Forbidden Journey closed Dec 1-18

[Mom3girls]

When they schedule refurbs like this do they usually stick to the exact dates given? Just wondering because we will be there Dec 16-19 so we could possibly ride it on our last day

 

[damo]

When they schedule refurbs like this do they usually stick to the exact dates given? Just wondering because we will be there Dec 16-19 so we could possibly ride it on our last day

If they are done early, they'll open early. We haven't really been told exactly what is being done. They will for sure want to be done well before the Christmas crowds.

What Universal tends to do with refurbs is just remove the part that needs to be refurbed and let the ride stay open. They also do a lot of overnight maintenance. This must be something that can't be removed and will need a bit more time.

 

[Mom3girls]

Guess I was just wondering if they often ran later than they originally thought

 

[starousse]

Like another poster mentioned, unless there was some catastrophic issue, they should've given more than 2 1/2 weeks notice for one their most popular attractions. Disney gives at least 6 months notice. Not that I would cancel my trip over it, but we canceled our Disney trip to do the Harry Potter attractions instead. Poor planning on their behalf. They could have waited until after the holidays.

 

[perditax]

The fact that they ARE doing it right before the busiest time of the year (rather than just after) makes me wonder is something has come up that needs significant fixing BEFORE peak season.

 

[TommyJK]

The fact that they ARE doing it right before the busiest time of the year (rather than just after) makes me wonder is something has come up that needs significant fixing BEFORE peak season.

I was thinking this as well. Something they couldn't hold off for risk of last minute extended closure during peak Christmas/New Years.

Otherwise you'd think they would have closed it down from mid to late Jan as that is typically THE slowest time of year.

 

[snoopboop]

Otherwise you'd think they would have closed it down from mid to late Jan as that is typically THE slowest time of year.

Except that their annual Harry Potter event is in late January, and I'm sure they wouldn't want to risk FJ not being open for that.

 

[damo]

I've found early December to be less busy than mid to end of January, especially with MLK Day on Jan. 16 and the Harry Potter Event on Jan. 27 -29.

 

[turtlechick6]

I might call for compensation only because I booked this trip one week before they announced this. If they had let me know earlier we could have figured something else out. But Dh has already asked off work and its already booked now so nothing we can do. And the whole purpose of this trip which I told the CS rep when we booked was to celebrate my son reading all the Harry Potter books. So we got kinda screwed. But we are going to make the most of it. I would not turn up my nose at a free meal or something. Just something to say Sorry on their part.

 

[turtlechick6]

On the bright side I bet the parks are even more empty now. Many will not come if that ride is closed

 

[Lee Matthews]

Im staying at Cabana Bay until January 23rd so hopefully i'll catch it before i have to fly home

 

[theme_park_mom]

I just found out on another thread that Forbidden Journey will be closed from December 1 to the 18th, so I thought I would post it here. Not happy!!! This is one of the rides I was most looking forward to. One of the main reasons for staying onsite was to get early entry for HP. I guess I will have to plan another trip.

Thank you for letting us know. We are disappointed, but so much better to know now that when we got there.

 

[DisBuckMan]

I hate it for the folks going during that time. FJ is the best ride not only at US/IoA, but in all of Orlando, IMO.

But, as stated...refurbs are a necessary part of the theme park business.

 

[FeaturePresentation]

Just lovely... Since our vacation in FL starts on December 1st and we leave on the 11th. We were really looking forward to the Forbidden Journey. An ample notice would have been appreciated so we could have adjusted our dates!

 

[bumbershoot]

Disney gives at least 6 months notice.

Not all the time. Sometimes things happen.

The fact that they ARE doing it right before the busiest time of the year (rather than just after) makes me wonder is something has come up that needs significant fixing BEFORE peak season.

Exactly.

On the bright side I bet the parks are even more empty now. Many will not come if that ride is closed

For one ride? Nope. There are trips when I don't ride it at all. It's not that great IMO.* Half the time it makes me sick (I have to time riding it perfectly between meals). Like I think I said before, DH has never ridden it and has managed to have lost excellent Wizarding world experiences.

I think it's a minority who plan a trip around one ride.



Especially for those who booked packages talking to reps on the phone for compensation makes no sense. They can't do anything for you. Unless you're cancelling or changing dates why waste everyone's time?

When you're there take the time you would have taken on FJ and talk with guest services there.




*dementors, willow, spiders, ride vehicle slamming your head around, spiders spitting in your face, dragon breathing fire, inaudible audio and confusing storyline. And that's without the ride stopping with a spider in your phobic face. Joyful ride!!!

 

[Rajah]

Well, shoot. That was THE ride mom and I have been wanting to ride. The entire reason to go to Universal was for the Harry Potter stuff , and at least walk the castle. I know there's more stuff to do and see, but it's not so easy for everyone top reschedule a trip.

 

[starousse]

Has anyone heard if December 1st is still going to be the date they shut it down? Wishful thinking that they delay until after the weekend.

 

[pcstang]

Has anyone heard if December 1st is still going to be the date they shut it down? Wishful thinking that they delay until after the weekend.

I'll check Wednesday if it's still on track for Dec 1.

 

[Phdmama06]

Welp. This is disappointing. We are going to be in Orlando 12/2-12/7 mainly for Disney but at Universal on 12/5. We have never been to WWoHP, and it is right around my son's 9 3/4 birthday. He is OBSESSED with HP. I know he will be bummed!! We are going to go ahead with it because at least we'll be able to the Hogwarts Express (the thing he MOST wants to do) and the other stuff...but boooo! I'm wondering if they'll even have the "castle tour" available, I'm guessing not?? Ah well, if we like everything else there at least we will have a good excuse to come back for his 11th birthday, when he gets his Hogwarts letter

And maybe, maybe the silver lining is this will cut back on the crowd levels in the Universal parks so we'll spend less time waiting in lines?

 

[Kirbie]

at least we will have a good excuse to come back for his 11th birthday, when he gets his Hogwarts letter

Haha! Sounds like a plan! I am putting together some extra goodies for my upcoming trip with my friend. She hasn't been yet, so I'm having lots of fun gathering surprises (like a Hogwarts letter) to make our trip extra magical!

And while FJ is my absolute favorite ride, Diagon Alley is my favorite area in any theme park. I spent more time there than anywhere else on my last trip! There is so much detail in all of the shops, Weasley Wizard Wheezes is so much fun! And the dragon! He'll love it, and the Hogwarts Express!!