Forbidden Journey is not as good as Spiderman

[nile455]

Since there are so many positive posts about Forbidden Journey, I thought I'd be really picky and point out some flaws. Make no mistake, I thought Forbidden Journey was a GREAT ride. But it does have it's flaws, and yes they are probably very small and very technical and they DON'T ruin the overall experience, but they are worth pointing out. Spoiler warning:

.....

My main criticism is the video scenes, and the movement of the vehicles during those scenes. Rather than feeling like I was flying WITH the characters, instead I felt like I was just going sideways and passing through a video of THEM flying. And as cool as the Kuka arm vehicles seem, they just don't give the feeling of flying. Also, you never feel like you are going FORWARD. Just sideways, and up and down. With Spiderman, you travel FORWARD throughout the set, and the feeling is exhilarating. With FJ, you feel like you are just traveling sideways, and up/down but never FORWARD. This really was disappointing to me. Also, at the end of every video scene as the vehicles move away you can see the rounded edges of the film screen. This very much distracted as you could clearly see it was a video, as opposed to Spiderman where the projected movies are COMPLETELY and seamlessly connected to the live sets.

Also, I was a little surprised at how average the video quality was. Slightly blurry, not high definition at least not to my eyes.

Finally, the dementor AAs. Ummm... am I the only one who thought they looked very tacky?

Again, the ride overall IS amazing and I hope I don't come across as someone who just whines and is never satisfied. In fact I could probably find 5 great things for every 1 gripe. But I just wanted to point out its few flaws to see if anyone else noticed them. I think these few flaws are enough for me to slot it right underneath the near-perfect attraction that is Spiderman.

 

[Dax]

Guess I am in trouble for not liking it then, as I really am not a huge "Spiderman is the end all ride" fan. It really does nothing for me, I prefer to ride MiB over and over rather than Spidey..


As for FJ, I have not been there yet, hopefully going very very soon, and I will make a judgement on it myself...what one likes, another may not.

It is refreshing to see another opinion though

 

[damo]

I think there will always be some people who prefer Spiderman. I like Spiderman but have never loved it. Perhaps because Spiderman and all those characters hold no interest to me whatsoever. I find FJ superior even though there are definitely areas for improvement. The screens and the quality of the video didn't bother me at all. There were a few places that I thought should be enhanced and that is a very easy fix. A few flashes of light when certain spells are cast, a few colder areas when the dementors show up, a little bit lighter in some areas and darker in others, etc.

The dementors are not what I expected but they aren't what I vision in the movies either. From the books, I always envisioned them as something completely different than how they have been portrayed (in any of the movies --- don't know why they got changed there either).

Regarding seeing the edges of the screens and the other kuka arms --- when you sit in the center seats that doesn't happen and also if you stay with your head rested back on the seats, you don't really get it either. Personally, I only noticed the edge of the screen once and that was because I was leaning way forward in my seat looking around at everything. We tried to make sure we got to sit in each different seat to see how the experience differed.

My son's major complaint was that he would have liked more downtime during the ride --- where your experience slowed way down and you were able to regroup before rushing off again.

 

[nile455]

I think there will always be some people who prefer Spiderman. I like Spiderman but have never loved it. Perhaps because Spiderman and all those characters hold no interest to me whatsoever. I find FJ superior even though there are definitely areas for improvement. The screens and the quality of the video didn't bother me at all. There were a few places that I thought should be enhanced and that is a very easy fix. A few flashes of light when certain spells are cast, a few colder areas when the dementors show up, a little bit lighter in some areas and darker in others, etc.

The dementors are not what I expected but they aren't what I vision in the movies either. From the books, I always envisioned them as something completely different than how they have been portrayed (in any of the movies --- don't know why they got changed there either).

Regarding seeing the edges of the screens and the other kuka arms --- when you sit in the center seats that doesn't happen and also if you stay with your head rested back on the seats, you don't really get it either. Personally, I only noticed the edge of the screen once and that was because I was leaning way forward in my seat looking around at everything. We tried to make sure we got to sit in each different seat to see how the experience differed.

My son's major complaint was that he would have liked more downtime during the ride --- where your experience slowed way down and you were able to regroup before rushing off again.

You make some good points. All three times I rode I was on the edge, so that might of had something to do with it. But I did have my head back the entire time.

I agree with your son. Downtime would have been a good thing, and made the exciting parts even more exciting. Don't underestimate the power of complete and utter silence and darkness. That would have been super intense right before an "encounter", ala Stitch's Great Escape.

 

[Planogirl]

My favorite ride is the Mummy's Revenge so that will be my yardstick. Spidey is great but for me not the Mummy! So we'll see...

 

[lildamo]

I think I like FJ better than Spidey, but DBF still prefers Spidey over FJ.

I agree that although I squealed at the dementors the first time, I think I imagined them with less "skull" showing and just more cape, and I agree that the video quality could have been higher -- though, they could have tested it with higher video and found that it didn't make much of a difference since you're moving so "fast" through each scene and your eyes may not be able to focus on individual elements quickly enough anyway.

 

[Preds]

Since there are so many positive posts about Forbidden Journey, I thought I'd be really picky and point out some flaws. Make no mistake, I thought Forbidden Journey was a GREAT ride. But it does have it's flaws, and yes they are probably very small and very technical and they DON'T ruin the overall experience, but they are worth pointing out. Spoiler warning:

.....

My main criticism is the video scenes, and the movement of the vehicles during those scenes. Rather than feeling like I was flying WITH the characters, instead I felt like I was just going sideways and passing through a video of THEM flying. And as cool as the Kuka arm vehicles seem, they just don't give the feeling of flying. Also, you never feel like you are going FORWARD. Just sideways, and up and down. With Spiderman, you travel FORWARD throughout the set, and the feeling is exhilarating. With FJ, you feel like you are just traveling sideways, and up/down but never FORWARD. This really was disappointing to me. Also, at the end of every video scene as the vehicles move away you can see the rounded edges of the film screen. This very much distracted as you could clearly see it was a video, as opposed to Spiderman where the projected movies are COMPLETELY and seamlessly connected to the live sets.

Also, I was a little surprised at how average the video quality was. Slightly blurry, not high definition at least not to my eyes.

Finally, the dementor AAs. Ummm... am I the only one who thought they looked very tacky?

I completely, wholeheartedly agree with every point you've made that I've bolded.

Granted I only got to ride it once, as the next day I was denied boarding with the BS of their staff refusing to push down on the restraint day 2 to get the 3rd click (despite my pleas for them to do so since I didn't have the leverage to do so myself), not to mention they automatically pushed down the prior day when I actually rode FJ. I'm still royally pissed off about the whole episode (particularly the little snot Team Member's snide remark to another employee that "he didn't get to ride" as I came into Filches clearly angry about the whole experience).

Back to the FJ ride itself, the one time I did get to ride it, I was unimpressed, and REALLY disappointed in the image quality (and had discussed it with DisBoard's Pete, Walt and Max right after we rode). To be fair, part of my disappointment was probably my displeasure with how poorly Universal handled the crowds Memorial Day weekend, the long waits in the FJ queue over the 1st 2 days with the anxiety wondering if we were indeed going to be able to ride the darn thing before our trip ended the next day, and the frequency of FJ being down with little to no feedback as to how long we might be in the queue. On the 1st day we spent ~40 minutes in the Defense Against the Dark Arts room (until they eventually shut the ride down the the day). That may not sound so bad, but with the audio loop repeating every few minutes, and the stupid "snow" bubbles filling the room every few minutes it got old REAL quick.

Anyhow, I was unimpressed when we actually did get to ride on the 2nd day (again after a LONG delay standing around in the queue, this time stuck between Dumbledore's Office and the Dark Arts Classroom) with no word. I was very disappointed in the image quality (IMO far inferior to the quality on Spidey), and not too impressed with the motion (never felt immersed into HP's world whatsoever).

We went back on day 3, and they did a much better job with the crowds (wasn't the pushing / shoving / mob scene of the 1st 2 days)... and I was really hoping to give it an open mind... hoping that since we finally got to ride the 2nd day the anxiety of getting on before we left was over, and maybe I would be able to enjoy the experience more without all the frustrations of the previous 2 days (in fact I told this to Walter and Max of the as we stood in the queue together). But alas, that is the day the "fat patrol" pulled my 5'8 240lbs out of line, put me alone into the test seat (not the entire group), and denied me boarding after they refused to push down on the restraint as they did the day before. Aside from the rude and insulting tone of the Team Members (which honestly in frustration I turned right back on them), it was a very humiliating experience. Particularly since their staff had greenlighted me in the test seat outside the ride a day prior, AND I actually rode FJ that day.

In the end, I never did get a chance to give FJ a second chance... instead they turned a disappointing experience into a bitter one. Honestly, I've spent the past 18 days too pissed off to even post further about it here. I have no desire to return.

 

[Lou Holtz]

The picture quality is WORSE than Spiderman? I find Spiderman's picture quality to be terrible.

 

[Preds]

The picture quality is WORSE than Spiderman? I find Spiderman's picture quality to be terrible.

The picture quality was significantly worse than Spidey IMO. My 17yo son said the same thing.

 

[kik050]

Universal has a good thing going here. I really like the rides that they have more then most of the WDW rides. I rode MIB, Spiderman, and FJ for the first time, even Johnny Neutron. The three rides are excellant. Tops in my book. Getting to ride FJ a couple of times before the grand opening lines was the icing on the cake.

To the OP, when you analyze the rides, I think you make good points. I remember seeing the dementor to my left, retracting from the other cart. Therefore I knew it would then chase our cart, and sure enough. Maybe they should've put longer sides to the cars to prevent this, like how Spiderman has very high sides. Picture quality was OK, good enough. Not going to make a big deal of it. But being that this is their newest key ride, they could have poured some serious cash into the video quality. I did think, a possible 3-D screen that is automatically lowered in front of your vehicle with the restraints would've been a cool touch.

 

[mg10rb13]

So I have a few ?'s as I am venturing to Universal for the first time in 13 years in Sept. and haven't really read up to much on the Harry Potter theme park other than what's on here.

So FJ is like Spiderman in the sense of a simulation type ride that is or is not in 3D? How are the other rides in the Harry Potter section. Isn't there two roller coasters as well?

 

[Planogirl]

So I have a few ?'s as I am venturing to Universal for the first time in 13 years in Sept. and haven't really read up to much on the Harry Potter theme park other than what's on here.

So FJ is like Spiderman in the sense of a simulation type ride that is or is not in 3D? How are the other rides in the Harry Potter section. Isn't there two roller coasters as well?

We haven't tried FJ yet but I can answer the question about the other rides. The other rides are coasters even though some might say that there is actually three of them. One replaces Dueling Dragons which is actually two side by side coasters which have been rethemed. The other is a mild coaster that is a rethemed version of the Flying Unicorn.

 

[kik050]

We haven't tried FJ yet but I can answer the question about the other rides. The other rides are coasters even though some might say that there is actually three of them. One replaces Dueling Dragons which is actually two side by side coasters which have been rethemed. The other is a mild coaster that is a rethemed version of the Flying Unicorn.

And the FJ ride is not in 3D, while the Spiderman ride is. For the FJ ride, when you enter the castle, it will be about another 15-18 minutes before you reach the ride. There are about 6 rooms that are themed really well with Harry Potter stuff, this makes the remaining wait a lot more enjoyable.

 

[inkkognito]

I love Spidey, but it totally bows down to FJ. Spidey was state of the art many years ago, but FJ seemlessly blends the movies and animatronics and I love the motion of the kuka arm...Spidey sure can't tip you on your back! Seeing the other vehicles doesn't bother me because I am infinitely fascinated with how rides work. Now that I have done the ride so many times, I make an effort to actually look at the other vehicles and any inner workings I can see.

I don't know if I would say the movie quality is bad, but some of the transitions from animatronic to movie do get to me. The ones where it's dark to dark are okay, but the last two give me slight quease unless I close my eyes.

I just hope the influx of $$ will inspire Uni to do some work on Spidey. DH rides it a lot more than I do and more times than not he finds something not working...sometimes major things like a screen.

 

[Lou Holtz]

I think more things are usually not working on Mummy than Spiderman. Sometimes I can count five effects not working.

 

[FINFAN]

Since there are so many positive posts about Forbidden Journey, I thought I'd be really picky and point out some flaws. Make no mistake, I thought Forbidden Journey was a GREAT ride. But it does have it's flaws, and yes they are probably very small and very technical and they DON'T ruin the overall experience, but they are worth pointing out. Spoiler warning:

.....

My main criticism is the video scenes, and the movement of the vehicles during those scenes. Rather than feeling like I was flying WITH the characters, instead I felt like I was just going sideways and passing through a video of THEM flying. And as cool as the Kuka arm vehicles seem, they just don't give the feeling of flying. Also, you never feel like you are going FORWARD. Just sideways, and up and down. With Spiderman, you travel FORWARD throughout the set, and the feeling is exhilarating. With FJ, you feel like you are just traveling sideways, and up/down but never FORWARD. This really was disappointing to me. Also, at the end of every video scene as the vehicles move away you can see the rounded edges of the film screen. This very much distracted as you could clearly see it was a video, as opposed to Spiderman where the projected movies are COMPLETELY and seamlessly connected to the live sets.

Also, I was a little surprised at how average the video quality was. Slightly blurry, not high definition at least not to my eyes.

Finally, the dementor AAs. Ummm... am I the only one who thought they looked very tacky?

Again, the ride overall IS amazing and I hope I don't come across as someone who just whines and is never satisfied. In fact I could probably find 5 great things for every 1 gripe. But I just wanted to point out its few flaws to see if anyone else noticed them. I think these few flaws are enough for me to slot it right underneath the near-perfect attraction that is Spiderman.

my DS agrees with you COMPLETELY, he only rode once as he said once he could see cables and mechanics, it was hokey and he also commented on the video quality...he is a bit of an Arachnaphobe so I was concerned over the spiders..he rolled his eyes at me and said, "lame"...now, he is almost 16 so keep in mind the teenage 'tude..his sister 20 loved it...but our DS can spot the mechanics instantly, he's the kid who know exactly wher to look at the camera the first time he rides something... That being said, he can pick apart any ride including Spiderman....but he really did not see the hype in the ride itself, he gave props to the que, but not FJ. He opeted out from us and rode DC over and over when we rode FJ.

 

[phamton]

I hope I don't come across as someone who just whines and is never satisfied.

Not at all! I think you gave a very fair assessment and made some great points. Thanks!

 

[TaylorsDad]

I guess it all depends upon the person. I love Spiderman ride and must agree that it is Amazing but not without its own flaws, I just dont let that bother me from enjoying a truly immersive experience. I haven't ridden Fj yet so cannot compare. I do know some that feel that seeing any of the mechanics or anything that breaks the illusion totally ruins the ride. I have a friend who said Soarin didnt live up to the hype for her because she was able to look past the edges of the screen and felt seeing peoples feet dangling overhead ruined the illusion. To each their own opinion I guess.

 

[WheelCEO]

i never understood the hype of spiderman