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Is the Forbidden Journey Bad For Roller Coaster Haters?

Universal Orlando: I'm pondering whether to ride it or not when I go to IoA later this month.

From Andy Milio
Posted February 3, 2011 at 3:35 PM
I am going to be going to IoA later this month, and I have heard great things about the Forbidden Journey. But most of those came from those who love roller coasters. Is FF bad for someone who hates roller coasters? I won't be riding it if it has qualities of roller coasters (like REALLY fast speeds, REALLY sharp turns, etc.)


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From Kathryn Leigh
Posted February 3, 2011 at 4:36 PM
not at all. The ride doesn't move quickly or sharply, it just moves. There are also no quick drops, so you won't feel that weird tummy feeling if that's what you hate.

From Andy Milio
Posted February 3, 2011 at 5:09 PM
^Oh thank goodness. I almost regretted riding Escape from Pompeii at Busch Gardens Williamsburg because of that feeling. Well, I guess I'm riding it, unless the lines are long

From Sylvain Comeau
Posted February 4, 2011 at 7:08 AM
How could you pass up a ride that people say is the greatest ever built?

From Colton McLaughlin
Posted February 4, 2011 at 1:26 PM
At one point your on your back but that's it. It is a little shaky at parts, but it is nothing to worry about. It is the greatest ride of all time and the longest I've waited for it is a little less than an hour. I think you'll be fine on it; if you can stomach a medium motion simulator, FJ will be no problem.

From Andy Milio
Posted February 5, 2011 at 9:56 AM
Colton,
Is it any worse than ], let's say, The Simpson's Ride? Because I can handle that.

From Terri Pierce
Posted February 5, 2011 at 10:25 AM
Not directed at me- but I got sick from the simpsons ride. FJ didn't leave me feeling woozy nor gave me that falling feeling that I get from getting to close to edges or falling of course.

From Mike Seary
Posted February 5, 2011 at 3:16 PM
Simpson's Ride is more jerky/sporadic. FJ is quite dynamic in its movement but it was designed so that the movements are pretty fluid and smooth to further enhance the 'flying' illusion.

It moves a lot and puts you in some pretty interesting positions (at one point lying recumbent with your feet elevated past your head slightly) but its all smooth and comfortable. It is definitely not as 'intense' as Simpsons, just more immersive and impressive.

From Colton McLaughlin
Posted February 5, 2011 at 4:39 PM
Well... Mike and Terri pretty much summed up everything I was going to say. FJ is very fluid and smooth compared to the Simpson's Ride; the only part I can imagine having any problems would be the area where you're on your back, and that part lasts only a few seconds. I think you'll be fine.

From damond harris
Posted February 5, 2011 at 10:39 PM
i am a fellow roller coaster hater too, but FJ is a VERY fun ride thats good for just about everyone. its very smooth and there arent really any drops. you should try it out, its defiently the best ride i have ever been on.

From Roxanne Price
Posted February 8, 2011 at 1:41 PM
The part where you're on your back - is it a problem if you typically wear calf-length skirts?

From Mike Gallagher
Posted February 8, 2011 at 1:52 PM
^^Not for me...I'll just enjoy the view!:)

I usually leave my skirts home or in the room when I visit parks, anyway.

From Mike Seary
Posted February 8, 2011 at 3:56 PM
Roxanne:

No, it's really too brief of a movement. It takes you by surprise, but before you know it, you are back down.

From Fred Roy
Posted February 8, 2011 at 6:27 PM
I hate roller coaster too and didn't have any problem with the ride. Rode the Forbidden Journey 3 times.

From Kellie W
Posted February 10, 2011 at 5:16 PM
It is amazing! I too hate the big drop of a coaster, and that is what I always ask if I can't see the ride from outside. This is a smooth simulator ride. It makes the Simpsons Ride seem technologically archaic. That ride made me sick and made my neck hurt. This ride was perfectly smooth and I wanted it to go on and on! The stroke of genius was the line itself. You wind through the Greenhouse, and then through a hall of Hogwarts. You are not bored at all, in fact the line is part of the ride in my opinion. The moving portraits, Dumbledore's gadgets, they were so fascinating to see I wished that part of the line was longer! You will love this ride. It felt like you were really IN Hogwarts.

From Pat Jackson
Posted February 11, 2011 at 10:59 AM
Agree with most posters. FJ is quite fluid and not much jerking around like the Simpsons ride, just remember you are on a track (usually) and hydraulics will lift and turn your car but with less force than most kiddie coasters.

The on the back part isn't much more than a few seconds as you transition between scenes and there are distractions in place when the car is moving up and around. While the ride is indeed very good the rooms/classrooms you walk through in line are very entertaining as well. We went on a low(er) volume day and actually let people go past us so we could stop and actually see the pictures moving, as well as see HP's and Dumbledores video scenes.

From Terri Pierce
Posted February 12, 2011 at 7:11 PM
Roxanne: The harness that you're in would hold down your skirt. Also as everyone else said its really brief. Your feet never go up in the air so the skirt wouldnt have time to flip backwards so you should stay covered.

... I've worked with Mennonites for the past 5 years, I have to answer this question a lot with themeparks!

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