Harry Potter Ride For None Harry Fans.

[SanFranciscan]

I was not a Harry Potter fan, but my husband sure was. I think that he read at least almost all of the books, and I believe saw all of the movies. I have been hearing about the new ride for probably a year now, and it is even the lead story in one of the Sunday inserts sections of today's San Francisco Chronicle, which I haven't read yet but am planning to on the train going downtown so naturally I don't know what it says yet. I just know that Universal Orlando fans will be happy that the new attraction has gotten some positive PR this far west.

We have scheduled a trip to Disney World for right after Labor Day. If I may say the D word without getting my head chewed off around here, I have a question. We are thinking that over a ten-day period, we should take a break from Disney and check out other stuff for tourists. Has anyone here who was not a Harry Potter fan ridden the Harry Potter attraction? What did you think of it?

 

[derekburgan]

Can't imagine it would be any different than non-comic book fans riding Spider-man or even a guy like me riding the Cat in the Hat. A good ride is a good ride and being a fan of the source material only deepens the experience. From all accounts, it sounds like you'll really enjoy FJ, but he'll absolutely love it. My g/f isn't a comic book fan, but she thinks Spider-man is a blast to ride. For me, a lifelong Spidey fan, it was almost a dream come true the first time I walked through the queue and rode it.

 

[atigeg]

I have some basic familiarity with the HP concepts and characters but am not a big fan. I rode FJ today and loved it! Anyone can appreciate the motion and effects and like it for what it is...a great right using the newest technology. I think you'll enjoy the queue too although you won't understand all of the references.

 

[erincon23]

You know the Harry Potter thing isn't just one ride, like Men in Black or SpiderMan, right? It's a whole "world" with shops, attractions, food, etc.

 

[mpaxton8888]

Even if you aren't a HP fan, you will love the ride. It's a great piece of technology if nothing else, on par with the best Disney ride.

In my opinion the theming in WWOHP is on par with Disney even if the rest of the parks is not. They stepped this up.

 

[Disney Padawan]

I was not a Harry Potter fan, but my husband sure was. I think that he read at least almost all of the books, and I believe saw all of the movies. I have been hearing about the new ride for probably a year now, and it is even the lead story in one of the Sunday inserts sections of today's San Francisco Chronicle, which I haven't read yet but am planning to on the train going downtown so naturally I don't know what it says yet. I just know that Universal Orlando fans will be happy that the new attraction has gotten some positive PR this far west.

We have scheduled a trip to Disney World for right after Labor Day. If I may say the D word without getting my head chewed off around here, I have a question. We are thinking that over a ten-day period, we should take a break from Disney and check out other stuff for tourists. Has anyone here who was not a Harry Potter fan ridden the Harry Potter attraction? What did you think of it?

Since it's a while before labor day why don't you try watching the movies? There's a total of 6 right now and by the time you're done you'll have a better understanding of the world of Harry Potter. Just a thought.

BTW, Don't believe everything you read and go and see for yourself. Universal is on par with Disney, IOA is slightly better than anything they have and by all the reviews I keep reading WWOHP brings it up a couple of more notches.

 

[safetymom]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-podcast/ You might want to listen to the Universal Podcast. It will be released today.

I watched the first movie but don't think you need to be real familiar with Harry Potter to enjoy the area.

 

[brenda1966]

I'm wondering which movies one should see to get the most out of the ride? I have seen them all, but DD has not. Which ones should I make sure she sees before we go?

 

[damo]

I've heard 3 and 4.

 

[Disney Padawan]

I'm wondering which movies one should see to get the most out of the ride? I have seen them all, but DD has not. Which ones should I make sure she sees before we go?

At least 1-4 and if you have time you might as well watch 5 and 6.

 

[chimo2u]

I have some basic familiarity with the HP concepts and characters but am not a big fan. I rode FJ today and loved it! Anyone can appreciate the motion and effects and like it for what it is...a great right using the newest technology. I think you'll enjoy the queue too although you won't understand all of the references.

From a ride weenie, can you please answer for me: Was it Scary??? ie) upside down/ overly fast/bugs or other dark/creepy things??? I am trying to decide whether or not to go on this in August. My son is 14 and a big HP fan...he'll probably go on it, but I am having a hard time psyching myself up to try another "unknown" attraction! It took me forever to try EE, TOT, RnRC....I have since conquered my fear of those and CAN do them (although I admit I am not a huge fan of RnRC [I think it is a fear of the harness not staying locked in the loops!]......so far I have done RnRC quite a few times on my last 2 trips....but I really don't think I'll do it again this year due to my not really enjoying the ride.
I am now experiencing US for the first time and find myself scared of a lot of the attractions, due to the unknown factor (much like I was when first trying things at DW) Most notably.... Revenge of the Mummy and this FJ Harry Potter ride are causing me much anxiety. I also won't do the old DD attraction, due to my phobia of upsidedown loops and aggressive roller coasters!
I can see myself waiting on the sidelines for my son due to my anxiety/fear of rides! This is a trip for him and I, so I would like to be brave enough to enjoy some things with him at Universal!
If you could help by reviewing the ride with me and telling me what to expect, it might help me to evaluate whether or not I could handle it!
TIA
Marie

 

[safetymom]

The ride is intense. It moves you around all over the place. There are a few places where you are tipped pretty far back. You could always go through the queue and then not ride the ride.

 

[chimo2u]

The ride is intense. It moves you around all over the place. There are a few places where you are tipped pretty far back. You could always go through the queue and then not ride the ride.

Thanks Safetymom Knowing myself, I think that's probably what I will need to do. I wish I wasn't such a chicken!
Anyone else done this ride? Reviews?
TIA again!

 

[safetymom]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/podcast/round...sal-june10.mp3

You might want to listen to this weeks Podcast.

 

[inkkognito]

That was written by me under my husband's screen name. I'm a thrill ride lover but I will try to describe it for the faint or heart. It's not fast since it's on a robot arm, but it is very intense in a tilting and tipping motion kind of way. Imagine riding a chair attached to one of those car-building robots. It has the ability to go upside down but does not...the most is lying completely on your back.

The shoulder harnesses are very secure...I can speak from experience as we broken down for about 10 mins. lying on our backs and I was trying to squirm around to see the mechanics and other ride vehicles No way we were going to slip out! The safety systems on coasters, robot arm rides, etc. are amazing. But you don't get smashed in the loops like you do (or at least I do) on something like Rock N Roller Coaster.

If you can psych yourself to get on it, I suspect you will quickly get distracted from your anxiety with so much going on. There is literally action from start to finish and it totally immerses you in the Potter world. I've ridden 5 times and looked at all 5 of my pictures...usually I look kind of bored on rides, but on every one you can see my shock/fascination/total look of engrossment (I think they take it by the dementors).

I hope you decide to give it a try. I think it sounds a lot worse scary ride-wise than it really is. It's not so much a thrill ride it terms of dropping you and whipping you around as it is in terms of the overall effects. Think of it as sitting in a Soarin' type chair and going through something like Spiderman (but also with animatronics) on a robot arm. That's about the closest I can describe it.

From a ride weenie, can you please answer for me: Was it Scary??? ie) upside down/ overly fast/bugs or other dark/creepy things??? I am trying to decide whether or not to go on this in August. My son is 14 and a big HP fan...he'll probably go on it, but I am having a hard time psyching myself up to try another "unknown" attraction! It took me forever to try EE, TOT, RnRC....I have since conquered my fear of those and CAN do them (although I admit I am not a huge fan of RnRC [I think it is a fear of the harness not staying locked in the loops!]......so far I have done RnRC quite a few times on my last 2 trips....but I really don't think I'll do it again this year due to my not really enjoying the ride.
I am now experiencing US for the first time and find myself scared of a lot of the attractions, due to the unknown factor (much like I was when first trying things at DW) Most notably.... Revenge of the Mummy and this FJ Harry Potter ride are causing me much anxiety. I also won't do the old DD attraction, due to my phobia of upsidedown loops and aggressive roller coasters!
I can see myself waiting on the sidelines for my son due to my anxiety/fear of rides! This is a trip for him and I, so I would like to be brave enough to enjoy some things with him at Universal!
If you could help by reviewing the ride with me and telling me what to expect, it might help me to evaluate whether or not I could handle it!
TIA
Marie

 

[Disney Padawan]

Thanks Safetymom Knowing myself, I think that's probably what I will need to do. I wish I wasn't such a chicken!
Anyone else done this ride? Reviews?
TIA again!

Don't be afraid dear, once you conquer it, you'll love it!!!!

My fiance was such a chicken when I first met her now she rides everything. You'll be able to handle the Mummy and FJ, they're just rides and by what you've already been on, these will be walks in the park. Just do it and you'll see how much better you will feel afterwards.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Can't imagine it would be any different than non-comic book fans riding Spider-man or even a guy like me riding the Cat in the Hat. A good ride is a good ride and being a fan of the source material only deepens the experience. From all accounts, it sounds like you'll really enjoy FJ, but he'll absolutely love it. My g/f isn't a comic book fan, but she thinks Spider-man is a blast to ride. For me, a lifelong Spidey fan, it was almost a dream come true the first time I walked through the queue and rode it.

I would agree with this. A lot of the rides at Universal, I don't know the movies and stories they're based on very well at all. I know very little about Spiderman, I've seen the live action movies, but don't even remember them that well, and thought that was one of the best rides there. Same with the Mummy, never saw that movie at all, and thought that ride was awesome.

Maybe you could just watch the first Harry Potter movie before your trip if you're worried about it. And that would help explain the shops.

 

[chimo2u]

Don't be afraid dear, once you conquer it, you'll love it!!!!

My fiance was such a chicken when I first met her now she rides everything. You'll be able to handle the Mummy and FJ, they're just rides and by what you've already been on, these will be walks in the park. Just do it and you'll see how much better you will feel afterwards.

Thank you I am already beginning to re-think my "chicken exit" strategy.... it's a once in a lifetime opportunity afterall, and I HAVE managed TOT, SM, RnRC, Splash Mountain, EE.....all multiple times. EE and now, TOT are 2 of my favourite rides (TOT became a fave after FINALLY getting up the nerve to try it last Sept). I think I may just get on and try it! (like I did with RnRC [pulled down the harness before I could chicken out and change my mind!]) So....it's not like I am about to do the Hulk, it's a similator ride, the animatronics are fake and I think if I just give it a go, I might just end up feeling really good that I didn't let fear ruin what might be a fun experience!

 

[Disney Padawan]

Thank you I am already beginning to re-think my "chicken exit" strategy.... it's a once in a lifetime opportunity afterall, and I HAVE managed TOT, SM, RnRC, Splash Mountain, EE.....all multiple times. EE and now, TOT are 2 of my favourite rides (TOT became a fave after FINALLY getting up the nerve to try it last Sept). I think I may just get on and try it! (like I did with RnRC [pulled down the harness before I could chicken out and change my mind!]) So....it's not like I am about to do the Hulk, it's a similator ride, the animatronics are fake and I think if I just give it a go, I might just end up feeling really good that I didn't let fear ruin what might be a fun experience!

There you go!!! You should never let fear rule any aspect of your life.

Now, this may be asking a little too much but since you've been on so many other thrilling rides already, why don't you also try Hulk or Dragon's Challenge? Is it because they're out in the open and seem more intimidating that way? If you like EE then you'll love these, THEY ARE NO BIG DEAL.

I'll tell you my fiancée was such a big chicken and use to almost cry if she thought to go on one. So one day I asked her if she was afraid of heights and she said a little. Then I asked her if she's ever been on a coaster and she said yes. Her first was Gwazi at Busch Gardens during a School field trip. ( She was "forced" to go by her friends.) I told her Gwazi is pretty impressive for a first and asked her why she didn't like them. " It was too high, scary and it hurt." she said. Then I taught her what my older brother taught me when I was little and it "hurt." "You just scream and let it out and don't hold your breath and you'll see that it won't hurt." She was a bit shy back then and didn't want to scream and I said as long as you exhale and don't hold your breath you'll be fine. So I took her to Busch Gardens again for two days and the whole 1st day we spent looking at animals and doing mild rides and such. I remember it was 5 minutes before closing and I asked her "are you ready to do a coaster?" We we're nearby Phython (a small 100 feer or so tripple corkscrew coaster, very short and tame.) she was nervous as heck and when we finally got on, it was just the 2 of us front row!!! "Remember what I told you." I said. "Breathe, don't close your eyes and try to have fun." "WOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!" is all I heard and when it was over she exclaimed how much fun it was and the next day she was able to do all the coasters multiple times.

Now of course, she loves them all. She no longer has that fear and is happy to tackle anything cause she understands that it's all for fun. We've been all over the US just to try out theme parks and she's ridden every ride that's come her way. (Even the 400+ feet Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point which even looked intimidating to me. )

You always have to crawl before you walk and believe me it sounds like you were ready a long time ago. I know that you can handle Hulk and DC. Don't give in to your fear, just do it and you'll feel so much better for it and I'm sure you'll love them!

Just think, if you do this, you'll never have to call yourself a chicken again.

Well, at least not a coaster chicken anyway. You can do this. I know you can!

 

[chimo2u]

There you go!!! You should never let fear rule any aspect of your life.

Now, this may be asking a little too much but since you've been on so many other thrilling rides already, why don't you also try Hulk or Dragon's Challenge? Is it because they're out in the open and seem more intimidating that way? If you like EE then you'll love these, THEY ARE NO BIG DEAL.

I'll tell you my fiancée was such a big chicken and use to almost cry if she thought to go on one. So one day I asked her if she was afraid of heights and she said a little. Then I asked her if she's ever been on a coaster and she said yes. Her first was Gwazi at Busch Gardens during a School field trip. ( She was "forced" to go by her friends.) I told her Gwazi is pretty impressive for a first and asked her why she didn't like them. " It was too high, scary and it hurt." she said. Then I taught her what my older brother taught me when I was little and it "hurt." "You just scream and let it out and don't hold your breath and you'll see that it won't hurt." She was a bit shy back then and didn't want to scream and I said as long as you exhale and don't hold your breath you'll be fine. So I took her to Busch Gardens again for two days and the whole 1st day we spent looking at animals and doing mild rides and such. I remember it was 5 minutes before closing and I asked her "are you ready to do a coaster?" We we're nearby Phython (a small 100 feer or so tripple corkscrew coaster, very short and tame.) she was nervous as heck and when we finally got on, it was just the 2 of us front row!!! "Remember what I told you." I said. "Breathe, don't close your eyes and try to have fun." "WOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!" is all I heard and when it was over she exclaimed how much fun it was and the next day she was able to do all the coasters multiple times.

Now of course, she loves them all. She no longer has that fear and is happy to tackle anything cause she understands that it's all for fun. We've been all over the US just to try out theme parks and she's ridden every ride that's come her way. (Even the 400+ feet Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point which even looked intimidating to me. )

You always have to crawl before you walk and believe me it sounds like you were ready a long time ago. I know that you can handle Hulk and DC. Don't give in to your fear, just do it and you'll feel so much better for it and I'm sure you'll love them!

Just think, if you do this, you'll never have to call yourself a chicken again.

Well, at least not a coaster chicken anyway. You can do this. I know you can!

Thank you so much for the encouragement I think when I really analyze it....I am scared of the loops and the g-forces. I know Hulk is out of my league....WAY too intimidating for me!! I JUST did my first upside down coaster with RcN RC in 2008. That was a major ordeal. I think the fact I did the loop in the dark helped me. I can't say I love it....but I can say I did it though!

I LOVE EE....my husband had to talk me through every turn on this one the first time I rode it! Afterwards, I really didn't know what scared me in the first palce as I loved it.

Funny enough, I really don't like Space Mountain. I think it is the dark, craziness of it. I can do it if need be, but I really don't have fun on it. I may just try it again this summer since I haven't done it since the ReHab.

I also am scared of the unknown. I talked myself out of trying TOT our first trip to Disney due to the fear of the unknown!!!

Dueling Dragons at US has intrigued me...but once again, it is the loops/g-forces that worry me. I don't want to be scared out of my mind! I don't want to regret getting on and then not being able to get off if I panic. I really am a scardey cat when it comes to the unknown!! I also don't like creepy crawlies. so....the spiders/bug/dementors thing creeps me out when I think of FJ and ROTM. I will definitely have to talk myself onto those 2 rides, perhaps even just jump on them before I have a chance to overthink it!!! I am thinking it will take nerves of steele for me to conquer these! We shall see