A recent incident at Universal has shown just how serious line jumping has become at theme parks.
If you thought the lines at theme parks were long lately, wait until you see the length of the list of line-cutting incidents. The past few years seem to have seen a surge in guests behaving badly – and the situation only seems to be getting worse.
In October 2023, we reported on an incident where about 50 people tried to skip the long wait for Flight of Passage at Walt Disney World Resort’s Animal Kingdom. Earlier that year, a TikToker documented all of the cases he witnessed during his visit to the Central Florida theme park resort in a video, exposing the increasing severity of the situation.
Over at Universal, a guest had to file an assault report in 2022 after an incident with some guests trying to cut in line. “I was shoved into a wall twice in the express line for Hulk by grown-a** adults going to ‘meet their parents,” they wrote on Reddit. “I did report my assaults to Universal. They were going to check the cameras and throw the people out if they could find them, but I don’t know if they ever did because it was literally the last ride of our trip, as we had to leave for the airport.”
Incident at Universal Studios Halloween Event
Dramatic though this may sound, it’s not the only violent line-cutting incident at a Universal theme park. A similar case occurred last week at Universal Studios Singapore.
During the theme park’s Halloween Horror Nights event, a 21-year-old man, referred to as Ian, reported being assaulted after confronting a group attempting to cut the line for a popular horror attraction, Sweet Home. Ian observed three women trying to cut the queue and warned them against it.
This confrontation escalated into verbal threats, and when the women successfully moved ahead, three men from their group also attempted to breach the line. Ian stood between the rope to block their entry, prompting a physical response—he was punched by each man: once in the left cheek, once in the right cheek, and once to the back of the head and across the bridge of his nose.
“I was not budging and a crowd was forming, [so] they ran away,” Ian said (via AsiaOne).
Ian promptly notified Universal staff and filed a police report. After being contacted by AsiaOne, police revealed they received a call for assistance at 30 Sentosa Gateway around 10:10 p.m. last Thursday (October 17). They confirmed that they are investigating the incident, with three suspects aged between 19 and 21 assisting officers.
Meanwhile, the Singapore Civil Defence Force told AsiaOne that they received a call for assistance about 30 minutes later, taking the man to Singapore General Hospital.
A spokesperson for Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), operated by Genting Singapore, which licenses the rights to Universal Studios, informed AsiaOne that they were aware of the incident at Halloween Horror Nights (HHN). “When notified, RWS promptly rendered help to one party and also helped to locate the other party,” it said. “Our guests’ safety is always our top priority, and our website includes park policies and code of conduct that outlines our expectations for HHN.” The investigation is still ongoing.
The smallest of Universal’s theme parks, Universal Studios Singapore is home to six lands: Hollywood, New York City, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, The Lost World (inspired by the Jurassic Park franchise), and Far Far Away (inspired by the Shrek series, featuring a recreation of the kingdom ruled by Fiona’s parents in the second film).
While the park has limited expansion space compared to its global counterparts, it is set to add its own version of Minion Land in 2025, while a version of the uber-popular SUPER NINTENDO WORLD—currently found at Universal Studios Japan, Universal Studios Hollywood, and, as of next May, Universal Orlando Resort’s Epic Universe—is also in the works.
How Could Theme Parks Reduce Line Cutting?
Preventing line jumping at theme parks is essential to maintaining a fair and enjoyable experience for all guests. One effective approach is to implement a robust monitoring system using technology. For instance, installing cameras in queue areas can help staff identify and address line-jumping incidents in real-time.
Additionally, theme parks could follow the Knott’s Berry Farm approach. Earlier this year, the Southern California theme park encouraged its guests to snitch on line jumpers by texting security. This, or similar mobile app systems, would allow guests to report line cutting anonymously, reducing the need for in-person confrontations.
Other options involve enhancing security presence in busy areas or adding more signage reminding guests of the rules regarding line behavior. (Whether or not they choose to listen is another story).
Controversial and frustrating though they may be, virtual queues—such as those currently used for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT—on busy days can also help reduce the risk of line cutting or conflicts between guests in crowded, busy spaces.
How would you prevent line-cutting at theme parks?