Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
The New Harry Potter Ride At Universal Studios Might Make You Barf
An artist's rendering of Hogwarts at Universal Studios Hollywood (via Facebook)
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is set to open at Universal Studios Hollywood next month, and its marquee ride, "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" is apparently making people puke.
According to TMZ, "the guinea pigs, aka Universal employees, who have jumped on the broom haven't been able to handle the adventure."
The "Forbidden Journey" ride at Universal's Orlando park has been open since 2010. It zooms people through Hogwarts castle and over the grounds on "enchanted benches," and uses a combination of projected images and props. The main difference between the two rides is that at Universal Studios Hollywood, riders wear 3D goggles.
Here's a virtual look into what the ride entails in this video taken on the ride in the Orlando
park:
Sponsored message
One woman told the Orlando Sentinel she took Dramamine before riding, but it still wasn't enough, and vomited twice at the end of the ride. "It was really, really bad," said Beth Whiteside. "I ended up having to shut my eyes. I was still like, 'Oh, Lord, I'm not going to make it.'"
Universal spokesman Tom Schroder denied that the 3D effects were to blame, and told Fox News, "Tens of millions of people across the globe have ridden Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at our parks in Orlando and Japan and they've had an incredible experience, with no issues."
Are you saying these people are lying?
I just went on the Harry Potter ride and I'm 99.9% sure I'm going to be sick
— lo (@awildlo) February 28, 2016
Schroder said that any reports of puking can likely be blamed on your standard motion sickness people get from riding in cars or boat, and that Universal posts signs warning of the potential consequences, depending on preexisting medical conditions.
Sponsored message
In this case, boozing up before hopping on the ride is your own damn fault:
@TMZ there is nothing wrong with Harry Potter ride, the people that vomit had alcoholic drinks before getting on it. The ride is great.
— ale_cis_424 (@ciskandr) March 1, 2016
@jhelfman @ahelfman I drank a butterbeer than rode the Harry Potter ride at universal. Nearly cast a vomit spell on a dementor.
— nascarcasm (@nascarcasm) June 17, 2015
Either way, you might want to play it safe and hold off on the butterbeers until after disembarking.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
