While waiting is also part of the experience at an adventure park, it is undoubtedly the most annoying part of it. 

Theme parks are fun for people of all ages, but long queues can take away some of the fun and test the patience of even the calmest person or the most dedicated thrill-seeker. Let’s be honest – nobody likes waiting in a queue. 

For this week’s blog post, we decided to explore some of the biggest theme and adventure parks around the world and reveal which attractions have the longest wait times. Don’t worry – we also give you some tips at the end on how to prepare for the experience. 

1. Rise of the Resistance – Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Florida, USA

When Disney launched Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, it revolutionized the theme park experience. This attraction combines a trackless ride system, live performances, and incredible special effects – a dream for every Star Wars fan. 

Average Queue Time: 90–150 minutes 

At peak times, visitors often wait for hours to embark on this ride. Many consider it to have the longest wait time in the world. While Disney offers a virtual queue, let us tell you – it’s still long. 

2. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure – Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Florida, USA

This is the first Harry Potter-themed rollercoaster on the list and is arguably one of the best Harry Potter experiences in the world. The mix of storytelling, animatronics, and thrill makes it one of the most popular attractions at Universal Studios. 

Average Queue Time: 120–180 minutes 

Fans of the Wizarding World line up for hours to experience this ride. This gets even worse during holidays and school breaks. 

3. Soaring: Fantastic Flight – Tokyo DisneySea, Japan

Tokyo DisneySea is considered by many fans as the best theme park in the world, and Soaring: Fantastic Flight is one of its most iconic attractions. This ride takes you on a simulated journey across some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes. 

Average Queue Time: 150 minutes 

Despite the efficiency of Tokyo Disney’s operations, this ride regularly posts some of the longest wait times. It’s important to note that this is also one of the most visited parks in the world. 

4. Avatar Flight of Passage – Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Florida, USA

Avatar was a worldwide sensation, and Avatar Flight of Passage lives up to the hype. This attraction put Disney’s Animal Kingdom on the map and made it one of the most popular adventure parks in the world. 

Average Queue Time: 120–150 minutes 

Even though the wait times are some of the longest in the world, many consider the experience to be totally worth it. 

5. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – Universal Studios Japan, Osaka

Another beloved Harry Potter ride makes it to this list. Forbidden Journey at Universal Studios Osaka takes visitors on an enchanting adventure through Hogwarts. Expect beautiful set designs, thrilling moments, and the feeling of finally flying through Hogwarts. 

Average Queue Time: 120 minutes 

The ride’s popularity shows no signs of slowing, especially in Japan, where the Wizarding World continues to captivate new audiences. 

6. Tron Lightcycle Power Run – Shanghai Disneyland, China

When this ride debuted, everyone was talking about how cool it was. Not only for Tron fans, but for any science fiction fan, this is a thrilling experience worth doing over and over – well, except for the queuing times. 

Average Queue Time: 120–180 minutes 

Shanghai Disneyland guests are willing to wait hours to experience this attraction. Recently, with the addition of a similar ride at Walt Disney World in the US, fans are also experiencing long wait times there. Which one will end up having the longer wait times in the years to come? 

7. The Tower of Terror – Walt Disney Studios Park, Paris, France

The Tower of Terror is a timeless classic. This was one of the first attractions to create a global sensation, and in Paris, it remains one of the top attractions to visit. 

Average Queue Time: 90–120 minutes 

Despite being one of the oldest attractions on this list, the Tower of Terror remains a fan favorite with steady demand throughout the year. 

8. Steel Vengeance – Cedar Point, Ohio, USA

When it comes to classic rollercoasters, Steel Vengeance is one of the crown jewels of thrill rides. This is by far the best attraction at Cedar Point, and for those who ride it, expect an intense and incredible experience. 

Average Queue Time: 90–120 minutes 

Cedar Point’s reputation as the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World” ensures that Steel Vengeance is always busy, especially during the summer season. 

9. Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure – Shanghai Disneyland, China

Pirates of the Caribbean was one of the first franchises to capitalize on its success by creating theme park attractions. Battle for the Sunken Treasure at Disneyland Shanghai does not disappoint. 

Average Queue Time: 90–120 minutes 

The ride’s groundbreaking design makes it a must-see for Disney fans. Unfortunately, this attraction consistently has some of the longest waiting times. 

10. The Smiler – Alton Towers, UK

The Smiler holds the world record for the most inversions on a roller coaster. This ride features 14 loops that deliver an unparalleled adrenaline rush. 

Average Queue Time: 90–150 minutes 

Thrill-seekers flock to Alton Towers for this ride, causing the wait times to remain consistently long throughout the year. 

11. Colossos: Kampf der Giganten – Heide Park, Germany

To finish this list, we went with Europe’s largest wooden roller coaster and a fan favorite for visitors at Heide Park in Germany. For those visiting, expect towering drops, high speed and lots of fun.  

Average Queue Time: 90–150 minutes 

Heide Park is probably Germany’s biggest adventure park, so expect large crowds during the holiday season and summer.  

How to Beat the Long Lines 

While long queues are always part of the theme park experience, you shouldn’t have to spend most of your day waiting for your turn. While there are some tricks to “beat the system” and enter faster, there are also some pretty cool alternatives to check out. 

Here are some tips on how to avoid long lines at adventure parks: 

1. Arrive Early: Be among the first to enter the park and go straight to the attraction you want to visit. 

1. Use Fast Passes or Virtual Queues: Many parks offer systems that let you skip the lines for a small fee or by booking in advance. 

1. Visit During Off-Peak Times: Weekdays, especially outside of holidays, tend to have shorter wait times. 

1. Check Out Alternatives: Many parks have new attractions with shorter queues that are worth exploring. 

 Long queues might be the norm at theme parks, but what if there was a way to enjoy the thrills without the long waits? 

Did you know that we’ve also launched our own attraction for theme and adventure parks? The Jump & Slide parks from Bagjump offers thrills for all ages, and we’ve worked on a system that reduces waiting times significantly. Our setup ensures more action and less waiting, so you can spend your time enjoying the experience, not standing in line. 

That means less queuing and more time for fun. Now, are you ready to plan your next adventure? 

Some parks offering Bagjump airbags are:  

• Othal Oberwiesenthal in Austria 
• Ishgl Snowpark (Winter Sports Park) 
• Familienpark Drachental Wildschönau in Austria
• Hundreds of trampoline parks across the USA and Europe