Raise your hand if you hate waiting in line. Kidding — we already knew every hand would fly directly into the air.

Even so, long queues may seem necessary in many parts of life, whether at the DMV, the airport or your favorite theme park.

Happily for entertainment enthusiasts, however, many amusement parks have realized that standing in line can ruin the mood. As a result, they’ve come up with various systems that help ease the pain.

These systems include the Universal Express Pass, which allows guests to skip the regular line in favor of a shorter queue. Let’s look at the Universal Express pass, how it works and whether it’s a worthwhile option.

What is the Universal Studios Express Pass?

Different theme parks have introduced line-skipping options. Examples include Disney’s Lightning Lane and Six Flags’ Flash Pass.

Universal has done the same with its Express Pass, a paid option for guests looking to spend as little time in line as possible. It’s available at Universal theme parks worldwide, including California, Florida, Osaka, Singapore and Beijing.

How does the Universal Express pass work?

During popular dates and for popular rides, lines for attractions can grow incredibly long. This is true whether you want to ride the newest, best roller coaster or seek a spot in an air-conditioned theater in the middle of a hot day.

Universal’s Express Pass helps eliminate the wait by providing guests with an alternate queue. Rather than waiting in the standard line, those who’ve purchased an Express Pass have exclusive access to the Express lane, which tends to be much faster.

Riders head over to the attraction they’d like to board and follow the signs to the Express line.

Note that not all rides participate in Express Pass. Some trendy options — like Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Universal Islands of Adventure in Orlando — aren’t available with Express Pass.