Top 10 Queues at Disney World
Ah, the best queues of Walt Disney World. For those of unfamiliar with the parlance, “queue” is fancy Frenchspeak for “line.” For whatever reason, that’s how Walt Disney World refers to its line (maybe to make them seem more pleasant?) But we digress. If you’ve ever been to Walt Disney World, you’ve waited in queues. Probably for hours. After all, not everything has FastPass+.
Some of those queues are elaborately detailed, some are fairly basic. In certain cases, the elaborate queues make the wait fly by, as you notice the elaborate details that foreshadow the attraction. In other cases, like Avatar Flight of Passage, even the elaborate queue cannot make the ridiculously long wait fly by. At their best, the queues play an integral part in the experience, setting the stage for what’s to come and helping guests suspend disbelief.
Despite their importance, for many guests queues are a place to kill time while they wait for the ride. Instead of absorbing the scene of what’s around and taking the opportunity to enjoy the communal experience of these attractions and engage with others, we bury our heads in our phones and other gadgets. I have been guilty of this at times, I’ll admit. This is something I want to ‘correct’ in myself and would encourage others to do, as well.
To that end, you’ll notice not many of the ‘gamified’ interactive queues make this list. I’ll be honest: I’m not a fan of most of the interactive queues Walt Disney World has added in the last 5 years or so as part of its NextGen initiative. They are a serviceable option to entertain or distract kids who would otherwise grow restless waiting in line. (Don’t kids know that waiting builds character?!) From that perspective, they are a “win” over plain switchbacks. However, few of these really add to theme or story, and several seem like simple ways to placate those who don’t want to engage.
Let’s take a look at the best of what Walt Disney World has to offer in terms of their queues, and how these queues can make a difference in the guest experience…
T10. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – The interactive element here is a really mixed bag. I have little to no desire to work as free labor while the dwarfs try to crowdsource their jewel sorting operations. After paying Disney prices just to get in the park, it really seems tacky to make guests work for their seat on the ride.
Setting aside that one game, the interactive elements here are neat, particularly the colored water (heads up, kids: green water tastes best!) and spinning jewel buckets. However, it’s the detail of the mine and texture of the spaces that really makes the experience for me. The whole area is just really lovely, and although I wouldn’t want to be stuck here for 60+ minutes, the design and details do make a 30-minute wait pass quickly.
T10. Dumbo – A decade ago, if you polled guests on the worst queue experience at Walt Disney World, I’d hazard a guess that that Dumbo and Peter Pan’s Flight would top that list. Now, both have upgraded queues, and what used to feel like an eternity now passes fairly quickly.
Parents are sure to enjoy the indoor play area (great for letting them burn off energy) that has received plenty of accolades, but what I like here is the outdoor experience, which has been plussed itself. From the beautiful lighting to the relaxed ambiance of Storybook Circus, Dumbo’s line now actually feels like less of a circus than it did when it was in the heart of Fantasyland.
9. Splash Mountain – This is a queue for which I have a particular fondness thanks to childhood memories. In the days before FastPass (and long before FastPass+), you waited in this entire line, quickly meandering through its three distinct sections before boarding. While the first section is ostensibly unremarkable, I remember being mesmerized by the ornate little birdhouses (what kind of delightful little creature built these?) and puzzled by the ‘Brer Critter’ posters up throughout the switchback areas.
The details drew me in, and I wanted to know more. For me, the charming little features like this exemplify why Splash Mountain is such a beloved attraction. It has a lot of heart, which is evident even in the “basic” areas of the queue–and then even moreso in the barn and mountain itself.
8. Haunted Mansion – I have mixed feelings about the re-imagined NextGen queue here. A lot of purists vehemently oppose it, and I get why. The overly-cartoonish style of the queue does contradict the otherwise foreboding tone of the Haunted Mansion’s opening scenes, and it seems like a caricature of the ghosts present in the attraction. With that said, I think for kids, it provides an approachable vehicle for foreshadowing what they’ll see inside, and could undercut apprehension younger guests might have.
All things considered, I could do without it, but I don’t take issue with most opinions for or against it. Irrespective of the interactive queue, I think the original queue (which I view as ending inside, right before the Stretching Room) here is one of the best-executed examples of subtly hinting at what’s to come. The suspense arises out of the small details (such as the ghost-horse hearse), overgrown flora, and ominous gothic style. That’s juxtaposed by the almost jovial headstones, which creates a bit of tension in guest expectations.
For a first-timer who’s really paying attention, there’s a sense of conflict, and it’s achieved via this subtlety. Haunted Mansion earns a spot on the list for this brilliant less-is-more approach, rather than the interactive queue. (In fact, we’d go as far as to recommend first-timers doing Haunted Mansion late at night to skip the interactive queue on their first ride.)
7. Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid – This is the first time I think the Imagineers really hit a home run with the new interactive queues. Here, the interactive crabs take a backseat to the stunning details of Prince Eric’s castle and the grotto around it, rather than being pushed to the forefront. The interactive element doesn’t feel forced, and it’s a best of both worlds result.
Beyond that, the Little Mermaid queue makes the list because of its excellent variety. From passing under waterfalls and through rocky coves into the lavish castle itself, each step through the queue feels different and unique. Nothing is redundant or wasted. Even when the attraction is a walk-on, we take our time to walk through the queue slowly.
6. Pirates of the Caribbean – The winding queue through the Castillo del Morro fortress gets high marks for the way it removes you from the daytime world of the theme park. Almost from the beginning, you lose yourself in the fort, as the queue here deviates from the less-conventional back-and-forth of standard queues.
You pass by cannons, stockpiles of ammunition, jails, and that iconic “stalemate” scene, all the while not knowing what might be around the next corner. This approach is equal parts disorienting and intriguing, and the net (albeit unstated) result is that it gives rise to a fairly easy suspension of disbelief.
At the end of fortress queue, you’re boarding a boat to head into a moonlit bay where pirate ships lurk in the distance? It sounds far-fetched in writing, but you totally buy into the conceit while experiencing it in person. And that‘s why Pirates of the Caribbean’s queue is so effective. On Page 2, we’ll look at the Top 5 queues in Walt Disney World–can the new Avatar Flight of Passage overthrow iconic queues like Tower of Terror and Expedition Everest? Click here to find out!
This is a great article and very helpful when booking fast passes. My kids always frown at me when I try to get FP’s for Star Tours because as you said, the queue is very much part of the ride! I was the youngest in my family and one of my favorite memories of Disney was that my older siblings were stuck in the queue with me and I loved every second of being a part of the conversation (for once!) Now that I have 4 kids of my own I love to see my kids off their phones, being present and really enjoying each other, it’s very much part of my Disney experience! QUESTIONS – how is the queue for the new Frozen ride? And would we be allowed to eat the Norwegian School Bread I keep hearing about, in the queue?
Haunted Mansion could hand out money and I would try to avoid it at all costs. A family with children, or even a couple trying to stay together during the massive merge after the stretching room has made the attraction worthless to us. It becomes this massive squished race where manners are just thrown out the window, beyond pathetic. Shocked Disney hasn’t figured out something for safety measures here because I am shocked there aren’t more injury reports of people being trampled.
I love all the queues at WDW because standing in one means I’m at my favorite place in the whole wide world. From 1977 to 1999 my family spent the first two weeks of December there in a WDW hotel. We always hated leaving and sometimes stayed a couple of more days. Sadly, my mother passed away from a long battle with cancer in 2000. Although she was sick during our 1999 trip she was determined to go one more time. I pushed her in a wheelchair everywhere. Lost my father the next year and haven’t been to WDW since. Unfortunately, none of my extended family or friends are crazy about WDW like I am. One day I will get back there and I know the first few days will be bittersweet with memories but I will be so happy to be there. Thank you for your newsletters. Through them I will continue to enjoy updates about WDW and and imagine being there until I can really be there again.
Susan, I hope you”ll make plans for a “Thanks for the memories, Mom and Dad” trip in their honor sometime soon!
P.S. To Tom: the Toy Story Mania wait can be long and slow, but I do love the nostalgic retro playroom details!
Hi Susan: I’ve been in a very similar boat as you in that my family went almost annually, making some of our favorite memories there. I lost my mom a year and a half ago to cancer as well. WDW was her favorite place in the world (one year every single one of her Christmas gifts was Disney-themed). I’m going to be going back for the first time since losing her in January with my husband, who has never been to a Disney park. My dad thought about coming with us, but didn’t want to face the memories. I’m incredibly excited, but nervous that the bitter will outweigh the sweet in the memories. My Disney hiatus is admittedly much shorter than yours, but know you have a kindred spirit out there. Wishing you much happiness and hoping you’ll be able to get back there soon!
Queue is simply an English word for line, the British use it all the time in place of the word ‘line’. Queue in French means tail. I know that’s not relevant to your article, but your reference to Frenchspeak confused me a bit.
That was just a (bad) joke. I’d say ~75% of my attempts at humor fail miserably, and that’s one such example. 🙂
You discuss FastPass+ a lot in this article, and I’ve seen more an more discussion of the system as it’s being tested for Disneyland. I’ve never been to Disney World myself, and I’ve never experienced the FP+ system, but it looks pretty much ideal to me. All of the commentary I’ve seen on the system, though, has been overwhelmingly negative. Most complaints seem to be about missing some kind of “spirit” about frantically running around the parks, which I just cannot fathom. Do you have any thoughts on the system and its inclusion in Disneyland?
I agree with all your choices. TOT should be #1. If they change it, what a loss. I do enjoy the entrance to HM. Wish it was like that when my kids were young.
Did not know there was a new queue for Peter Pan. Cannot wait until I go in August to experience it.
I couldn’t find the Play Area in Storybook Circus, even after asking 5 different CMs in the area. No one had a clue. After arriving home I found out it was in Dumbo, but it was closed as part of the current staffing cuts. It’s covered with curtains now.
Are you serious?! I had no idea. Maybe I’ll edit this to add MuppetVision and remove Dumbo, if that’s the case…
I was going to say ‘what about the Indiana Jones queue?!’ and then realized this is solely for WDW… maybe there will be a Disneyland list next!
Indiana Jones is an amazing queue! Which is very helpful since the ride breaks down so often and one finds themselves spending a bit of time there.
Great list! My wife and I both were surprised by how much we enjoyed the Enchanted Tales with Belle queue. Waiting outside with the views of the cottage and castles then going inside and touring Belle’s cottage is great. Can’t disagree with #1, though. Tower of Terror is in a league of its own.
I love Guardians of the Galaxy as a movie, but I couldn’t agree more with your reply above that the Marvel universe deserves it’s own space. Tower of Terror is a classic ride and I don’t know how well that could be re-executed in a way to make it work for GotG. Hollywood Studios could really use a boost and the Marvel universe could do wonders to help reinvent the park. Much like the Wizarding World of Harry Potter did for Universal Studios Orlando.
Fascinating topic, thanks for the discussion!
Now how about bottom 5?
Personally, I’m not a fan of Jungle Cruise queue or Big Thunder Mtn to name a couple.
“10. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train — …The whole area is just really lovely, and although I wouldn’t want to be stuck here for 60+ minutes, the design and details do make a 30-minute wait pass quickly.”
I had to laugh! My family and I once spent about 2 hours in the “mine” during a thunder storm. It’s amazing how hot, humid and stuffy it got in there. Kind of ruined the experience for me. FP+ for now on!
I’m *REALLY* embarrassed that I forgot to include MuppetVision 3D on this. This is a top 5 queue if you don’t the pre-show video area (I wouldn’t), but top 10 even if you stop at that room. I always seem to forget it since the outdoor section is so rarely open.
Sorry, fellow Muppets fans! 🙁
Good point! I forgot that one too. It is a great queue and deserved to be in the top 10.
Whoa! Where’s the queue for Peter Pan’s Flight?! My boys’ jaws dropped from the moment we entered the Darling house until we stepped out of the nursery and were sprinkled with pixie dust! So fun.
I’m commenting before reading the article. SQEEEEE, this is my FAVORITE PART of the parks! I don’t know WDW as well as DL. AT DL, I love love love the Q for the Jungle Crews. Esp at night, after drinking my way around CA. The best!!!! Can’t wait to read this!!!!!
Of the “interactive” queues, I’d put Peter Pan at the top of the list – I think the new queue is really, really nice. On the other hand, Haunted Mansion loses about a million points on my personal list for the long, crowded awning without even a single fan in the Florida heat. (Plus, CM’s keep telling guests to cram together, even though that doesn’t get on the ride any faster.)
I’d also swap in the Seas with Nemo for Dumbo. The new Dumbo ride is pretty, but the queue (play area or not) doesn’t do too much for me.
It’s hard to argue with #1 and #2 – those are both the pinnacle of WDW queues.
If we are comparing new to old, Peter Pan’s Flight scores a million points, but it still doesn’t do a ton for me, personally. I can see how it would rank highly for others, though. Ditto Winnie the Pooh. Not my cup of tea, but not blatantly awful like the old Soarin’ queue, which totally phoned it in with the interactive games.
Hard to argue against The Seas, either. That’s a great queue, albeit comically long.
Comically long unless you are there during a crazy busy time, in which case it’s not so funny. We usually go during September and have always laughed about how unnecessarily long the queue is for Nemo. Then we went during Mardi Gras one year and ended up waiting through that whole entire queue! Long story short: I wouldn’t recommend going during Mardi Gras to anyone and I now have a new found appreciation for the Nemo queue, but I am really happy when I get to breeze right through it and hop on the ride with no wait!
Yes – if you did a “worst 10 queues” article, I think Soarin’ easily take the #1 spot. It’s air-conditioned, but that’s about all you can say for it.
Agree on all of these. Was suprisied about your comment on the Guardians of the Galaxy tie in. I am not even a fan of the move but I personally feel that it could be really well executed and might reverberate with guests more than the Twiloght Zone. I would be excited to see it if it does happen. Though I have read comments on other blogs and your opinion seems to be the norm. Perhaps I’m the delusional one!! Love the blog and thanks for the great posts, always entertaining.
Guardians of the Galaxy, and other Marvel properties, deserve their own ground-up attractions, not to be shoehorned into existing attractions where they don’t actually fit. The Hollywood Tower Hotel is designed in an old Hollywood style and set in an old Hollywood location. The attraction was designed around the ‘step in a Twilight Zone’ episode conceit.
Maybe the Imagineers could cram Guardians of the Galaxy into this space in a somewhat logical manner, but why bother? What’s there is already perfection. If Disney does this, they aren’t doing it because it’s the best option for a Guardians of the Galaxy attraction–they are doing it because it’s the easiest.
I don’t think how much Twilight Zone ‘reverberates’ with guests really matters. Most haven’t seen Song of the South, yet love Splash Mountain. Same goes for Tower of Terror. All people need to ‘get’ the premise of the attraction is be familiar with the structure of the show, and even if people aren’t fans of it, I think they understand its structure. From the New Year’s Day marathons to spoofs by Futurama, The Simpsons, SNL, etc., Twilight Zone still plays within pop culture.
My husband and I spent 3 hours in line for Tower of Terror, and the queue was worth it. My husband who typically despises all drop rides found this to be his favorite experience.
I’m curious if WDW would attempt to bring their MCU properties to their various parks with Islands of Adventures having their own (extremely tired) Marvel area? I totally agree with your take on turning this classic ride into a GotG knock off. I also can’t think of how this ride and building would fit into a GotG storyline.
All your points are well taken. I agree that a new Marvel attraction for GotG would be ideal but I don’t see that happening. Your Splash Mountain/Song of the South comparison is interesting. The more I think about it, it makes sense. I guess I am just thinking about my kids. They are HUGE GotG fans but when we go on ToT they are always asking me who “the scary guy”(Rod Serling) is. I know that not everything should be aimed at kids, that Disney is for adults too. I just know that they (and I’m sure other kids) might enjoy a more recent movie for it to be themed on. I should have clarified on that. Your point about GotG not being Old Hollywood is undeniably true, but from what I’ve read, the retheming COULD (could is the key word) be done in a way that makes it fit into the location. At least it makes sense to me.
Just my humble opinion though, thank you for your thoughtful response.
I’m usually in line with all your “top” lists, but missing one of my favorites on this one – Toy Story Mania. Nothing like walking into to that queue after the great race that is rope drop. Would be on my list even without the giant talking spud at the end. I guess I’ll let it slide since you run the best Disney related site out there. Thanks for that!!
TSM does have a great queue, but gets old 15mins in to the usual 90+min wait. Or we can choose between the rope-drop march/using a Tier 1 FP (in a park with only 5 rides), which makes me never want to think about this ride unless absolutely necessary.
When Test Track (the original) opened, and I had to wait 60 minutes to get on, I found their queue sped time along as fast as one of their cars. It featured different exhibits of tests run on cars, with not-too-wordy signs explaining them. It was fascinating. It’s one of the things I miss most now that we have a new version of Test Track.
I always loved the Space Mountain queue back in the day when you could see the coaster and the flying (cookies) asteroids.
Personally, I’d give Pirates a slight nod over Tower of Terror, but that may be the nostalgia talking. Splash Mountain is a close third.
I also give a vote to Great Movie Ride for best sleeper queue — once you get into the theater it’s your typical “back-and-forth” winding queue, but the throwback movie clips are always fun to watch.