The Ride Hack I Wish I’d Known BEFORE Going to Harry Potter World at Universal Orlando

Over a decade and a half since the first installation opened back in 2010, Universal’s three Wizarding World of Harry Potter outposts in Orlando — the original Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure, Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida, and The Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe — remain some of the most popular areas at the resort.

On top of that, each land’s headline attraction — Forbidden Journey, Escape from Gringott’s, and Battle at the Ministry, respectively — maintains some of the longest lines on property each day. However, there are some Harry Potter hacks we’ve discovered over the years that can make hopping on these in-demand attractions slightly easier. This is one of the most recent we’ve spotted.

Let’s say you’re planning to ride Escape From Gringott’s, the coaster-style attraction housed inside the well-known wizarding bank, which puts riders right in the thick of a major set piece from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Next time you find yourself in line for the attraction, keep the following tip in mind: When you reach the preshow room featuring Bill Weasley, make your way to the back/left of the room. When the show ends, this spot will put you in the left elevator, which in turn lets out to the 3D glasses BEFORE the right elevator. Get your glasses quicker, move along to the next stage of the queue quicker, and eventually get on the ride slightly quicker.

While that hack is going to work, one of our favorite hacks has been hit or miss over at Epic Universe. That park’s Battle at the Ministry Potter dark ride averages waits around 100 minutes pretty regularly.

Now, usually in a situation where a ride is THAT busy, one of our favorite usual hacks is to jump in line JUST before the park closes, that way you can enjoy the rest of the park without wasting time in line, while at the same time guaranteeing a ride. HOWEVER, that doesn’t always work for the new Potter smash, at least on some days. See, on occasion, Universal will close the line long before park closing approaches, meaning on most days, you simply can’t hop on line just before closing.

Next time you’re riding Escape from Gringott’s, be sure to keep this queue hack in mind. Stay tuned to AllEars for more tips on traversing Universal Orlando.

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Do you have any Harry Potter hacks? Let us know in the comments below.