Universal Orlando is known for its world class themed rides and experiences, but in the world of immersive theme parks, the experience starts before you get into the ride vehicle. We’ve already covered Top 10 Florida Dark Rides and Top 10 US Theme Park Lands, but waiting in line is now part of the attraction, so queues are expected to keep guests entertained. Themed queue lines are now a staple of immersive lands, but some of the older ones hold up just as well. Here is our list of the Top 10 queue lines at Universal Orlando, as well as what makes them great.
Honorable Mentions:
Poseidon’s Fury
While this attraction is now closed permanently, I feel like the queue and queue building are so good that I had to include them on this list. The massive show building temple entrance still has people stopping to stare at it, almost a year since the experience has closed. The queue was so immersive and ahead of its time for being an opening day attraction, and I only hope that whichever ride replaces it will keep a majority of the structure, or at least its spirit, alive.
Race Through New York starring Jimmy Fallon & Fast and Furious Supercharged
I always enjoy when there is live entertainment in queues, and these two are some of the most fun. The two live pre shows in Fast and Furious consistently have the crowd laughing, and the Ragtime Gals performing in the Jimmy Fallon waiting area is a great addition that keeps the time going by in the virtual holding area.
10. Doctor Doom’s Fearfall
While this may not be an attraction that makes a lot of top ten lists, the queue of this ride is one of the more notable at Universal. The late 90s, early 2000s comic book aesthetic fits the ride perfectly. It feels similar to the production design of the Sam Raimi Spider-Man movies or the 2005 Fantastic Four film. The comic art style is brought to life very well, and while I wouldn’t want to wait long for this attraction (which usually is not a problem), I enjoy walking through the aesthetic that is created. Bonus points for the cartoon pre show video, I always love when the ride vehicle and/or ride structure is integrated into the theming like it is here.
9. E.T. Adventure
While the outdoor area of this queue is pretty unremarkable, and even fairly uncomfortable, to wait in, the inside building more than makes up for this. The forest theming inside is wonderful, and there are even a few static figures and animatronics built in as well. And how could we talk about the E.T. queue without mentioning the shining star- the smell. Universal even makes a candle that smells like this queue line, it’s hard to describe but it captures the pine scent of the forest and also sort of dusty but in the best way. This queue does a great job of setting the scene and has plenty to look at.
8. Men in Black Alien Attack
Men in Black Alien Attack must have been one of the first attractions with an actual story integrated into the queue, with the pre show revealing an “elevator” behind a fake wall that will take you to the MIB headquarters. I think the whole “Universe and You” concept being set at a world expo is so clever, and I love the storytelling they are able to achieve in this relatively simple space. Then, exiting the elevator and entering the MIB headquarters reveals that massive Immigration Room and actual animatronics scattered around the queue. This queue perfectly sets the tone for the ride and does a fantastic job of placing riders directly into the movie sets.
7. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
It may be a little surprising to see what is arguably the best ride at Universal in the lower half of the list, but the fact is that this queue does not offer a pleasant waiting experience. Immersive, definitely, but not comfortable. The outdoor section is great, with great views of the ride and a walk directly past Hagrid’s Hut. But the indoor section makes up a majority of the line, and it is very claustrophobic. I may be biased since I had to spend 5 hours in this queue, but even since then I have come to dread the endless cave sections, with no visible exits and ceilings that get lower, making it seem like the walls are closing in on you. The positives include the last room, with a very clever LED ceiling, and a large space to relieve the tension from the tight hallways leading up to it. The pre show with Arthur Weasley and Hagrid is also very good, but it is not running most of the time to help with capacity. The queue is also very detailed, and there are lots of little easter eggs and references to the movies as well as the ride itself that you are about to experience.
6. Skull Island Reign of Kong
While the ride often flies under the radar, this is one of the better themed queues in recent years. Right off the top I will mention the incredible Shaman animatronic, which actually debuted a year before Disney’s Na’vi version. There used to be live scare actors in this queue, and while those have been retired, there are still some jump scares achieved via transparent LED screens in some of the holes in the incredible rockwork. There is also some great storytelling and scene setting in this queue, and the whole thing, including the great musical score, sets an eerie vibe that matches the ride and the 2005 Peter Jackson film that the ride is based on. This ride is worth riding just for the queue alone, and I’m always pleasantly surprised when I ride this and am reminded how good the queue is.
5. Transformers: The Ride- 3D
When I first rode Transformers, I had never seen any of the movies or even knew anything about the franchise, but the queue instantly hooked me. Despite the lack of Transformers knowledge, I loved the aesthetic of the ride, and the queue plays a huge part in that. I love the brutalist architecture design, and the flashing lights and sirens. There are also a lot of original videos produced for the ride, with actors from the movies. The worst thing is when you’re in a queue and you have to watch the same 2 minute video over and over, but with Transformers there are enough videos to keep it entertaining. The queue also does a good job of explaining the Transformers backstory to those unfamiliar. This may not be for everybody, and the outdoor portion leaves something to be desired, but I personally am a big fan of the tone set by this queue. Bonus points for the ride vehicle being a Transformer, and being explained in the pre show videos.
4. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
Another opening day attraction that still holds up in every way is The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, and the queue is no exception. The outdoor section is at least shaded, and the line is usually not stretched out there thanks to great capacity. Inside the Daily Bugle, the attention to detail is great, and you actually feel like you are inside a comic book. From the way the props are sculpted to the coloring of gray in the background to emulate the old comic panels not using color because it was cheaper to print is a genius detail. Also, just like Transformers, there are lots of in-theme videos, animated in the classic Spider-Man style. And like I said with that ride and Doctor Doom, I love when the ride vehicles are integrated into the queue and pre show videos.
3. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Forbidden Journey and its queue earn the spot on this list because this ride allows so many people to actually live out a dream come true: stepping inside Hogwarts castle. And unlike almost every other ride, the outdoor area of this queue is actually good, and the greenhouse setting is fun to wait in. Everything inside the castle, from the movie props to the pre shows, is spectacular, and is partially to thank for Universal being as popular as it is now. Forbidden Journey was the make-or-break ride for the Wizarding World, and when it opened people were talking about the queue just as much as the ride itself. This queue is a Harry Potter fan’s dream, and even if you have no attachment to the franchise, you will learn so much about the lore and the setting that you will be familiar before you get to the station. I’m not sure I can say much about this queue that hasn’t already been said, but the whole thing is incredible.
2. Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts
When the Diagon Alley area opened at the Studios side of Universal Orlando, many fans were wondering if it could live up to the reputation of Hogsmeade, but now it is agreed that this new area even exceeds Hogsmeade in many ways. One of those, in my opinion, is the queue for Gringotts. While Forbidden Journey works because it is contained and intimately detailed, Gringotts uses scale and size to make an impact. The initial bank room with the giant chandelier and goblin animatronics is breathtaking when you see it for the first time. Then, as you descend deeper towards the vaults, the queue becomes darker as it takes you into the first fun pre show. Then comes the elevator ride, which is a more advanced version of what was established with Men in Black. Finally, the ride station is one the best ever created, and completes your journey deep into the vaults. Overall, this may be the best scene setting done in a queue, and the story moves along with you as you make your way to the mine carts.
1. Jurassic World VelociCoaster
There are very few queues that I would consider “perfect,” but VelociCoaster’s queue absolutely fits the description. Every single thing about this queue could not possibly be executed any better. Really, the ride experience starts from when you go over the covered bridge and see the track above you. Starting in the outdoor portion, everything feels so precise, thought out, and of the highest quality. Things like the material of the floor, walls and ceiling, as well as the LEDs, which move as a unit and actually respond in time with the videos, which are also incredible. And that statue… magnificent. I want one in my house. The music also sets the tone in a brilliant way. Then, the first indoor area has the incredible train flyby, with the transparent screens displaying the raptors running after the riders. I remember seeing pictures of this before the ride opened, and knowing this was going to be something special. From here, various videos talk about raptor containment and about Jurassic World in general. Then, the highlight of the queue: the raptors.
Two of the most realistic animatronics ever created, and they are inches away from guest’s reach. These raptors’ movement and breathing, and even slight moisture around the eyes, nose and mouth create the most lifelike creature design in any park. Then, after the locker room, the last large room before the station features a great pre-show video that will give the final push to get you excited to ride. (Bonus points for having a daytime and nighttime version of the video!) The ceiling design in here and throughout the queue is great, using the metal plates with holes to cast shadows on the guests waiting. The station itself also just feels so premium, with beautiful granite and concrete, and huge windows looking out into the raptor paddock. There is even a built in molded marble line that separates the front row waiting area. The queue isn’t nearly as immersive as other Universal rides, but something about it is just captivating. They have found a way to make you so aware that you are waiting in a line that you enjoy being in it. This queue, from even before you enter, builds the excitement perfectly and in a way I’ve never experienced before. Every single time I enter this area, I am instantly hyped to be there.
Bonus: check out this great 20-minute documentary about the making of VelociCoaster, where they cover the queue design as well.
Those were my personal top ten queue lines at Universal Orlando, what are your thoughts? Do you have your own list you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments below!
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