WDWFREAK53
Well-Known Member
I could see a retheme...but (no pun intended) ripping the ride out seems like a lot of work to remove an attraction especially when it gets high guest ratings.
I'd imagine F&F is the first one on the chopping block.
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Universal Epic Universe (South Expansion Complex) - Opens 2025
- Thread starter Bob Harlem
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I'd imagine F&F is the first one on the chopping block.
TalkToEthan
Well-Known Member
No,
Forbidden Journey is one herky-jerky ride……nothing fluid whatsoever about it. It has abrupt turns and twists delivering a disjunct performance.
If FJ were a band it would be Primus
It will reach the end of its operating life in the next five to seven years.
UNCgolf
Well-Known Member
I hated Forbidden Journey and this was part of it. Even if the rest of the experience was fantastic -- and I actually don't think it is; there are some great moments but far too much of the ride is just a boring broom flight simulation -- it's incredibly unpleasant to actually ride.
I don't have any desire to ride it again because the ride content isn't remotely good enough to make it worth dealing with the awful jerkiness.
Disneyhead'71
Well-Known Member
Ah, yes. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. A ride so terrible that it's success single handedly bought Transformers: The Ride 3D, Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Sapphire Falls Resort, Aventura Hotel, Volcano Bay Water Theme Park, and paved the way for Epic Universe. It has been cloned across two continents, and literally changed the theme park industry at large with the "Power of the IP".
Oh, I'm sorry, I may have gone on a bit. What was it you were saying?
Oh, I'm sorry, I may have gone on a bit. What was it you were saying?
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UNCgolf
Well-Known Member
I love comments like this because it's absolutely hilarious when people are incapable of grasping incredibly simple concepts like personal opinion.
"It was massively successful therefore everyone in the world must unanimously think it is the greatest thing ever!"
Twirlnhurl
Well-Known Member
You have to admit that it is an uncommon opinion, though.
I totally understand not liking Forbidden Journey. There are a lot of screens and it makes some people motion sick. But "herky-jerky" is definitely not how I would describe it. The motion of Forbidden Journey is very smooth--so smooth that my wife (with back problems that prevent her from riding most simulator rides) goes on it and enjoys it without pain.
The ride definitely moves the riders into unusual angles, especially around the whomping willow scene. And it definitely is not for everyone. But "herky-jerky" is not how I would describe the ride's motion.
I totally understand not liking Forbidden Journey. There are a lot of screens and it makes some people motion sick. But "herky-jerky" is definitely not how I would describe it. The motion of Forbidden Journey is very smooth--so smooth that my wife (with back problems that prevent her from riding most simulator rides) goes on it and enjoys it without pain.
The ride definitely moves the riders into unusual angles, especially around the whomping willow scene. And it definitely is not for everyone. But "herky-jerky" is not how I would describe the ride's motion.
TalkToEthan
Well-Known Member
Andrew25
Well-Known Member
yes
There hasn't been a single attraction/land/experience at any theme park that has generated the ridiculous growth of attendance Universal experienced in 2010.
None of the post-potter attractions/hotels/expansions were considered until the success of Hogsmeade.
Universal was in dire shape before Potter, competing against SeaWorld for the extra day or 2 guests had when visiting WDW. Now it's taking WDW head to head.
TalkToEthan
Well-Known Member
Hold on….. you, too!?!?! You’re backing up that outlandish claim.
Disneyhead is saying FJ “single handedly” did all that. And we know that is grotesque exaggeration.
It was Hogsmeade initially and followed up with Diagon with fully themed out connecting train that accounts for the far reaching success.
Disneyhead is saying FJ “single handedly” did all that. And we know that is grotesque exaggeration.
It was Hogsmeade initially and followed up with Diagon with fully themed out connecting train that accounts for the far reaching success.
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UNCgolf
Well-Known Member
I definitely agree that not loving the ride is an uncommon opinion, but I don't think the specific herky-jerky complaint is that uncommon. I've seen that complaint pretty regularly, with people saying it was worth riding despite that. One of my friends loves it but stopped riding because the tossing around actually hurt her neck. I wonder if it varies depending on refurbs, though? Like maybe sometimes it's much rougher and other times it's pretty smooth.
I certainly don't think it's a bad ride and I appreciate what they were trying to do with the combination of different ride elements. I just don't think the simulator aspect is very interesting, and the more wow moments that get away from the simulator are a minority.
To be fair, I've never been overly impressed by any simulator attraction. It's not that I dislike them -- I still enjoy riding stuff like Flight of Passage -- it's that they don't feel like headliners and I wouldn't ever wait in a long line. FJ is more than just a simulator, which I like, but the simulator part is the majority of the experience and I don't think it's anywhere near as good as, e.g. Flight of Passage just in terms of that simulator aspect.
If it was either A. a much smoother/less rough ride or B. had a more interesting simulator aspect (or even better, much less simulator in general) I'd probably like it a lot more, but the combination of the two makes it kind of a shrug attraction for me.
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Andrew25
Well-Known Member
Obviously, the land helped as well, but the ride itself at the time was revolutionary and was the major draw of the land.
TalkToEthan
Well-Known Member
The Hog castle facades together far exceeds the ride itself. And the queue is even more impressive than the already near perfect exterior frontages. I bet those two attributes working together impress more people than the ride itself(as in the entire time being locked into the bench.)
I walked the queue 3 times already just to exit out after I see the sorting hat.
I walked the queue 3 times already just to exit out after I see the sorting hat.
TalkToEthan
Well-Known Member
I assume you’re essentially talking about the robot style arm moving the benches, no?
If you are then I say I both agree and disagree depending on how I look at it. Employing that kuk on an anchoring attraction is revolutionary but as for the technology itself I saw it before it made its way to the opening of Hogsmeade in Orlando——-I saw it at Uni Studios Hollywood; so did 10’s of thousands of others.
999th Happy Haunt
Well-Known Member
Forbidden Journey is intense but it is not “rough”. Every movement on that attraction is purposefully designed, much like Dinosaur which I think also gets ridiculous criticism for being “rough”. Rockit is rough, the shaking and headbanging is not intentional.
Hey maybe...... South Park to replace Simpsons................ that would be huge LOL
Congratulations on your vibranium spine!
Andrew25
Well-Known Member
Not just the ride system, but FJ has a lot going for it... an immersive queue, grand facade, familiar/relevant IP that millions love, impressive ride system, carousel dome screens, sets that interact/impact guest travel, etc.
Kuka arms have existed for years prior to FJ, but nobody got a chance to ride it on a massive scale. (Sum of all thrills does not count lol)
ToTBellHop
Well-Known Member
Never felt like FJ was a rough ride. Rip, Ride, Rock it certainly is. Crappy design because it was shoehorned in.
Then you have Velocicoaster. Smooth like buttah.
Then you have Velocicoaster. Smooth like buttah.