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Over the weekend, the new Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride went down. Now, any of you that have been to the park may say, "So what?" You see, the ride's gone down quite often. Most rides that include new technologies like the Forbidden Journey have continuity issues when they first open. Spider Man was known for breaking down when it first opened.
What made this break down different? A rider got out their cell phone and called in fire rescue, claiming he was stuck upside-down in the ride. Obviously, the local news picked up on the rolling fire engines and rescue vehicles heading to Islands of Adventure and eventually, Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Woot! We have a story for a slow Friday news cycle! Ultimately, it spread to national news and I even got a few notes on the item.
Now, I've been on the Forbidden Journey ride several times. You don't go upside-down in the ride. I'm not even sure you get that close. You get flat on your back looking up at the ceiling a couple times, but that's it. Could it be uncomfortable? Maybe. Life threatening? Not likely. Dying from heat exhaustion in the Florida summer heat is more likely.
I've been on the ride when it stops. Universal has been very quick to get the passengers out. From the sounds of this incident, the fire rescue did not need to come out to the park and not one person was transported for treatment. The ride broke down close to closing time, so it did not re-open Friday night, but was open Saturday morning with the rest of the park.
Fortunately, every one was OK and safe on this ride break down. It certainly hasn't changed my mind on riding Forbidden Journey, again. What about you? Does this change your mind about going to the park or riding Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey?
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Attractions go down. It's a fact of life in regards to amusement and theme parks. A couple years ago we were on Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World when it went “101″. We just happened to be about 1-2 cars behind the big splash down and I must say that if you thought the climb up that hill was steep wait until you've been sitting stuck on that hill for about 3o minutes.
But, it hasn't stopped us from going on that attraction again. In fact, we turned around and went back on it the next day
I agree, Ray. I think the difference on this one was that rescue vehicles came to the park — was all over local news, Twitter, and so on. When I first saw the reports, it sounded as if there were mass casualties. I know this is the nature of news — “if it bleeds, it leads,” but I also check further into the stories. Not sure everyone does and if someone didn't look into it further, I could see where someone might be hesitant to ride.
Well, I hope an investigation is being made into the false 911 call since the attraction doesn't go upside down and the panic and hysteria it could've caused. Plus, I am pretty sure that Universal and WDW get pretty upset when outside agencies get called in for something they can and probably were handling on their own to a satisfactory outcome
The ride has broken down one out of two times for me, but they actually started it up again within 10 minutes. There were a few bugs then, with the movie screens frozen (only one was like that) but that changed absolutely nothing. I was stuck in the lying on your back position, but that was nothing. However, we were in the Dementor screen, looking right up at 5 tons of smoke.
Agreed. I want to know how he got his cell phone out of his pocket, for starters (I know I wouldn't be able to do that) and then how he had service. Must have Verizon — can you hear me, now?
It was definitely blown way out of proportion. The ride went down over 10 times on opening day and you didn't hear a peep from local news.
I could see where the smoke could cause an issue, but if I were stuck lying on my back, I'd probably catch a quick nap.
Today, my daughter and I were alone in a four passenger car. The ride broke down, leaving up on our backs (with a “Dementor”) hanging above us. As were were tightly harnessed in, a few minutes go by…then 15 minutes… then longer. No announcement, no one to let us know that they know we are scared and uncomfortable. Could we become sick, aspirate, panic, hyperventilate due to anxiety, scared, crying? Again, do they know? If they did, can they somehow manually come up with a plan to allow the cars to be turned to an upright position, and someone come on an intercom to let us know, there are cameras and they are monitoring us?
When we exit the ride, did anyone care? NO. My daughter and I did not DIE, but still shaken up! Perhaps, next time you could understand another persons feelings?
My son was on this ride at the time and he told me it was extremely uncomfortable. They were stuck for an hour, feeling very claustrophobic and it was at least 40 mins before a human person communicated with them. When they were rescued they were taken through the gift shop so that they could buy their memerable photos!!! Shocking service and lack of concern.
My son was on this ride at the time and he told me it was extremely uncomfortable. They were stuck for an hour, feeling very claustrophobic and it was at least 40 mins before a human person communicated with them. When they were rescued they were taken through the gift shop so that they could buy their memerable photos!!! Shocking service and lack of concern.
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