ORLANDO -- In the battle for the best attraction queue at Epic Universe, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge were in a tie when I rode them on Wednesday.
Then I rode Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry on Thursday.
Queues are just the precursors to attractions, but especially in periods of high demand (which Epic Universe is sure to experience), riders spend the most time there, waiting to board. A good queue can make all the difference, staving off boredom by entertaining and informing riders during wait times that climb from minutes to more than an hour.
Battle at the Ministry rocketed above them all with a mind-blowing and jaw-dropping queue.
The most spectacular queue in any theme park
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry is located in Epic Universe's Wizarding World of Harry Potter -- Ministry of Magic. The themed world is set in 1920s Paris, but for Battle at the Ministry, riders are cleverly transported to 1990s London, just after the original seven Harry Potter books ended.
The floo portal in the queue of Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
To enter the attraction, riders walk into what they believe is the Paris Metro. Through the magic of floo powder, they are transported to the British Ministry of Magic to witness the trial of the beloathed Dolores Umbridge.
The transportation via floo powder is particularly effective. To make it from Paris to London, riders simply walk through an opening in the wall and are surrounded by fog and green light. More green-lighted fog awaits them at the end of a short tunnel, and they emerge in the British Ministry of Magic. It's a simple, but effective, trick that delighted every rider I saw "travel" via floo.
What awaits is the most spectacular queue in any theme park.
Universal has recreated the British Ministry of Magic to perfection in an indoor space that feels larger than several football fields. The Atrium features the Fountain of Magical Brethren statue, flanked by ministry offices. In the distance, another statue and more offices can be seen, with interdepartmental memos (purple paper airplanes) flying around to find their intended recipients.
Riders continue on, seeing more of the ministry and the packing of Umbridge's office by her house elf, Higgledy, who plays a significant role on the ride itself.
Kudos to Universal Creative on this one: It will be hard to beat. It's as if they dropped the film set right into the theme park.
Higgledy the house elf oversees the packing up of Dolores Umbridge’s office in the queue of Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
Here's what guests will see on Epic Universe queues that finished a distant second and third to Harry.
During Monsters Unchained, riders enter the Frankenstein Manor and see all sorts of things, from notes on human anatomy to wires cracking with electricity connected to a vampire bat. It's a (slightly morbid) feast for the eyes.
During Mario Kart, riders find themselves walking through Bowser's Castle. His library is perhaps the most impressive feature, aside from the giant statue of Mario's arch-nemesis himself, featuring books like "Off the Edge: A Rainbow Road Story" and "Strong-Arm Your Way to the Top."
Bowser’s library is a feature in the queue of Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
While I can confidently say Battle at the Ministry has won the competition for best queue, best ride is another category entirely. And it's an extremely subjective one.
Even if you use an objective scoring system, it wouldn't be applicable to everyone. For example, some might love rollercoasters. Others (ahem, me, formerly) might avoid them like the plague for fear of motion sickness.
Here is my rundown of Monsters Unchained and Battle at the Ministry, as well as other attractions in Epic Universe's Ministry of Magic and Dark Universe. I previously wrote about other Epic Universe attractions.
The village of Darkmoor at night in Epic Universe. Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
The delightfully spooky Dark Universe
Monsters Unchained is located in the Dark Universe world. It's set in the village of Darkmoor, which is beyond a doubt worth a visit after dark, when the spooky factor is multiplied.
A scene from the queue of Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
The attraction invites riders into the catacombs of Frankenstein Manor, where Dr. Victoria Frankenstein has continued on the family tradition of working with monsters and trapped the likes of Dracula, the Wolf Man and the Mummy. Dracula leads a revolt, and chaos ensues.
This is a delightfully spooky attraction with a ride vehicle that moves riders in every direction except upside-down.
The motion-sensitive should avoid it, as should young children. It has a 48-inch height requirement, and would likely terrify the youngest visitors. While the level of terror depends on the individual child, I think parents of anyone younger than 8 should ride themselves first to determine if it's a fit for their kids.
But for those up for some spooks and jump-scares, this attraction is great fun. I was impressed with how smoothly the ride vehicle moves.
Also, the ride blends screens and real-life set pieces, including animatronics, incredibly well. The Dracula animatronics are particularly good.
Dark Universe is also home to the roller coaster Curse of the Werewolf, with a minimum height requirement of 40 inches. It's a fun attraction with spinning coaster cars, but that spinning might affect motion-sensitive guests. It's a rather short ride, but a good bit of fun.
Is Battle at the Ministry the best Epic ride?
The sole ride in Ministry of Magic is Battle at the Ministry. It has a minimum height requirement of 40 inches. Riders board elevators in the Ministry of Magic to view Umbridge's trial. Of course, things go awry.
Their elevator moves up and down, back and forth, as Umbridge attempts to escape with the help of Death Eaters. The elevator's movements are relatively smooth, albeit occasionally unexpected, making for a fun ride.
"Le Cirque Arcanus" is a can't-miss show in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter -- Ministry of Magic. Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
Like Monsters Unchained, the attraction does a particularly good job of deftly marrying screens with animatronics and set pieces. It also offers a new story in the Harry Potter universe, featuring the original three characters (Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger) and set just after the books conclude.
If I had to choose between Monsters Unchained and Battle at the Ministry, Potter and friends would prevail as best Epic Universe ride, but by a slim margin.
Ministry of Magic is also home to a stage show, Le Cirque Arcanus. I don't want to offer any spoilers here. All I'll say is watch the Fantastic Beasts movies before visiting, and expect an extraordinary show. It's surprising, delightful and not to be missed.
Afterwards, I couldn't help myself and bought a plush Demiguise. It's, uh, for my daughter.