The Best Time to Ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Universal's Islands of Adventure

Head straight to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at 8 AM, when the average wait is about 10 min. That is less than half the 27 min average recorded at 11 AM, the busiest hour of the day. These figures come from roughly two weeks of real wait readings taken between June 9 and June 23, 2026, across 1,099 data points.

The midday stretch from 11 AM through 2 PM is the roughest window, with averages ranging from 23 min to 27 min. Once the afternoon thins out, waits drop back to about 14 min from 5 PM through 8 PM and slide further to about 11 min at 9 PM. If you miss the morning opening, late evening is your next best shot.

Tips

• Arrive at park open and walk directly to Hogsmeade. The 8 AM average of about 10 min reflects guests who get there before the bulk of the crowd filters in, so every minute of delay costs you.
• Universal Express is available for this attraction. If you have that pass and the park is deep into its midday peak, use it between 11 AM and 2 PM when posted waits are at their highest.

FAQ

What is the best time to ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey? 8 AM, with an average wait of about 10 min. If you cannot ride at opening, 9 PM is the next best option at about 11 min.

How long is the wait? The typical wait across all hours is 18 min. Waits climb to about 27 min at 11 AM and fall as low as about 10 min at 8 AM.

Is there a height requirement? Yes. Riders must be at least 48 inches tall to board. The ride itself runs about 4 minutes.