Top 9 Ride Queues at Disney World and Universal Orlando

The theme parks in Florida have an array of exciting rides and attractions, however one part of the theme park day that some of us don’t always look forward to is having to wait in the queues for these rides.

You will be pleased to know that many of the queues offer a pre-ride experience, laying out a backstory and building up anticipation for the ride to come, so you’re unlikely to be bored whilst waiting. For some attractions, the queue may be just as good as the ride and easily passed as a walk-through experience all on its own. Take a look at some of the best ride queues below.

Skull Island: Reign of Kong (Universal’s Islands of Adventure)

Explore the dark temple ruins on this jungle expedition of Skull Island. The queue for this ride really sets the mood for what’s to come, as it takes you through the dark caverns with an abundance of skeletons and natives that make unsuspecting guests scream. You’ll run into different characters and creatures, some of which speak gibberish and the only word you understand is “Kong”. This unnerving atmosphere makes for a creepy queue line, with some saying that the queue is scarier than the ride itself.

Fun Fact: There are 887 skulls in Skull Island: Reign of Kong

Revenge of the Mummy (Universal Studios)

This is another creepy queue line where you’re plunged into the darkness of an Egyptian catacomb, with some spectacular theming. It begins within the Museum of Antiquities, where a film shoot is busy taking place. Surrounded by concept drawings, props, and other set pieces, you make your way to the second floor to board the mine train that will take you into the mummy’s tomb, which oozes mystery and danger. An impressive deity statue dominates two floors, providing a great photo opportunity.

Also, be sure to look out for any areas where your hand might fit. There are some artefacts in the queue that are known to react to human touch, as well as a viewing glass that allows you to see what the people in line ahead of you are up to — with a button that you can press to get their attention. Just remember, you’ll be in their position soon enough, so be kind.

Fun Fact - Many of the Egyptian hieroglyphics on the walls spell out real warnings.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (Universal’s Islands of Adventure)

The queue for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey acts a a tour of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It begins with a walk outside around the edge of the castle, seeing the magnificent building from different viewpoints. Once inside you’ll be guided through caves, greenhouses, offices, classrooms and common rooms; all famous areas of the school which you will recognise from the films. Characters including Harry Potter and Dumbledore also appear through holographic projections in various rooms around the school. This is a magical tour, which you won’t forget.

Fun Fact - Those who do not wish to ride this attraction, can still take a tour of the castle. You will have to join the normal queue line, so it’s best to choose a time when it’s not too busy. There is a single rider queue line too, which is great for saving time, but it does skip almost the entire tour of Hogwarts.

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (Universal Studios)

This Universal Orlando attraction places you right inside the action from the Deathly Hallows film, with the incredible queue line setting the scene for the ride. The ride queue begins in the grand marble entry hall of Gringotts Wizarding Bank. It’s an impressive room, featuring massive, 50ft chandeliers and two rows of audio-animatronic goblins.

Guests are taken behind-the-scenes of the bank, coming across magical newspapers, paintings that talk, the curving staircases that stretch up through the underground caverns, and Bill Weasley’s office. The best part of the queue is probably the imitation elevator ride, which uses a combination of screens, lights, wind effects, and a moving floor to truly make you feel as if you’re plunging down several hundred feet deep into the Earth, where magic and mystery await.

Ride photos are a bit different for this attraction, as they are taken in the queue line rather than on the ride. ‘Security staff’ have to check everyone that enters the bank and during this process all muggles will have their photo taken in a private booth ready for security IDs. These security IDs are a great souvenir and can be purchased after the ride. Riders can either choose a traditional picture or a Gringotts ID lanyard.

Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid (Disney’s Magic Kingdom)

It’s wonderful to see a Disney cartoon come to life and Disney World represents The Little Mermaid story wonderfully in this attraction and queue line. Upon arrival, you will spot Prince Eric’s charming castle, which sits atop a seaside cliff and a shipwrecked boat with Ariel as the figurehead. The queue begins outside and leads you along a shoreline occupied by starfish. The outdoor area looks beautiful on a sunny Florida day, as guests are surrounded by waterfalls and lapping tide pools, littered with pieces of long-lost ships. Riders then walk through rocky coves into the lavish castle. Look out for all the detail in the rocks, relics from shipwrecks and a group of crabs moving things around. There’s so much to observe in this delightful underwater adventure.

Expedition Everest (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)

There’s a lot of storytelling behind this ride. It begins by introducing guests to the quaint little fictional village of Serka Zong, where you pick up your permits for Mount Everest. This village has a strong belief in the yeti, with gardens and shrines to this giant creature. There’s even a yeti museum with a wide collection of artefacts, implying that the yeti is more than a myth. The queue line gives a great idea of the backstory, preparing guests for the train ride up the mountain.

If you enjoy seeing all the artefacts in the Expedition Everest queue, you won’t want to miss Kali River Rapids, which has even more artefacts.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

This Disney ride is inspired by the American 1960s TV series The Twilight Zone, which takes place within the fictional Hollywood Tower Hotel. As part of the queue, guests walk through this deserted hotel, which is grand but spooky and covered in cobwebs and dust. Jazz music plays within the queue line as well, taking you back to what this once-famous hotel was like.

It’s certainly fascinating seeing a building stuck in time, even if it is a little eerie. The building is highly detailed, so there’s lots to look at as you may your way through the queue. Keep an eye out for some thunder and lightning, which starts to set the scene for the ride to come.

Avatar Flight of Passage (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)

Avatar Flight of Passage has the longest and one of the most expensive queues ever built within Walt Disney World. It features lots of special effects, as the natural world and technological world come together. A trail takes guests into the caves behind the mountains, where drawings of the banshees native to the planet have been scrawled on the walls. Within here Alpha Centauri Expeditions has begun to peacefully study the world of Pandora and even has an Avatar floating in a tube, which is fascinating to see.

It’s been a long time since the Avatar film was released, but this queue line is excellent at retelling the story and preparing guests for a flight over the world of Pandora.

Star Wars Rise of the Resistance (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

The queue line for Rise of The Resistance makes you feel like you’re living a Star Wars adventure. With its immersive detailing and extensive storytelling it may not even feel like a queue, but just another part of the ride. After joining the Rise of the Resistance virtual queue and being given your boarding time, you can then head towards the large laser cannon taking guests into Resistance Forest, featuring caves and waterfalls. Each room takes you deeper and deeper inside the cavern, and closer to the centre of the Resistance base.

Within the base, new recruits are tasked with a mission by Rey and are led into a transport shuttle that will take everyone off Batuu. This feels like a ride in itself, even though it’s only part of the queue line. The shuttle is unexpectedly intercepted by a First Order Star Destroyer and when the doors open you find yourself in the middle of an expansive star destroyer bay with a line up of 50 stormtroopers, as well as a TIE Fighter! Many Disney guests have said how blown away they are when stepping into this room, as it makes you feel like you are right there.

Riders are led along a hallway to the detention block, where you will be held for interrogation. Groups are organised and led into the strangely shaped cells with tall ceilings and Storm Troopers watching over you, feeling like there’s no way out, but is there…?

Image credits:

• Revenge of the Mummy - Universal Orlando
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey portraits - Walt Disney World
• Under the Sea: The Little Mermaid - Walt Disney World
• Avatar Flight of Passage - BlogMickey.com