USJ Forbidden Journey Guide: Scares, Motion Sickness, and Story

What You’ll Learn in This Article

The story and highlights of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
How scary and motion-sickness-inducing it is, plus what to know before riding
Where the ride photo is taken, how it differs from the Castle Walk, and ways to enjoy it

USJ’s hugely popular area, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter”
The meticulously recreated streets are impressive, and every attraction is fun, but the most popular of all is the ride inside Hogwarts Castle, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey”!

Here, we’ll explain the story of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, how scary it is, and tips for riding without getting motion sickness♪

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey: Basic Information

Location: Inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Height requirement: 122 cm
Other restrictions: Guests who are pregnant or feeling unwell may not ride
Dedicated lockers: Available
Ride photo: Available

Don’t Confuse It with the Castle Walk!

At Hogwarts Castle, there are two experiences: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and the limited-time Hogwarts Castle Walk.
The Castle Walk lets you tour the inside of the castle without boarding the ride.
Both use the same entrance to the queue, so be careful—if you choose the wrong line, you may leave the castle without riding.

The Castle Walk is recommended for anyone who dislikes rides or wants to explore at a relaxed pace, so give it a try when it is available♪

Note: The Castle Walk may not be offered on some days.

Put All Belongings in the Dedicated Lockers

Dedicated lockers are available immediately after you enter Hogwarts Castle.
They are not especially large, so plan ahead if you have bulky luggage.

When Is the Ride Photo Taken?

A photo is taken during Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and you can purchase it after the attraction.

The photo is taken during the scene where you encounter spiders in the Forbidden Forest.
Hermione arrives and helps by casting “Arania Exumai” to drive the spiders away. The camera fires in sync with the flash of magic.
The camera is positioned to the left of the spider, so if you catch the timing, look over with your best smile.

Story Walkthrough

Here is the story from the moment you enter Hogwarts Castle until the attraction ends.

This section contains full spoilers, so proceed with caution if you have not experienced the ride yet.

Meeting Harry and His Friends

Guests arrive at Hogwarts.
To help Muggles learn more about the school, Professor Cuthbert Binns, who teaches History of Magic, is apparently giving a special lesson.

However, the lesson is rumored to be terribly long and terribly boring.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione are hiding beneath the Invisibility Cloak and trying to skip class.
The guests run into the three friends, who invite everyone to sneak out of the lesson with them!

Taking Flight

The password is “Observatory!”

Hermione enchants the benches so they can fly, allowing the guests to join Harry and Ron!
As you soar above Hogwarts, Hagrid calls out, “Have you seen a dragon?”

You ignore him and head toward the Quidditch pitch, only to run into the escaped dragon…!
After dodging its flames and fleeing, you arrive in the Forbidden Forest.
You are surrounded by spiders with no way out.

Then Hermione appears and drives the spiders away with “Arania Exumai.”
As you make your way back to Hogwarts, the next thing you encounter is the Whomping Willow.

After avoiding its thrashing branches, you finally return to the Quidditch pitch.
Draco relentlessly attacks Harry.

Dementors

As the battle continues, Dementors suddenly appear.
The entire arena falls into chaos.

You follow Harry and try to escape, but the Dementors pursue you.
You are dragged down into a ravine and surrounded by Dementors.
Once again, there seems to be no escape.

Just when all hope appears lost, Harry casts “Expecto Patronum” and drives the Dementors away!
You weave through the collapsing ravine and return to Hogwarts Castle, where everyone welcomes you warmly.
They ask you to come back again and see you off as you leave the castle.

Is It Scary?

Guests who are not comfortable with rides may wonder how frightening it is, but this is not a high-speed thrill ride, so it is not scary because of speed.

The vehicle moves slowly, sliding sideways to the left, while the seats tilt and swing up, down, left, and right.
The fast-moving screen imagery can make it feel speedy, but the actual ride vehicle does not move very fast.
If fast rides are what you dislike, this one may be manageable.

Be a little cautious if you are afraid of the dark.
Some portions pass through very dark spaces, so guests who dislike darkness should be prepared.

Also, frightening creatures such as spiders and Dementors appear, so keep that in mind as well.
Some children in the early elementary grades or younger may find it scary.

Does Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Cause Motion Sickness? Tips to Avoid It

Because the seats on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey move side to side and up and down, many people may find it motion-sickness-inducing.
Some guests may also experience visual motion sickness from the 3D imagery on the screens.

Even so, you naturally want to enjoy the attraction while you are there.
The ride is known for causing motion sickness, so here are some tips that may help reduce it!

Three Tips for Preventing Motion Sickness on the Ride

1. Relax and Enjoy the Experience

The first tip is to understand why motion sickness happens, which can help you find ways to address it!
In simple terms, when the body is repeatedly exposed to vibrations and irregular movements, the brain can struggle to process balance information. This disrupts the autonomic nervous system, which controls the circulatory and digestive systems, and may make you feel sick.

Even while you are walking or lying down in daily life, your brain is constantly judging, “I’m walking,” or “I’m lying down.”

When those signals become overstimulated, the brain can panic—“Am I facing up? Down? Right? Left?”—and send incorrect signals to the digestive system, including the stomach and intestines, or the circulatory system, including the heart and blood vessels. This can cause nausea or headaches.

Physical strain is not the only factor. Anxiety and poor physical condition can also make motion sickness more likely.

Motion sickness can actually improve as you become accustomed to movement.

Babies are less likely to get motion sickness because the mechanisms that sense balance are still immature. As those systems develop, motion sickness can become more common.

It appears to peak from the upper elementary-school years through the middle- and high-school years, when balance perception has developed but tolerance for vehicles is still limited.
For many people, motion sickness improves as they grow older.

I also used to get motion sick in elementary and middle school, but now ordinary rides rarely bother me.
People who do not often ride trains, cars, or other vehicles may be more prone to motion sickness.

Think about your daily routine and whether you rarely spend time in moving vehicles.
If you often travel by car but still get sick easily, psychological factors may be playing a larger role.
Worrying, “I get motion sick easily—will I be okay?” can itself create stress and lead to feeling unwell.

It may not be easy to eliminate that anxiety, but while you wait in line, enjoy chatting with friends or family and looking around the castle♪
Replacing “I’m nervous” with “I’m excited” can be an effective way to reduce motion sickness.
Once seated, avoid tensing up and let your body move with the ride to reduce stress.

2. Make Sure You Feel Well

What does it mean to be in good condition for the ride?
Lack of sleep or a cold is clearly not ideal.
Another important point is to avoid riding when you are either too full or too hungry.

You may feel unwell when your stomach is overfull or completely empty.
Either condition can make motion sickness more likely, so it is best to wait a while after eating before you ride.

3. Know What to Do If You Start Feeling Sick

If you begin to feel motion sick during the ride, the best thing to do is close your eyes and relax your body.
This blocks the visual information that makes your brain panic—“Am I facing up? Down? Right? Left?”

This can be especially effective when the cause is 3D or screen-induced motion sickness.
It is also fine to use advice you found online or heard from someone else.
Simply knowing what to do in advance can provide reassurance, helping you relax and making motion sickness less likely.

If you are still very worried, taking motion-sickness medicine beforehand is another option, although you may prefer not to rely too much on medication.
The tips introduced here are all easy to try, so relax and enjoy the attraction!

Summary

We’ve covered the story of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and several tips for riding, but the best way to appreciate the attraction is to experience it for yourself!
From the moment you enter the castle, the exciting interior draws you into the world, and the ride keeps your heart racing from start to finish. If you visit USJ, this is one attraction you should experience at least once…!
Even if rides are not your thing, you can still enter the castle through the Castle Walk, so take the opportunity to experience Hogwarts with all your senses♪