Forbidden Journey vs Gringotts

[tommyjean]

First off, I apologize if this has been asked. I tried doing a search but couldn't come up with an answer. Second, these boards are extremely helpful!! Thank you to everyone willing to lend their expertise.

My question: What is the big difference between Forbidden Journey and Gringotts? My 6 year old twins love all things Harry Potter, but I have no idea if these rides are appropriate for them. Neither one like "scary" things and there have been a few parts of HP that I fast forward through. We went to Disney last year and rode the Star Wars ride. My son did not like it, my daughter did. Not sure if that ride is comparable at all to either of the HP rides.

Thanks for the input!!!!!

 

[DisFanEY]

Both rides are most definitely scary, (but so awesome!) but I did take my DD6 on Gringotts. The scariest parts are the initial drop and the characters (Voldemort and Bellatrix) coming out to get you, and I knew she could handle that. She has a good sense of make believe vs reality and I think Voldemort staring us down scared me more than her! With that said, I would imagine most 6 year olds would NOT enjoy it. But it is such a good ride, she agreed she wanted to try.

Forbidden Journey she skipped--the ride vehicle sort of separates each rider from the person sitting next to you. Picture speakers on small side walls surrounding your head (if that makes sense!). There was no way to check in or even hold her hand. On Gringotts I could reassure her and squeeze her leg and she could still see me. After we tested FJ, I knew she'd hate it. Definitely ride it first before putting your 6 year old on it!

Have so much fun!

 

[SmallWorld71]

First off, I apologize if this has been asked. I tried doing a search but couldn't come up with an answer. Second, these boards are extremely helpful!! Thank you to everyone willing to lend their expertise.

My question: What is the big difference between Forbidden Journey and Gringotts? My 6 year old twins love all things Harry Potter, but I have no idea if these rides are appropriate for them. Neither one like "scary" things and there have been a few parts of HP that I fast forward through. We went to Disney last year and rode the Star Wars ride. My son did not like it, my daughter did. Not sure if that ride is comparable at all to either of the HP rides.

Thanks for the input!!!!!

FWIW - I am quite the chicken and I think Star Tours is much, much less scary than either Gringotts or Forbidden Journey. I can't imagine anyone finding Star Tours scary, but not the other two. Though I will say that Star Tours makes me more nauseous than Gringotts.

Of the two Harry Potter rides, I think Forbidden Journey is far scarier. I cried like a baby after that ride. (Seriously) I hate when anything jumps out at me.

Gringotts isn't super intense, I actually liked it, but it does have some intensity to it. If your kids are okay with rides like Big Thunder, don't mind the spookiness of the Haunted Mansion, and don't mind simulators like Star Tours or Spiderman then I would say go for it. If any of the 3 freak them out, I would personally skip it.

FWIW - You can take a (self-walking) tour of the castle without riding Forbidden Journey. I just did it a couple weeks ago. They said they let people do it when the ride wait is under an hour. Just let the TM's know that is what you want to do.

 

[SmallWorld71]

Both rides are most definitely scary, (but so awesome!) but I did take my DD6 on Gringotts. The scariest parts are the initial drop and the characters (Voldemort and Bellatrix) coming out to get you, and I knew she could handle that. She has a good sense of make believe vs reality and I think Voldemort staring us down scared me more than her! With that said, I would imagine most 6 year olds would NOT enjoy it. But it is such a good ride, she agreed she wanted to try.

Forbidden Journey she skipped--the ride vehicle sort of separates each rider from the person sitting next to you. Picture speakers on small side walls surrounding your head (if that makes sense!). There was no way to check in or even hold her hand. On Gringotts I could reassure her and squeeze her leg and she could still see me. After we tested FJ, I knew she'd hate it. Definitely ride it first before putting your 6 year old on it!



Have so much fun!

Also wanted to mention that Forbidden Journey has a single rider line. If one adult wants to check out the ride first, this is usually a fast way to do it. You do miss seeing most of the castle this way, though. (At least that's what my boys tell me; I refuse to go near the ride again!)

One thing I highly recommend is the interactive wands. They cost about $45 and you 'cast spells' in both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. (Basically making things in store fronts move with your spell.) Tons of fun!

 

[SnipsNSnails]

I would say FJ is scarier. The ride vehicle is different and tips you back etc. I was feeling a little queasy by the end. I could hold my 8 Yo son's hand not that he needed it. My 5 yo was too short but rode Gringotts. Both rides are intense. It's all relative though. My 8 yo was just fine with them but cried during Twister. If they are easily scared, they most likely won't care for either ride.

 

[kbelle8995]

FJ has tendency to throw one around a but. Gringotts does as well but not like FJ. I love Gringotts but can find FJ a bit intense. They are both great rides.

 

[nkereina]

Both rides are most definitely scary, (but so awesome!) but I did take my DD6 on Gringotts. The scariest parts are the initial drop and the characters (Voldemort and Bellatrix) coming out to get you, and I knew she could handle that. She has a good sense of make believe vs reality and I think Voldemort staring us down scared me more than her! With that said, I would imagine most 6 year olds would NOT enjoy it. But it is such a good ride, she agreed she wanted to try.

Forbidden Journey she skipped--the ride vehicle sort of separates each rider from the person sitting next to you. Picture speakers on small side walls surrounding your head (if that makes sense!). There was no way to check in or even hold her hand. On Gringotts I could reassure her and squeeze her leg and she could still see me. After we tested FJ, I knew she'd hate it. Definitely ride it first before putting your 6 year old on it!

Have so much fun!

Agree with this poster. I also agree that Star Tours is the least intense of Gringotts and Forbidden Journey.

Only thing I would add is that on Forbidden Journey, your feet are suspended and you have shoulder harnesses. The ride vehicle puts you back after take off and it feels like you're going to fall backwards. For the entire ride, the ride vehicle moves in these different ways (never goes upside down) but it's definitely a different sensation. For a child that was scared on Star Tours, this wouldn't be good.

Also, check YouTube. There may be some first person POV videos on there (they have a bunch of WDW rides). While it would spoil the ride for you by watching it, you'd at least see what it's like and know whether your kids can handle it.

 

[tommyjean]

Thank you all so much! I greatly appreciate all the advice!