Ranking the 10 Best Line Queues at Universal Studios Orlando
One of the best parts about visiting Universal Studios isn’t just the rides themselves, it’s the absolutely incredible detail and theatrics they put into their line queues for pretty much every single ride. Sometimes it makes me actually want to wait in line verses getting a fast pass. In this article I am going to rank my favorite line queues at Universal Studios that you need to immerse yourself with.
10. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
This queue is a great choice for families with young kids, but even adults will appreciate the humor and fun. The line for Despicable Me features tons of interactive elements and playful, colorful decorations. You’ll pass by the Minions in various hilarious situations and feel like you’re part of their crazy antics before you finally “become” a Minion yourself on the ride. It’s a queue that brings the character-driven fun of the movies to life in a way that keeps everyone entertained while they wait.
9. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
The Spider-Man line queue is legendary. It puts you inside the Daily Bugle office. As you wait, you’re treated to news broadcasts, a variety of interactive video screens, and even a sneak peek at Spider-Man’s suit and webbing. The theming here is incredible and it builds the anticipation for the action-packed ride that follows. It’s classic Universal at its best. Action-packed, engaging, and completely immersive. One of the best line queues at Universal.
8. Men in Black Alien Attack
Once you get inside the main building the queue is really fun and exciting. Clips of Will Smith and the different aliens play throughout. You’re in a big open building with tons of details and props throughout such as different aliens, guns, pieces of equipment and even props from the original movie. It’s super immersive and puts you into the shoes of where they were in the movie. Fun ride and fun queue.
7. Jimmy Fallon Race Through New York
The Jimmy Fallon ride I wasn’t sure what to expect but the queue was super cool. You are walking through NBC Studios in New York, it takes you backstage, on the red carpet, through some back hallways and more all while essentially acting as Jimmy Fallon himself walking though the studio. The detail is absolutely amazing as it looks like you are right there in NYC at NBC Studios. A different vibe, but one of the more unique line queues at Universal Studios.
6. King Kong: Reign of Kong
The King Kong queue is very unique in itself because it’s dark, atmospheric, and a bit scary, setting the perfect tone for the ride itself. The queue winds through a mysterious jungle, filled with eerie sounds and detailed environmental storytelling. There are walls of skulls that you pass and a huge skull head in the main waiting area. You are then greeted by an elderly tribal member (animatronic) speaking a different language and giving warning.
You’ll pass by various tribal artifacts and mysterious warnings, creating an exciting sense of danger as you approach the massive ape. The queue itself is almost as terrifying as the ride, with incredible theming and tension that only adds to the experience.
5. The Revenge of the Mummy
The Revenge of the Mummy queue is one of my favorites in the park. I love the ride as well but as soon as you enter the building the vibe gets very ominous.
You start the queue through an ancient tomb. It’s dark, mysterious, and full of surprises, from flickering torches to creepy mummies in tombs. The queue winds through ancient ruins, and it’s essentially like you’re in a maze which adds to the fun. The attention to detail and the atmosphere of this queue make it one of the most exciting and well-themed line queues at Universal.
4. Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure
This newer addition to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Hogsmeade is a fan favorite for a reason. The queue for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is long but absolutely worth it. You’ll walk through the Forbidden Forest, passing by magical creatures like Fluffy the three-headed dog and a thestral.
There are also interactive elements, including the chance to see a live-action, moving motorbike and sidecar. The experience is fully immersive and adds so much to the story before you even get to the ride itself. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, or even if you’re not, you will truly admire and appreciate this.
3. Velocicoaster
Another one of the newer rides at the park, an exciting thrill ride. This is a pretty long queue and the first bit of it loops around outside. However you’re right next to the water and the coaster goes flying by right above you adding a lot of excitement and perhaps some nerves as well.
Once you get inside the air-conditioned building, there are velociraptors all around you. It’s like you’re entering the lab in Jurassic World. Screens with Chris Pratt appearing on them talking to you and warning you about the ride and dangers of the raptors. There are tubes, props, dinosaur embryos, dinosaur animatronics with muzzles on, raptors running all around you. It’s very dark, eerie and intense! The ride is very fast and can be scary to some, and the queue just adds to that tension.
2. Harry Potter & the Escape From Gringotts
Coming in at number two is the Escape from Gringotts Bank in Diagon Alley. A newer addition to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and equally incredible. Going through the main part of the bank is breath-taking. You’re walking through the halls with goblin bank tellers all around you working hard. Again i keep mentioning this but the detail is very impressive into the goblin animatronics and the bank itself.
It then takes you down into the cellar where there are bank notes, old newspapers with moving pictures of “Undesirables”, gold and more. You’ll then enter an “elevator” that gives you the impression of going down underground to the mines, where there are winding staircases before ultimately getting you on the ride. Super detailed, very impressive and by far one of the coolest line queues at Universal.
1. Harry Potter & the Forbidden Journey
Maybe it’s my bias and love for Harry potter that I have both rides as the top two on the list, however I do believe most people would agree with me here. There was nothing more incredible and jaw-dropping than seeing the Hogwarts castle for the first time. Absolutely magnificent. It was like someone dropped me directly into the movies with how incredible and massive it was. This is my number one of line queues at Universal.
You start out walking through the castle hallways and then outside in the garden. Once you get inside is where the real magic starts. Inside the castle you will go through Dumbledore’s office where you will be greeted by Harry, Ron & Hermione of course as they are tasked of taking you on a tour through the grounds of the castle.
Through the dimly lit hallways there are dozens of paintings on the wall and of course, they all move and talk. Each painting is unique and has a story to tell. You’ll be so immersed in it that you won’t want to move ahead in line without finishing watching it first. The wait could be 2 hours long and i wouldn’t mind it all. Being in the castle is a dream in itself.
I can’t wait to visit the Ministry of Magic this year at Epic Universe.
Conclusion
The line queues at Universal Studios Orlando are often just as cool and exciting as the rides themselves. They’re not to be overlooked, and if you’re on the fence about getting a fast pass, then use this article as a reason to not get one.
The level of detail and immersion in the queues will make your wait fly by. So next time you’re in the park, take a moment to really enjoy the queues as they might just be the best part of your day!
For a list of the best rollercoasters at universal, click here
Everything you need to know about the Harry Potter World’s here