6 y/o loves Harry Potter, hates coasters, will he like Universal? - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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6 y/o loves Harry Potter, hates coasters, will he like Universal?
My 6 y/o son loves Harry Potter but hates fast rides. Will there be anything for him to be excited about in the new Harry Potter section at US? We did get him onto the "Soarin' California" ride at Epcot last year, which he enjoyed. Is the Forbidden Journey similar to that? Thank you ahead of time for any advice you have!
Forbidden Journey is pretty intense. It's a simulator but it's kind of like you are in a swing. You are strapped in with the shoulder harness/bar as if you are on a coaster. There's some tippy parts and some effects that I suspect would scare a 6 y.o. Not knowing your son, it's hard to say for sure. He would probably love the queue though, so if you can take him through and then take the "chicken exit" he'd be able to enjoy Hogwarts. (Just don't call it a chicken exit - I remember those 6 y.o egos! )
The wand show would probably be ok. Walking through Hogsmeade is cool with the buildings but there really isn't much else to do if you don't like coasters. There's the wand show at Olivanders and I'm sure he'd find that magical but you have to get there first thing in the morning because the line grows long really fast. By long, I'm talking an hour or longer. If he likes rootbeer or cream soda, he could have a butter beer. And he might enjoy going into the men's room for a little surprise.
I am 21 and I was scared to death of the Forbidden Journey, it actually gave me a panic attack, which is probably really wimpy of me. However, I have been on the Hulk, Dr Doom's, Soaring, etc and pretty much all the intense roller coasters /simulation rides there are down in Florida, and none of them phased me. (Well the Hulk a little, but come on!) I would not recommend that ride for anyone under the age of 18 unless they were more courageous than me evidently . Just kidding, but 6 seems young and if he doesn't like roller coasters, I would vote no.
The other rides are straight roller coasters, I would say no to them too if he doesn't like coasters. The rest of HP is not worth it in my opinion, too long of lines and definitely overrated.
I have not been to US since HP but have been to both US ans IOA and as a ride wimp, found plenty to do. MY ex husband and I (also a ride wimp) both felt that US had a lot more to offer us that most of the Disney parks. Do you know what his issue is with coasters? Lots of the rides, although intense, do not involved going upside down or drops, two of the things I cannot do. I have worked up to being able to do two of the mountains at Disney.
There are children's areas at both parks and I love Suessland. If he will do 3-D, there's Shrek, Jimmy Neutron, and the Terminator at US as well as Men in Black, ET, Twister and Disaster, none of which involve roller coaster like movements. I would look at the Universal Site and also look on You Tube for videos.
We went in Aug, and my youngest DS is 10. He doesn't like coasters, and HATED the Forbidden Journey. He said it was the worst ride he ever went on, and would not do it again. I think you won't have much to do in the HP area. It is beautifully themed, but I think they missed the mark with no non-thrill rides. Even a theater with clips of the HP movies would have been nice, for little kids and grandparents or any non-thrill riders to sit in. It is a congested area, and the shops are pretty small. Your son will enjoy the walk through of the castle, though, and checking out the whole area. Just not the rides. There are other rides for him at Universal, but on the whole we find the Universal parks geared more to thrill rides.
My 10 yr old liked Soarin', but I would not compare that to FJ at all. FJ freaked me out the first time I rode it, too. Very intense.
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I think everyone forgot about T2 in 3D. This isn't a rollercoaster, but a 3D action adventure movie. If your son has seen any of the Terminator movies he's definitely love this experience.
We went in Aug, and my youngest DS is 10. He doesn't like coasters, and HATED the Forbidden Journey. He said it was the worst ride he ever went on, and would not do it again. I think you won't have much to do in the HP area. It is beautifully themed, but I think they missed the mark with no non-thrill rides. Even a theater with clips of the HP movies would have been nice, for little kids and grandparents or any non-thrill riders to sit in. It is a congested area, and the shops are pretty small. Your son will enjoy the walk through of the castle, though, and checking out the whole area. Just not the rides. There are other rides for him at Universal, but on the whole we find the Universal parks geared more to thrill rides.
My 10 yr old liked Soarin', but I would not compare that to FJ at all. FJ freaked me out the first time I rode it, too. Very intense.
Beth
The child swap area in Hogwarts shows HP movies. We may have to use it if my 7 yo grandson decides not to ride FJ. I don't think the movement is too intense; it's too smooth to be coaster-like. The special. Effects are super intense. I screamed. And I never do.
AnMars - just wanted to say welcome to the Passporter boards and the Universal/Islands of Adventure forum!! Hope you can share more of your Universal experiences with us!
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. Just kidding, but 6 seems young and if he doesn't like roller coasters, I would vote no. 
NYC-Canada Cruise Sept 2012
Hope you can share more of your Universal experiences with us!
Michelle - with my step sisters!
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