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Universal Orlando Resort

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey / Hogwarts Castle

Attraction
Orlando
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9.2/10
3,903
ratings
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    Behind The Thrills
    "... days, go through the single riders line, then walk through the castle tour line to..."(21 Tips)
    Josh H.
    "The lockers at the beginning can be tricky."(33 Tips)
    Johnathan W.
    "Butter beer is delicious and the shops are fun."(15 Tips)
    Sisi
    "walking tour through the castle...."(16 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon517 Tips and reviews
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  • Kaitlin M.
    Kaitlin MarieNovember 20, 2010
    watch out for trolls in the dungeon!
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  • Abby A.heart icon on user image
    Abby Anderson JonesApril 16, 2018
    Such a cool way to fully experience Hogwarts. Long line, but worth it! They have so many cool details inside while you wait so you never feel out of the experience.
    Upvote27Downvote
  • Kaitlinheart icon on user image
    KaitlinJanuary 4, 2015
    This is my favorite ride for Harry Potter. Don't do the singles line the first time; go through the whole castle to see classrooms, offices, corridors and more. And the ride is incredibly well done!
    Upvote27Downvote
  • Teresa T.
    Teresa TisonOctober 2, 2015
    I loved the wizarding experience here and everything Harry Potter! It certainly was one of the most enchanting ways to connect with 10 of my young nephews and nieces as an adult. Don't miss out on it!
    Upvote11Downvote
  • Anders B.heart icon on user image
    Anders BärlundJanuary 5, 2019
    This ride, as well as the escape from Gringotts, sets a completely new standard for theme park rides - it’s worth the wait!
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Jonathan C.heart icon on user image
    Jonathan CollazoAugust 27, 2014
    If your a Potter Head, make sure that you get to the park prior to the park opening. Take the right side once entering the park and make it a point to ride this first. If not, you'll have to wait.
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Amy S.heart icon on user image
    Amy SnyderMay 18, 2014
    Amazing ride and worth the wait! Get there first thing in the morning when the line is shorter. If you don't mind separating, go in the singles line, way faster. Pictures are taken in the spiders ;)
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Santi C.heart icon on user image
    Santi CaamañoSeptember 19, 2015
    Best ride in Orlando (including Disney)... you will really feel you're in the castle, even the line will leave you speechless... it's a MUST DO!
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Ria U.heart icon on user image
    Ria UrbonJanuary 3, 2015
    Harry Potter's wizarding world is so magical! Go there with a few friends and enjoy the magic! Hogsmeade has a great setting! And I loved Diagon ally! I felt like a kid again!
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  • Hailey P.heart icon on user image
    Hailey PatriceJune 13, 2017
    The similarity between the movie and Harry Potter world is astonishing! Universal put an unbelievable amount of work into a park that every potter fan will enjoy!
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  • Emy O.heart icon on user image
    Emy ONovember 8, 2015
    The train ride was fabulous! I felt like I was going to hogwarts😊 and the town is awesome! Go to leaky cauldron for the best food! I recommend butter beer, and despite the name it has no beer in it
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Siobhánheart icon on user image
    SiobhánFebruary 18, 2018
    The line weaves through so many amazing sights that I loved it more than the ride: Dumbledore's office, the Gryffindor common room, the Hogwarts founders talking. Worth it just for all of that!
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  • Michael F.heart icon on user image
    Michael FuttermanJune 23, 2015
    This was by far one of the most amazing rides I have ever been on not only was the ride que so detailed but the whole experience makes you feel like your really at Hogwarts with the trio :)
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  • Abbey S.heart icon on user image
    Abbey SandovalMarch 4, 2019
    The walkthrough for the castle while waiting in line is amazing. The ride itself is also very fun. However if you get motion sickness often you may want to be careful
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  • Brett G.heart icon on user image
    Brett GarwoodJune 15, 2015
    My personal favorite for both the view and the ride. It's a must do. The sorting hat is inside, along with other movie related items.
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  • Carol M.heart icon on user image
    Carol McMillianFebruary 17, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    One of the most amazing rides ever. The long line is more than worth the wait. The castle is true to the movies. Its just like being in the movies. Must ride if you visit Islands of Adventure ♥
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Ale C.heart icon on user image
    Ale CantalapiedraJanuary 10, 2015
    You finally get the chance to enter the castle... How awesome you get the chance to enter Hogwarts? Amazing for the witches and wizards... For the muggles not so much.
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  • Temirlan D.heart icon on user image
    The best attraction i've ever been to. Being a huge Harry Potter fan it's almost unbelievable to walk and see the Hogwarts castle alive. Must visit if you are in Orlando!
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  • Alexandra G.heart icon on user image
    Alexandra GoldsteinApril 13, 2015
    Extraordinary state of the art simulator / coaster mashup. Incredibly detailed queue area in Hogwarts; lines build quickly with no Express option. Child swap area shows snippets of the first film.
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  • Lana A.heart icon on user image
    Lana Abu ArjaJanuary 21, 2019
    Amazing .worth the wait . Try get the express pass .
    Upvote2Downvote
  • Yvonne K.
    Yvonne KwanAugust 16, 2014
    This ride has the best queue that takes you through Hogwarts. Even if you're waiting in line, it's fun to look at all of the things inside and outside the castle!
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Eric H.heart icon on user image
    Eric HessMarch 25, 2018
    Cool ride. Much better than their other Harry Potter ride. When we were there they even had a fireworks show overtop the castle.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Chelsea
    ChelseaJanuary 1, 2013
    I've been to a lot of theme parks. This is the best ride I've ever been on. Worth the wait and the line moves very quickly, especially once you get in the castle.
    Upvote3Downvote
  • Caroline C.heart icon on user image
    Caroline CarterSeptember 6, 2015
    This ride is SO worth the wait!! I rode it three times in a day. However, if you get to the park at the time it opens and run to the ride you will have little to no wait left!!
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Eric S.heart icon on user image
    Eric StankovitzAugust 24, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    Best ride thats not a roller coaster that i've ever been on. Highly recommended. Wait as long as you have too. Don't miss it...
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Johnathan W.heart icon on user image
    Johnathan WilliamsDecember 29, 2015
    Butter beer is delicious and the shops are fun. On the other hand, if your shoulders are broad, or your arms large, you'll not ride the main attraction.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Laura E.
    Laura EngelkeJune 13, 2013
    If you are Plus size try getting an an end seat they are bigger. I tried the test seat outside and they told me a no go but inside I was able to fit. :) very happy. Don't be afraid to try!!
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Tammy
    TammyOctober 12, 2012
    Don't miss out on this! Part of the ride is a walking tour of the castle, where there are interactive projections to view. It makes waiting for the actual ride more fun! Bring a small camera!
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Josie R.
    Josie RossDecember 28, 2014
    This ride is awesome if you've read the Harry Potter books or watched the movies! There are small details from all the books as you got through the ride!
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Pablo D.heart icon on user image
    Pablo DDJanuary 6, 2016
    Do not take bags or anything that may fall. If too crowded, go to the gift shop and move through the locker area. And then go straight to single rider. You will save easy 40 min of queue.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Siobhánheart icon on user image
    SiobhánFebruary 18, 2018
    Move fast when you get to the front of the line! The ride is non stop and you get loaded on a moving platform. You also depart from one so be prepared to move.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Keith W.
    Keith WoodNovember 26, 2019
    I don’t have motion sickness, but this ride may have induced it. Inside of the castle is great. Head to this immediately after going on hagrids at park open as there will be minimal waits
    UpvoteDownvote
  • M A.
    M Aldoss ♏August 22, 2014
    Good ride, but it has a lot of all directions movements. "Motion Sickness " even if you used to rides and coasters!!!
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Karina S.
    Karina StephensMay 28, 2013
    If you have bags, you can't take them on this ride. Put it in a locker BEFORE you get on line or you'll get stuck in the shot show that is at the ride entrance. It's free the first hour and 20 minutes
    UpvoteDownvote
  • jon a.
    jon accarrinoFebruary 22, 2022
    Express passes aren’t honored until after early park hotel admission. If the end of the line is already by the lockers, then wait for the express lanes to open. It will be faster.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Rick D.heart icon on user image
    Rick DoesburgJuly 16, 2013
    Don't wait in the 'normal' line. Enter through the giftshop (it's on the right) and go past the lockers. It's the same spot everyone in the normal line will come through too.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Raspete J.
    Raspete JorgeSeptember 30, 2014
    This is the best ride in the park. The lines, inside the castle, are very realistic
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Aditya K.
    Aditya KashyapMarch 21, 2014
    Epic is the word.... Do try the butter beer ..... Good to b a 4 yr old again..... The dragon ride is also extremely good
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Allen T.
    Allen TuttonJune 14, 2013
    A sorting hat rhyme to avoid the line is very Devine cut through the emporium to the lockers your big jump will be a shocker. When in line do not fret the lines move quick you can bet
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Meredith A.heart icon on user image
    Meredith AlmondMarch 30, 2013
    Don't take the single rider if it's your first time! The wait is a lot shorter, but you skip the majority of the castle tour. Walking through Hogwarts is worth the wait itself.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Jessi S.
    Jessi SJanuary 20, 2013
    If you go when no one else is there (early December), go for the standard line. If you go in July, single rider is the line to hop in. You will see more fun things in the regular line.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Leonardo F.
    Leonardo FullanaNovember 7, 2011
    Put your bags in another locker and take the single rider line, you got in the ride in like 5 minutes, but you do not see the whole castle, so do it in the second time, first time worth the line ;)
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Junior D.heart icon on user image
    Junior DavidMarch 20, 2016
    Take the single rider q. Much faster and its worth the ability to ride it often so you can pick out something new every time you ride.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Frank R.
    Frank ReynaJune 19, 2011
    Its totally an amazing experience!! Its a crazy ride and worth any wait & will be the best thing you get on! Butterbeer is also great! Kind of hard to describe, but tasty nonetheless!
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Benjamin L.
    Benjamin LudmanApril 10, 2012
    You will miss half of the castle if you go in the single rider line (left up stairs when you enter the castle). You can come back near end of day for a tour of the whole castle.
    Upvote4Downvote
  • Sean R.
    Sean RobisonSeptember 6, 2014
    Incredibly fun ride. Though it can make you seriously dizzy.
    Upvote1Downvote
    Upvoted Feb 19
  • Randy S.heart icon on user image
    Randy SakagawaOctober 20, 2015
    Been here 10+ times
    love this ride, if you're an hp fan get in early and walk through the regular line or go to the single rider if the wait time is too long
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Tiffany T.
    Tiffany TseJuly 19, 2014
    Great stimulation ride - got a lot of twists and turns. Suggestion - if you do not like constantly swinging/moving and circling rides, do not ride this ride.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Trey H.heart icon on user image
    Trey HeissenbuttleApril 9, 2013
    Been here 100+ times
    Don't ride if: you are an expectant mother; have heart, blood pressure, back, neck, or physical conditions; motion sickness; fear of heights; are sensitive to fog or strobe effects;have claustrophobia
    Upvote2Downvote
  • Staci S.heart icon on user image
    Staci StevensJune 2, 2017
    Amazing is an understatement! Waiting in line is half the fun. You truly feel like you're at Hogwarts and apart of the HP gang.
    UpvoteDownvote
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