Wands vs. Forbidden Journey

[chocovrdmicears]

We are heading to IOA on May 21st - (shhh- surprising the kids) - the two MUST do's for them ( and every other person visiting HPW, I am sure) are The Forbidden Journey and the Wand store.
1.We will be there when the Park opens - should we do the Wand thing first, then Forbidden Journey?
2. I cannot do simulator rides (Star Tours and Simpsons destroy me) - so I am thinking that I should skip this ride...so..
Can I get in line for the Wand thing while my kids and husband go on the ride? Or will I get in big trouble when they join me in line?

Or if I even think I might be ok to ride this (would love to try!) - then back to question #1.


We have never been to IOA - so any help would be greatly appreciated. TIA.

 

[damo]

Ya, no line cutting will be allowed. However, you should walk through the Forbidden Journey queue with them. There are exits right before the ride starts. The queue is excellent and an attraction of its own.

I have motion sickness like you but taking a bonine when I get up in the morning makes me able to ride Forbidden Journey just fine.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

Ya, no line cutting will be allowed. However, you should walk through the Forbidden Journey queue with them. There are exits right before the ride starts. The queue is excellent and an attraction of its own.

I have motion sickness like you but taking a bonine when I get up in the morning makes me able to ride Forbidden Journey just fine.

Excellent info - thanks for the quick response. I think I will take some bonine before we go, then plan to do the ride together. So we should do the ride first then head to the Wand shop after?

 

[damo]

Excellent info - thanks for the quick response. I think I will take some bonine before we go, then plan to do the ride together. So we should do the ride first then head to the Wand shop after?

If the Ollivanders line is short, do it first. Make sure you arrive at the parks about 30 minutes before opening. It will take you 15 minutes to park and get to the park entrance. They usually open the park about 15 minutes early.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

If the Ollivanders line is short, do it first. Make sure you arrive at the parks about 30 minutes before opening. It will take you 15 minutes to park and get to the park entrance. They usually open the park about 15 minutes early.

Thank you so much for your help - and thank you for naming the *Wand Shop* for me - Ollivanders. Got it!

 

[Dizisfun]

I get severely motion sick. I can't even ride in the car in heavy traffic where it's stop and go traffic without getting motion sick. But the last time hubby and I were at universal I did forbidden journey. Of course we waited until we were about ready to leave and then got in line. And I sucked it up and went on. I did have a headache when I got off but it was worth it. Like others said even if you don't do the ride itself still walk through the castle and then tell the tm that you aren't doing the ride. They will kindly show u the way out. (I've done that before too)

 

[Jenc581]

We are heading to IOA on May 21st - (shhh- surprising the kids) - the two MUST do's for them ( and every other person visiting HPW, I am sure) are The Forbidden Journey and the Wand store.
1.We will be there when the Park opens - should we do the Wand thing first, then Forbidden Journey?
2. I cannot do simulator rides (Star Tours and Simpsons destroy me) - so I am thinking that I should skip this ride...so..
Can I get in line for the Wand thing while my kids and husband go on the ride? Or will I get in big trouble when they join me in line?

Or if I even think I might be ok to ride this (would love to try!) - then back to question #1.


We have never been to IOA - so any help would be greatly appreciated. TIA.

Hi, I am same as you and also cannot do simulator rides, however the forbidden journey is a must! The queue is an experience itself and not to be missed, the castle is amazing. I must say the ride is pretty awesome, there was only one bit I thought oh no... Definitely give it a try. We went in Oct and there was no wait for the Forbidden Journey, but Olivanders had around a 30 minute wait and don't hate me for saying this, but it wasn't worth it. We personally found it disappointing for what it was.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

I get severely motion sick. I can't even ride in the car in heavy traffic where it's stop and go traffic without getting motion sick. But the last time hubby and I were at universal I did forbidden journey. Of course we waited until we were about ready to leave and then got in line. And I sucked it up and went on. I did have a headache when I got off but it was worth it. Like others said even if you don't do the ride itself still walk through the castle and then tell the tm that you aren't doing the ride. They will kindly show u the way out. (I've done that before too)

Thank you for your advice! I think I am going to give it a try - I think this might be a *once in a life time* chance. I don't see us going back anytime soon (still trying to absorb the idea of the expense for just 2 days there! ) - but it is all worth it for the kids. I am hoping with a little medication and possibly closing my eyes for a bit, it will all work out. As long as I survive and don't embarass my kids by loosing my breakfast on my crocs, it will be all good.

Hi, I am same as you and also cannot do simulator rides, however the forbidden journey is a must! The queue is an experience itself and not to be missed, the castle is amazing. I must say the ride is pretty awesome, there was only one bit I thought oh no... Definitely give it a try. We went in Oct and there was no wait for the Forbidden Journey, but Olivanders had around a 30 minute wait and don't hate me for saying this, but it wasn't worth it. We personally found it disappointing for what it was.

I don't hate you! lol! Thank you for sharing your opinion. It may end up being a TRex experience ( painful and expensive, but makes the kids happy - type of thing) - but at least we will get to say we experienced it.

 

[jkc0325]

It may end up being a TRex experience ( painful and expensive, but makes the kids happy - type of thing) - but at least we will get to say we experienced it.

LOL!!! That is exactly how my dh and I feel about TRex But, it was worth it because the kids still, 2 years later, talk about how much they loved it there.

I've been debating doing Ollivander's on our trip...I do NOT want to buy 3 wands that will never get touched once we get home

 

[kuhltiffany]

If you do a search on yotube, there are videos that show both Ollivanders and FJ, they will give you a better idea of what to expect.

I'm in the same boat as you, kids are 8 and 9 and have never been before, huge HP fans. We're splurging and staying on site so we can get in early and fit everything in...

 

[bumbershoot]

If you go to Ollivander's first and buy wands, they will need to be put somewhere before riding FJ, and I have *heard* that the wand boxes do not fit into the ride locker. So it might be a perfect time for you to hold off on Forbidden Journey, and just be the wand box bag holder if the family buys them.

 

[damo]

If you go to Ollivander's first and buy wands, they will need to be put somewhere before riding FJ, and I have *heard* that the wand boxes do not fit into the ride locker. So it might be a perfect time for you to hold off on Forbidden Journey, and just be the wand box bag holder if the family buys them.

Lockers are 16 inches long, 10 inches wide and 10 inches high so anything longer than about 18.5" will be tough to fit in diagonally across the bottom or more than 21 inches diagonally from top corner to bottom opposite corner.

I think the only wand that a tight squeeze is the alder wand which is 17.5" long and because the box is larger, it is a hard fit.

You can always have the wands sent to the front of the park for package pickup.

 

[macraven]

If you go to Ollivander's first and buy wands, they will need to be put somewhere before riding FJ, and I have *heard* that the wand boxes do not fit into the ride locker. So it might be a perfect time for you to hold off on Forbidden Journey, and just be the wand box bag holder if the family buys them.

whenever you (day or hotel guests) shop and buy merch in the park, all guests have the option of picking up their items at the end of the day.


tell the TM you want your purchase sent to the front merch store and held there for you.

easy peasy...

and if you want the merch wrapped and padded for travel home, tell them and they will do that.

 

[mjohnson96]

whenever you (day or hotel guests) shop and buy merch in the park, all guests have the option of picking up their items at the end of the day.


tell the TM you want your purchase sent to the front merch store and held there for you.

easy peasy...

and if you want the merch wrapped and padded for travel home, tell them and they will do that.

I suggest the wrap and padded We are bringing a wand back that was broken in transport. US customer service has been extremely helpful and told me to just bring it with me (or ship it) and they would exchange.

 

[Steph&katie]

When we got wands a few years ago we put them diagonally in the locker but we didn't really like it because our bags and snacks etc there as very limited space for everything else!

The previous time as me and my friend want a little collection we got another wand each and we sent them to the front of the park you have to give them three hours notice that's it! And when your waiting for the FJ anyway by the time you've been on that etc and get to the front of the park your stuff will be there
They hold your stuff until the end of the day it's your responsibility to pick them up etc.

But my suggestion is package pick up is best its free and easier for you

 

[chocovrdmicears]

Thank you for the package pick up suggestion! I didn't even know they offered that. Great tip!

 

[macraven]

runners go to the stores at the parks hourly for pick ups.
they then take all the purchased merch back to the front store to be scanned in.

the bags/tags are checked in and then await for your pick up.

if you are in a rush and not planning to spend a long time in the park, ask the TM when you buy your stuff the estimate time before you can pick up your belongings.

all park guests can use this free service.


you are given a claim ticket that you need to show before you get your merch.
they scan that ticket so you will be recieving the bags the same number ticket is on.

the longest i have been told that i could pick up my items was 2 hours.
(i sometimes have my merch sent to my hotel room instead.)

when you complete the forms for up front pick up, you include name and address.
in the case you forget and do not pick your stuff up, it can be mailed out to you. but, you would need to contact UO for that to be done.

 

[macraven]

this purchase service delivery ends either the hour prior to park closing or 90 minutes prior.

ask the TM as policies do change at times.

 

[bumbershoot]

Any suggestions on getting the wand-owners to happily relinquish their brand new wands without a riot? I was able to convince them of sending chocolate frogs back, but they refused to let go of the wands lol.

But DH can't ride FJ yet so he just holds the stuff.