ron, Hermione and Dumbledore.
The queue area of this attraction is gigantic and very decorated, with different events and moments to make everything more fun.
The first step in line is to go through the outside of Hogwarts castle, including the Herbology greenhouses.
Inside, visitors will be able to find some replicas of objects from the films, such as the Mirror of Erised and talking portraits.
As we move forward in line, we pass by famous places in Hogwarts castle.
The first of these is Dumbledore's office, where he is there to receive guests and talk to them (on video, of course).
Then we pass the Defense Against Dark Arts room, where we see Harry, Ron and Hermione.
A nice detail of this moment is that Ron tries to cast a spell, but it fails and a bunch of fun special effects like falling snow actually appear in the queue.
It's really amazing!
The Ride
We don't want to give too many spoilers about the course of the attraction itself because it consists of a kind of interactive cinema.
And it is not even possible to share photos throughout this post because the vehicle moves very fast and would not do justice to what you will experience there.
To be brief, during this attraction you will participate in a Quidditch match, run away from a dragon, face Dementors and pass through different areas of the films.
It's an incredible adventure!
You will also see many of the characters from the films such as Hagrid, Harry Potter, Ron, Hermione and others.
Is the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey worth it?
With all that said, is it worth going on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey?
Yes it's worth it!
For anyone who is a fan of Harry Potter, this is one of the most important attractions in Orlando.
One of the magical things about the attraction is bringing the world of Harry Potter to life and putting the visitor inside.
It is true that it can be one of the longest lines in the park, if you don't want to wait in line, we recommend using the Universal Express Pass, the Universal Studios queue jumper.
However, if you use the Express Pass, you'll miss out on most of the queue interactions.
What if I'm not a Harry Potter fan?
Even those who are not fans of Harry Potter have a lot to enjoy in this attraction.
Of course, fans will enjoy every detail of the attraction, but it's interesting in its own right, even for those who haven't seen the movies or read the books.
As we said, the Forbidden Journey shows that Universal spared no effort and technology to create this attraction.
It is one of the attractions that has more details, as we usually see in Disney attractions.
Avoid Long Queues on the Harry Potter and Forbidden Journey
There are 2 ways to avoid the long lines at this attraction.
The first is to do the attraction at times when it is less crowded.
The best times to go on the attraction are in the morning, as soon as the park opens, and at night.
These are usually the times with the fewest queues.
Another option is to buy the Express Pass as mentioned above. If you want to buy Express at a discount, please contact us clicking here.
So, did you like to know Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey?
If you plan to go to this attraction when you go to Orlando, don't forget to follow our Instagram and send a message there saying what you think of the adventure!
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About the Author Carlos Braga:
Unparalleled experience in Orlando and Disney! As a former Universal Orlando team member and a passionate devotee of the magic of Disney, I have become a true Orlando travel expert. Before becoming a renowned travel consultant dedicated to Orlando, I had already made hundreds of visits to the parks, cultivating my knowledge and passion mainly over the last 7 years as a consultant and specialist in Disney travel.
My journey into this enchanted world began in 1995, when I took my first trip to Orlando. Since then, my love for Disney and the city has only grown. In 2023, we celebrate the sixth anniversary of 'Partiu Disney Parks', consolidating our role as one of the main sources of information about Disney and Orlando Parks.
During these six years of existence, we have continued to offer quality and updated content, being the reliable source for all those looking for essential information to plan their trip to Disney and Orlando. With my vast experience and passion for this magical destination, I am here to guide you every step of the way towards the most incredible Orlando and Disney experience!
