Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience Chicago — Attraction in Round Lake

We went to the Harry Potter experience on 10/12. Overall management of ticket times was mediocre at best. We heard one of the workers say they do not care what your ticket time was, get into the line so they could enter. This resulted in long delays at the “popular” photo ops places. We probably waited in line for 15 minutes or more at the hypogriff. We even saw one to the staff come tell the worker at the hypogriff to get things moving faster due to the big line forming. The light up wand or any wand is not needed. If you have your own bring it. The wand is not needed for the “experiences” where you would want a wand. Your hand or a stick off the ground would work. The mulling pot didn’t have prices listed for everything they offered at mid trail location. I was surprised to pay $40 dollars for two butterbeers in a souvenir cup. Thought the event was enjoyable, the overall experience was ruined by the customer service before and after attend the experience. Fever (parent company for the event) was TERRIBLE in providing any help. We bought 6 tickets to attend. Due to some personal issues we were unable to take one of our participants with us when we went. We tried before we went (more than 48 hours prior) at the event, and after the event to transfer one of the tickets to a different date so we could go again (we were planning on buying more tickets besides the one we wanted transferred.) We tried email, the interactive chat, a phone call and at the door when we attended. All were unsuccessful. The interactive chat forwarded us on to “someone” and we got a boilerplate automated response on how to move all 6 tickets. We only wanted to move one. We tried sending emails directly and only got automated responses or emails that were basically stating you can’t get a refund. We didn’t want a refund. The people at the event were pleasant but not helpful. They said they could not help but gave a QR code to contact Fever. They also scanned all 6 tickets when we told them there were only 5 attending. We emailed and called after we went to see if we could transfer the unused ticket and gave what we had tried to do previously. The agent stated all 6 tickets were utilized (they were not on purpose and 6 people did not attend) and basically gave no help. After some time of going back and forth on the phone asking for more information, talk to someone else, etc, I was basically hung up on. We got a response email later that no refunds were available. Pretty much in all cases we were not listened to. I never wanted or asked for a refund. I was looking to spend more money and got a second time so the person that could not attend could go. The overall lack of assistance ruined the entire experience for our family and wouldn’t rank it any higher than 1 star. I would be mindful of purchasing tickets if you can’t go on the exact date and...

Solid experience to try. I highly recommend bringing at least 2 people. Going by yourself can be fun but can be hard to capture those picture perfect moments.

Some tips: I don't reccomend buying wands from them or their gift shop. Your better off buying from Amazon or through the Noble Collection much affordable and does the same job. (Bring your own wand it does not have to be the light up ones). Also, bring a bright flashlight it will help with the photos especially at night. I used my flashlight to illuminate my wand which gave a picture perfect moment with a dementor. (You will know what I mean when you see it above you). When you walk in a group stay behind and be the last group to walk or the first that way you can get your pictures. These events have soooo many people, lots of people will walk in on your photos so either be fast or take your time.

The best part has to be casting your own patronus. The staff there are friendly and you have to say "Expecto Patronum" loud for a good patronus.

2nd best moment has to be the Harry Vs Voldermort class. The only issue I had with this was I did not get the red vs green clash. I think my light wave was yellow. It kind of ruined the moment.

Issues: Surcharge with bookings, parking is a mess at night during peak time (better be good with tight parking), some staff are blunt (entrance to parking and ticket takers), its more than likely they are just drained from their job. But their attitude did kind of spoil our fun. The staff managing photo lines were very kind and helpful they even took pictures for me. BuckBeak-The animatronic did not work for me, must have broke when I got there. Kind of disappointed since we spent a lot of money and did not get that experience. Food-Staff were kind and nice. The food on the other hand was expensive.

Suggestions: Improve lighting by picture perfect moments. Add a werewolf (Lupin) animatronic people can take a...

I highly recommend Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience! My friend and I, both middle age Potter fans, had a wonderful time. It was so great to be outside, at night, in a lush forest. The lighting of the trail and the interactive experiences was exceptional. Being able to cast spells with fantastic results was so fun. The folks who set the whole experience up must be highly skilled witches and wizards! I could go on and on, but really it was the experience of magic we were looking for!

Accessibility: I sent in the provided Google accessibility form on the website, asking for a handicap parking spot and to reserve a scooter. I received an email back that both were reserved for me. I use a walker and when we arrived we waited for a scooter to be returned by another patron. Kenzie, a manager, was very helpful and kind. We passed the time by having a Butterbeer in Hogsmeade Village. Please note, for those with accessibility needs, it is recommended to plan ahead and secure a scooter and a handicap parking space. It was very easy to do and the staff is very helpful. Bathrooms are latrines and there are handicap size ones available. The scooter had four big wheels, a comfy seat and was easy to maneuver. The trail is very wide, so "traffic" wasn't bad at all. And we were there in the later evening and actually closed the place down, which meant the trail had less patrons and it was a weekday evening. As I said, the staff was very helpful, so ask any questions you have. Kenzie safely stored my walker while I was on the trail and brought it right out to me at the end. There is a refreshment and bathroom stop midway through the trail.

There is a beautiful unicorn and baby moving through the forest display. It is worth the stop to watch it. It looked real! Watch out for the dementors and have your wand at the...