Virtual Line for Hagrid's in 2022

[Grasshopper2016]

We will be going to Universal for one day at the end of July, as a side trip from Disney. We're Disney vets, but Universal is all new to us. I'm trying to come up with a strategy for getting on Hagrid's --- ideally without wasting half of my day in line.

All of the information that I can find about the virtual queue for Hagrid's seems like it might be out of date.

Here's my understanding: You go to the webpage for the Universal virtual line, create an account (if you don't already have one), and see if a virtual line is being offered. If so, you try to jump in. (You must be on property to do this.) The virtual line won't always be up and running. It will depend on how long the standby line is. But often the standby line can be close to two hours, and yet there is no virtual line operating.

A few questions:

Do I have this more or less correct?
We will be there on a Sunday in late July. Is it likely that there will be a virtual line operating for Hagrid's?
Does the virtual line fill up? If so, does it happen very quickly -- like the virtual queue for Rise of the Resistance at Disney? And if so, what time does that happen, and are there any strategies for not getting shut out?

Grateful for any help I can get!

 

[Mr. Drauer]

We will be going to Universal for one day at the end of July, as a side trip from Disney. We're Disney vets, but Universal is all new to us. I'm trying to come up with a strategy for getting on Hagrid's --- ideally without wasting half of my day in line.

All of the information that I can find about the virtual queue for Hagrid's seems like it might be out of date.

Here's my understanding: You go to the webpage for the Universal virtual line, create an account (if you don't already have one), and see if a virtual line is being offered. If so, you try to jump in. (You must be on property to do this.) The virtual line won't always be up and running. It will depend on how long the standby line is. But often the standby line can be close to two hours, and yet there is no virtual line operating.

A few questions:

Do I have this more or less correct?
We will be there on a Sunday in late July. Is it likely that there will be a virtual line operating for Hagrid's?
Does the virtual line fill up? If so, does it happen very quickly -- like the virtual queue for Rise of the Resistance at Disney? And if so, what time does that happen, and are there any strategies for not getting shut out?

Grateful for any help I can get!

The virtual line hasn't been active for a long time. There is no indication that it will be up and running this summer. Typically - the VQ opens and there are set return times and you set your party size and select a time. They run out pretty quick, but the VQ reopens periodically during the day. If it opens at 8:30, the next VQ will be 11:00 or so, and then 1:00 or 2:00, etc.

the main strategy is to be able to be there when they put out the VQ is open sign, and / or keep your app open while you are doing other things. If you get on right when the VQ opens, you will get a time - but 5 minutes later, they will be out.

You will not waste your whole day in line if it not on VQ. As long as the ride is running well, it will be no more than an hour in line unless you go right after it opens when it is the longest.

 

[Grasshopper2016]

Thank you!

 

[UOAP-Naples]

They haven't been using the virtual line for Hagrid's for a long time. They experimented with a new website for the virtual line last summer but I don't know the last time I saw them using it. There is no great strategy for Hagrid's other than getting to the park before they open for early park admission. If you have early park admission, then you can line up at the gates even before they open for the early park hour and go straight to Hagrid's. That would get you on in 30 minutes or less as long as it isn't delayed. You're still waiting (just outside the park instead of the ride queue).

If you get there even 20-30 minutes into the early park hour, the wait time for Hagrid's will already be posted at 60 minutes or more. The end of July will be busy. You're going to be looking at 60-150 minute posted wait times for Hagrid's all day. You also have to consider the possibility for weather delays in the afternoon. If there is lightning, they will close all the outdoor rides.

If you don't have early park admission, I'd rope drop Marvel Island and ride anything you want there. Everyone heads to Hagrid's and Velocicoaster first thing so Marvel is relatively empty compared to what it will be the rest of the day. You can probably ride Hulk, Spiderman and Doctor Doom with very little wait. You could also do Kong, Jurassic Park River Adventure or Forbidden Journey with short waits if you aren't into Hulk and Doctor Doom level of thrill rides. Even if you then have to wait in a long line at Hagrid's, it won't seem so bad if you've already ridden 2 or 3 things as walk-ons.

If Hagrid's is your big priority and you don't have early park admission, I'd get it done between 10 am and noon so you don't risk weather closures. Ride a few things at rope drop, let the initial Hagrid's surge pass, and then go wait it out in line. The line does move well. It usually only takes about 2/3 of the posted wait time. So a posted 90 minutes should only take 60-70 minutes.

 

[ghtx]

Is it still true that there is no virtual queue for Hagrid's? We are heading to UO for Thanksgiving week - any chance that they might bring it back? Are there any other virtual queues at UO?

 

[DoryGirl1963]

Is it still true that there is no virtual queue for Hagrid's? We are heading to UO for Thanksgiving week - any chance that they might bring it back? Are there any other virtual queues at UO?

Highly doubtful - no VQs for close to a year now.