IT’S MARCH IN FLORIDA, and I'm walking around Hogsmeade village in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando. It's a Christmas card come to life: a picturesque setting with charming storefronts, cobbled streets and faux snowcapped brick buildings with crooked chimneys. My friends and I want to see Hogwarts, so we head to the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride, a flying adventure through the castle.
We pass through the gates and eventually it becomes dark and atmospheric, with cold stone walls and stained-glass windows everywhere. Talking portraits speak to us as we move deeper into the castle, and Professor Dumbledore welcomes us to Hogwarts. "You may encounter all manner of things not common to your own world," he warns.
As we approach the end of the line, Harry, Ron and Hermione appear and invite us to watch a Quidditch game. A roller coaster-style car pulls up next to us. It looks like some kind of enchanted bench. Above us, countless candles float in the air as if they're all under a spell.
"Huh," I say to my friend. "I think this is the ride that made me feel sick last time." We walk onto the moving platform and take our seats. I pull the ride restraint over my shoulders, and it clicks into place.
The bench abruptly moves sideways, and we're lifted into the air, feet dangling. We're swept up and to the side at the same time, which throws me off balance.
Instant regret. My heart is beating hard, I'm accumulating spit in my mouth, and after a few seconds I'm already dizzy and nauseous. I'm hyperaware of my body as it shifts and sways at the mercy of a robotic arm that lurches me, tilts me, turns me. I hold on for dear life.
This story is from the July - August 2024 edition of Reader's Digest US.
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This story is from the July - August 2024 edition of Reader's Digest US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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