A note from Mommy Frog: In June 2021, Universal introduced a new Virtual Line system. Currently, it's only being utilized for Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. You still must be on-site to enter the Virtual Line and turn on location services to access the system. It is not accessible through the Universal Orlando app — instead, you must go to this web page or you can scan the QR code at the attraction entrance. While it's not always in use, the Universal Orlando app will inform you if it is. More often than not, the attraction has had a regular standby wait. Show
When it's in use, select "Activate Virtual Line," select the number of frogs in your party, create an account or log into with your Universal Orlando account if you already have one, select "Confirm," select "Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure" and join the virtual line for the attraction. Once joined, you're given a return time to the attraction. When that time is up, you have half an hour to return to the ride and present your QR code to get in line. Additionally, if you want to ride a float in the Mardi Gras Parade, Virtual Line Passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis with limited availability starting from around 12 p.m. until one hour prior to the parade start. This opportunity is only available through the app. Once you see it become available under the "Mardi Gras Parade Float Riding" page, tap "Reserve Virtual Line Experience Pass," select the number of frogs in your party and choose the available time you'd like to return to ride your float.
What Is the Universal Orlando Virtual Line Experience?The Universal Orlando Virtual Line Experience allows you to reserve a ride time for your frog squad for the most hoppin’ attractions at Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure using the Universal app (so be sure to download before your visit!). (Universal’s Volcano Bay continues to use its unique TapuTapu virtual queue system.) If you have an Express Pass, you may go straight to the Express queue without having to make a Virtual Line pass, as long as the Express queue is not at capacity. The only exceptions are Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Jurassic World VelociCoaster, which do not have Express access. Unfortunately, there isn't a way to check for Express queue capacity in the app, and this can vary by attraction. You can only make same-day reservations while you’re on Universal Orlando property. (So, guess what we do first thing when we arrive at CityWalk … attempt to get passes for Hagrid’s!) It will allow you to set your group size, up to eight frogs, for a maximum of two different rides at a time. The timeframes for the two Virtual Line passes cannot overlap. Once you use a pass, you can make another one for a different ride (or the same one if you choose), as long as passes are available. Rides With a Virtual LineIt’s important to note that Universal generally uses the Virtual Line system when there is high demand. That means the rides using a Virtual Line may vary from day to day. To find out which rides are using the Virtual Line system during your visit, you'll need to download the official Universal Orlando app. If you go to the app’s home page, the Virtual Line Experience is one of the featured landing pages at the top, and you can click on “Virtual Line Venues” to see which rides are currently using it. Since park capacity has returned to normal and physical distancing is no longer required, you may see the Virtual Line system being utilized less frequently. However, the following rides are most likely to use a Virtual Line: Universal's Islands of Adventure:
In the early stages of Universal Orlando's reopening, we had seen the following rides use a Virtual Queue, but we have not seen any of them being utilized lately:
Universal Studios Florida:
Hagrid’s has been the most consistent with using a Virtual Line, but it can still be a toss up when it comes to the ride actually utilizing its Virtual Line. It’s also possible that a ride uses its Virtual Line for only part of the day. During one of our earlier visits, Skull Island: Reign of Kong did not start out using a Virtual Line. However, later in the afternoon when we passed by it, team members were only allowing Virtual Line access. We’ve also noticed the exact opposite hoppen. We've previously witnessed Fast & Furious - Supercharged using a Virtual Line for the majority of the day, but then it had stopped requiring Virtual Line passes about an hour before the park closed. How to Reserve a Virtual Line PassWhen guests select a ride in the app, it will show half-hour timeframes to select, if available, once you submit how many guests are in your party. You can add up to eight guests to your reservation. Once your time is confirmed, you'll get a QR code that a team member will scan when you return. As we mentioned before, you can only book the day of your visit, and you'll need to be on property to grab a pass. You are able to book up to two different Virtual Line passes that do not have overlapping times. We've had mixed results when reserving Virtual Line passes. There have been some visits during which we were unable to get any. Whenever timeframes showed up, there would be an error message when we tried to select one. On those days, the parks were busier, so many frogs were trying to get passes at once. If that hoppens, team members suggest quitting and rebooting the app, as well as connecting to Universal's Wi-Fi network.
If you’re able to successfully get a Virtual Pass, the QR code will show up at the same spot where you reserved it in the app. We suggest taking a screenshot in case you experience any technical glitches. You also have the option to edit your reservation’s time or party size, but we highly suggest not doing so, especially for a popular ride such as Hagrid’s. Otherwise, you risk losing the Virtual Pass that you originally made and not being able to find a new one. (If you try, it will say there are no available times and you can keep the original pass. But we don't recommend deleting it as a way to find new times.) Once you check-in for your return time, you do still have to wait in line. The Virtual Line Experience mainly helped control capacity in the queues during the pandemic. Because there were fewer frogs in line than normal and everyone was spread out, the line moved quickly. We waited in line for Hagrid’s for about 30 minutes. Now that physical distancing isn't required, the Virtual Line system has not been utilized as much, but it could always return if crowds are high. We suggest arriving to the parks early enough to snag passes — no matter which park you're in. Other Tips and Tidbits for Using the Universal Orlando Virtual Line Experience
Do you have any questions about Universal Orlando's Virtual Line Experience system? Let us know in the comments below, and we'll help you out! Related: Universal Orlando's Reopening Guidelines and What to Expect Hoppy planning! Is Hagrid ride included in Express Pass?No, unfortunately, Hagrid's Motorbike Adventure is not included on the Universal Express Pass.
Can you use Express Pass for Hagrid's motorbike?Please know that Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Pteranodon Flyers occasionally utilize the Virtual Line but do not accept Express Passes.
Is Hagrid's motorbike adventure worth the wait?Recommended. For a ride with 120 minute wait I expect a ton. This ride 100% delivered and is definitely worth the long wait. The queue is super cool and the theming is on point.
Can you use Express Pass for VelociCoaster?Universal Express access is not valid on Fievel's Playland, Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™, Jurassic World VelociCoaster, or Pteranodon Flyers.
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