Ride Advice for first-timer ride wimps

[RebeccaRabbit]

Hi all, this will be our first visit to Uni - we are super excited!

Have been to WDW several times and are pretty "wimpy" when it comes to big thrills and scary stuff. I was hoping some of you who have been to both Disney and Universal can compare and contrast the attractions for me a bit. Here are our issues:

Me (mom): hates spinning , big drops. Teacups, Everest, and Primeval Whirl are experiences I do not wish to repeat. I would not get on ToT or RnRC for any amount of money. BTMR, Soarin, and Pirates are totally my speed!

DD8: hates scary stuff. Haunted Mansion, Dinosaur, and that awful Bug thing at AK were bad experiences for her. Likes Pirates though. Some of her favorites were Mission Space (green), Sum of All Thrills, BTMR, Space Mountain (ugh), Barnstormer, Kali. Loves all the interactive stuff at Epcot pavilions.

DH: not as wimpy as the girls, will occasionally try something on his own, but not a big thrill junkie either.

So... give me some advice about what to try at Uni. We are most excited about the HP areas, of course. We'll have four days at the parks, so plan to take our time and just wander around and soak up the atmosphere, visit shops, etc. I'm betting DD will love the interactive wand & map stuff. But I'm concerned about the scariness factor with the rides. I'm guessing FJ is a bad idea, but how scary are Gringotts and HE, compared to Disney rides? I didn't really think HM was that scary, but DD *hated* it. She will be a year older this trip, so might handle things differently - I just want to be aware of relative scariness factor going into it.

Also, how do the following compare to Disney rides in terms of scariness and motion sickness potential: Simpsons, Despicable Me, Spiderman, MIB, Poseiden's Fury? Those are ones I have on my "maybe" list. It would help if you could share some details about what actually happens in them that's scary/nauseating. The descriptions I see online are so vague that they're not much help.

What I'm trying to do is come up with some sort of relative ranking, like Spidey is probably scarier for us than Gringotts, etc., so we can gradually work our way up the list when we're there, and just stop when we hit something that's "too much" for us wimpos.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

 

[macraven]

i can't remember my tips i posted in other newbie threads for first timers.

there have been some recents ones that had great suggestions.

check thru this forum and see if any of those apply to you.


it's hard for me to figure out if the rides i consider tame would not be for you.

at www.universalorlando.com, you can get the write up about the rides in the parks which might guide you in your decisions.

maybe watch a few of the movies that UO rides are based on would help you decide which ones wouldn't be scary for your kids.


i can suggest the RRR would not be the ride your family would enjoy.
it has speed, height and the fear factor..

 

[nighttowll]

So below is a comparison of Universal to Disney rides I did for another thread. This should get you started. I have the Universal attraction, and then the Disney equvilant beside it. I added notes on scariness to this where I could remember.

And you'll have to get someone to update you about Diagon Ally as that wasn't open yet my last trip.

IOA - Islands of Adventure

Seuss Landing:
Caro-Seuss-el - Prince Charming Carousel (with Seuss creatures to ride on)

The Cat in the Hat - Winnie the Pooh (plus some spinning) Less spinning than Teacups at Disney, but the same type of spinning. I think you can ask for a non-spinning ride vehicle.

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish - Dumbo (if someone was shooting those fire hoses at you while you rode)

The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride - People Mover (with a narrated story and more visually to look at) Could be scary if afraid of heights
If I Ran the Zoo - NA - interactive outdoor playground with splash sections

The Lost Continent:

Eighth Voyage of Sindbad Stunt Show - Indiana Jones Stunt Show

Mystic Fountain - similar to any of the "living" objects/places at Disney

Poseidon's Fury - NA - a dark tour through underground ruins that ends with a water / fire / light show – From your description this would be a big NO. You start off like you are on a tour of a dig site, and then the power goes out, and it is pitch black. It only goes downhill from there. The whole premise is that an evil god is after you because you’ve unleashed this curse, and that everybody is going to die or something like that. It’s corny and funny if you are old enough to realize it is all fake, but there were a number of hysterical children screaming in terror when I went. You’ve got loud noises, scary light effects, extremely dark rooms, an evil entity after you, a guide playing up the drama of this evil thing, and then to top it all off you have this huge battle at the end with a giant hologram of the evil guy.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade:

Frog Choir - Probably closest to Harmony Barber Shop minus instruments (just a short performance on a small stage of 4 people singing)
Flights of the Hippogriff - Barnstormer (very short kiddy coaster, a little tamer)

Dragon Challenge - NA - 2 intertwined inverted outdoor coasters that go upside down

Forbidden Journey - NA - closest to Spider-Man or Transformers if you rode in a Soarn'n type vehicle
This again I think would be a No. It is a very dark ride. Even if you sit right beside your child, you cannot see them or hold their hands. They will feel completely alone. There are lots of dementors, dragons, giant spiders, all attacking you. And to make it all worse your field of vision is very limited, so you cannot see if something is there until it pops up right beside you, and you can’t see your legs either which is what really creeps me out. You are flying over all these monsters and your legs are right by them, but you can’t see them! For me what you can’t see is scarier than what you can on this ride. You really feel like you are in the book or movie not a ride because you can’t see any ride aspects like walls or other vehicles.

Jurassic Park:

Camp Jurassic - Boneyard at AK (kids outdoor playground / climb area)

Jurassic Park River Adventure - Cross between Jungle Cruise and Dinosaurs (with a drop / splash at the end) Animatronic dinos could be scary to kids as well as the big drop at end.

Jurassic Park Discovery Center - Indoor interactive exhibits like at Epcot (indoor educational exhibits on Dinosaurs) not scary, really cool cute baby animotronic dino here as well.

Pteranodon Flyers - NA - sit down zip line type ride for younger kids, very high up if scared of heights, otherwise not scary.

Toon Lagoon:

Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls - Splash Mountain

Popeyes & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges - Kali River Rapids (much longer and much much wetter, you might as well have jumped in the pool with your clothes on, we wore ponchos and still got soaked, water comes from below, above, behind, and all around you. Kali is a tame baby in comparison.) Only scary if you are afraid of getting wet.

Me Ship, The Olive - NA - play area where you can shoot people floating by with water cannons

Marvel Super Hero Island:

Doctor Doom's Fearfall - Tower of Terror - (outdoor, very tame in comparison, only drops once) Still high enough to be scary if afraid of heights. I like it ok, and I hate ToT which I find painful, so ...

Storm Force Acceleration - Tea Cups (very mild X-men theming)

The Incredible Hulk Coaster - NA - outdoor coaster goes upside down

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man - NA - similar to FJ and Transformers, can’t remember how scary, sorry. But expect it to be an intense sensory experience with things happening all around you, lights, screens, animatronics, fire, etc. Ride vehicle is the same as Transformers, so if one makes you motion sick, the other probably will as well.


Universal Studios - Florida

Production Central:
Shrek 4-D - A Bug's Life or any other 4D theater show at Disney, kind of had a darker storyline than the other kids shows like the Minions, could be iffy. Sorry, can't remember details. I just remember it being kind of dark with some scary theming.

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem - NA - closest to any of the 3D/4D theater shows but if you were sitting in seats that moved similar to the Star Tours ride. Nothing really scary here unless the movie scares you. I also think there were a few non-moving seats available.

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit - NA - outdoor upside down coaster set to your choice of soundtrack

Transformers - NA - closets to Spider-Man or FJ
There are lots of big lifesize transfomers fighting (both 3d animatronics and on screens), things explode, real balls of fire come at you where you can feel the heat, loud noises go off, it is pretty intense. Motion wise it didn’t bother me, but I know it does some people.

New York:
Revenge of the Mummy - Cross between RnR and Dinosaur (indoor dark coaster with Mummy Storyline aspects to it) I’d say too scary. It is dark with scary Mummy movie aspects. I also thought it was very jerky and painful. It made me kind of sick. And we came to a very abrupt stop at one point which threw me forward very hard, something that didnt need to get squished, got squished, and that was the last straw for me. I don't do jerky rides.

Twister...Ride It Out - NA - indoor recreation of a tornado with real wind and rain. This can be intense. Some of the younger kids were scared because the wind is blowing stuff all over, knocking down big stuff, thunder, lightning, things coming at the audience the tornado picks up, etc.


San Francisco:

Disaster - similar to parts of the Backlot Tour (to the acting / filming part at beginning and some of the special effects parts during the tram ride; however, there is no tram or ride, you are suppose to be filming a disaster movie trailer which they play for you at the end, they take volunteers for parts, just like the Backlot Tour does as well.)


World Expo:
Men in Black Alien Attack - Buzz Lightyear but with scarier things to shoot at. I could see how kids could be scared of the aliens. They are just the aliens from the movies, though.

The Simpsons Ride - Star Tours (with fictional theme park setting, like you are riding through on the different rides) Haven’t gotten to do this yet, so not sure about how scary it is. I’d say if you can do Stars Tours, you should be fine motion sickness wise. They are the same ride vehicle. The storyline is you are riding the fictional Simpson theme park rides. Scariness factor would be some of those rides breaking down and taking you to hell.


Woody Woodpecker's KidZone:
Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster - Barnstormer (kiddy coaster)

Fievel's Playground - Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground (outdoor play area with same giant scaling, plus splash areas, and a small water raft slide)

E.T. Adventure - Peter Pan (but you sit on flying bikes) Is dark inside, but not pitch black, so the neon paint shows up, but not scary, unless you are afraid of heights.

Animal Actors on Location - Flights of Wonder (with more animals than just birds, dogs, cats, raccoons, otters, etc., they do a variety of different tricks, some audience participation parts for kids and adults as well)

Curious George Goes to Town - NA - interactive outdoor playground with splash sections

Hollywood:

Lucy: A Tribute - Walt Disney: One Man's Dream

Universal Orlando's Horror Make-Up Show - ? Have heard this is very gory and can scare small children. I have no desire to see a show on how to make a person look like their arm has been sawed off or the equivalent, so I’ve not seen how bad it actually is.

 

[marauder]

Comments based on nighttowll summary:
Simpsons could be scary to kids that don't realize it is just a ride. Simulation simulates a coaster that breaks down, including falling, and even going into hell. Could be scary.

All water rides - water rides at Universal are designed to get you extremely wet, not just a little splash like Splash Mountain. Don't ride unless you are prepared for jump in the pool style of getting wet.

Diagon Alley - Gringotts see description for Mummy, similar in that it is a indoor rollercoaster, but it goes from 3D/4D to 3D/4D screen. Sort of a cross between Mummy and Transformers. Of the two main HP rides it is more tame.

 

[RebeccaRabbit]

Thanks for all the helpful tips guys! I'm fairly new here but will be checking through past posts and trip reports as well, as you suggested Macraven.

Especially thanks for ALL that great info nightowll! That's super helpful. Comparing Uni rides to Disney really helps me get a better picture of what to expect.

Poseidon's Fury - NA - a dark tour through underground ruins that ends with a water / fire / light show – From your description this would be a big NO. You start off like you are on a tour of a dig site, and then the power goes out, and it is pitch black. It only goes downhill from there. The whole premise is that an evil god is after you because you’ve unleashed this curse, and that everybody is going to die or something like that. It’s corny and funny if you are old enough to realize it is all fake, but there were a number of hysterical children screaming in terror when I went. You’ve got loud noises, scary light effects, extremely dark rooms, an evil entity after you, a guide playing up the drama of this evil thing, and then to top it all off you have this huge battle at the end with a giant hologram of the evil guy.

OK, crossing that one off my list for sure! That sounds like exactly the kind of thing that scares the bejeepers out of my kid. Glad I found that out - from the description I read earlier I thought it was just a show that you watch involving water and fire special effects.

Production Central:
Shrek 4-D - A Bug's Life or any other 4D theater show at Disney, kind of had a darker storyline than the other kids shows like the Minions, could be iffy. Sorry, can't remember details. I just remember it being kind of dark with some scary theming.

Darn, this was one I was really hoping we'd like. Kind of surprised that it would be scary at all - just assumed it would be geared towards little kids, being Shrek and all. Phooey. We may try it and hope it's not too bad.

Comments based on nighttowll summary:
Simpsons could be scary to kids that don't realize it is just a ride. Simulation simulates a coaster that breaks down, including falling, and even going into hell. Could be scary.

My daughter does like the Simpsons a lot (despite some very dark and adult aspects of their humor...) - I'll put this on towards the middle and see how it goes.

All water rides - water rides at Universal are designed to get you extremely wet, not just a little splash like Splash Mountain. Don't ride unless you are prepared for jump in the pool style of getting wet.

Yes I've been warned about the getting soaked on nearly every ride at Universal thing! I guess there's no way to avoid it, as apparently ponchos don't help at all, lol. We'll try to do water rides last thing before heading back for a shower.

 

[johde]

If you're interested, you can see the entire preshow and movie of Shrek here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0Ya1OuemM0#t=98 . This is from Singapore so the external shots aren't of Orlando but the entire show is exactly the same. Yes it's dark but it's tongue and cheek dark.

 

[DPCummerbund]

It seems like the ride vehicles for Transformers, Spider-Man, Gringott's, and FJ give similar experiences - in terms of movement and the potential for motion sickness (per the OP's question, and my own interest) are they pretty much like Star Tours and Dinosaur?

 

[marauder]

It seems like the ride vehicles for Transformers, Spider-Man, Gringott's, and FJ give similar experiences - in terms of movement and the potential for motion sickness (per the OP's question, and my own interest) are they pretty much like Star Tours and Dinosaur?

There are no Disney equivalents to those rides. For Transformers and Spiderman think of a hanging ride like Peter Pan that bounces, goes much faster, even spins at times. The ride goes from 3D/4D screen to 3D/4D screen showing you different things. If you go on one of these it is the same as going on both of them, I have a feeling they follow the same exact track profile, just on one you see Transformers stuff and on the other you see Spiderman stuff.

Gringotts is the same as the above except instead of being in the hanging ride you are in an indoor rollercoster that goes from 3D/4D screen to screen. Of all the rides you list Gringotts is probably the tamest.

FJ you basically sit in a 4 person chair that gets turned in all directions except for upside down. No 3D/4D in this ride but you do have a mixture of audio animation type stuff and movie screens.

In degrees of motion sickness (of course different things cause different people different effects) I would rate the following in increasing motion sickness.

1) Gringotts
2) Transformers/Spiderman
3) FJ

 

[nighttowll]

OK, crossing that one off my list for sure! That sounds like exactly the kind of thing that scares the bejeepers out of my kid. Glad I found that out - from the description I read earlier I thought it was just a show that you watch involving water and fire special effects.

Nope, it is not a typical sit in your seat show. You actually stand the entire time. You walk from room to room trying to escape because you’ve been trapped. A different little part of the show happens in each room, culminating in the big water and fire finale you referenced at the end. The show takes place all around you. Think a 360 theater. I think that is part of what makes it so scary for kids because they don’t know which way to look. This was actually one of my favorite attractions, but I’d never recommend it to families with very young children, ones who scare easily, or who are afraid of the dark.

Something else I’d suggest is to look up the attractions you aren’t sure of on youtube. That way you can evaluate the attraction for yourself. Because kids are so unique it is really hard to tell someone else what may or may not scare their kid. For instance, my sister was terrified of It’s Tough to Be A Bug, but she rode Dinosaur no issues during the same trip.

It seems like the ride vehicles for Transformers, Spider-Man, Gringott's, and FJ give similar experiences - in terms of movement and the potential for motion sickness (per the OP's question, and my own interest) are they pretty much like Star Tours and Dinosaur?

I agree with Marauder's analysis. There really isn't a comparison. Disney has nothing that comes close to anything like these rides. That is what makes them so hard to describe.

I get motion sick on some rides. I'm fine on Star Tours. I can even do it multiple times. Dinosaur can get to me depending on where I am sitting and how many times I do it because of the jerking/shaking. It will not cause nausea but will give me a bad headache. Trasformers / Spiderman I'm fine on both of these, but I have heard other people say they bother them. FJ makes me very sick after only one ride.

The ride vehicle for FJ is one of those rollercoaster arms, like Sum of All Thrills at Epcot. Picture riding that but in front of the Soarin Screen. It swoops and sways fast in sync with the screen. This is what gets me the combination of the two. The ride switches back and forth between being in front of the screen and weaving in and out of physical props and sets. At first, I was able to just shut my eyes on the screen part to control the nausea and that seemed to help. However, it wasn’t long before that stopped working and the ride movement alone made sick. And this is one of those rides that made me sick for hours afterwards. The nasea and headache didn't go away when the ride stopped for me.

If you are prone to motion sickness, I'd just plan on taking Dramamine or getting a patch from your dr. The patches work best. That is my plan for my next trip. Better safe than sorry. There are just too many attractions at Universal that may cause motion sickness to leave it to chance.

 

[RebeccaRabbit]

If you're interested, you can see the entire preshow and movie of Shrek here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0Ya1OuemM0#t=98 . This is from Singapore so the external shots aren't of Orlando but the entire show is exactly the same. Yes it's dark but it's tongue and cheek dark.

Thanks Jeremy - I checked it out and it doesn't look too bad. I think she'll be ok with that. She's generally ok with slightly scary movies - there's a sort of distancing effect between you and the screen. It's different from being "inside" an experience.

I generally don't like watching ride-throughs before I go to the parks, because it sort of spoils the experience for ME! Watching it on youtube, the Shrek movie looks a bit dumb actually - more like an excuse to show off the 3d by throwing things in your face than a meaningful plot Oh well, maybe it will be better in person!

 

[marauder]

Thanks Jeremy - I checked it out and it doesn't look too bad. I think she'll be ok with that. She's generally ok with slightly scary movies - there's a sort of distancing effect between you and the screen. It's different from being "inside" an experience.

I generally don't like watching ride-throughs before I go to the parks, because it sort of spoils the experience for ME! Watching it on youtube, the Shrek movie looks a bit dumb actually - more like an excuse to show off the 3d by throwing things in your face than a meaningful plot Oh well, maybe it will be better in person!

Since you are taking a kid I would suggest watching the ride-through of the Simpsons ride (or going on it first.) Like I said it could be scary to any kids that don't realize that it is just a ride. The fact that the ride "breaks" half way through can unsettle kids that can't figure out the fact that the ride is breaking as a cartoon coaster, not a real coaster. Two years ago I took my then 4 year old and 8 year olds on it and they didn't have a problem since we specifically told them it was a ride, but I have heard of kids that had a problem with it. My kids didn't really want to go on it when we went in November, but they went on FJ, Mummy, Transformers, Spiderman, and Gringotts with no problem this time.

No reason to spoil things like Gringotts, FJ, or any of the other simulator rides. As you said, not everything in the ride-throughs simulates actually being there, you would have no idea what Bug's Life is really like without being in the theater.

 

[johde]

I'm going to agree with everyone else. Disney doesn't have anything directly comparable to Simpsons, Spiderman/Transformers, Forbidden Journey. Doing some looking on the internet, I tried to find some "spoiler free" videos of the ride vehicles at least in terms of storyline.

Simpsons- I would best describe Simpsons in Disney terms as a marriage of Star Tours and Soarin' . Basically take a smaller move nimble version of the Star Tours Vehicle and place it in front of the Soarin' Screen. Here's a promo video of the making of Back To the Future the ride that previously was housed in the area. It give a few looks at actual ride vehicle motions (and a few special effects motions). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93rnaVb-fd0

Spiderman/Transformers - My best Disney "marriage" is Dinosaur with added teacup action. The following is from a USA Special on the Making of Island of Adventure. The entire video is good especially for the "tech geek" types. I've cued it up to a point that focuses on the vehicles with minimal spoilers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=9rJqA4ivyQw#t=197

Forbidden Journey - as other have said, it takes the Kuka arms from Sum of All Thrills and puts them on a track. The video I have is from a breakdown near the end of the ride (to minimize spoilers). Being in "reset mode" the cars are stationary until almost the very end of the video where you can see them start to sway again. To the left of the riders is a 180 degree dome screen that the cars would normally be "parked" in. (that's why the area to the right is unthemed except during a breakdown that area is behind the riders in a dark room. The Domed screens rotate and the vehicle base travels at the same speed. The arm then normally put you in the middle of the screen with images surrounding you. These domed screens alternate with actual sets (like the one you see a bit of from the end of the ride).

 

[nkereina]

My best advice would be to research the attractions and watch YouTube videos before going. With many of the attractions being indoors, you don't know what to expect if you aren't familiar with the attraction.

Personally, I hate spinning on a ride and can be prone to motion sickness as a result of it. Men In Black had a few spins that made me cringe but it wasn't constant. Cat In The Hat had a few brief ones as well. I can also see where Forbidden Journey would do some people in, but I was OK on that one.

The big thing with Universal, as opposed to Disney, is that they have many rides that are 3D with screens and either a stationary seat or a moving ride vehicle that moves you around in conjunction with what's happening on the screen. The movement combined with watching the screen is enough to do some people in as well. I did OK on these but my palms got a little sweaty on the Simpsons and Transformers.

Also, the Dis Unplugged Podcast Universal Edition did a show back in the Fall on "Universal for the non-thrill seekers". It's worth listening to - lots of good advice there.

 

[hopemax]

As a reminder, if you do not feel your family is up to riding Forbidden Journey, ask to do "The Castle Tour" which will allow you to walk through parts of the queue which is an attraction in itself. If lines are short when you go (20 min or less), you could even just walk the queue, so you don't miss any part of the queue, and then when you see the "Hogwarts Student" in the Gryffindor Common Room directing people, ask for the exit, which will be a door on the left by the test car. Although if you're daughter is scared on HM, even that might be too much. It shouldn't be scary, in a scary way, but it is dark.

I think Gringotts should be okay, but I wouldn't make it the first attraction in case it's not. The beginning does have significant roller coaster "flavor." But think Pirates or BTMRR drop as opposed to Splash or Everest. The thrill is mostly the anticipation in your mind; the physical is actually pretty mild. And once you're past that, your elevation does go down, but it's not long, at a sharp angle, and it's really smooth. The car will spin between scenes, but it is a smooth rotation, low G forces, not like a Tea Cup at all.

Spiderman and Transformers, IMHO are very similar to Dinosaur. With the main difference being that the cars spin. More G forces in the spins than on Gringotts. But you don't spin and spin like the Teacups, it's in the transition areas to move you from one room to the next. Both provide visuals to make it seem like more is going on than really is. I know people that love these rides, but I always just end up feeling like it's a bouncier Indiana Jones ride (the ride in Disneyland, that uses the same vehicles as Dinosaur).

Forbidden Journey on the other hand is really, "you have to ride it to understand it." Because it's only a 4 person vehicle instead of a 12 person car like Dinosaur or how ever many people fit into a Star Tours cabin, you definitely feel more movement. There are screen elements to start, which like the Simpsons, a Star Tours vehicle in front of a Soarin screen are apt, but because you are moving laterally while this is happening, some people's bodies can't handle it and then the motion sickness comes in. Then there are other parts where you are riding through dark ride sets, but because of the range of motion on the Kuka arms, you aren't sure where you are going to turn next, it does put you on your back, and there are lots of different scary things to pop into your face...spiders, dementors, Whomping Willow.

 

[marauder]

Spiderman/Transformers - The following is from a USA Special on the Making of Island of Adventure. The entire video is good especially for the "tech geek" types. I've cued it up to a point that focuses on the vehicles with minimal spoilers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=9rJqA4ivyQw#t=197

Thanks for this link, hadn't seen that one yet. As a "tech geek" I find it very interesting. I thought it was a suspended ride, I guess the way the ride vehicle is loaded makes it look like it is on an overhead track or something like that. Also interesting to see how they did some of the effects.

 

[johde]

Thanks for this link, hadn't seen that one yet. As a "tech geek" I find it very interesting. I thought it was a suspended ride, I guess the way the ride vehicle is loaded makes it look like it is on an overhead track or something like that. Also interesting to see how they did some of the effects.

That was part of a 1/2 hour or hour long special on the park. If you click on the uploader of the video you can see the other segments. Unfortunately, I haven't found 1 YouTube file with everything yet.

 

[DPCummerbund]

I appreciate all the in-depth but spoiler-free information! I've watched POV videos for Hulk, RRR, and Dragon Challenge, as there's no story to spoil for any of those rides, and it's easy to get an idea of what to expect (personally, I'm leaning towards doing RRR and Dragon Challenge, but skipping the Hulk).

It's much harder to get a good idea of how the rides work and move when I'm unwilling to watch the videos and see the spoilers, so I appreciate those of you who chimed in. For me, I think I'm just going to try them, starting with FJ and Gringott's (what's the point of going all the way to Orlando to see Harry Potter, just to wonder whether I can really do them or not?)

My only other hesitation is ride length - I often find that I can put up with anything for just a few minutes, but have trouble for longer times (I've been fine with rough (but short) airline takeoffs, but have problems with longer rough landings). I think I can do rides like DC, which only takes about 60 seconds after going up the hill. From what I've read, though, FJ is about four minutes long, and Gringott's is under 5 minutes. That doesn't sound too bad, but they're both much longer than the coasters. Are there slower points on either ride that allow you to stop moving and catch your breath / reorient yourself, or is it pretty much movement the whole time?


I find this whole situation very frustrating. I'm not sure about the OP or others in this thread, but personally I'm not frightened or scared of riding any of these things, or bothered by heights or speed - I just don't want to get sick! Most jerky motion rides used to bother me (Indy at DL, Star Tours, etc.), but over time I have figured out how to ride them without queasiness (how to sit, what to hold onto, where to look, etc.), so I'm hoping that if I get enough info on the Universal rides I can do the same (before it's too late...)

 

[marauder]

DPCummerbund, Gringotts is very tame in comparison to FJ. Yes there is a little time during the Gringotts ride to regroup. My wife who easily gets motion sick was able to ride it and only got a small touch of motion sickness. Nobody else in our family had a problem.

FJ does not have any time to regroup during the ride. I get a little motion sick on it. Not as bad as Mission Space, orange version, but I still get some. My wife won't even ride this ride. I met up with someone on this trip and they had just rode on FJ and they had to go back to their hotel room they were so bad, they had no problem with Gringotts.

 

[nkereina]

DPCummerbund, Gringotts is very tame in comparison to FJ. Yes there is a little time during the Gringotts ride to regroup. My wife who easily gets motion sick was able to ride it and only got a small touch of motion sickness. Nobody else in our family had a problem.

FJ does not have any time to regroup during the ride. I get a little motion sick on it. Not as bad as Mission Space, orange version, but I still get some. My wife won't even ride this ride. I met up with someone on this trip and they had just rode on FJ and they had to go back to their hotel room they were so bad, they had no problem with Gringotts.

Gringott's is definitely easier on someone prone to motion sickness. I'm a bit prone to motion sickness - had a bad run in with it on Mission Space Orange. I did ok on FJ. Rode it twice. There was no spinning but the ride vehicle moves you side to side and up and down. Your feet hang. You may need to close your eyes if your movement combined with the screen makes you queasy. We felt it was one of the better rides in the park, so I do think it's worth trying if you're borderline like I am.

 

[nighttowll]

(personally, I'm leaning towards doing RRR and Dragon Challenge, but skipping the Hulk).

I'm not frightened or scared of riding any of these things, or bothered by heights or speed - I just don't want to get sick! Most jerky motion rides used to bother me (Indy at DL, Star Tours, etc.),

I am exactly the same way. I'm not scared of anything, but if the ride shakes, jerks, or throws me around too much, it just becomes painful and not fun anymore.

I'm fine on Everest sitting up front. I've rode it a number of times in a row and not had an issue, as long as I was up front. I can ride Manta at SW no problems as well.

However, I hated RRR. The kids thought it was fairly smooth, but I thought it was rough. My head kept banging against the back of the seat, and it hurt really bad. It got so bad that I finally put my hand between the seat and my head, so that my head would bounce against my hand instead of the seat. I couldn't wait to get off that thing. I looked like I was crying in the photo. I just can't take strong vibrations like that. It reminded me of those 4D movies you can do at Wonderworks where the seats jerk and vibrate. I can't handle those. I always end up with a really bad headache afterwards.

I never got the chance to try Hulk or Dragon Challenge, so I'm not sure how they compare. The kids rode all 3 and according to them Hulk was the jerkiest and RRR was the smoothest, so that wasn't very encouraging to me.

I haven't really heard many other people complain about RRR; though, so maybe it is just me. Has anyone else had any issues with RRR being jerky and kind of roughing you up? It was not a pleasant experience. It didn't really make me nauseated, it just gave me a very bad headache from throwing me around so much.