What are the best queue's at Universal?

[Blue32]

We are about ready to take a first trip(and no kids!) to Universal Orlando and we are staying at PBH for 3 nights with 3 day tickets. While unlimited access to EP will be great, I also don't want to miss any queue's that may be worth walking thru once. I assume that the EP lines bypass some of the themed queues? Are there any that you would consider not to be missed and worth going thru the regular line at least once?
Thanks Disboard members! And btw....WE ARE SUPER EXCITED for this trip!

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

I have been researching the same question. I have not been to UOR since a one day unplanned trip in 1993 - I know nothing first hand. Proceed with caution. Danger, Will Robinson! etc. What I have read shows that some people consider the following queues worth a trip in the SB line for story line or theme: Mummy, ET, MIB, TF, Gringotts, Spiderman, Hulk, DrDoom, FJ, and Seuss trolley. Suggested but with less people listing the queues as worth it are DudleyDoRight and Dragon Challenge. Additionally, the following SB queues have photo-connect (or whatever the UOR photopass type deal is called) opportunities not available outside the SB queue: Gringotts and Spiderman.
I hope someone who actually knows will weigh in and confirm/correct above as appropriate. Please...

 

[mark2311]

Its been a few years since I have been so I can't speak for Gringotts or Transformers, plus I've never ridden the Seuss trolley. However most of the other queues you mention are pretty good. Out of the list above Hulk and Doom are probably the weakest.

The Mummy is part film set part Egyptian temple, well themed and atmospheric. ET is like walking through a forest with a unique smell, not a bad smell just something you won't smell anywhere else. MIB is pretty cool if you're a fan of the movies. its just like walking through the headquarters. Spiderman is a series of rooms themed differently. One of the rooms is like the newspaper office which is cool but apart from that its not amazing. Hulk is just a big hanger like room with the switchbacks and flashing lights. Dr Doom is a step up from Hulk but not by much. There is a good video explaining the rides purpose. Forbidden Journey is amazing. Its a perfect tour through the castle and you get to see everything that you expect to see from the movies and books. The fact that people just walk through the queue is a good enough indicator.

I have a few pics if you would like to see any

 

[kelleybean]

I'd say Forbidden Journey and Gringotts (neither of which have express anyway). I don't think any of the other queues are worth bypassing the express line for, but that's just my opinion. Maybe Spiderman although if you get there near opening there's not much of a wait (if any) in the regular line since it loads so fast. MIB does a pre-show for the regular line only, express skips the pre-show. Maybe because I've seen it so many times but I don't think it's worth it. I'd rather ride the ride several times extra with express and try to beat my score! And both lines pass the part of the queue with the aliens downstairs.

 

[macraven]

for me, i do certain rides once thru the regular lines to see what i'm missing by using the express lines or srl.
my list includes, mummy, spidey, hulk, doom, fj, et, and mib.

i stay enough days to hit those rides once in the morning before crowds come in.
i do the above listed rides during my fall visits.

 

[Creaking Crypt Door]

Forbidden Journey is maybe the coolest ride queue I've ever experienced-it's very realized, very developed, and you really feel like you're walking through Hogwarts. But as others have mentioned, the line can get very long, so it's not always worth it.

 

[schumigirl]

We wil do full queue occasionally if it's very quiet......

Those are Mummy, both Potter rides and Spider-Man.

 

[disneydawn71]

I haven't done the regular queue for Spiderman and Mummy, on the next trip, I plan to since I feel like I've missed out and these are 2 of my favorite rides that have Express Pass. I find the express line at Spiderman is pretty cool, I love all that retro stuff! Is the normal queue even better and are there more "rooms" that you pass through?

 

[macraven]

I haven't done the regular queue for Spiderman and Mummy, on the next trip, I plan to since I feel like I've missed out and these are 2 of my favorite rides that have Express Pass. I find the express line at Spiderman is pretty cool, I love all that retro stuff! Is the normal queue even better and are there more "rooms" that you pass through?

yes, you do miss a lot when using the express lines for mummy and spiderman.

yes, more rooms and more info with the regular spiderman queue, worth it to go thru at least once.

mummy, ditto.
there is an old thread that started many many years back about things not to miss in the regular lines, i posted on it about the table and button in the mummy line.

during the regular line at the mummy, when you see the table, have a friend go to one end of it and you the other....
see the button on the wall right before after it does an angle turn?
push it.


that's the two things i can remember about the regular queue line for the mummy.

 

[disneydawn71]

Thanks macraven! Your responses are always so detailed and I thank you for that! Will definitely look out for the table at Mummy.

Regular queues, here we come! Ohhhh I cannot wait, especially for Spiderman... love, love the theming there!

 

[macraven]

i'm reading thru the original old thread that was started sept 12 2005




did bring this up as an update on 12-11-12
the table(which needs two peeps) and button for the air blast is still in the regular que line for the mummy.
you won't find that in the mummy express line.

another part of that old thread about the mummy:

1. 
   
   
   • when inside the mummy line, push the large button and watch the monitor.
     
     when you push it, people on the "bridge" around the corner will get a blast of air.
     also, when you see the table in the waiting line, have someone go to the other side of the table. both put your hands on it at the same time.
     look up at the ceiling to see what happens.
     
     macraven, Oct 15, 2007EditReport
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     phamtonThe Other Orlando ThemeparkModerator
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     It's not water but they do get hit with a blast of air. It scares them everytime. Macraven and I had a great time at the Mummy together!
     
     phamton, Oct 15, 2007Report
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     macravenProud Redhead
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quite a bit of the old secrets are no longer there, but it is a fun read and you can see some pictures of the darkside that have changed since 2003.
this older thread that has died out was Universal/IOA secrets.
read the old thread for some tidbits about the queue in Spiderman though not sure if what you read will be the same now.