Loading Page...

Is the Harry Potter Universal Ride scary?

Featuring Dementors, a fire-breathing dragon, and giant, animatronic spiders, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey may be a bit scary for people who don't like being spooked. If you're someone who hates roller coasters, rest assured there are no big drops, although there are some twists and turns.



Whether the Harry Potter rides at Universal are "scary" depends on the specific attraction, as there are several. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is often considered the most intense; it uses a robotic arm on a track to tilt, pivot, and swing riders in front of massive screens and physical sets. While it isn't a traditional "drop" coaster, the movement can cause significant motion sickness, and the imagery—including giant animatronic spiders, Dementors that get very close to your face, and a fire-breathing dragon—can be quite frightening for younger children or those with a phobia of the dark or insects. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is a high-speed launch coaster that includes a vertical drop and a backwards section; it is thrilling and fast but lacks the "horror" elements of Forbidden Journey. Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts is a hybrid dark ride and coaster that features a simulated drop and 3D projections of Voldemort and Bellatrix Lestrange, which may be intense but is generally considered more family-friendly. Overall, the "scare" factor comes more from the immersive, dark atmosphere and the sophisticated motion than from high-speed drops.

People Also Ask

Featuring Dementors, a fire-breathing dragon, and giant, animatronic spiders, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey may be a bit scary for people who don't like being spooked. If you're someone who hates roller coasters, rest assured there are no big drops, although there are some twists and turns.

MORE DETAILS

The 7 year old we went with loved it, my 8 year old was ok with it and my 10 year old loved it too. They did it many, many times. She can walk through the whole line and see everything then sit in child swap area while others ride if she changes her mind. The height requirement is 48 inches.

MORE DETAILS

We rate this ride two out of five hippogriffs in terms of fear factor, simply because it is a rollercoaster. However, there's not much to fear here as you soar across the rather tame track.

MORE DETAILS

Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure features seven launches, the most of any roller coaster in the world when it opened, and reaches a maximum speed of 50 mph (80 km/h). It is also the first coaster in the United States to feature a free-fall vertical drop element, which plunges riders nearly 17 feet.

MORE DETAILS

For Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter attractions, the fairly mild Flight of the Hippogriff rates 3.25 on the thrill-o-meter, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey merits a 5.5, and the more thrilling coaster, Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Coaster clocks in at 6.5.

MORE DETAILS

Featuring Dementors, a fire-breathing dragon, and giant, animatronic spiders, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey may be a bit scary for people who don't like being spooked. If you're someone who hates roller coasters, rest assured there are no big drops, although there are some twists and turns.

MORE DETAILS

Universal Studios Florida for Kids So, what is the best age for Universal Studios? The short answer, is between 7-8 years old and up. The reason being is there are not as many rides with no height restrictions as you might find at Disney's Magic Kingdom.

MORE DETAILS

Hogwarts™ Castle Walk You can walk through Hogwarts™ castle without riding the ride attraction. Fully enjoy the world of Harry Potter™ including “Moving Portrait Corridor” and “The Portrait of the Fat Lady” like Harry Potter™ and his friends did! *Please ask crew members about the operation hours.

MORE DETAILS

It is an even more realistic simulator than Soarin' or Europe in the Air but moves along a track and features many other special effects than just simulator. Also remember to go through the main line at least once no matter how long, as the line is pretty much half the ride with all of its amazing theming!

MORE DETAILS

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey uses KUKA robocoaster technology, which allows the seats to pivot while being held above the track by a robotic arm. However, the ride is not a roller coaster but a scenic dark ride.

MORE DETAILS

The ride is described as a high speed roller coaster but it is nothing more than a Spider Man/transformers 3D, clone with the exception of one point where you do a rapid, albeit, short acceleration to about 25mph (sooooo high speed).

MORE DETAILS

There is one decent drop near the beginning of the ride. Official stats about its height or length are unknown (Universal remains mum on a lot if its ride specs), but estimates put it around 30 feet tall. (The big drop on Disney World's Splash Mountain, by comparison, is approximately 50 feet.)

MORE DETAILS

#1 – Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Taking the number 1 spot, Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is not merely an attraction—it's an odyssey through the magical world of Harry Potter.

MORE DETAILS