Rate rides compared to Disney

[mom2girls29]

I could use some help preparing for our day at Universal. Our kids want to experience Harry Potter World. Could you compare the Harry Potter main attractions to Disney World rides so I have an idea about the level of intensity?Some of us can handle the Tower of Terror while Big Thunder Railroad scares others. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[johde]

I've not ridden Gringotts yet, but most reports would place the ride intensity between 7DMT and BTMRR it's mainly a visual thing. Forbidden Journey is a unique ride that can be best described as 1 part Soarin', 1 part Sum of all Thrills, and 1 part scarier "outside" part of haunted mansion. The ride vehicles are are very similar to the ride vehicles on Sum of All Thrills except their 4 person and move "slowly" on a track. The ride alternates between fast paced flying scenes projected on screens that fill your entire field of vision similar to Soarin' except these are small personal circular screens instead of one giant screen for all. Those alternate with physical scenes in the Forbidden Forest and Chamber of Secrets. Most of the intensity deals with the visual in the flying sequences causing motion sickness for people sensitive to those types of things.

 

[2girlsmom]

For what it is worth, and experiences vary, I have a ride chicken who will not ride ToT or RnR, Everest, etc. She does like BTMRR and 7 dwarves, so that's her level of "thrill" ride that she will tolerate. She does love simulator type rides (like Star Wars, for example), though, too. She likes Forbidden Journey, though she closes her eyes at some of the visually scary stuff (terrified of spiders so closes for those and stays closed through the dementors). She ADORES Gringotts, even though it moves much more like a coaster and is faster paced. At Universal she will also ride Mummy (only other coaster type ride she will do at USF) and the Hippogriff coaster (at IOA, generally considered a kids coaster though adults can and do ride), along with spiderman, Transformers, Despicable Me, Simpsons, etc. She will not even consider trying Hulk, Rip Ride Rockit, Doom Tower, Dragon Challenge.

 

[HM]

I'd say FJ is Soarin on steroids. Lots of swinging up and down and leaning back and forward. It's a very physical ride.
Gringotts is rougher, but doesn't swing you around quite as much. Lots of stops and starts to see action on screens, more like Mummy coaster...a rougher BTMRR.

I love FJ, but just like Gringotts.