The queue for Escape from Gringotts in Universal Studios is one of the most immersive in all of Orlando.

Chances are you can’t ride an Orlando theme park ride without having to wait in a line. But before you let out a groan, theme park ride lines aren’t what they used to be. In fact, many of them now offer interactive displays, incredible entertainment and much more. These queues can even be considered a ride, or at least unique walk-through experiences. Here are the best themed queues at Orlando theme parks:

Harry Potter and the Escape from GringottsUniversal Studios blew us away when they brought London from the Harry Potter series to Orlando. We were beyond impressed just by walking through the streets of the city, and then we stepped inside Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. The story behind the ride is that you are meeting Bill Weasley to get a tour of the underground vaults, but you just so happen to be visiting on the same day Harry, Hermione and Ron are trying to break into Beallatrix Lestrange’s vault. From amazing views of the Gringotts Bank Lobby, featuring lifelike goblin bankers who will speak to you and look up from their work, all the way into the vaults and security area, the queue for Gringotts is one of the most immersive you will ever experience.

Pirates of the Caribbean – The Pirates of the Caribbean queue in Disney’s Magic Kingdom might not be as interactive as some of the others, but it is still rather entertaining for guests. The line begins outside, but you move quickly inside into the Castillo del Morro and into “A Pirate’s Life.” There are two separate queue lines, Soldiers or Pirates. Whichever you choose you’ll wander past incredible detail and even a few pirates, including two pirate skeletons playing a game of chess. The castle has great detail and you’ll feel as if you just walked into port with pirates!

Men in Black: Alien Attack – This fun shooting game makes you believe that you are entering an exhibit called The Universe & You – Are We Alone?, which has been transplanted from the 1964 New York World’s Fair. The outside of the queue is covered in posters advertising extraterrestrial activity. Once inside the building you will get on an elevator that travels deep into the Earth. Off the elevator you will enter the secret MIB Headquarters. As you travel further into the headquarters you will see creatures from the films including the “worms” on break as well as other suspicious things like alien scanners, doors to labs, and more. The entire queue feels like you are really in MIB headquarters.

Splash Mountain
– Splash Mountain features characters and songs from the 1964 film Song of the South, which tells the story of Br’er Rabbit as he looks for his Laughing Place and constantly escapes Br’er Fox and Brer Bear who want to eat him. Splash Mountain’s queue gets us ready for the wrily adventure you’re about to take with some blue grass music and a winding path all the way to the loading area.


Orlando, FL – 8/21/15

By: Jena Pugh