carolv

My husband, daughter and I will be in Orlando in late July to visit with family. We decided to fly in a little early for a one day park visit. We are coming in around midnight and will have one full day. Originally we planned to stay offsite and be at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter before it opened and also see Diagon Alley the same day. DH and I do not do roller coasters or rides with too much motion. How much motion is involved in Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey? (I'm okay if I can shut my eyes, but we wouldn't do well being tossed around on the bench.) I would be interested in the preboarding show. My daughter and I are both fans of the books, so we'd like to see the sets and ride Hogwarts Express.

Given the summer crowds, would WWHP still be a good idea? We picked a hotel offsite with a nice pool to relax in before our drive the following day, or would it be advisable to stay at a Universal property to get in before the park opens? Our back up plan is to go to EPCOT which we've been to a few times and always enjoyed. Any input? It's been about 10 years since I've done any parks, and I've never been in the summer. Thanks in advance!

starrs

It's worth going to see the village. You could walk around a bit and look around. The food at the restaurant is pretty good. The candy store is fun to shop in. Try a butter beer and just ooh and ahhh a bit. If you don't like motion, stay off the ride. I've not been to the new addition, Diagon Alley.

The family friendly (kiddie) coaster, the Hippogriff, is fun.
The interactive experience at Ollivanders is interesting, if the line is not too lone.
https://www.universalorlando.com/Rid...n-Journey.aspx

"Given the summer crowds, would WWHP still be a good idea?"
I would say so.
"...or would it be advisable to stay at a Universal property to get in before the park opens?"
DEFINITELY!

dlangrock

Definitely stay on site, the early access is worth it.

carolv

I think we'll stay at Cabana Bay as it is less expensive than the others - that way we can also walk over for early admission. (Okay, with a midnight arrival, that will be very early...) Any other suggestions? I appreciate the input!

starrs

Sounds like a good decision.

lindsyb

I believe you can still walk through the Forbidden Journey to see the Hogwarts castle and then exit before the ride if you can't do the motion. And like others have said Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley are fun to walk around and experience.

psybk

The Forbidden Journey does toss you around a bit, you are rapidly being moved in different directions with your legs pointing up in the sky a few times. I am not a person that likes thrill rides but I enjoy Forbidden Journey and Escape from Gringotts. I did find the rides more tolerable when my eyes were kept opened plus you will miss all the amazing animations if your eyes were closed. I believe both rides have walk through that are nice since you get to see the amazing queue area, I don't think you have to wait on the regular line for the walk through cause I recall there being two lines. Staying onsite may be advantageous since you get an extra hour but I heard that you will still be online for a while if you aren't the first one there ( you are still competing with other resort guest). The crowds for anything Harry Potter related is crazy, anywhere from 1-3 hours. I also agree that the Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley areas are amazing. The food is alright but the butter beer is amazing (there is also a butter beer ice cream).



Staying at a deluxe resort (Hard Rock and the Loews resorts) will also provide you with an additional unlimited pass for the other rides ( nothing associated with Harry Potter), that allows you to go on the express line, that will allow to you get some of the other rides done.

starrs

"DH and I do not do roller coasters or rides with too much motion"

Don't do the Forbidden Journey.
Just don't.

Hobbert

The Forbidden Journey is rough. I love roller coasters and it made me feel ill. It's the only ride that's ever done that. That said, I really enjoyed the WWHP. Such a neat place to walk around.

BAHItaly

If I can do Harry Potter, anyone can.

starrs

I can do most roller coasters. Don't love 'em but can do them. They don't make me motion-sick, just aren't my favorite. I RARELY get motion-sick. I can read and do most anything while riding in a car and have only gotten motion-sick on a flight plane over Denali, on a ferry to the Aran Islands and during a thunderstorm when lightning hit the wing of a Continental plane over Texas.

The Forbidden Journey made me VERY motion-sick. Very.
I tried again a couple of years later, telling myself I knew what was ahead and could brace for it. Wrong.

rncheryl

That's interesting how the rides affect people differently. I cringe and ride Space Mountain with my eyes closed. But the HP ride was fantastic, and I couldn't wait to do it again.

ElendilPickle

Could you take some Dramamine?

Lee Ann