Forbidden Journey tour?

[jpharrisjr]

My family is headed for our first Universal trip Yay!

I have come to grips with the fact that I am likely too big for Forbidden journey (6'3, 300 lbs), former lineman. Friends of mine went several years ago and took a "tour" of the Castle without riding. Is that still an option? Would my kids who are too short to ride but love the books be able to do this, if it is still available?


TIA

JP

 

[schumigirl]

You don’t really need a tour as such, you can just walk through the whole thing and see everything that the castle and the line has to offer. Then not get on the ride.

We do this once a trip usually just to take pictures. Did it in March so you can definitely still do it.

When the TM saw us walk through with a camera, we just told them we weren’t riding this time. It was not a problem.

 

[Gary2T]

Don't give up hope on being able to ride just yet, as it really depends on where the height and weight is carried. I have a similar build. The fit for me is a little tight in the chest/shoulder area. Sometimes I get the harness down and locked in enough by myself, and sometimes it takes a slight push from the attendant (as my arms don't bend the way needed to pull it in further).

As schumigirl mentioned, you can just walk through the line and don't get on the ride. Even if you do try to ride, there is a child swap area if you have someone that can wait with the little ones. Just tell the TM at the entrance you're using child swap, and they'll let you bring your bags/cameras etc with you so you can avoid the dreaded lockers.

 

[heidijanesmith]

I love the Castle Tour! It's not a guided tour, you go in your own queue line and go through the queue on your own. What I like to much is that you can take your time in the different rooms, listen to the paintings, take pictures and take your time. There is one portrait section that you do not see in the regular queue. Just ask a CM at the castle entrance if the Castle Only tour line is open.

You can do this through the regular queue as well. We just let people get in front of us. You can see different parts of the castle in this tour that you don't in the Castle Only tour.

The Castle is amazing and should not be rushed at least once. We do it once a trip, I swear I see things that I have not seen before. It never gets old.

 

[schumigirl]

I love the Castle Tour! It's not a guided tour, you go in your own queue line and go through the queue on your own. What I like to much is that you can take your time in the different rooms, listen to the paintings, take pictures and take your time. There is one portrait section that you do not see in the regular queue. Just ask a CM at the castle entrance if the Castle Only tour line is open.

You can do this through the regular queue as well. We just let people get in front of us. You can see different parts of the castle in this tour that you don't in the Castle Only tour.

The Castle is amazing and should not be rushed at least once. We do it once a trip, I swear I see things that I have not seen before. It never gets old.

One of the TM told us they don’t do a separate line for just walking through anymore, you just go through the regular line or EP line and as you say, let folks pass as you take pictures.........

I agree, there are so many things to see every time........I often think how’d I miss that!!!

 

[dfriia]

If it is not too busy, make sure to ask the TMs at the chicken exit to let you go past them towards the boarding area to see/hear/watch the sorting hat or get a photo of it. I've only been through when there was almost no line and always got to go see the sorting hat and come back to the exit.

 

[princessebird]

One of the TM told us they don’t do a separate line for just walking through anymore, you just go through the regular line or EP line and as you say, let folks pass as you take pictures.........

This is true. What was once the "castle tour" line is now the EP line. EP and regular line will get you to the rooms you need to see. Single rider skips Dumbledore's Office and the Dark Arts classroom.