Universal with a bad back

[Tink3815]

We have not been to Universal since 2012. Planning a Thanksgiving trip and getting an annual pass for the discounted hotel rate.
My husband has a bad back and neither of like roller coasters. Seems like there are a lot of simulator rides. Are they extremely bumpy? I’m talking bumpy and jerky like Dinosaur is in Disney.
Any suggestions for the rides that are calmer. What are the Harry Potter rides like?

 

[jdrum3]

Tricky question because you know your body and he knows his. There are not a lot of "Disney smooth" rides to be found at UO or IOA. I will say the experience in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley is amazing even without the rides. You can tour the ques without getting on the ride, just tell the TMs. Enjoy the shows, shops, and atmosphere. When I think of "Disney Smooth" I am thinking of Haunted Mansion, Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, Peter Pan, and Winnie the Pooh. I would label most rides at UO more like Dinosaur, Everest, Big Thunder as far as movement. Gringotts is a bit of a roller coaster and Forbidden Journey turns you upside down.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Hogwarts Express is very smooth (since, you know, it's a train).
The entirety of Seuss Land is smooth.
Kang & Kodos is smooth.
ET is smooth.
Jurassic Park river adventure is smooth, although it has that big ol' drop.
MiB is smooth, but does have spinning.
Jimmy Fallon is fairly smooth.
Kong is reasonable - like a bumpy off road Jeep ride. I have not been on Fast & Furious but I believe it is the same ride system.
Hagrids is quite smooth for what it is - but that said, it's a roller coaster for sure!
I understand there is stationary seating for Shrek & Minions.

Otherwise, it depends on your tolerance. Lots of rides are bumpy / jostle-y but not roller coasters (ie, Spiderman, Transformers, Simpsons, Forbidden Journey, Popeye barges).

Many roller coaster are in the category of "coasters, but fine for people who aren't really coaster people or don't like loops / drops". (Gringotts, Mummy, Hippogriff, Woody Woodpecker). Hagrids is on the cusp of that, but WORTH the ride if you are maybe on the fence, especially for Harry Potter fans. Mummy is the roughest out of these.

 

[Metro West]

Hogwarts Express is very smooth (since, you know, it's a train).
The entirety of Seuss Land is smooth.
Kang & Kodos is smooth.
ET is smooth.
Jurassic Park river adventure is smooth, although it has that big ol' drop.
MiB is smooth, but does have spinning.
Jimmy Fallon is fairly smooth.
Kong is reasonable - like a bumpy off road Jeep ride. I have not been on Fast & Furious but I believe it is the same ride system.
Hagrids is quite smooth for what it is - but that said, it's a roller coaster for sure!
I understand there is stationary seating for Shrek & Minions.

Otherwise, it depends on your tolerance. Lots of rides are bumpy / jostle-y but not roller coasters (ie, Spiderman, Transformers, Simpsons, Forbidden Journey, Popeye barges).

Many roller coaster are in the category of "coasters, but fine for people who aren't really coaster people or don't like loops / drops". (Gringotts, Mummy, Hippogriff, Woody Woodpecker). Hagrids is on the cusp of that, but WORTH the ride if you are maybe on the fence, especially for Harry Potter fans. Mummy is the roughest out of these.

Very good analysis.

 

[Tink3815]

Thank you , gives me the info I was looking for.

 

[ClapYourHands]

I personally do not like being jerked around, and all the simulator rides are rather jerky (Transformers, Spider-Man, Simpsons). Definitely do the stationary seating on Minions and Shrek (of the two, Minions has rather mild movement, but Shrek’s seating is unnecessarily rough, like it’s early generation 4-D, and just kind of primitive back and forth).

One thing I’ll say about Hagrid’s is that if you ride on the motorcycle, it’s a game changer. At least it was for me. When I rode in the sidecar, my back hurt from the jostling around (because it’s a rollercoaster), but because the motorbike allowed me to lean forward, my back didn’t hurt at all. I know lots of people prefer the bike seating because they think it’s a more fun experience, but I ride there because it’s nicer for my back. It might be worth a try.