So for this summer I was actually in Virginia working at Busch Gardens up there for a Leadership Internship. My house is in Orlando and I live 10 minutes from Universal. I had to watch all the opening ceremonies from the computer and TV and had to jealously see people's Potter reviews start to come in. I finally got home and one of the first things I did was go to WWOHP.
Walking in from the Lost Continent side, with the music, the atmosphere, it literally took my breath away. I saw so many wide eyed people walking in there for the first time, especially kids on their parents shoulders who's eyes were huge and jaws dropped. THAT made my day. The fact that kids can now go to Universal and be completely mesmerized by an area that Disney had nothing to do with.
I went with my friend Kyle for my first Forbidden Journey ride and the sign said 60 minutes but we waited about 45-50. Once we got in the castle with the moving portraits and classrooms and Dumbledore's Office, I was completely beside myself. I also saw more wide eyed kids literally say "Wow!!" when they saw the moving portraits and when it started snowing in the classroom. I got so excited!! You could tell the parents liked it too. I think basically anyone who goes through that queue is able to appreciate it, just because of its authenticity to the movies and how well detailed it all is.
Then I got to the loading area and went completely bonkers. I LOVE LOVE LOVE ride control systems for theme parks. I love the technology behind it, I love everything about that part of the industry. I was in complete awe that what I saw moving along a conveyor belt, what people were locking themselves into were gigantic robotic arms. I pulled down the harness and was so excited, I didn't think the ride would meet my expectations...
Oh.
My.
God.
That ride, is simply one of the best/well executed rides I have EVER been on, if not the best one I have ever been on. Since my first ride, I've been on it 4 times, and I STILL get very excited to be on that ride. The fact that Universal would take something so alien to the theme parks, a robotic Kuka arm, having 40+ of these arms circulating around a track, with an omni-mover loading system, it just makes me so amazed at the system. I know it makes me kind of lame too haha, but I LOVE riding with people who have never been on it, and as soon as the arms starts to swing up and off the platform, their gasps and awes are wonderful.
I just wanted to say that for all you who haven't been on the ride yet, you have a great experience waiting for you. Be sure to wait it out. Since there is no Express line yet, the line will continue to move and it WILL be worth the wait. Well done Universal! You have once again beat out Spiderman as the best dark ride in the world, and it is in the same park as Journey. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a MASTERPIECE. The technology and execution of that ride is beyond words can describe. I know Disney fans probably won't venture over here to ride because "It's not Disney, therefore it will suck", but hopefully they will, as they are missing out on an amazing piece of engineering. Now why can't we get the red coaster across the street to run this good...
Walking in from the Lost Continent side, with the music, the atmosphere, it literally took my breath away. I saw so many wide eyed people walking in there for the first time, especially kids on their parents shoulders who's eyes were huge and jaws dropped. THAT made my day. The fact that kids can now go to Universal and be completely mesmerized by an area that Disney had nothing to do with.
I went with my friend Kyle for my first Forbidden Journey ride and the sign said 60 minutes but we waited about 45-50. Once we got in the castle with the moving portraits and classrooms and Dumbledore's Office, I was completely beside myself. I also saw more wide eyed kids literally say "Wow!!" when they saw the moving portraits and when it started snowing in the classroom. I got so excited!! You could tell the parents liked it too. I think basically anyone who goes through that queue is able to appreciate it, just because of its authenticity to the movies and how well detailed it all is.
Then I got to the loading area and went completely bonkers. I LOVE LOVE LOVE ride control systems for theme parks. I love the technology behind it, I love everything about that part of the industry. I was in complete awe that what I saw moving along a conveyor belt, what people were locking themselves into were gigantic robotic arms. I pulled down the harness and was so excited, I didn't think the ride would meet my expectations...
Oh.
My.
God.
That ride, is simply one of the best/well executed rides I have EVER been on, if not the best one I have ever been on. Since my first ride, I've been on it 4 times, and I STILL get very excited to be on that ride. The fact that Universal would take something so alien to the theme parks, a robotic Kuka arm, having 40+ of these arms circulating around a track, with an omni-mover loading system, it just makes me so amazed at the system. I know it makes me kind of lame too haha, but I LOVE riding with people who have never been on it, and as soon as the arms starts to swing up and off the platform, their gasps and awes are wonderful.
I just wanted to say that for all you who haven't been on the ride yet, you have a great experience waiting for you. Be sure to wait it out. Since there is no Express line yet, the line will continue to move and it WILL be worth the wait. Well done Universal! You have once again beat out Spiderman as the best dark ride in the world, and it is in the same park as Journey. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a MASTERPIECE. The technology and execution of that ride is beyond words can describe. I know Disney fans probably won't venture over here to ride because "It's not Disney, therefore it will suck", but hopefully they will, as they are missing out on an amazing piece of engineering. Now why can't we get the red coaster across the street to run this good...
