Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter

[SueM in MN]

There is a lot of information available about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but not a lot related to accessibility for the various attractions.

This thread is set up to gather some of the kind of information and I would like people to share what they find out about attractions in the Harry Potter area, in terms of things like:

1. are there ride restrictions, such as height, weight, health concerns
2. setup of the queues and available accommodations (NOTE: these may change based on how busy the area is and the needs of the guest)
3. conditions in the queues, such as temperature, darkness, distance, stairs, accessibility, 'scary things' (like spiders), noise, how 'close' the line feels (potential for claustrophibia)
4. the ride cars, such how many guests can ride in the same car, type of seating, restraints, can you see other members of your party, potential for claustrophibia
5. boarding process, such as steps up or down into the ride car, moving walkway, amount of light in boarding area, amount of time available to board
6. wheelchair accessible car - if there is one, is it power or only manual wheelchair accessible; if no accessible ride car, how close can wheelchair be parked and where will it be after riding
7. ride motions - slow vs fast, choppy vs smooth, small amount vs extreme motion, rider control of some motion vs rider without any control
8. ride potential for motion sickness
9. ride noise level and general 'scariness' of the attraction
10. ride effects, such as flashing lights, smoke, scents

In general, anything you think might be helpful to someone else in deciding whether it would be appropriate for them to visit the Wizarding World or which attractions might be appropriate.

 

[SueM in MN]

THIS WAS POSTED BY phamton, on another thread today (July 25, 2010) and may change as things settle down with the first visitors to Harry Potter's Wizarding World.
phantom works at Universal and is a Moderator on the DIS Site's Universal Park threads.

Universal Studios does offer GAP (Guest Assistance Passes).

Universal has GAP (Guest Assistance Passes). You do not need a doctor's note. Just be able to tell them what assistance you need at Guest Services.

Both parks are ADA compliant and, as such, are wheelchair accessible.

There are several types of GAP offered:

Stroller as a wheelchair (you can take your stroller right through the line without transferring to a wheelchair)

Show GAP (Special seating at shows--usually right up front for visually or hearing impaired)

Stairs GAP (for those rides that have stairs in the queue, you can use the elevator)

Familyroom GAP (where you wait in an airconditioned room with a few other family members while the rest of your family goes through the queue--then you join them at the front of the line)

Express GAP which is essentially like a fast pass at Disney all day (6 people maximum)

VIP Gap (back door access--mostly for Make a Wish Kids or Give Kids the World)

At this time GAP is not offered at Forbidden Journey. As of July 25, 2010
I don't know how many of you saw the picture of opening day for Harry Potter. If you haven't seen it, take a look here: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...postcount=3456 This should give you some idea just why at this time, no special accomodation can be made for anyone including the VIP tours and also no front of the line for onsite hotel guests either. The crowds will die down in a few weeks. The lines are now doable if you go the last hour before park closing. It is almost walk on closer to park closing time. Once the crowds die down somewhat, I am sure that both GAP and onsite front of the line passes will be offered. There is a family room at all of the rides, including Forbidden Journey. It is inside and air conditioned at all of the rides. This is available for anyone who has an autistic child. The one at Forbidden Journey is only being used for child swap right now and not for GAP. One reason why is because right now the line for Harry Potter is routed behind some rides (almost backstage). It is not possible to walk around everyone just to get to the Family Room because of how the line is routed through the park. (They have to route the line this way so that the line doesn't block the ride entrance to all of the other rides in the park. It would be a major traffic jam in the park if they let the lines go through the park.)

Once there is an express line, you would be able to enter there for the GAP so you could wait in the family room. Since there is only one line now and no express line offered, there is just no way to get through the crowds so that you could even enter the family room. It's going to take some time for the ride to offer express or GAP. Even the single rider line isn't available until you are already inside the castle area which is almost the end of the line.

I'm not sure that I have explained this very well. You almost have to see the line to appreciate how difficult any kind of GAP or express could be utilized at this time. It's almost impossible to believe the number of people in line for this ride. It's like nothing I have ever seen before. I just thought the lines were long for Toy Story Mania and Soarin' when they opened.

 

[SueM in MN]

Harry Potter Forbidden Journey Ride.

This is a picture of Epcot's Sum of All Thrills ride, which apparently uses the same basic technology as the Harry Potter Forbidden Journey ride.

This is a picture of the test seats for Forbidden Journey that is posted on the wdwinfo part of the DIS site:

Although the Epcot Sum of All Thrills ride has a hood in front, where the scene is projected, Forbidden Journey does not have a hood.
From videos I have seen, it looks like there are times when you are flying in complete or near complete darkness, possibly inbetween projection areas.
There are actually quite a few youtube videos, but they are mostly very dark. Here are links to some:

Video 1: Very dark, but show the whole ride and it sounds pretty scary

Video 2: Stuck on Harry Potter with the lights on. I can see why someone would be afraid if it stopped.

Video 3: Still very dark, but maybe a little more in focus at times than some of the others.

Video 4: Shows the boarding area (Room of Requirement) during a ride shut down, so the person filming had some time to look around. It's dark, but looks you can see the ride cars are attached in groups of 4 seats.

 

[SueM in MN]

General Wizarding World of Harry Potter information

This is a link to the DIS site's information about the area on the wdwinfo website.
It includes a general overview and some videos.

 

[Selket]

When we were there about 4 weeks ago (end of June) they were definitely allowing people to use a GAP card to ride the Forbidden Journey ride. We toured with a family friend who had obtained a card based on her needs and she used it one afternoon to ride FJ. They gave her a return time of 2 hours or so (they wrote a time on her card it seemed to me). When we returned, she showed the card to the people working there and they directed us to an elevator. After going up in the elevator we were taken onto the ride without waiting.

This was shortly after FJ opened and just before the 4th of July - very busy time. Did they actually stop allowing the GAP to be used on this ride?

Even so, it was a toll for her to get back to the HP area - extremely crowded and hot and no place to sit and wait. We had to go back to the Seuss area to find a place cool enough to wait.

As for the ride itself - there is no hood but you cannot see the people next to you except for their knees and legs - you can hold hands though. If you happen to peer outside and down at some points in the ride you will see that you are rather high up in the air being moved around by this robotic arm - very freaky looking. It never felt like I was all that high up (unlike Soarin - you know exactly how high you are going on that cause you see beforehand). The seats feel very secure. They are times that the seats lie back - so you are on your back - but it was very smooth and comfortable. Good to warn young kids about though.

 

[SueM in MN]

From what phantom wrote and from what some posters have written on the Wish Tripper's thread, whether or not the GAP is available to be used on Forbidden Journey is a day to day thing, based on how busy it is and how they are needing to route the queue. It sounded like, at times, the queue needs to be routed in a way that makes certain odarions not possible.
It also sounds like sometimes Universal is not allowing their own front of the line pass.

It sounds like things change, even from hour to hour.

 

[Selket]

It also sounds like sometimes Universal is not allowing their own front of the line pass.

It sounds like things change, even from hour to hour.

Well that sounds like a confusing issue! I just wanted to add that with the card - to get to the elevator - we went through the front door of the castle like all riders do - then we immediately left the que to get on an elevator. An employee was standing there directing people. There was none of the issue of going by the child swap area or "through the back" way to get to the family room - as mentioned it wasn't being used for the GAP. There was no alternate entrance for GAP riders but there was no wait as you got on the elevator before you really went into the que (after the locker area).

This entrance was easily accessible for anyone I would think as long as they can ride an elevator. If you needed to have the moving belt stopped to get on the ride they were suggesting that you come back at the end of the day (they would give you another time stamp) because they weren't going to "stop the belt" until the end of the day.

I do agree with the advice to not visit if you really want to do the HP area and you need a GAP to experience it. The crowds were just phenomenal. As I mentioned in another thread - it may be doable if you stay at one of their on-site hotels (or perhaps through a special HP package) and get the "early entrance." Compared to WDW there seems to be no shade and zero places to sit. My DH doesn't ride many things and he ended up sitting on the pavement in the HP area - it was hard to even find shaded pavement!

 

[JennyDrake]

My GF Cathy went two weeks ago on a weekday. She is 5'5" and 325#, she also has a few anxiety issues, but overall handles things well. She said the crowds were HORRENDOUS and anyone with significant anxiety issues should not even TRY it. There was over an hour wait just to get IN to the WWoHP. Once inside, the shortest wait for ANYTHING was 45 minutes (rest room & counter service.) She said she could not possibly fit on 3 of the attractions. There are ride vehicles you can "test" but she said they are right out in front of God and everyone. She said there is nothing to bltanatly indicate "Hey, you might not fit, so try this out" and she encountered several very unhappy people who had made it all the way to the boarding area (2 hours) only to find they could not fit in.

 

[Laurensmom2004]

Just wanted to add our experience real quick!
Just got back from my little one's wish trip week before last. So..... the actual day we went to WWOHP was July 23rd i think! Lauren (wish kiddo) and dad hung back in Seussland while my daughter -Jordan who's 15- and I went to check it out. It was very crowded but not as bad as I've read. The wait for the stores was toooooooooo long so we skipped those and went straight to the castle. I had read on here that the GAC wasn't helping many ppl here. Jordan said Mom you have to try lol...even tho we didn't have Lauren with us...I was still told to use if for Jordan too b/c well this is supposed to be special for her as well right?? So I went past the line and approached the guy working the line......I asked if he could help us and he saw the pass around my neck and said absolutely!! He LED US to the very front straight into the castle. I couldn't believe it! So we loved looking around the castle...it's so great. Then we came to the ride...I wasn't too sure about it ugh. I can't handle being off the ground lol. But we got strapped in with no problems at all and away we went. For the tiny part that my eyes were open lol it was amazing. Jordan loved it! So we got lots of pics and were able to get a tshirt right away at one of the souvenir carts.
Definitely something to see!!!!!!!!!

 

[inkkognito]

FJ has a separate loading platform for wheelchair people who need assistance (no wheelchair accessible cars tho'). My husband was diverted into it one day when he rode as a single rider. Unfortunately he didn't have his camera with him so he did not get photos, but think DL's Space Mountain or TSM at WDW. That way you can take all the time you need to board/get off.

 

[dclfun]

I live in Orlando and have no desire to visit the Harry Potter attraction until the major hoopla dies down and until it's not so unbearably hot. I will have a long wait. I also plan to book an onsite hotel when we do go- I already know I won't be able to actually ride on anything but I still want to see as much as possible and hopefully, eventually, the FOTL you get with the onsite hotels will some day be possible. Right now with the searing heat I can't imagine anyone,disabled or not, being able to comfortably manage these attractions. There are some brave souls out there!---Kathy

 

[lilwhiterabbit]

I'm assuming if there's an elevator for mobility issues the regular queue has stairs? I'm okay with standing in line with my rollator, but stairs are right out. Do you need a Guest Assistant Pass to use the elevator or will they let anyone in a wheelchair/ECV/walker/etc. use it?

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm assuming if there's an elevator for mobility issues the regular queue has stairs? I'm okay with standing in line with my rollator, but stairs are right out. Do you need a Guest Assistant Pass to use the elevator or will they let anyone in a wheelchair/ECV/walker/etc. use it?

According to the ADA if you need an accessible path to avoid a non-accessible part of a line with a mobility device, they can't require proof ( such as a GAC ) to use it.

 

[Liv2CdWorld]

I'm concerned. Directly from Universals site:

Guests must remove prosthetic legs or feet before riding Dragon Challenge™, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™ or Pteranodon Flyers® to prevent hazards or loss due to ride forces.

I'm concerned because my DS11 has very much been looking forward to riding FJ (and so have I). I've ridden Sum of all Thrills with him (the extreme upsidedown version) and didn't have an issue. I've got a prosthetic leg and rode DC (before it's name change). I've never had to remove my leg. So - has anyone here with a prosthetic limb been turned away from the FJ?

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm concerned. Directly from Universals site:

Guests must remove prosthetic legs or feet before riding Dragon Challenge™, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™ or Pteranodon Flyers® to prevent hazards or loss due to ride forces.

I'm concerned because my DS11 has very much been looking forward to riding FJ (and so have I). I've ridden Sum of all Thrills with him (the extreme upsidedown version) and didn't have an issue. I've got a prosthetic leg and rode DC (before it's name change). I've never had to remove my leg. So - has anyone here with a prosthetic limb been turned away from the FJ?

No one with a prosthetic limb has mentioned anything about those attractions yet.
I do know they have some very strict safety guidelines for guests with disabilities about their attractions. Since the Harry Potter attractions stuff was just written, I assume they would stick to it, at least at this point.

 

[KPeveler]

I'm concerned. Directly from Universals site:

Guests must remove prosthetic legs or feet before riding Dragon Challenge™, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™ or Pteranodon Flyers® to prevent hazards or loss due to ride forces.

I'm concerned because my DS11 has very much been looking forward to riding FJ (and so have I). I've ridden Sum of all Thrills with him (the extreme upsidedown version) and didn't have an issue. I've got a prosthetic leg and rode DC (before it's name change). I've never had to remove my leg. So - has anyone here with a prosthetic limb been turned away from the FJ?

I think the HP rides have your legs dangling with nothing under them - I know at Busch Gardens on any rides like this you have to remove prosthetic legs. Extreme coasters at disney all have something under your feet, so I assume these would be safer than one with your feet loose...

As Sue said, I would assume they would stick pretty closely to the rules.

 

[Liv2CdWorld]

Thank you for the responses. I should have mentioned that I'm above knee. The leg is belted on and in know way can come off. It bends just fine and as mentioned, I've been on Sum of All Thrills with it and gone upside-down

Guess I'll find out when I get there

 

[RaySharpton]

I don't know if this is appropriate to post this on this board, but I have been thinking about going to Universal, too.

I haven't been in over a decade or longer. Way before Islands of Adventure opened.

And I don't really expect to ride all of the rides, but I would like to ride the ones that I can.

And I guess that I would just like to visit both Universal parks again after a decade.

I have never seen the Terminator show before. That's how long it has been.

And I would like to ride around and see everything.

Mr. Kelly Monaghan is offering a new 2011 edition offered at a great, half or more price of only $7.98. Including free shipping and tax. It includes information on the new Wizards attraction, too.

Sure beats Amazon even with free shipping. And you don't have to purchase at least $25.00 like you do on Amazon to get free shipping.

The link to the book by Kelly Monaghan is listed below in his quote below.

I don't know how long this deal is for, but I just bought one.

He said they should in individuals by the end of August to individual and by mid August from the printers to him.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2520087

Post #23.

The 2011 book is at the printer! It's completely redesigned inside and out, contains the first eyewitness account of WWoHP, and has 16 pages of color photos.

There's a half-price, pre-publication special available at:

http://www.intrepidtraveler.com/store/uoadvance/

The book should ship by mid-August.

I also saw on another thread that some Costco stores (not online) are selling three day tickets for $135.00 that don't expire until December "2013". Several posters said that they saw them at their Costco and others did not and none saw them online.

Here is a link to that thread.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2529922

Post #1

Was at our local Costco today (VA) and saw they now have 3 day passes for sale for $135. Too bad they were not selling them for our July trip. Hopefully someone else can take advantage.

Another poster in the same thread that actually bought a ticket described what the ticket lookes like that she bought when she went to her Costco store in the post below. Again, several posters said that they saw them at their Costco and others did not and none saw them online.

Post #29

DH bought one today. I didn't see the packaging, but on the actual ticket I have the front says
Universal Orlando Multi-Day Ticket
Universal Orlando and Universal Islands of Adventure
Guest First and Last Name (please Print)

Guest Signature Required

(Guest counter signature is required for each visit.
It also states Photo ID required

Back:
Has Costco on it, states "this ticket is valid for both Universal and Islands for the length of this ticket" Valid any three days until 12/31/2013.
3 day +PTP . Access to both parks per day-CW included
There is a barcode.

We will be using this Sunday. It is a great deal since we are only doing 1, maybe 2 days and will be back before 2013. If you are planning on going before then I would start to buy these. I was going to buy the Mapleleaf tickets, but they would expire now, and we only plan only the 1 or 2 days so this gives us a future day also.

There is no designation of adult or child on Tix.
Hope this answers a lot of questions.

Another poster showed a picture of the cardboard ticket to pick up at Costco to take to cashier.

Post #48

This is what you are looking for at Costco.

And another poster said, that the Georgia and Florida Costco store may restart selling their three month tickets in the same thread later this year. But this was a maybe. But three days for three months for about $100.00 is pretty good.

Post #37

I don't want anyone in the area to get too excited over this and wait but: sometime in the future the FL & GA Costco's are going to sell passes. Last year our local Costco's sold a 3 month pass for $89.99 they stopped selling them a few months before Harry Potter opened up. I've been told that they're getting ready to sell these again, most likely between $99-$109. This may not happen until after Haloween or maybe 1st quarter next year. (Jan-Apr.)

The 3 month countdown starts when you activate them at the park, it does expire (probably 2012) and from what I recall, there's no black-out dates.

I'll keep you guys and gals posted when I get more info on this pass.

I guess if anyone wants a great book about Universal by a great author like Mr. Kelly Monaghan, this is the deal to go for. No driving to the book store. Cheaper than a used book. Shipped free.

 

[blessedmom4]

I guess if anyone wants a great book about Universal by a great author like Mr. Kelly Monaghan, this is the deal to go for. No driving to the book store. Cheaper than a used book. Shipped free.

Thank you for posting this. I know NOTHING about US, other than what I have read on the DIS boards, this should help me navigate my way next year.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Mr. Kelly Monaghan is offering a new 2011 edition offered at a great, half or more price of only $7.98. Including free shipping and tax. It includes information on the new Wizards attraction, too.

Thank you. I think Kelly Monaghan does a great job writing Central Florida travel guides! I'm off to buy this one!