ride tours universal orlando

List of Universal Orlando Rides 32 Rides Across Two Parks

Universal Orlando Resort currently comprises two theme parks: Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure . Both parks are filled with exciting and fun rides and attractions for guests of all ages. Whether you’re a fan of Harry Potter or want to experience thrilling roller coasters , there’s something for everyone at Universal Orlando Resort. Here is a complete list of the 32+ Universal Orlando rides and attractions at each park to help you plan your Universal Orlando vacation  — plus an early look at the rides coming to Universal’s third park, Epic Universe , which opens in 2025.

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Rides and Attractions at Universal Studios Florida

There are eight different themed areas at Universal Studios Florida, each with its own unique rides and attractions. Below is an alphabetical list of Universal Studios rides, along with a brief overview of the ride, its location, height restrictions , and other helpful information. (Prefer a ranked list of the best rides at Universal Studios Florida ? We’ve got that, too!) Shows are not included in the list below.

1. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

• Location : Minion Land
• Ride Type : Motion Simulation
• Minimum Height Requirement : 40″ (102 cm)
• Suitable For : Adults, Teens (13–17), Tweens (7–12), Kids (Under 7)

The Minion Mayhem ride at Universal Studios is a 3D attraction that lets riders experience what it’s like to be one of Gru’s minions. The attraction features a pre-show where guests receive minion goggles, and then the ride itself takes guests on a wild adventure as they help Gru carry out one of his evil plans.

2. E.T. Adventure

• Location : Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone
• Ride Type : Motion Simulation, Kid Friendly
• Minimum Height Requirement : 34″ (86.36 cm)

Opened in 1990, E.T. Adventure is a dark ride based on the Steven Spielberg film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Guests board a flying bike that takes them on a journey to Elliott’s house, where they help E.T. phone home before narrowly escaping government agents. The ride is notable for its historical significance as being the only remaining opening day attraction at Universal Studios and thus the oldest at Universal Orlando Resort.

3. Fast And Furious – Supercharged

• Location : San Francisco
• Suitable For : Adults, Teens (13–17), Tweens (7–12), Mature Kids

Fast & Furious – Supercharged is a motion simulator ride that takes guests on a high-speed chase through the streets of Los Angeles. The ride features special effects such as wind, water, and fire and is based on the popular Fast & Furious franchise. This ride contains violent themes and loud noise, so it may not be suitable for all kids.

4. Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

• Location : The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley
• Ride Type : Thrill, Motion Simulation, 3-D / 4-D Experience
• Minimum Height Requirement : 42″ (107 cm)

The Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts ride is a thrilling theme park attraction that simulates a high-speed chase through the underground vaults of Gringotts bank. Many of the thrills and challenges Harry and his friends face in the movie are experienced by riders, including an escape from a dragon. Its special effects and animatronics make it one of the best rides at Universal Orlando .

5. Hogwarts Express (King’s Cross Station)

• Ride Type : Kid Friendly
• Minimum Height Requirement : No Height Requirement

The Hogwarts Express combines a love of Harry Potter with a classic theme park ride. Guests board the train at King’s Cross Station near Diagon Alley and journey through the British countryside to Hogsmeade Station in Universal’s Islands of Adventure. The train ride offers stunning (virtual) views of Hogwarts Castle and immersive experiences along the way. A multi-park ticket is required to experience this attraction.

6. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

• Location : New York
• Ride Type : Thrill
• Minimum Height Requirement : 51″ (130 cm)
• Suitable For : Adults, Teens (13–17), Tweens (7–12)

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is a steel roller coaster located at Universal Studios Florida. The attraction allows riders to create their own custom music playlist to listen to while riding. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is 167 feet tall and reaches speeds of up to 65 miles per hour.

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7. Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl

• Location : Springfield, U.S.A.: Home of The Simpsons

Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl is a ride in the Springfield section of Universal Studios that features the two aliens from The Simpsons. Guests ride in spinning vehicles that are lifted into the air, giving them a bird’s eye view of the park. The ride is known for its fast spins and sudden drops, making it a favorite for family-friendly thrill seekers.

8. MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack

• Location : World Expo

The Men in Black Alien Attack is a dark ride where riders blast aliens with laser guns. The ride features characters from the Men in Black movies, with guests recruited to help save the earth from an alien invasion. The ride is interactive, and passengers’ scores are based on how many aliens they shoot.

9. Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon

• Ride Type : Motion Simulation, 3-D / 4-D Experience

Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon is a high-octane race through the streets of New York. The ride puts guests in the middle of the action as they compete against Jimmy Fallon and other riders to be the first to make it to the finish line. With thrilling twists and turns, Race Through New York is an adrenaline-pumping adventure that will leave guests laughing and screaming for more.

10. Revenge of the Mummy

• Minimum Height Requirement : 48″ (122 cm)

The Revenge of the Mummy is a dark roller coaster ride at Universal Studios that takes riders through a cursed tomb where they must face the mummy Imhotep. The ride features fast speeds, unexpected drops, and eerie special effects that create a genuinely terror-filled experience. Younger or less mature kids may find the ride too intense.

11. The Simpsons Ride

The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Florida is an animated ride that simulates a bumpy roller coaster. It features characters from the popular T.V. show The Simpsons and takes place in the fictional town of Springfield. Riders experience twists, turns, and inversions while joining other characters from the show, including Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, Mr. Burns, and Krusty the Clown. The ride culminates in a showdown with Sideshow Bob.

12. TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D

TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D is an immersive, high-definition 3D ride at Universal Studios Florida. It features cutting-edge technology, special effects, and a storyline based on the popular TRANSFORMERS movies. Guests will join the Autobots in a battle to save humankind from the Decepticons and experience the thrill of riding alongside Optimus Prime and Bumblebee.

13. Villain-Con Minion Blast

• Ride Type : Multi-Person/Family, Moving Walkway
• Minimum Height Requirement : Supervising companion required for those under 48″ (122 cm). Hand-held infants not permitted.

The Vicious 6 are at Villain-Con, and you’re invited to use your personal E-Liminator X blaster device to hit interactive digital targets. The ride uses a point-and-shoot gameplay mode that’s somewhat similar to Universal’s Men in Black attraction and Disney’s Buzz Lightyear ride, but these blasters are completely wireless. You’re standing — not sitting — as the ride system moves you through a series of scenes (standard wheelchairs are also welcome). Enhance your gameplay with special features on Universal’s smartphone app.

14. Trolls Trollercoaster (Opening Summer 2024)

• Location : DreamWorks Land
• Ride Type : Thrill, Kid Friendly
• Minimum Height Requirement : Minimum Height 36″ (92 cm) (Estimated requirement based on prior version)
• Suitable For : Tweens (7–12), Kids (Under 7)

Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster was a junior roller coaster in the Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone of Universal Studios Florida. The coaster reached 28 feet above the ground, had top speeds of 21 mph, and was designed for younger riders.

This attraction closed on January 15, 2023 for transformation into Trolls Trollercoaster, a ride which will allow you to “hop onto the caterpillar Caterbus” and “join Poppy, Tiny and the twins Satin and Chenille as you try to make an escape from spooky spiders.”

It is widely believed that the ride profile will remain similar to the former Nuthouse Coaster. The new coaster opens in Summer 2024.

We’re not even halfway through our list, but if you’ve already seen enough to want to book your trip, it’s time to call in a professional!

The Universal travel experts at The Vacationeer provide free help planning your trip and can make sure you get the best possible prices on tickets and hotels .

Rides and Attractions at Islands of Adventure

Universal’s Island of Adventure theme park features eight themed “islands” with unique rides and attractions. Below is an alphabetical list of the rides at Islands of Adventure, along with a brief overview and other essential information. (Curious about which of these we think is the best? Check out our article ranking the top ten Islands of Adventure rides !)

15. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

• Location : Marvel Super Hero Island

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is a 3D attraction at Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida. The attraction features a motion-based ride through New York City and a simulated freefall from the top of a 400-foot building. Guests will also have the opportunity to interact with Spider-Man himself during the ride.

16. Caro-Seuss-El

• Location : Seuss Landing

Caro-Seuss-el is a unique carousel ride at Seuss Landing island. The ride features characters and sets from the famous Dr. Seuss books. Caro-Seuss-el is a fun and whimsical ride that is perfect for children of all ages.

17. The Cat in the Hat

• Minimum Height Requirement : 36″ (92 cm)

The Cat in the Hat at Islands of Adventure is a must-see for any fan of the Dr. Seuss classic. The ride takes guests through a series of intricate scenes, all while staying true to the original story. Whether you’re looking for a bit of nostalgia or want to experience one of the most unique attractions at Universal Orlando, The Cat in the Hat is sure to delight you.

18. Doctor Doom’s Fearfall

• Minimum Height Requirement : 52″ (132 cm)

Doctor Doom’s Fearfall is a space shot / drop attraction located in Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Guests are seated, harnessed in, and blasted to the top of a 185-foot-tall tower. Once at the top, guests plunge back to the ground at approximately 40 miles per hour. The attraction is themed after Doctor Doom, a supervillain from the Marvel Universe, and is not suitable for young children or those afraid of heights.

19. Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls

• Location : Toon Lagoon
• Ride Type : Water Ride
• Minimum Height Requirement : 44″ (112 cm)

Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls is a log flume ride located at Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida. The ride features a series of drops, the longest of which is 75 feet, reaching speeds up to 45 mph. Riders will be sprayed with water at several points along the route.

20. Flight of the Hippogriff

• Location : The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade

Flight of the Hippogriff is a family-friendly coaster in Hogsmeade Village at Islands of Adventure. The ride begins with a flight around Hagrid’s Hut before taking guests on a journey through the Forbidden Forest. Despite some small drops and a top speed of 28 mph, this coaster is suitable for younger children.

21. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is a highly themed and immersive roller coaster that takes riders through the Forbidden Forest with Hagrid. Guests will encounter magical creatures from the Harry Potter films, including Buckbeak the Hippogriff and Aragog the Acromantula. It is one of the most popular rides at Islands of Adventure.

22. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is one of Universal’s most highly themed and immersive rides. Guests board a magical vehicle that allows them to “fly” through Hogwarts Castle while experiencing the sights and sounds of the wizarding world. The attraction includes many surprises and special effects, making it a top attraction for Harry Potter fans visiting Islands of Adventure.

23. The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train

The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train at Islands of Adventure is a family-friendly ride that takes you above the whimsical buildings and rides of Seuss Landing. You can ride along one of two tracks – one track follows the story of the Sneetches, and the second track features other Dr. Seuss stories you know and love. Along the way, you’ll get great views of the surrounding area and maybe even spot a few of your favorite characters.

24. Hogwarts Express (Hogsmeade Station)

The Hogwarts Express: Hogsmeade Station is a train station designed to look like the Hogsmeade station from the Harry Potter films. It is the departure point for the Hogwarts Express within the park’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter section. The Hogwarts Guests can board the Hogwarts Express and ride it to Kings Cross Station in Universal Studios Florida and back. A multi-park ticket is required to experience this attraction.

25. The Incredible Hulk Coaster

• Minimum Height Requirement : 54″ (138 cm)

The Incredible Hulk Coaster is a steel roller coaster that reaches speeds of up to 67 mph and features seven inversions, making it one of the most intense rides at the park. The launch tunnel further enhances the experience, which sends riders hurtling through the dark before emerging into the daylight. With its iconic green track and exciting theme, The Incredible Hulk Coaster is a must-ride for any thrill seeker visiting Islands of Adventure.

26. Jurassic Park River Adventure Ride

• Location : Jurassic Park
• Ride Type : Thrill, Water Ride

The Jurassic Park River Adventure Ride simulates rafting on a river while getting riders wet. It starts with a calm section that goes through the Jurassic Park gate and then enters a dark section with dinosaurs. The ride culminates with the 85-foot plunge, which sends riders down a flume at 50 mph.

27. Jurassic World VelociCoaster

The Jurassic World VelociCoaster is a launched roller coaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. The coaster drops riders from a height of 140 feet at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. It also features a launch section where riders are accelerated from 0 to 50 miles per hour in just 2 seconds. The VelociCoaster is one of the newest and most intense rides at Universal Orlando and is sure to thrill even the most experienced coaster enthusiasts.

28. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish is a family-friendly attraction where guests ride in “fish” vehicles through a colorful undersea world, encountering playful creatures along the way. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish is an excellent option for families with small children.

29. Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges

Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges at Islands of Adventure is a water ride where guests help Popeye rescue Olive Oyl from the clutches of Bluto. The ride features many twists and turns, as well as several surprises that are sure to leave riders soaked. Despite its lack of thrill factor, Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges is the park’s wettest water ride.

30. Pteranodon Flyers

• Maximum Height Requirement : 56″ (143 cm)

Next on our list of Universal Orlando rides is Pteranodon Flyers, a ride perfect for younger guests. Guests sit on comfortable seats that gently sway in the air, suspended from tracks above, without any sudden or frightening movements. The ride also provides a fantastic view of all the theme park excitement below.

31. Skull Island: Reign of Kong

• Location : Skull Island: Reign of Kong
• Ride Type : Thrill, Motion Simulation

Skull Island: Reign of Kong is a trackless dark ride at Islands of Adventure that takes guests through the island home of the legendary Kong. The ride features state-of-the-art effects and safari vehicles that transport guests into the heart of the action, making for an unforgettable experience. A ride like this may be too dark and frightening for young children and those sensitive to violent themes.

32. Storm Force Accelatron

Located in the Marvel Super Hero Island area of Islands of Adventure, Storm Force Accelatron is a tea cup-style spinning ride. The attraction features characters from the X-Men universe, including Cyclops, Wolverine, Storm, and Rogue. Riders board one of 12 tea cups and are spun around a central axis, reaching speeds of up to 10 miles per hour.

Rides and Attractions at Epic Universe

Concept art of Epic Universe | Image © Universal

Universal’s next theme park, Epic Universe, is expected to open in 2025 with multiple themed lands and attractions. There is not yet a full official list of rides at Epic Universe , but that hasn’t stopped plenty of speculation and rumors.

Theme park concept art released by Universal prominently shows a substantial rollercoaster. Aerial photos of the construction zone indicate that work is well underway on a Super Nintendo World area similar to those at Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Hollywood .

It has also been confirmed that Epic Universe will include lands and rides themed to the Harry Potter franchise, How To Train Your Dragon, and the classic Universal Pictures monster films.

With that in mind, here are the attractions which have been confirmed and/or are considered reasonably likely to appear at Epic Universe:

• Starfall Racers ✅ Confirmed — a dual-launch 133-ft tall roller coaster boasting 5,000 feet of track and speeds of up to 62 mph. At night, the track will be completely dark, making the individually-lit cars look like comets streaking across the sky. 48″ height requirement.
• Constellation Carousel ✅ Confirmed — a unique carousel concept that goes beyond the usual merry-go-round — individual rotating animals (inspired by the constellations) whirl around and lift up to 6 feet in the air.
• Astronomica ✅ Confirmed — a dancing fountains play area.
• Hiccup’s Wing Gliders ✅ Confirmed — family-friendly roller coaster allowing you to “fly” alongside Toothless and Hiccup. 40″ height requirement
• Dragon Racer’s Rally ✅ Confirmed — A spinning, aerobatic ride anchored to a single point rather than moving along a track, reaching heights of up t0 67 feet. 48″ height requirement.
• Fyre Drill ✅ Confirmed — A wet and wild boat competition. Guest board colorful dragon-headed boats and blast water cannons at flame-like targets. No minimum height requirement, but guests under 48″ must ride with a supervising companion.
• Mario Kart:  Bowser’s Challenge ✅ Confirmed — a driving simulation based on the popular game
• Yoshi’s Adventure 🟡 Clearly Under Construction but Not Officially Confirmed — a family-friendly dark ride featuring indoor and outdoor elements
• Donkey Kong Country Mine Cart Madness coaster 🟡 Clearly Under Construction but Not Officially Confirmed — a mine cart roller coaster featuring a unique ride system which will make riders feel their coaster kart is jumping gaps in the track. A version opens at Universal Studios Japan in early 2024.
• Unnamed  Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction(s) 🟡 Land confirmed but ride details unclear — widely believed to include a ride based on the Ministry of Magic, but few confirmed details are available so far.
• Unnamed Universal Monsters roller coaster 🟡 Clearly Under Construction but Not Officially Confirmed — Universal has promised a way to experience classic Universal horror movies in a reimagined way. No real details on ride experience revealed, but aerial photos clearly show a roller coaster under construction.
• Unnamed Universal Monsters dark ride 🟡 Clearly Under Construction but Not Officially Confirmed — A large show building is being built, the type that would typically house a dark ride. Widely-accepted rumor is that this could be somewhat similar to Islands of Adventure’s Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction, in which a robotic arm allows ride vehicles to behave erratically as opposed to simply riding along a flat track.

There are plenty more rumored additions to the park. We’ll update this page with further details as attractions are officially announced by Universal.  In the meantime, you might want to check out our in-depth coverage of Epic Universe to learn everything that we know right now.

Final Thoughts: List of Universal Orlando Rides

Universal Orlando Resort is the place to go if you’re looking for a fun-filled family vacation. The rides and attractions between its two theme parks — including kid-friendly options, Harry Potter-themed rides, thrilling coasters and drops, and immersive rides with state-of-the-art features — are sure to delight and thrill. And there are even some slow-paced and nostalgic rides to choose from.

No matter what your age or interests, there’s sure to be a ride at Universal Orlando Resort that will make your day unforgettable.

Thanks for reading our List of Universal Orlando Rides. Remember to view our Best Time to Go to Universal , Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar and Universal Orlando Map pages.

Enjoy your trip!

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To book your Universal or Disney trip, or for any questions about Universal Orlando rides list, we recommend contacting an experienced Universal Orlando travel agency . We highly recommend The Vacationeer.

Vacation planners like The Vacationeer make booking Universal Orlando vacations easier and more rewarding. That is especially true if you travel to Universal with pets , or small children or if this is your first time at the resort.

From your transportation from the airport , to booking your theme park tickets and Express Passes , to help with your itinerary, the Vacationeer has you covered. Moreover, they offer their services for free!

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The Ultimate Guide to Universal Orlando Rides 2024

In this article we’ll cover the complete 2024 Universal Studios Orlando rides list as well as a description of what to expect during your next vacation! If you and your family love rides, then you’ll want to make sure to have a game plan for your next Universal Orlando Vacation! With so much to choose within the two main parks for Universal Florida – Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure – you’re most likely going to want to see it all.

And with the brand new EPIC Universe coming, we are going to keep a current Universal Studios ride list current that park finishes in 2025! So, if you want the most updated list of all Universal Studios Orlando rides you’ve come to the right place.

We hope you find this post helpful! Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time and money on your next Universal Orlando vacation!  If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando be sure to check out the latest deals on Universal Orlando vacation packages and our discounted Universal Orlando tickets which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

So if you’re ready to find out everything you need to know about all Universal rides read on!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for the best time to visit Universal Orlando check out our Universal Crowd calendar! 

Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar

Complete List of Universal Studios Rides 2024

Before we begin our trek through the Universal Parks, let’s cover some basic questions. First, there are two parks we’ll be covering for our Universal Studios attractions list , and in order to hit up all of these rides, you will need to have either a park-to-park pass or you’ll need to have two days of one-park passes. There is one ride on our list, the Hogwarts Express, that can only be ridden by guests who have a park-to-park pass, allowing them access to both parks in one day since this ride travels between the two parks.

This Universal Studios Florida rides list will cover all of the Islands of Adventure rides as well as all of the Universal Studios Orlando rides , so settle in and take the tour of all of the Universal attractions with us!

And Universal Orlando has announced a brand new theme park coming for 2025, which will means more rides! As that park continues to be built, we will keep a current list of rides at Universal Studios at EPIC Universe too! With that being said, let’s see the current rides at Universal Studios 2024 !

Related Page: Save up to $70 per Universal Orlando Ticket 

2024 Universal Studios Orlando Rides Overview

If you’re looking for the ultimate list of Universal Studios Orlando rides before we get into the details, we’ve made that for you right here! If you’re looking for full details on each Universal Studios Orlando ride, make sure to keep reading!

Below is the current list of attractions included with our discount Universal Orlando tickets! 

Universal Studios Florida Rides

Despicable me minion mayhem ride, villain-con minion blast, hollywood rip ride rockit.

• Transformers 4D: The Ride

Race through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon

Revenge of the mummy.

• Fast and the Furious Ride

E.T. Adventure

The simpson’s ride.

• Kang & Kudos Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
• Men In Black Alien Attack
• Escape from Gringotts in Diagon Alley

Hogwarts Express

Universal studios orlando – islands of adventure rides, flight of the hippogriff, hagrid’s magical creatures motorbike adventure, harry potter and the forbidden journey, pteranodon flyers, jurassic park river adventure ride, jurassic world velocicoaster, cat in the hat ride, high in the sky seuss trolley train, caro-seuss-el.

• One fish, Two fish, Red fish, Blue Fish

Doom’s Fearfall

Incredible hulk coaster.

• Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-rat Barges

• Dudley Do-Right Ripsaw Falls
• Skull Island: Reign of Kong
• Storm Force Acceleration

Universal Rides Included with our Early Park Admission Tickets :

• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem Rides

EPIC Universe Rides

• Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge
• Yoshi’s Adventure
• Donkey Kong Mine Cart Madness

Rumored EPIC Universe Rides

• Frankenstein’s Manor (High-tech dark ride)
• How to Train Your Dragon Coaster (Steel launched)
• How to Train Your Dragon Sky Fly flat rides
• Indoor Ministry of Magic Adventure (Fast-paced, high thrill)
• Constellation Carousel (EPIC Universe main hub)
• Starfall Racers (EPIC Universe main hub dueling coaster)

The EPIC Universe, Universal ride list is rather small for now, as it is under construction until 2025. We hope that as we get closer to 2025, we will know if the rumored Universal Orlando rides coming to EPIC Universe are real or not.

We will make sure to share with you all of the rumors and truth we find in the brand new Universal rides lists for EPIC too!

Related Article: The Best Prices on Discount Universal Orlando Tickets

Continuing on, we will discuss every land and what Universal Studios Orlando rides they hold!

2024 Universal Studios Orlando Rides – Where to Begin?

While we won’t always travel as the crow flies, our goal in our list of rides at Universal Studios is to take you through each park almost as if you were walking from area to area. We may back track a bit but we’re going to try to save as many steps as possible by traveling the most direct routes when we can. That said, we’re starting at the Universal Studios entrance to visit the Universal Studios attractions first. Won’t you join us?

Production Central

As you enter Universal Studios , the first area you walk through after Minion Land is Production Central. While not the prettiest area, it’s here that you find some of the most well-known Universal Studios Florida rides , ready to greet you and take you for a spin or two.

Just around the corner is the Rip Ride Rockit, one of the wildest Universal Studios rides . Going up 17 stories, you’ll be sure to find your scream on this ride. Luckily, you get to choose the music you want to listen to and that might help you change your screams of fear into fun. With speeds of 65 mph and a non-inverting loop, of all rides Universal Studios Orlando , this one is definitely only for the brave of heart.

Who loves it? Teens and tweens can’t get enough of this ride, along with adults who love thrill rides.

Height Requirements? The minimum height for this ride is 51” and it also has a maximum height of 79”.

Transformers: The Ride

In this motion-simulation ride, you’ll be ride along with classic transformers like Bumblebee and Optimus Prime (on the big screen in 3D) to save the planet from Megatron and his goons. Be prepared to be immersed in another world where the lines between fantasy and reality get blurry!

Who loves it? This is a great ride for Transformers super fans. With tons of Easter Eggs and different characters throughout the ride, superfans will love trying to find them all.

Height Requirements? Minimum height is 40” but anyone under 48” will need to have a supervising companion.

Related Article: Complete Guide to Universal Studios for Adults 

Minion Land

The Minions are here and ready for mayhem in Universal Studios Florida! The all-new Minion Land located at the very front of Universal Studios Florida invites guests to join in on all the shenanigans the Minions are causing! Along with new food options there also is a brand-new attraction – Villain-Con Minion Blast.

Universal Studios Florida Production Central Rides

On this motion-simulated ride, you are invited to join Gru, his daughters, and all of the minions on a wild ride through Gru’s house and laboratory. This ride starts with a fun pre-show guaranteed to keep all your family members entertained while you wait to hop aboard the actual ride. This is a wonderful Universal Studios Orlando ride for kids!

Who loves it ? This ride is listed as family-friendly, so your group should all love it so long as motion sickness doesn’t bother anyone, and they meet the height requirements.

Height Requirements? The minimum height is 40” but anyone under 48” will need to have a supervising companion.

Join Illumination’s Minions, Belle Bottom, Jean Clawed, and the rest of the Vicious 6 at Villain-Con as you aim for supervillain stardom. This fully interactive gaming experience is a new addition to the Universal Studios Orlando rides list . Use your E-Liminator X blaster to test your skills in a fun, interactive setting. The ride is located in Illumination’s Minion Land at Universal Studios Florida and offers an enhanced gameplay experience through the Universal Orlando Resort app.

Who loves it? This ride is designed for everyone—adults, teens (13–17), tweens (7–12), and kids (under 7). It’s a family-friendly attraction that promises a unique and interactive experience, making it a standout in the U niversal Studios Florida rides collection.

Height Requirements? Hand-held infants are not permitted on the ride. Anyone under 48 inches (122 cm) will require a supervising companion.

Related post: Best Universal Tips 2024

Once you leave Production Central, you’ll walk into a New York from decades past. With music from the Blues Brothers and traditional New York City architecture, you might forget you’re in Florida. It is one of our favorite places to stroll around on our visits to Universal Orlando.

Universal Studios Florida – New York Section Rides

This is one of the newest Universal Orlando rides and so long as you’re in New York, you might as well stop by and watch the Jimmy Fallon show with Hashtag the Panda and the Ragtime Gals. But once you take your seat, be prepared to race through, below, and above New York with Jimmy Fallon on a motion-simulator ride.

Who loves it? Fans of Jimmy Fallon will enjoy his classic jokes and general craziness. This ride is family-friendly without any scare factors so everyone who can fit in the ride will enjoy it.

Height Requirements? Minimum height is 40” but anyone under 48” will need to have a supervising companion. This ride also has safety restraints that may restrict people of certain sizes to ride. Those with a waist size of more than 40” may not be able to ride.

This indoor thrilling coaster is another ride only for the brave. If you like being terrified on a ride, this will top your Universal Studios Orlando rides list . From plunging into complete darkness to endless mummies trying to attack you, be prepared to scream!

Who loves it? Anyone who loves classic scary coasters will love this ride. Younger kids may be able to make the height requirement, but parents should consider if they will be too scared on this ride.

Height Requirements? Minimum height is 48” and there are safety restraints that may not be able to accommodate those with a waist size of 40” or more.

San Francisco

Walk through the streets of 1950s San Francisco to head to the only ride here. Don’t forget to stop by Jaws for a fun photo op!

One of the newer Universal Studios Attractions , Fast & Furious is a motion-simulator ride that transports you to the Fast & Furious movies where you’ll get to see cars flip, things blow up, and listen to a great soundtrack. Fans will notice lots of movie props and the supercharged vehicles they had only seen on the big screen before.

Who loves it? Anyone who loves cars will enjoy this family-friendly ride.

Related Article: Ultimate Guide to Universal Orlando Dining Plan

As you leave San Francisco and enter Hollywood, perhaps it’s time for a break from hitting everything on your Universal rides list . Spend a bit of time enjoying the Bourne Spectacular Stunt Show and watch someone else get tossed around for a bit.

Universal Studios Florida – Hollywood Section Rides

Since the closer of the Woody Woodpecker KidZone, ET is the only attraction left in this area. Construction is taking place soon, bringing new rides at Universal Studios for guests to enjoy.

This heart-warming ride takes its guests on a gentle bike ride with E.T. through the sky as you try to save his planet. You might even get to hear E.T. thank you personally for your hard work. This is a gentle, dark ride that is one of our personal favorites at The Park Prodigy and would be at the top of our Universal Studios rides list .

Who loves it? Everyone. While this is one of the slow rides at Universal Orlando, it overwhelming is loved by everyone.

Height Requirements? Minimum height is 34” but anyone under 48” will need to have a supervising companion.

Related Article: Ultimate Guide to Visiting Universal With Kids 

Springfield: Home of the Simpsons TM

Step into the world of the Simpsons and see all the shops, restaurants and hang outs that make Springfield a great town to live in also home to some of the best Universal Orlando rides . Any Simpson fan will love finding all the show references spread out over the entire area.

Universal Studios Florida – Springfield Home of Simpsons Ride

This virtual reality roller coaster will take riders to Krustyland with the Simpson clan for a nice, fun day at the park. But it’s the Simpsons, so you know that something will go wrong, and Sideshow Bob is sure to see to that! Ride projections are displayed on a huge 80-foot dome to make sure you are surrounded by all of the action.

Who loves it? If you grew up watching the Simpsons, you’re going to want to ride this ride! The cameos from multiple characters makes it all the more fun.

Kang & Kodo’s Twirl ‘n’ Hurl

Hop aboard a spaceship and twirl around the giant alien as you try to shoot lasers at the residents of Springfield. Try to do more twirling and less hurling while you ride this spinning ride.

Who loves it? This family-friendly ride will be loved by even the smallest of ones so long as you don’t mind going around in endless circles.

Height Requirements? No height requirement but anyone under 48” will need to have a supervising companion.

As you hit the back of the park, you’ll enter World Expo, which currently only has one ride. Typically, the World Expo is a great place is you’re visiting for Halloween Horror Nights , as many of the houses are posted up over there. But, if not, you’ll find the perfect ride for kids on our list of Universal Studios rides .

Men in Black: Alien Attack

This shooting dark ride takes you on a hunt for aliens. See how many points you can wrack up as you protect our planet against an infestation of aliens in New York.

Who loves it? Tweens, teens and those who love the Men in Black movies. Plus, anyone who just likes a good ol’ fashioned shooting game with some motion simulation. Without too scary of aliens, this ride is pretty family friendly.

Height Requirements? Minimum height is 42” but anyone under 48” will need to have a supervising companion.

Related post:  Complete Guide to Universal Studios Orlando Shows

Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley

Go through the wall and enter the immersive world of Harry Potter Diagon Alley at the London Embankment of World Expo. You’ll love this land, as it truly feels like an exact replica of the real Diagon Alley, equipped full with shops, dining and even butterbeer !

Universal Studios Orlando Rides – Diagon Alley

Harry potter and the escape from gringotts.

Of all the current Universal Studios rides , this one is a favorite to many. A dark 4-D roller coaster will take you along with Harry and his friends as they try to escape the villains at Gringotts.

Who loves it? Every Harry Potter fan ever! Not to mention, anyone who loves a thrilling ride with an amazing line queue.

Although you’ll need a park-to-park ticket to ride this ride , if you have one, this is the best way to head over the rest of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and all the rides at Islands of Adventure. Hop on the train at King’s Cross and be transported to Hogsmeade Village on this ride with windows showing you images of wizarding life.

Who loves it? Harry Potter fan or not, everyone loves this train ride between parks.

Height Requirements? No minimum height but anyone under 48” will need to have a supervising companion.

If you’re like us, you might need a bit of a rest before you start our Island of Adventures rides list . If not, then let’s continue as we keep covering our ultimate Universal Orlando rides list .

Related post:   Food Lovers Guide to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Dining

Universal Islands of Adventure Rides List

After your magical journey on the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade Village , you’ll find yourself in Universal’s Islands of Adventure , a key part of the Universal Studios Orlando all rides experience. This park complements the diverse range of attractions in Universal Studios Florida , making it an essential destination for those looking to explore all rides at Universal Studios . From family-friendly experiences to adrenaline-pumping roller coasters, these interconnected parks offer something for everyone.

Hogsmeade Village

Welcome to Hogsmeade Village with Hogwarts Castle right smack in the middle. This is a great place to start your journey to discover how many rides are at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure and if you can ride them all. So, get out your Islands of Adventure rides list and join us as we walk around the lake and visit all of the islands.

Universal Studios Orlando Rides – Hogsmeade Village

This thrilling, yet kid-friendly roller coaster takes its riders through the Forbidden Forest, diving around a pumpkin patch and giving riders a nice look at Hagrid’s hut.

Who loves it? This roller coaster is great for all ages, providing slight thrills without any chills.

Height Requirements? Minimum height is 36” but anyone under 48” will need to have a supervising companion.

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is the newest of the Universal Studios Islands of Adventure rides . “Drive” the motorcycle or ride in the sidecar around the Forbidden Forest to discover many of the magical beasts that live there.

Who loves it? Older Harry Potter fans love the thrills and excitement of this roller coaster that whips around curves at high speeds and even goes backwards at one point.

Height Requirements? Minimum height is 48”.

Come inside Hogwarts Castle for a ride where the waiting queue is just as thrilling as the ride. As you walk through the many areas of Hogwarts Castle, you’ll be preparing for a thrilling ride with Hermione and her friends as they soar above the castle grounds on a one-of-a-kind ride that uses technology to create the sensation of flying.

Who loves it? Harry Potter fans will geek out as they travel through the castle, but everyone will love the soaring ride that puts you right in the middle of the action.

Related Article: Early Park Admission at Universal Orlando

The Lost Continent

It’s really lost. No rides are currently active in this area. Unless you want to eat a delicious meal at Mythos , keep walking. If you are looking for some entertainment, or even a fun Universal Orlando show for the family, stop the by Mystic Fountain. It isn’t an attraction, but you might get a piece of advice or even a magical splash of water to the face!

Seuss Landing

Oh, the things you will see and the places you’ll be when you find yourself in Seuss landing. One of the most cheerful islands at Universal Islands of Adventure, stop in here no matter your age or stage.

Seuss Landing Rides

Travel through the Cat in the Hat story book on this omni-mover ride made to look like your couch. This ride is whacky dark-ride, which is perfect for the family or kids who love the famous storybook. This is one of our favorites on the Universal ride list for a break in the air conditioning, as it is long and relaxing.

Who loves it? It’s a favorite with small children but older kids may get bored with it.

Take a slow trolley ride about Seuss Landing to get a birds-eye view of it all while listening to classic Dr. Seuss stories.

Who loves it? Anyone who wants to just sit back and relax will enjoy winding around on these elevated tracks.

A merry-go-round like no other, you are presented with all the nonsensical Seuessical creatures there are to choose from. Get your camera ready because you’re going to want photos of this ride!

Who loves it? Mostly the younger kids love it, but everyone will smile once they see it.

Height Requirements? There’s no minimum height, but anyone under 48” will need to have a supervising companion.

One fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Take a spin on this ride as you choose which fish you want to sit in. You can choose when you go up and when you go down, but listen to the instructions if you want to avoid getting wet in the process.

Who loves it? Everyone seems willing to give this a shot at least once, but don’t be surprised if your littlest ones keep asking to do it again and again and again.

Related Article: Complete Guide to Universal Orlando With Kids 

Marvel Super Hero Island

This immersive island was created for all those comic book fans out there, especially in the Marvel world of superheroes and villains.

Universal Studios Orlando Rides – Marvel Super Hero Island

Are you brave enough to shoot up 185 feet in the air only to be plummeted back to Earth without any warning at a speed faster than gravity? Then you’re going to love this ultimate thrill ride at Universal Studios Orlando Islands of Adventure .

Who loves it? Thrill-ride junkies!

Height Requirements? Minimum height is 52”. This ride also has safety restraints that may restrict people of certain sizes to ride. Those with a waist size of more than 40” may not be able to ride.

This giant green coaster can be seen from practically anywhere in Islands of Adventure. This ride tops the list of rides at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure that have been here from the start and still attract huge lines.

Who loves it? Anyone who can’t get enough of roller coasters that go upside down.

Height Requirements? Minimum height is 54”. This ride also has safety restraints that may restrict people of certain sizes to ride. Those with a waist size of more than 40” may not be able to ride. And this ride has a zero-tolerance policy for any loose items so guests have to walk through a metal detector before they can ride.

Amazing Adventures of Spider Man

Put on your 3-D glasses for this high-flying virtual reality ride. Guests get to join Spider Man as he soars above the streets chasing bad guys.

Who loves it? Classic Marvel character fans who don’t get motion sick. This one is a doosie.

Storm Force Acceleration 

Storm Force Acceleration is a teacup-style X-men themed ride located right in the heart of Islands of Adventure park.

Who loves it?   Families visiting Universal Orlando with young kids and die hard x-men fans!

Height Requirements? There is no minimum height requirement at this time, however rides who are under 48″ tall must be supervised by a companion to ride.

Related Article: Complete Guide to Universal Orlando for Adults

Toon Lagoon

If you’re looking for Universal water rides , this is the island to visit as it is filled with water rides and even splash pads for the little ones.

Toon Lagoon Rides

A classic wet ride, the rafting ride puts a group of people in a large circular spinning raft and tosses them up and down a river with lots of water obstacles waiting to soak them.

Who loves it? Everyone on a hot day. No one on a cold day. If you liked to get soaked, you’ll love it.

Height requirements? Minimum height is 42” but anyone under 48” will need to have a supervising companion.

Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls

Another classic wet ride, this log flume ride takes you through twists and turns, ending in a 75-foot drop. You are sure to get soaked when you ride this.

Who loves it? A flume ride is fun for everyone, but older generation will really enjoy the references to this classic cartoon.

Height Requirements? Minimum height is 44” but anyone under 48” will need to have a supervising companion.

Skull Island

This island is the ride, and the ride is the island. That’s all there is and probably all there has to be.

Skull Island – Reign of Kong

This terrifying ride is at the top of many people’s Orlando Universal rides list . Board a ride vehicle and travel through Skull Island where all the nightmarish creatures of the movie come to 3-D life all around you.

Who loves it? Definitely for older kids, tweens and teens. This ride contains a lot of violence and unbelievably scary creatures so younger kids will want to stay away.

Jurassic Park

If you’ve arrived here, you have now walked all the way through both parks and you can relax. Oh wait, no you can’t! This island has some of the best Universal Islands of Adventure rides that you can’t pass up, plus one more that will opening soon and will sure to be the hottest roller coaster in the area.

Universal Studios Orlando Rides – Jurassic Park

Get carried away by a prehistoric flying reptile, suspended from a wire, and gently soar over the surrounding area of Jurassic Park. This ride is so kid friendly that anyone over 56” must find a kid to go on the ride with them!

Who loves it? Kids who love having the power of saying who gets to ride with them. More adults would probably love it too, but it’s awkward (and maybe illegal) to ask kids you don’t know to take you on the ride when you’re a childless millennial.

Height Requirements? Minimum height is 36” but with a maximum height of 56” unless accompanied by a kid between the height of 36-56 inches.

One last chance to get wet on a hot day. This boat ride starts out innocent enough as you travel into Jurassic Park to view the dinosaurs but then takes an ominous turn as you head into restricted areas of Jurassic Park and encounter so many T-rexes that you end up taking an 85-foot drop down into the darkness.

Who loves it? A great ride for anyone who loves dinosaurs but isn’t too scared of them.

It boasts 4,700 feet of track that will take you to heights of 155 feet using launches, barrel rolls, and endless twists and turns through tight squeezes as you dash through the park’s raptor enclosure.

Who loves it? Every roller coaster enthusiast out there is chomping at the bit to hop aboard this one-of-a-kind roller coaster. This ride will definitely not be for the timid of heart. It will take over the number one spot for Universal thrill rides once it opens.

Height Requirements? Minimum height is 51″ for this thriller.

Now that you’ve learned what rides are at Universal Studios are what are the rides are at Islands of Adventure , which park will you choose to start with as you make your own list of rides in Universal Studios Florida that you must ride on your next vacation?

Related post:  How to Ride the VelociCoaster at Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Studios Orlando Rides 2024 FAQ

Q: How many rides are in Universal Studios?

A: There are over 30 rides between the two Universal Studios theme parks, with even more coming with the brand new EPIC Universe park. EPIC Universe is slated to be finished in 2025 with 4 new lands and brand new rides too.

Q: How many roller coasters are at Universal Studios?

A: Between Universal, Studios Florida and Islands of adventure Park, there are 8 roller coasters for guests to enjoy.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Universal Orlando?

Our   Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar  is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We breakdown the park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices by day, and average temperature.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Universal Orlando Trip?

If you’re ready to plan your trip to Universal Studios, be sure to check out our Universal Orlando Tickets! All guests who purchase their tickets from The Park Prodigy will get  Early Park Admission  to Universal Orlando! This could save you a ton of time in the parks and avoid buying express passes!

And to stay up to date on everything going on inside the theme parks be sure to check out our partners at Themeparktoday.com!

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Michael Belmont

Michael Belmont is the owner and chief editor at Theparkprodigy.com, an authorized Disney and Universal travel agent. He specializes in Disney and Universal theme park tickets and vacation packages, as well as daily park plans to help optimize vacation time. Michael and The Park Prodigy have been featured on ABC’s Florida affiliate, WTFV, as well as over 10 Disney focused blogs. As owner, Michael manages The Park Prodigy blog and social media, a Disney themed podcast, and a Disney and Universal focused YouTube channel. Prior to starting The Park Prodigy, Michael was a long time Disney and Universal enthusiast, frequent visitor of the parks, and even served as a Walt Disney World Cast Member in Orlando, Florida!

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30 Universal Orlando Rides, Ranked from Best to Worst

These are the best rides at Universal Orlando — and the worst.

Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure , covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.

Best Rides at Universal Studios Florida

• Best Rides at Universal's Islands of Adventure

Step into your favorite movies at Universal Orlando's theme parks — Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure — for an unforgettable experience. As Travel + Leisure' s on-staff theme park expert, I have spent countless hours on the ground researching and experiencing these attractions firsthand to find the best rides at Universal Orlando and help you plan your next trip to this theme park resort.

Universal Orlando, founded in 1990, is the second-largest theme park resort in the Orlando area after Walt Disney World . Throughout its history, Universal Orlando has evolved to include new rides and attractions based on successful movie and TV franchises like Jurassic Park, The Simpsons , and most recently, Harry Potter. The addition of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter introduced a number of rides to the park, bringing massive success and a new surge of popularity for Universal Orlando. And soon, there will be even more incredible rides to experience as Universal opens a third theme park — Universal Epic Universe — in 2025.

Booking Tip

Book a stay at one of Universal Orlando's Premier resorts to receive free Universal Express Unlimited, which allows you to skip the line for almost every attraction.

Before your next visit to these theme parks, you'll want to plan out what you want to experience, picking from thrill rides , family-friendly attractions kids will love, and everything in between. To help, we've rounded up the best rides at Universal Orlando, so you know what should be at the top of your list.

1. Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure

The highlight of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Diagon Alley, this attraction is truly the best ride at Universal Studios Florida. The queue itself is wildly impressive, with goblins that look like they're straight from the movies. The ride is also very unique, combining dark ride and coaster elements with 3-D projections to create a truly immersive and exciting experience. After riding, I love to hang out in front of the attraction (Butterbeer ice cream in hand, of course) to see the dragon breathe fire.

2. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

This is, by far, the most thrilling ride at Universal Studios Florida. The Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster allows riders to choose their own soundtrack (with five song options including "Waterloo" by Abba — my personal choice — and "Humble" by Kendrick Lamar) before taking off on a vertical ascent for an exciting ride that gets up to a maximum speed of 65 miles per hour.

3. Revenge of the Mummy

A welcome break from other screen-based attractions at Universal Studios Florida, this indoor coaster based on The Mummy is thrilling without being too scary (that said, the spooky mummy theming may be a bit intimidating to younger riders). The immersive design and exciting practical effects make it a personal favorite that I love to ride again and again.

4. Men in Black Alien Attack

Enter the Men in Black training facility and zap aliens in this interactive dark ride. With 120 animatronic aliens, this ride is fun, engaging, and worth enjoying more than once to see if you can beat your high score.

5. E.T. Adventure

There's a good reason that E.T. Adventure is the only opening-day attraction left at Universal Orlando. Sure, it's a little dated, but this ride is just as charming as it was in 1990 with its bicycle ride vehicles, and now, it offers an added dose of nostalgia. Even the tree-lined queue is impressive, and I love its forest scent (if you know, you know).

6. The Simpsons Ride

Follow the Simpsons on their crazy antics during this funny motion simulator ride. Fans of the show will love all the references and details, and the movement is smooth and realistic (although it might be intense for those prone to motion sickness).

7. Hogwarts Express: King’s Cross Station

Climb aboard the famed Hogwarts Express and experience the magic of the Harry Potter movies in this attraction. King's Cross station looks just like it does in London, and this is a quick and delightful way to get to Islands of Adventure. You can really imagine yourself boarding the train to Hogwarts, and arriving in Hogsmeade makes it even more magical.

8. Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon

Fans of The Tonight Show will like this Jimmy Fallon-led 3-D motion simulator ride that takes guests on a trip around New York City. The well-themed queue that's made to look just like 30 Rockefeller Plaza is equally impressive.

9. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

As one of the first attractions guests reach when entering the park, this simulator ride can have long wait times. It's great for families, so fans of the Despicable Me movies should check it out. And good news for little ones: More Minions -themed fun opened last year, including the Minion Cafe, which I think is one of the best restaurants at Universal Orlando .

10. Kang & Kodos' Twirl 'n' Hurl

This Simpsons -themed spinner ride is a solid option for kids, but it's not the most exciting ride in this park. That said, it's worth riding (if the line is short) to take in the views of the park while flying in circles.

11. Transformers: The Ride 3-D

Several recently debuted rides at this park rely heavily on screens and motion simulators, and while it works for some attractions, this one is a little jerky, although fans of the Transformers films are sure to enjoy it.

12. Fast & Furious – Supercharged

As one of the newest rides at the park, Fast & Furious — Supercharged was highly anticipated, but many argue that it didn't live up to the hype. Fans of the film franchise may want to check it out, but there are better rides to experience at this park if you're short on time.

Best Rides at Universal's Islands of Adventure

1. harry potter and the forbidden journey.

This incredible dark ride combines innovative technologies and a unique ride system to fully immerse guests in the Harry Potter story. Plus, it's housed in the Hogwarts Castle, and the queue is absolutely amazing, with classroom replicas, a message from the Sorting Hat, and more. It's worth riding again and again — you're almost guaranteed to notice something new each time. That said, while I have never personally experienced motion sickness on this ride, I have heard from fellow guests that it can be intense if you do deal with that.

2. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

Many laud this well-themed coaster as the best ride in the park, and it's easy to see why once you experience it. Take a seat on Hagrid's motorbike and soar through beautiful scenery while encountering some magical creatures and delightful surprises along the way. I was absolutely amazed the first time I experienced this attraction; it's definitely worth the long lines.

3. Jurassic World VelociCoaster

This newer addition to Islands of Adventure might just be the most thrilling ride in all of Orlando's theme parks. The Jurassic World -themed roller coaster isn't for the faint of heart — it's tall, fast, and has multiple inversions — and that makes it all the more exciting for thrill-seekers visiting the park. For coaster lovers, this may even be the best ride at Universal Orlando. Though I love coasters, I was nervous to ride the VelociCoaster the first time, but I totally recommend it — if you're up for the adrenaline rush.

4. Jurassic Park River Adventure

What starts as a calming boat ride through Jurassic Park quickly turns into a thrilling escape ending with an 85-foot drop. Whether or not you're a fan of the classic dino movie, this ride is worth experiencing at least once — the splash-down never disappoints.

5. The Incredible Hulk Coaster

One of the most intense rides at Islands of Adventure, The Incredible Hulk Coaster — complete with seven inversions and a 67-mph launch start — is a must for all thrill-seekers. Sure, there are bigger, newer coasters in this park, but this one remains an always-popular classic.

6. Flight of the Hippogriff

This family-friendly coaster is another delightful addition to the Harry Potter -themed land. The ride is short, but it offers great views of Hogwarts from the train (which was made to look like a wicker Hippogriff). Be sure to wave to Buckbeak as you coast along.

7. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

Step inside your favorite comic books in Marvel Super Hero Island. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is a 3-D simulator dark ride that immerses you in the superhero action. When the attraction debuted in 1999, it was praised for its groundbreaking use of new ride technology, and it's still a fun time today.

8. Hogwarts Express: Hogsmeade Station

The Hogwarts Express allows visitors to travel between Universal Orlando's two parks without leaving the magic of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which makes it a must-do experience if you plan to visit both parks in one day. The Hogsmeade side of the Hogwarts Express is just as fun as its King's Cross counterpart.

9. The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride

Go for a scenic tour above Seuss Landing on this ride. The train ride actually has two tracks, so you can enjoy a different story during your second time around. This is a fun, gentle ride that's great for families — or adults in need of a mid-day break.

10. Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls

A classic log flume ride with a cartoon twist, this ride is great for cooling off on hot Florida days. Bright colors, retro cartoon vignettes, and multiple drops make it fun even for guests who have never heard of Dudley Do-Right — as long as they don't mind getting wet. I thoroughly enjoyed this ride during my recent trip to Universal Orlando, but I went in knowing that I would tackle the park's three water rides before returning to my hotel to change out of my wet clothes.

11. The Cat in the Hat

This dark ride takes you straight into one of Dr. Seuss's most beloved stories, and it's fun for kids and nostalgic for adults who remember this story from childhood — just keep an eye out for mischievous Thing 1 and Thing 2.

12. Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges

Sail through the rapids on this bumpy water ride, but be warned: You will get very wet. Although it's perfect for a warm Florida day, you might want to skip it if the sun isn't out or if you don't want to walk around in soaked shoes all day (speaking from a very soggy personal experience).

13. Caro-Seuss-el

The entire Seuss-themed land is whimsical, and this ride offers a fun twist on the classic amusement park attraction, with Seuss-inspired characters replacing traditional carousel horses. Plus, you can walk right over to the Green Eggs and Ham Cafe for some Green Eggs and Ham tater tots after.

14. Pteranodon Flyers

This gentle dino ride was created for kids, so adults can't ride without a child between 36 to 56 inches tall. If you do have the chance to hop on, you'll get great views of the park while soaring along.

15. Storm Force Accelatron

This hero-themed spinning teacup ride isn't the most exciting option in the park, but it's fun and worth checking out if there isn't a long line.

16. Doctor Doom's Fearfall

This exciting space shot-style ride isn't for the faint of heart — expect thrilling drops. The villain-themed attraction is fun for thrill-seekers, but it's not all that different than the drop rides you'd find at your local amusement park.

17. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Climb aboard an adorable flying fish on this Dr. Seuss-themed spinning ride. It's ideal for younger children who can't yet go on the more intense rides in the park —  they'll love the ability to control the ride vehicle, but keep an eye out for the fountains.

18. Skull Island: Reign of Kong

This trackless dark ride based on King Kong is a fairly polarizing attraction — the animatronics are incredible and the queue is well-themed, but the screen-based portion is a little lackluster, similar to Fast & Furious — Supercharged at Universal Studios Florida. Note that the queue is spooky, so younger riders might want to sit this one out.

List of Rides at Universal Studios Orlando – The Complete Guide

Sharing is caring!

There are plenty of rides to choose from at Universal Studios Orlando Resort. Many of them stand as some of the greatest theme park attractions in the world.

From scream-your-head-off roller coasters, to slow rides for the little ones.

Here, we’ll give you a rundown of each ride at Universal Studios Park and Islands Of Adventure.

We’ll tell you all you need to know – height requirements, which ones offer Express Pass, which ones are better for certain age groups, which rides you should avoid, and more.

List of Rides at Universal Studios Park:

Harry potter and the escape from gringotts, despicable me – minion mayhem, illumination’s villain-con minion blast, hogwarts express.

• Revenge Of The Mummy

Men In Black – Alien Attack

• E.T. Adventure

Fast And Furious Supercharged

Hollywood rip ride rockit, kang & todos’ twirl ‘n’ hurl, the simpsons ride, race through new york starring jimmy fallon, transformers – the ride: 3d, list of rides at islands of adventure:, jurassic world velocicoaster, hagrid’s magical creatures motorbike adventure, jurassic park river adventure, harry potter and the forbidden journey, caro-seuss-el, doctor doom’s fearfall, dudley do-right’s ripsaw falls, flight of the hippogriff, one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish, popeye & bluto’s bilge-rat barges, pteranodon flyers, skull island: reign of kong.

• Storm Force Acceleration

The Amazing Adventures Of Spider-Man

The cat in the hat, the high in the sky seuss trolley train ride.

• The Incredible Hulk

Here are a few things you might want to know about before I give you the rundown of the rides:

Universal Express Pass

This is like Disney’s Fastpass/Lightning Lane where you get a pass to skip most of the line. The difference is that you have to pay a steep price for the Express Pass.

To be fair though, it can be worth the price, as you get to skip the line at least once (depending on which one you get) on nearly every single ride at Universal at any point in the day.

There are two kinds of Express Passes – the regular and the unlimited.

The regular lets you ride most rides one time each per day.

The unlimited costs more, but you get to skip the line on each of the select attractions as many times as you want. So say you really love one particular ride, you ride it over and over again with only a short wait!

I s Universal Express Pass Worth the Cost?

Child Swap at Universal Studios Florida

If a child isn’t tall enough for a ride, or just doesn’t want to go on it, parents can use Child Swap.

Both parents and the child wait in the entire line, then right at the end, ask the employee if they can use Child Swap.

One parent goes on the ride, while the other stays in the waiting area close by.

Then, when the parent on the ride is done, they come back to the room and supervise their child, while the other parent gets to ride the attraction without having to wait in line.

Virtual Line

Select rides offer Virtual Lines on certain days.

To join the Virtual Line, all you do is download the Universal App and select the virtual line you want to join.

You’ll get a time to come back.

Once that time comes around, you show the employee at the front of the attraction that it’s your turn to ride.

You may still have to wait a little while, but basically, the point of the Virtual Line is you don’t have to spend a huge length of time standing up in a line.

We haven’t seen the Virtual Line in operation for some time at Universal though and it is unclear if it will be brought back.

Universal Studios Orlando Rides

Here is what you can expect from all the rides at Universal Studios Orlando:

Gringotts is the star attraction of The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley. It puts you in the action-packed opening of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2, where Harry and his friends break into Gringotts Bank.

You’ll get to wander around Gringotts Bank, encounter a fire-breathing dragon, speed through the deepest caverns below Gringotts, and even come face-to-face with the Dark Lord himself.

Escape From Gringotts is a roller coaster combined with a motion simulator. It is much like Transformers – The Ride: 3D, in that it combines 3D and practical effects, creating a fully immersive experience.

This is one of the best attractions at Universal, and it would be a shame to miss it. Try and get here early in the morning, as wait times can skyrocket!

Related: Guide to All the Rides in Islands of Adventure

How Scary Is Harry Potter And The Escape From Gringotts?

Some young kids might find the 3D effects scary, namely the part where Voldemort’s pet snake snaps at the riders.

As for the roller coaster parts of the ride, they are very short. There is one steep drop, but it’s not very long. And no, it doesn’t go upside-down.

Height Requirement: 42 in. (under 48 in. needs a supervising companion)

Express Pass Available

Single Rider Available

Child Swap Available

Type of Ride: Roller Coaster/3D Motion Simulator

Best For: Tweens, Teens, and Adults

This is an immersive experience where you take a trip to Hogwarts Castle on the Hogwarts Express from the Harry Potter movies.

The window has a screen that shows views of the scenery zooming by as you travel to Hogwarts.

You’ll see many characters and creatures along the way, including Hagrid, the Weasley Twins, Death Eaters, and even Dementors.

This ride is unique in that it serves as both a ride and a transport between Universal Studios and Islands Of Adventure. Going from Universal, the Hogwarts Express will take you to the other Harry Potter land in Islands Of Adventure, Hogsmeade.

Each way you go, whether that’s to or from Diagon Alley, you’ll get a different experience, so if you can, try and ride both!

Keep in mind, you do need a Park-To-Park ticket to ride the Hogwarts Express, as it does take you to the other park.

Hogwarts Express is another highlight of Universal and certainly a must-do for Harry Potter fans.

How Scary Is Hogwarts Express?

Small kids might get scared by the spiders and Dementors, but they’re only there for a short time. It’s a gentle family-friendly train ride.

Height Requirement: No height requirement (under 48 in. needs a supervising companion)

Type of Ride: Train ride

Best For: All Ages

A hilarious adventure with Gru and his loyal Minions. On this ride, you train to become one of Gru’s Minions.

Of course, things turn south quickly, and you end up in the deadly restricted area where there seems to be no escape.

It’s a motion simulation very similar to Star Tours and The Simpsons Ride.

It’s a family-friendly ride that’s centered mostly on children.

I’ll say, Despicable Me – Minion Mayhem is one of my least favorites. The simulator is very bumpy and can get uncomfortable, especially for those with back or neck problems.

Also, it’s not particularly groundbreaking and the effects are honestly a bit cheesy. All you’re doing is just moving around a bit in front of a screen.

At least with other motion simulators, the screen surrounds you, so it does feel like you’re really there. This one doesn’t.

Small kids will like it, but some older audiences might put it towards the bottom of their list…

Height Requirement: 40 in. (under 48 in. needs a supervising companion)

Type of Ride: Motion Simulator

Best For: Small Children

WARNING: This ride is bumpy, so those with back or neck problems may want to ride something else.

This Despicable Me-inspired ride is the latest attraction to open at Universal Studios Florida.

Step onto a moving walkway and use your E-Liminator X guns to defeat Vicious 6, the supervillain group who are featured in the movie “Minions: Rise of Gru.”

Essentially this is a high-tech shooting gallery, a bit like Men In Black Alien Attack, but with upgraded technology. And no ride vehicles.

The ride is definitely big on visual overload, but a bit short on actual appeal. I really wanted to like it, and I know others do, but for me, it was underwhelming.

Even though I have now experienced this ride many times, I am still not exactly sure what I am aiming at.

Be aware that the E-Liminator X guns are large. And heavy. Too heavy for a young child. There are mini versions available, but they do not actually work.

In fact neither did my teenage son’s E-Liminator X. Rather irritating to travel all the way around the attraction and get a zero score.

I came to this with high expectations, which unfortunately were definitely not fulfilled.

Although the Villain-Con Minion Blast is a great way to get out of the Florida sun into a very nicely air-conditioned space, it really just doesn’t quite hit the mark.

Height Requirement: None

Type of Ride: Shooting Gallery

Best For: Young Children

Revenge Of The Mummy at Universal Studios Orlando

This is one of my personal favorites!

Based on Brendan Fraiser’s The Mummy movies, this is a high-speed, thrilling roller coaster through a cursed Egyptian temple.

It’s dark, there are mummies around every corner, flames everywhere, scarabs covering the walls, and of course, there’s no way out.

The effects and sets are outstanding. They’re so realistic, that it makes you feel like you’ve been dropped in a movie.

Revenge Of The Mummy throws new surprises at you every second. You never know what terror is coming next.

And my goodness, the roller coaster is amazing! It has lots of air-time moments, a launch section, and even a – well, I won’t spoil it.

This is Universal at its best, and thrill-seekers will love it.

How Scary Is Revenge Of The Mummy?

The roller coaster does not include any inversions. However, it is in the dark and there are some steep drops. It’s nowhere near as intense as Velocicoaster, but it’s far from a kiddy-coaster.

As you can imagine, small children might find the mummies, scarabs, etc. frightening. There are also moments in pitch-black darkness.

Height Requirement: 48 in.

Type of Ride: Roller Coaster

Best For: Tweens, Teens, Adults

This ride is based on Michael Bay’s Transformers movies and it puts you right in the middle of an epic battle between the Autobots and Decepticons.

You ride a car that has a motion base and that can spin in any direction.

It uses practical and 3D effects to fully immerse you in the action. It gets to a point where you can’t tell what’s real and what’s 3D.

It’s very similar to The Amazing Adventures Of Spider-Man in Islands Of Adventure. While I think Spider-Man is better, this ride is very impressive and is sure to “wow” guests.

How Scary Is Transformers – The Ride: 3D?

Small children might find the 3D effects and the Decepticons a little scary. But, most kids will love it.

This isn’t a roller coaster. The motion base throws you around a lot, but it’s not that intense.

There are no drops and it doesn’t go upside down.

Virtual Line Available On Select Days

Type of Ride: Spinning 3D motion simulator

Best For: All ages

A scream-your-head-off thrill ride that’s one of the scariest roller coasters at Universal Studios.

It has a vertical lift hill where you’re on your back, a number of near-vertical drops, and a massive twisting loop (which doesn’t actually turn you upside down).

A unique aspect to this roller coaster is you can pick a song to listen to while you ride. At the start of the ride, you can pick from a choice of 30 songs on a screen built into your lap bar.

A few examples of the songs you can listen to are Born To Be Wild by Steppenwolf, I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor, and Sabotage by The Beastie Boys.

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is sure to get your adrenaline pumping. It’s a wild coaster that’s not for the faint of heart.

My only issue is that it is a bumpy roller coaster and at points, namely the vertical lift-hill, it can get uncomfortable. I prefer the other roller coasters at Universal, like the Incredible Hulk.

Still, many will really love this one.

The Secret Song List on Rip Ride Rocket

Fun fact: there is actually a secret song list on Rip Ride Rocket

Once you’re strapped in, press and hold the logo on the screen for 10 seconds. A keypad will appear, and you can punch in a 3-digit code to access a “hidden song.”

I won’t list all of them here, but here are my favorites:

• 104 – Crocodile Rock by Elton John
• 112 – Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
• 113 – Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin
• 311 – You Make Loving Fun by Fleetwood Mac
• 901 – Movin’ Right Along by The Muppets (yes, they do really have this)

How Scary Is Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit?

Just by looking at it, you can tell if it’s not your cup of tea.

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit does not go upside-down. However, the vertical lift is uncomfortable, it has lots of big drops, and it goes up very high.

Height Requirement: 51 inches

Type of Ride: Roller coaster

Best For: Teens, Adults

Soar through New York City with comedian Jimmy Fallon on a wacky adventure. This is another 3D motion simulator.

This ride has a unique queue system, where it’s more like a restaurant where you sit and wait for your time to ride.

While you wait, you can chill in the lounge where they have shows and games to entertain you.

The ride itself is kind of fun. I do like flying over New York. However, this ride doesn’t particularly stand out from the rest, besides its ingenious queue system.

Your enjoyment of the ride also depends on your feelings about Jimmy Fallon. If you’re not a fan, this ride might not be for you. I can imagine superfans will love this ride though.

Type of Ride: 3D Motion Simulator

Train to be an MIB agent and fight off the alien invasion of Manhattan.

This a fast-paced shooter ride where you gain points for each alien you zap. In the end, you compare scores to friends and family, and see who won!

In the queue, you’ll see MIB HQ, which is recreated from the film. My favorite detail is J’s tiny gun from the first movie.

The ride does spin, so those who don’t do well on the Teacups, be warned!

This is a great time for the whole family. I love the competitive nature of it. It’s basically a massive arcade game.

How Scary Is Men in Black-Alien Attack?

Parents might be concerned that the aliens might frighten their kids. The aliens look very fake though and aren’t likely to scare kids.

Type of Ride: Spinning ride

E.T. Adventure at Universal Studios

Live out the iconic moments from E.T. and save his planet from dying.

E.T. Adventure is similar to classic Fantasyland dark rides like Snow White’s Scary Adventures and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.

You board a slow-moving flying bike (you don’t have to pedal) and you travel through the story.

This is a great gentle ride for kids and fans of E.T. It’s the only opening-day attraction that’s still open in Universal Studios, so this ride is a part of the park’s history!

Height Requirement: 34 in. (under 48 in. needs a supervising companion)

Type of Ride: Slow-moving ride

Best For: Children

A pedal-to-the-medal action-packed car chase with characters from Fast And Furious.

This Universal Studios is pretty much a motion simulator, where the screens surround the vehicle and immerse you into the story.

If you have been to Universal Studio Hollywood’s Tram Tour, you have pretty much already experienced this ride.

Besides a couple of additional scenes (which aren’t really noteworthy), a different ride vehicle (a party bus), and a themed queue, it’s the same thing.

The queue is pretty decent. There are cars and props from the Fast & Furious movies on display, so fans of the franchise will get a kick out of that. Also, live actors host the preshow, which is a nice touch.

However, the rest of the experience isn’t great… The dialogue is really cheesy, the CGI in the car chase looks cheap, and the ride feels very short.

This ride has some of the worst reviews a Universal Studios attraction has received in years. It’s regarded as the worst ride at Universal Orlando by many fans.

My issue is that it’s too similar to the other simulators in the park and there just isn’t anything noteworthy about it.

If you have extra time, I’d check it out just in case you like it. But personally, I think the other attractions are far better.

Help the aliens Kang and Todos from The Simpsons invade Springfield in this hilarious adventure. This is much like Dumbo’s Flying Elephants, except it’s themed around The Simpsons.

This is a perfect ride for the little ones. In addition, fans of The Simpsons will appreciate the humor of the attraction.

A wild ride through the wacky world of The Simpsons. The story goes that Krusty has opened a new attraction at Krustyland and you along with the Simpsons are the first to try it out.

However, Sideshow Bob hatches a plan to kill the Simpsons by taking over the entire park, making Krustyland a theme park of doom and perils.

You’ll fly through many of the iconic locations in the show, including the Simpsons’ house, making this a perfect ride for fans of the show.

This is another motion simulator (I’m catching a theme here), but it’s not in 3D. The CGI is pretty old and the motion simulator is very bumpy.

But, as you’d imagine, the best part of this ride is the humor. This has made me laugh more times than any other theme park ride.

If you’re a fan of The Simpsons, this is a must-do. Just keep in mind, it is dated and very rough.

Islands Of Adventure Rides

Now let’s take a look at our list of Islands of Adventure Rides in more detail.

Velocicoaster has been named by many to be the best roller coaster in Orlando. It’s non-stop thrills from beginning to end. It doesn’t even give you a second to catch your breath.

This coaster is based on Owen Grady’s trained Raptors in Jurassic World movies.

The most exhilarating parts of the attraction are the two launch sections.

The first one launches you from 0 to 50 MPH in 2 seconds.

The second launches you from 40 to 70 MPH in 2.4 seconds, and pushes you into a 155-foot tophat, which then leads to a near-vertical drop.

This is just a taste of the thrills on this coaster.

Keep in mind, you’ll have to walk through metal detectors and store any loose items (including anything in your pockets) in a locker near the ride (which is free of charge).

It’s a perfect roller coaster. It has lots of air-time, crushing G’s, catapult launches, 4 inversions, and massive drops. So, it’s not for the faint of heart!

Related Article: Complete Guide to Jurassic World Velocicoaster

How Scary Is Jurassic World Velocicoaster?

The answer is: very scary!

This is the most intense roller coaster in the park.

It has steep drops, a top hat that’s 155 feet in the air, and 4 inversions.

Just by looking at it, you can tell if it’s for you.

Height Requirement: 51 in.

Based on the original Jurassic Park movies, this ride takes you on a tour of Jurassic Park on a river boat. You’ll see all kinds of giant dinosaurs tower over your boat.

It’s actually very peaceful – that is, until the dinosaurs escape, again…

The first half of the ride is a slow-boat ride, while the rest is a tense, frightening journey through the carnivore exhibit.

You have no idea when the next dinosaur is going to snap at you with its razor-sharp teeth.

This all leads to a massive, steep 85-foot drop that ends in a splash.

So be warned – YOU MAY GET SOAKED.

If you want to avoid it though, try going in the back – although you might still get sprayed by water jets.

Some of the dinosaurs look a little tacky, but overall, it’s a fun ride.

It truly feels like you’ve been dropped in the middle of a Jurassic Park movie. And genuinely, it can be pretty scary!

How Scary Is Jurassic Park River Adventure?

Again, the dinosaurs can look pretty tacky. However, they do jump out at you and catch you by surprise. They can also feel close at times, particularly in the grand finale.

The big drop is in the dark and very steep.

Most kids can handle it, but if they are jumpy, maybe don’t do this one.

Type of Ride: Water thrill ride

On this ride, little ones can glide on a Pteranodon over the play area, Camp Jurassic.

This ride is specifically made for kids.

The height requirement is 36 in., but the max height is 56 in. However, if you are over 56 in. and are accompanying someone who meets the height criteria, you can ride it.

It’s a great ride for little kids. They’ll love soaring over the playground on a dinosaur.

How Scary Is Pteranodon Flyers?

If you’re afraid of heights, you might want to skip this one. Your feet dangle as you glide over the trees.

Height Requirement: 36 in. (under 48 in. needs a supervising companion)

Max Height: 56 in. (can ride with someone between 36 in. and 56 in.)

Virtual Line Available On Some Days

Type of Ride: Glider

Best For: Small children, tweens.

A Harry Potter roller coaster where you fly on Hagrid’s motorbike in the Forbidden Forest. You’ll see lots of magical creatures, like unicorns, Fluffy the Three-Headed Dog, as well as many other kinds of creatures.

Some name this the best ride in Universal Studios Orlando Resort. It has everything: a good story, dazzling special effects, and lots of thrills.

This roller coaster has a record-breaking 7 launches, a backward drop, and a freefall drop. It has pretty much everything!

Make sure you head to this ride early, as the wait times can get insane!

Also, try and ride it at night, as this is the best time to ride (although the wait time will probably be long).

How Scary Is Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure?

It’s classified as a family roller coaster, but it can be pretty intense. It has a couple of steep drops as well as a freefall drop. It is small, but it can catch you by surprise.

This ride does not go upside-down.

Best For: Tweens, teens, adults

An amazing flying journey through Hogwarts, where you’ll live out the best moments from the Harry Potter movies. You’ll go to a Quidditch game, enter the Forbidden Forest, see the Chamber Of Secrets, and more.

This ride uses a Kuka arm to simulate the feeling of flying. It has practical effects as well as screens to tell the story.

Perhaps the best part of this attraction is actually the queue. It takes you through Hogwarts and all its iconic locations from the movies.

The queue looks like it was taken straight from the movies! It’s so much fun seeing all the different easter eggs scattered throughout the queue.

It’s one of the few queues that are actually fun to wait in.

I love this ride, but my only issue is that it can get pretty uncomfortable. It doesn’t move fast, but it does tip you on your back and on your side.

Still, this ride is an absolute masterpiece.

The effects really make it feel like you’re in the world of Harry Potter, and even though it’s over 10 years old, few theme park rides have lived up to it.

How Scary Is Harry Potter And The Forbidden Journey?

It’s probably the scariest ride at Universal Studios Orlando. The thing is, everything feels very close to your face. Of course, you can’t actually touch the props, but they still feel close.

The two scenes that are particularly intense are the one with the giant spiders and the one with the dementors. It all feels very real and the monsters get close.

Forbidden Journey does not go upside down. It’s slow, but again, it can get uncomfortable when you’re put on your side and back.

Height Requirement: 48 in. (under 48 in. needs a supervising companion)

Type of Ride: Kuka arm motion simulator

Best For: tweens, teens, adults

This is to remind you that there is a station in Islands Of Adventure, located in Hogsmeade – The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter.

You can use this to get back and forth between Islands Of Adventure and Universal Studios Park, but you will need a ticket for each park.

A small kiddy-coaster based on the scene in Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban where Harry flies on a Hippogriff.

This is a great first coaster for toddlers. And while it’s no Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure, many older audiences will enjoy it too, as it can get pretty fast.

Try and ride it at night so you can get a great view of Hogwarts Castle with the lights on.

Type of Ride: Kiddy Coaster

Best For: Small children

Help Spider-Man save New York City from iconic villains in the Spideyverse in this action-packed adventure that blends 3D and practical effects.

It’s the same kind of ride as Transformers – The Ride: 3D (this is what inspired that ride).

It spins around on a track and uses a motion base to simulate what’s going on in the story.

However, in my opinion, this is way better than Transformers.

It is really hard to tell what’s real and what’s a 3D effect. It’s one of the few rides where you really feel like you’re there. Transformers relies too much on screens and doesn’t use as many practical effects.

It’s the ultimate Spider-Man experience. You’ll see lots of your favorite villains, like Electro, Venom, and Doctor Octopus.

This is a personal favorite of mine, and an absolute must-do if you’re in Islands Of Adventure.

How Scary Is The Amazing Adventures Of Spider-Man?

Some of the villains and the 3D effects might scare little kids. Particularly when Venom gets up in your face in 3D.

This ride has no drops, and besides the parts where it spins, it’s fairly tame.

Storm Force Acceleratron

A spinning teacup ride themed around the X-Men comics. Even though it’s not anything unique, it is actually a lot of fun because it spins really fast.

Plus, the best thing about it is that it almost always has a short wait.

Type of Ride: Spinning teacups

The Incredible Hulk at Islands of Adventure

Another heart-pounding, adrenaline-filled roller coaster that’s great for thrill junkies. It has a launch section as well as seven inversions.

It’s themed around the Hulk from the Marvel comics and the story is that you’re getting the chance to be transformed into the Hulk.

Keep in mind, that you’ll have to walk through metal detectors and store any loose items (including anything in your pockets) in a locker near the ride (which is free of charge).

This roller coaster has won many Golden Ticket awards and still stands as one of the best roller coasters in Orlando.

How Scary Is The Incredible Hulk?

Just by looking at it, you can tell if it’s for you. Pretty much every 10 seconds you’re being turned upside down. This is the most intense roller coaster at Universal Orlando, besides Velocicoaster.

Height Requirement: 54 in.

Based on Doctor Doom from the Fantastic Four comics, Doctor Doom’s Fearfall is your classic drop-tower ride. It launches you nearly 200 feet in the air and then pulls you faster than the speed of gravity.

It’s an exhilarating experience that’ll scare even the bravest.

However, given that you can get a similar experience to this at lots of other theme parks, I wouldn’t recommend it unless you were staying at Universal for a while.

Height Requirement: 52 in.

Type of Ride: Drop tower

This is a classic carousel themed after Dr. Seuss characters. This one is great for the little ones. And adults who grew up with Dr. Seuss books can appreciate the references to his books.

Type of Ride: Merry-go-round

This is another Dumbo-style ride where you fly on a fish. The twist on this one is there are water jets that spray you. Fair warning: riders often get soaked on this ride!

Type of Ride: Dumbo-style ride

A Fantasyland style ride where you experience Dr. Seuss’ The Cat In The Hat firsthand.

It takes you through the entire story, from beginning to end.

The ride moves slowly and spins you in the direction of the action. Don’t worry – the ride barely spins around fast like the Teacups.

I love how they took the art style from the book and used it for the ride. It’s like you dropped straight into a Dr. Seuss book.

This is a great ride for families. Plus, it’s usually a short wait, which is a huge bonus!

Type of Ride: Slow dark ride

A slow train ride over Seuss Landing that retells the story of the Sneetches. You’ll get great views over Seuss Landing and the rest of the park.

It’s a cute train ride that’s great if you want to take a minute and relax.

Type of Ride: Train

Universal Orlando Water Rides – Which is the Best?

A log flume ride based on the cartoon character Dudley Do-Right. You’ll help him save the damsel in distress, Nell, from the evil villain, Snidley.

This all ends in a climactic 75-foot drop-down ripsaw falls.

That’s not the only drop though – there’s actually a total of four drops, one of which is in the dark.

I don’t know who any of the characters are and overall the ride is tacky. However, it is a great thrill ride and it’s a good way to cool off from the hot Florida sun.

Keep in mind, you’ll probably get soaked!

How Scary Is Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls?

The drops are big and very steep, one of which is in the darkness. It’s definitely a step up from Splash Mountain.

Height Requirement: 44 in. (under 48 in. needs a supervising companion)

A whitewater raft ride based on the cartoon character Popeye. The fun of this attraction is you never know who’s going to get wet next.

You’ll think that someone else is going to be rotated around towards the big wave, then suddenly a water jet sprays at you from out of nowhere.

It’s a good time for family and friends. The thing is, it’s not really that thrilling and the drop is underwhelming. I’m fine with getting soaked on Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls, because it’s fun, but not on this with. It just doesn’t feel worth it.

How Scary Is Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges?

It’s bumpy and fast, but the drop is pretty slow and not very steep. Most people can ride this one without getting scared.

Get caught in the middle of an epic showdown between King Kong and two T-Rexes. They’ll climb on top of your truck, push it around, and even send it down into a ravine.

You’ll also have to dodge many other perils in Skull Island…

This is like Fast & Furious Supercharged, in that it took the King Kong section of the tram tour from Universal Studios Hollywood and expanded it.

It has the same surrounding 3D IMAX screen effect as well as an almost identical film.

In addition, there’s a themed queue, a King Kong animatronic, and some extra scenes.

You board a massive truck and go up to massive 3D screens and the motion base corresponds to what’s happening on screen.

In other words, it’s yet another 3D motion simulator.

The best part of the attraction is the massive King Kong animatronic – it is gigantic! Also, the entrance is spectacular.

It’s themed around a massive temple and it really beckons you to come closer and check the ride out.

However, it’s not that different from the other simulator rides. It’s short and it doesn’t revolutionize the simulator ride.

But, I seem to be in the minority when it comes to disliking this attraction. Most people love it, so it’s worth checking out.

How Scary Is Skull Island: Reign Of Kong?

The queue is very eerie. On some days, they have scare actors jump out at you and scare you. There are also skulls and skeletons everywhere, so I wouldn’t be surprised if a little kid got scared.

The ride itself is just a motion-simulator. There are a few scary dinosaurs and monsters that come toward you in 3D.

Type of Ride: Motion simulator

Want to Know More About Universal Orlando?

Universal Studios vs Islands of Adventure

One Day at Universal Studios Florida

Concierge at Universal Portofino Bay – Is It Worth the Cost?

Universal Orlando Florida Thrill Rides – Which are the Best?

Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando.  In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.

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The Best Rides at Universal Studios Orlando

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This article will introduce you to the best rides at Universal Studios Orlando and explain all you need to know to plan an epic ride experience at Universal Studios!

Move over Walt Disney World – Universal Studios is jam-packed with fun for the whole family. 

Discover which Universal Studios Florida rides are consistently rated as being the best, and find out my insider tips you need to experience them with ease.

Keep reading until the end for a full explanation of Universal Express Pass, Virtual Line Experience, single rider line, and child swap.

These are four enhancements you’ll want to consider to experience the top rides at Universal Orlando with added convenience and shorter wait times.

Here’s our list of the best rides at Universal Studios, Orlando!

Table of Contents

Best Rides at Universal Orlando

In case you’re confused like I was, Universal Orlando Resort consists of 3 separate theme parks:

• Universal Studios Florida
• Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and
• Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Theme Park

Each park requires a separate admission ticket unless you specifically purchase a Park-to-Park ticket.

Park-to-Park tickets allow you to go back and forth between the parks allowing you to visit more than one park per day.

For the purposes of this article, I’m going to be talking about the best rides at Universal Studios Florida. (Whereas you can find my guide to the best rides at Islands of Adventure , here.)

Universal Studios features some of the best family-friendly theme park rides of all time.

It also happens to be one of the most famous theme parks in the world.

With an amazing combination of coasters, water rides, animatronics, and 3 & 4D technology, Universal Studios is an all-around thrilling and memorable experience.

Before you go, be sure to review our 1-Day Universal Studios touring plan . This touring plan tells you what order to do the rides and shows at Universal in order to maximize your time in the park.

Now, on to the rides!

1. Revenge of the Mummy

Our favorite ride at Universal Studios Florida is Revenge of the Mummy!

This coaster involves riding in a minecart while journeying at high speeds through an Egyptian tomb.

The ride experience begins as a dark ride with light and fire effects, advanced animatronics, a few sudden drops and turns, and some time spent traveling backward.

It then becomes a dark, high-speed, indoor roller coaster with fog, strobe effects, and jolting twists and turns, all while being chased by the evil Mummy Imhotep.

This ride is so much fun and it will have you wondering if you’ll ever see daylight again!

You can see what I mean in this video:

Practical planning tips:

• Minimum height requirement 48″
• Universal Express Pass accepted
• Lockers are required to store belongings while riding this ride. Check out our complete guide to understanding the locker system at Universal Orlando here.
• Best for adults, tweens (7-12), and teens (13-17)
• Child swap available upon request

2. Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

The next best ride at Universal Studios Orlando is Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.

The ride entrance is located underneath the giant fire-breathing dragon in Diagon Alley, and its queue begins through the lobby of Gringotts Wizarding Bank.

After guests board their cart, this indoor roller coaster speeds along its tracks utilizing special effects and motion-based 3-D projection to make you feel as if you’re riding alongside Hermione, Ron, and Harry.

The roller coaster simulates traveling deep into the underground bank vaults, where you will encounter Voldemort, dragons, and other 3-D creatures in a life-like experience.

This is truly one of the most exciting rides at Universal Studios and should not be missed – especially if you’re a Harry Potter fan!

• Minimum height requirement 42″
• Lockers are required to store belongings
• Single rider line available

One of our top tips for first-time visitors to Universal Orlando is to stick around long enough to watch the large dragon on the top of Gringotts Bank shoot fire from its mouth.

The dragon rumbles, then breathes fire every 10-15 minutes.

You can even feel the heat from the fire! Don’t miss it!

3. Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket

Upon first glance, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit looks downright terrifying to ride – but it is a blast if you like roller coasters!

This outdoor roller coaster begins with a huge winding climb toward the sky at a 90-degree angle, followed by a 65 MPH drop and a non-inverting loop nicknamed “The Double Take”.

What makes this ride extra unique (and will further fuel your adrenaline!) is that as you’re strapped in to ride, you’ll pick the song that you want to hear while riding.

After several twists, turns, and corkscrews, the coaster drops once more, travels over a small hill, and then enters the final brake run as the song playing ends.

A definite high-speed thrill ride, Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket has a strict height requirement (minimum of 51″) and is recommended for adults, tweens, and teens.

• Minimum height requirement 51″

4. E.T. Adventure

If you’re looking for a kid-friendly ride that the whole family will love, be sure to ride E.T. Adventure!

E.T. Adventure recreates the flying-bicycle chase scene from the 1982 film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, where each individual seat is a bicycle, whose handles come down as the lap bars.

The ride experience involves swiftly gliding through a dark forest setting filled with redwood trees, reminiscent of the scene in the film where E.T. is trying to evade police capture.

After dodging NASA and police officials who give chase and try to arrest the riders and capture E.T., the ride vehicle soars into the stars, where E.T.’s magical home filled with wondrous creatures awaits.

As you leave the ride, you’ll hear E.T.’s voice overhead reminding you, “I’ll be right here.”

• Minimum height requirement 34″
• Accessible in wheelchair

5. Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon

Another one of the best rides at Universal Orlando is Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon.

This is a 3-D motion simulator ride that immerses you into the world of NBC’s “The Tonight Show”.

The attraction is housed inside a replica of 30 Rockefeller in New York City, where The Tonight Show is filmed, with the corridors of NBC Studios replicated in the queue.

The ride experience involves boarding a large moving platform that serves as a ‘flying theater’ that simulates the experience of zooming through the streets of midtown Manhattan.

3 and 4-D technology makes it feel as if you’re soaring over skyscrapers, diving into the East River, and racing neck-and-neck alongside other favorite characters from the show.

It’s a lot of fun!

• Minimum height requirement 40″
• Virtual Line Experience

6. Hogwarts Express

When visiting either Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure, you should absolutely ride the Hogwarts Express.

The Hogwarts Express is a train (reminiscent of the Harry Potter books and movies) that travels between Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida. 

While in motion, scenes mimicking the British countryside are displayed on the train windows.

But don’t be fooled…you’ll never know what (or who) you may see flying, swooping, or lurking around outside the train.

Keep in mind that you can either board or de-board the train at either theme park, but you MUST have a valid Park-to-Park Ticket to ride the Hogwarts Express in either direction.

• Park-to-Park Ticket required

7. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

The last ride on our list of the best rides at Universal Studios Florida is Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, a computer-animated simulator ride.

As you wait to start the ride, you’ll get to learn about the recruitment of a Minion via scenes from the first film and the Minion Mini Movies. 

Then you’ll enter Gru’s living room and laboratory for some pre-show fun before heading into the theater and boarding the moving pods.

The action begins with the newly altered minions (the riders) being challenged with a series of insane tests, such as evading giant fly swatters.

Along with the entire ride being a motion simulator, other physical effects are used.

Mist and water are sprayed from the ceiling, the wind blows in riders’ faces, and various light effects flash in sync with the action on the screen.

As you can imagine, children go wild for this interactive ride!

Beware! This ride has a lot of motion and tends to stimulate those who get queasy easily.

Because of this, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem has both a motion-simulated experience, as well as a stationary option if you are prone to motion sickness.

Let the ride conductor know upon your arrival if you prefer the motion or stationary experience.

The Best Rides at Universal Studios Orlando as a Single Rider

If you are traveling alone or are willing to be temporarily separated from your travel party, consider hopping into the single-rider line at select Universal Studios Florida rides.

This time-saving option is open to all Universal Orlando guests at no extra charge, and many find that the single rider line is often just as fast as the Express Pass line (see more about this below).

As a single rider, you’ll wait in a separate queue and are then slipped into vacant seats left by large groups.

The speed of the single rider line is dependent on the flow of odd-numbered parties through the queues, so the wait time can be extremely unpredictable.

But, you may get lucky and speed through the line with ease!

Another thing to note is that single-rider lines open at the discretion of the ride attendants and may temporarily close if crowds are very light.

Single-rider lines are almost always available at the following attractions:

• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
• Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
• Men in Black Alien Attack
• Revenge of the Mummy
• Transformers – The Ride-3D

Best Rides at Universal Studios Orlando with Child Swap

As you can see from the height requirements on the rides above, younger riders may need to skip some of the best rides at Universal Studios Orlando.

Thankfully, there’s a brilliant solution for families called Child Swap.

This program allows families with small children to experience rides without splitting up or waiting in line twice.

In other words, one parent waits with the young child while the other parent/person rides the ride, and then the two adults switch places.

Your child is never left on their own, and each adult gets a chance to ride.

This gives everyone else in the party an opportunity to hop on the attraction without having to go through the queue all over again.

To use, inform the attendant stationed in front of the ride’s entrance that you would like to use Child Swap and they’ll direct you where to go.

It is crucial to request Child Swap as soon as you get into the line because each attraction handles this option a bit differently.

For instance, some rides feature separate air-conditioned Child Swap rooms with a TV, as seen in the photo below.

Other rides simply have designated Child Swap areas or separate lines.

I recommend using Child Swap for these rides at Universal Studios Florida:

• MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack
• Transformers: The Ride-3D

Best Rides in the Universal Studios Family

Beyond the best rides Universal Orlando has to offer, there are plenty more attractions within the Universal Studios family. 

So whether you’re indulging in tickets for all three Orlando parks or heading to California for a Universal Studios Hollywood adventure, these are the rides you’ll need to try!

Universal’s Islands of Adventure 

For extended fun in Orlando, we recommend hopping over to Universal’s Islands of Adventure with this 1-day touring plan.

Here, you can fly with Harry on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, meet magical wildlife on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventures, and zoom on the Flight of the Hippogriff coaster. 

Then, stop by Marvel Superhero Island to ride The Incredible Hulk Coaster, Doctor Doom’s Fearfall, and The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman. 

Wrap things up in prehistoric times, riding the Jurassic World VelociCoaster, Jurassic Park: The Ride, and the Jurassic Park River Adventure. 

Other attractions to enjoy in Islands of Adventure:

• The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train
• Dudley’s Do it Right Ripsaw Falls
• Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
• One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish
• Skull Island: Reign of Kong
• Pteranodon Flyers 

For a full guide, read this post on the Top 15 Best Rides at Islands of Adventure.

Universal’s Volcano Bay

The third park in Universal Orlando’s collection is actually a water park!

On especially hot days, you can beat the Florida heat by visiting Universal’s Volcano Bay . 

Ideal for both thrills and relaxation, Volcano Bay has water attractions for all ages, as well as cabana rentals for ultimate luxury.

In my opinion, the best way to start your visit is with a ride on the Krakatau Aqua Coaster, a canoe water slide with exciting drops through a huge volcano!

From there, choose your own adventure depending on your family’s needs.

Looking for big thrills?

Try the Kala and Ta Nui Serpentine Body Slides and Ko’okiri Body Plunge – both have high (and frankly terrifying) drops. 

Longing for a more low-key attraction?

Float along the Kopiko Wai Winding River. 

Before you leave, I also recommend hopping on the Honu of the Honu Ika Moana raft ride.

This family-friendly experience features rafts that are big enough for the whole family to ride together, which makes it all the more fun.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Want more Universal Studios rides?

You’re going to have to catch a plane!

The final Universal Studios location in America is located in Universal City, California.

Universal Studios Hollywood has its own range of jaw-dropping attractions, with some crossover from the Orlando resort. 

One of its major draws is Super Nintendo World, home to Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.

This 3D and 4D ride transports you into the Mario Universe, steering through the tracks in real-time.

Another hugely popular attraction is the iconic Universal Studio Tour, where you’ll experience King Kong 360 3-D, Fast & Furious – Supercharged, and more. 

More can’t-miss rides in Universal Studios Hollywood:

• The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash
• Silly Swirly
• The Simpsons Ride (Also at Universal Orlando)
• Transformers: The Ride 3D (Also at Universal Orlando)
• Revenge of the Mummy (Also at Universal Orlando)

Universal Express Pass (and Why You’ll Want One)

There is no denying that with all these awesome rides comes one fairly major drawback: waiting in lines can become incredibly draining and time-consuming.

However, there is a solution!

To help offset time spent standing in lines, Universal Orlando allows you to add Universal Express access to your theme park admission.

This is especially beneficial when trying to experience all of the top rides at Universal Orlando, as they typically have the longest lines.

How the Express Pass works

Universal Express is an all-day pass that allows you to skip the regular lines – and use a special Express Pass line – at select Universal attractions .

If you are staying on-site at one of Universal’s premier resort hotels , Universal Express Unlimited is free for every day of your visit.

Your room key is scanned and serves as the Express Pass when getting on rides.

If you are not staying on-site but want to purchase a Universal Express pass, the cost will vary by day and anticipated crowd levels. During peak times, prices will be higher. Current Express Pass prices can be found on the Universal Orlando Resort website .

Additional planning tip: Universal Express Pass is separate from regular admission. In other words, you must purchase BOTH a Universal Studios Florida base ticket along with an Express Pass add-on if you’re not staying at a premier resort hotel.

The last time we went to Universal, we stayed at Loews Royal Pacific .

The higher cost of staying at a premier resort totally made up for itself in the amazing perks offered by gaining Express Pass access. So much so that I wrote an entire article about it!

Here’s why the Express Pass is worth it !

New Rides at Universal Studios Orlando

Universal Studios Orlando has continued to undergo a years-long transformation, replacing its older attractions with brand-new, updated content.

The newest ride is Illumination’s Villain-con Minion Blast, another minion-themed ride where you blast away the bad guys through the Minion universe.

As mentioned earlier, the 4th theme park at Universal Orlando, called Epic Universe, is scheduled to open in the summer of 2025. 

It is being built on the south campus of the resort which is located 10 – 15 minutes away from the other parks and CityWalk.

Rumor is that there will be four themed lands, with one of them being Super Nintendo World .

Are you looking forward to the 4th theme park at Universal Orlando? I’d love to hear from you! -Jen

If you liked reading about the best rides at Universal Studios Orlando , continue planning your Universal Orlando Resort vacation here:

Touring Plans:

• Universal Studios Touring Plan: 1-Day Itinerary
• Islands of Adventure Touring Plan: Complete 1-Day Itinerary

Universal Orlando Tips:

• 45 Tips for Your First-Time Visit to Universal Orlando
• What to Bring to Universal Studios (+Day Bag Tips)
• 9 Big Differences Between Disney World and Universal Studios
• Loews Royal Pacific at Universal Orlando: 9 Reasons to Stay
• A Complete Guide to the Lockers at Universal Orlando
• 7 Best Restaurants at Universal Citywalk Orlando

Universal Orlando Rides:

• 7 Best Rides at Islands of Adventure
• Is Universal Express Pass Worth It? A Detailed Look!

* Before leaving, be sure to check our  Travel Resources Page  to find exclusive travel discounts and to book hotels, rental cars, and guided tours.*

Jen Brommer is a family travel expert. She has been featured as an authority on several notable travel websites and is a member of the Family Travel Association (FTA), Midwest Travel Network, and TravMedia global media network.

A prominent content creator and influencer on Instagram, Jen has over 150K unique monthly blog readers from countries all over the world. She has spent the last 16 years planning fun, and hassle-free family vacations for her family of 5.

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Every Ride At The Universal Orlando Resort (Complete List!)

The Universal Orlando Resort is home to two theme parks and a vast number of rides, attractions and shows.

Below is a complete list of all the rides you’ll find at both Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure .

Universal Studios Florida

The Universal Studios Florida theme park is home to a number of iconic rides and shows. They are;

Harry Potter And The Escape From Gringotts

📏 Height Requirement: 42” (107 cm) ⏰ Average Wait Time: 48 minutes

How do you fancy encountering a huge fire-breathing dragon? Before heading deep underground where you’ll stumble upon Harry, Hermione & Ron.

On the Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts ride, you’ll try your best to avoid bad guys like Bellatrix and Voldemort as you escape through the caves of Gringotts Bank back to the safe haven of Diagon Alley.

This Harry Potter ride is track-based, using multi-dimensional and multi-sensory 3D technology. It’s an amazing experience for all aspiring wizards.

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

📏 Height Requirement: 40” (102 cm) ⏰ Average Wait Time: 40 minutes

You’ve seen the films, now jump on the ride! Have you ever wanted to become a Minion? Now you can!

Recruited by supervillain Gru, you’ll enjoy an unforgettable trip through his laboratory that doesn’t quite go according to plan.

The whole family will love this motion simulation ride and be laughing about it for years to come. This collaboration between Illumination & Universal is a brand new story and animation so you’ll never have seen it before.

Spot your favourite characters as you dive into the world of Despicable Me. C’est banana!

Hogwarts Express: Kings Cross Station

📏 Height Requirement: None ⏰ Average Wait Time: 34 minutes

The Hogwarts™ Express takes you between the two Universal parks, visiting both lands of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™. This means you will need a Park-to-Park ticket.

You’ll find the King’s Cross Station in the London area of Universal Studios Florida where you can find the magical Platform 9 ¾™ through a solid brick wall.

Potter fans will love this, as you queue at the station, jump on the train and travel through the British countryside. Keep an eye out your window, you’ll never know who you might spot flying by. All aboard! 

Revenge Of The Mummy

📏 Height Requirement: 48″ (122 cm) ⏰ Average Wait Time: 27 minutes

Jump into all the action of The Mummy films with Revenge of the Mummy. Hold on tight for a ride of a lifetime, as you flee from the evil Imhotep, who will throw all of his powers at you.

Be sure to brush up on your hieroglyphics before you head to the park as some of the writing on the wall actually give you real warnings.

As you face your fears and fall into the darkness, you’ll wonder whether you’ll ever escape this tomb. A thrill ride you’ll want to go on again and again.

E.T. Adventure

📏 Height Requirement: 34″ (86 cm) ⏰ Average Wait Time: 23 minutes

If you are one of those people who wonder what happens after the film ends, then E.T. Adventure is the ride for you. We know E.T. wanted to phone home but now he requires some assistance.

The cute little character we know and love needs your help to save his planet. Jump on your flying bike and set off into the stars, where you’ll discover a magical world, incredible creatures and a few bad guys.

Fans of the movie will adore the soundtrack, written by the original composer John Williams.

The gentle motion simulation ride is child friendly and everyone will love being thanked for their help by E.T. himself at the end. 

Fast And Furious – Supercharged

📏 Height Requirement: 40” (102 cm) ⏰ Average Wait Time: 25 minutes

How do you fancy joining the family and riding along with Dom, Letty, Hobbs and Roman? Enter the world we’ve seen on the big screen with Fast And Furious: Supercharged.

This blockbuster of a ride features iconic cars, a recreation of the crew’s HQ along with actual props from the films.

The motion simulation is full of adrenaline, speed, action and adventure for fans of the franchise.

You can even play the in-pp game whilst you wait in line for the ride. All the Fast, all the Furious!

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

📏 Height Requirement: 51″ (130 cm) ⏰ Average Wait Time: 39 minutes

This world-first roller-coaster peaks at 17 stories above Universal Studios, making it one of the tallest in town!

Aspiring rock stars will love this coaster with a musical twist.

Select your song as you strap in, one that you’ll be able to hear over the top of your screams! There’s country music, pop, hip-hop, disco and plenty of rock and roll!

Drop into the record-breaking non-inverting loop and you’ll hit speeds of 65mph!

Air guitars at the ready, but hold on for a music-filled adrenaline ride!

Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl

📏 Height Requirement: None ⏰ Average Wait Time: 16 minutes

If you’ve seen The Simpsons, you’ll recognise the two drooling aliens that feature in many of the Treehouse Of Horror episodes.

Kang & Kodos come from the planet Rigel VII and want to send Earth-Humans spinning through space.

Pilot your own flying saucer, sending it up and down and using your lasers to zap your favourite characters from the show. This is a fun child-friendly ride is for all the family.

Men In Black: Alien Attack

📏 Height Requirement: 42” (107 cm) ⏰ Average Wait Time: 22 minutes

Pop on your shades and become Agent Trainee, the latest Men In Black agent. There is an epidemic of aliens in New York City and it’s up to you to save the day.

There are over 100 different types of aliens, some specially created for this ride, trying to blast your car out of control.

Aim and shoot to rack up points in this motion simulation ride, which has multiple ends. So every time you ride Men In Black – Alien Attack, you’ll come across a new conclusion.

Jeff, I am so not in the mood! Get back in the subway!

Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon

📏 Height Requirement: 40” (102 cm) ⏰ Average Wait Time: 12 minutes

Before you strap into the ride there are 60 years of memorabilia to look at, plus entertainment in the form of a barbershop quartet performance.

Have fun on interactive desks and see Hashtag the Panda. Then it’s a race across New York City as you strap into the “flying theatre” and speed across Manhattan.

You’ll face Jimmy Fallon and well-known characters from NBC’s “The Tonight Show” as you glide over buildings and even take a dunk in the East River.

Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon is a motion simulation with 3D and 4-D technology. You’ll feel like you are absolutely there and will be laughing all the way.

The Simpsons Ride

📏 Height Requirement: 40” (102 cm) ⏰ Average Wait Time: 26 minutes

You might be a Simpsons superfan but have you seen the brand-new animations created for The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Florida? Bart, Lisa, Maggie, Marge and of course Homer are heading to Krustyland and you can join them.

In true Krusty the Clown tradition, he’s spent a small budget on the theme park and it’s falling apart.

Prepare for a bumpy ride and see which other characters you can spot on the massive 80-foot domed screen.

You’ll feel every twist and turn of the motion simulation ride and experience it in 3D and 4D. Ay, caramba!

Transformers: The Ride-3D

📏 Height Requirement: 40” (102 cm) ⏰ Average Wait Time: 30 minutes

The motion simulation with 3D/4D experience of Transformers: The Ride will have you thinking you’re a fully-fledged member of the Autobots.

Join forces with Bumblebee and Optimus Prime to take on the Decepticons. Your mission is to keep the AllSpark out of the hands of the villainous Megatron.

The future of our planet is at stake so get ready for the greatest battle you will ever ride. It’s time to roll out and rescue!

If you’re one of the superfans who grew up watching the show, keep an eye out for a certain yellow VW Beetle!

Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster

📏 Height Requirement: 36″ (92 cm) ⏰ Average Wait Time: 13 minutes

Everyone loves Woody Woodpecker and the crazy bird has a great introduction to rollercoasters for youngsters.

Gently swoop along on the coaster without any crazy drops to scare or upset. As you go through Woody’s very own nut factory, you’ll laugh at silly jokes and smile throughout the ride.

Little ones will love the fun whilst grown-ups will enjoy the throwback. A kid-friendly cartoon thrill ride to start the roller-coaster journey. 

Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park is home to a number of iconic rides and shows. They are;

Jurassic World VelociCoaster

📏 Height Requirement: 51″ (130 cm) ⏰ Average Wait Time: 49 minutes

This is one of the new rides at Universal Islands of Adventure, and subsequently, it’s one of the most popular experiencing long lines throughout the day.

The VelociCoaster takes roller-coasters to the next level, you could say it is the top of the food chain, the apex predator.

Strap in and experience the awe and wonder of the park that we have seen on the silver screen, with the VelociCoaster storyline being set just before the first Jurassic World film.

You’ll hunt alongside the raptors as you twist and turn across land and water.

You’ll reach heights of 155 feet and a maximum speed of 70 mph. Hold on tight for the ride of a lifetime!

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

📏 Height Requirement: 48″ (122 cm)  ⏰ Average Wait Time: 89 minutes

Another epic adventure for Potter fans, as you join Hagrid on a thrilling roller-coaster ride.

Saddle up on the bike or sit in the sidecar as you experience all-new environments and sets, on the edge of the Forbidden Forest, far beyond the grounds of Hogwarts castle.

You’ll enter abandoned ruins and come across some of the rarest and most magical creatures.

The Motorbike Adventure has the most launches of any roller-coaster in the world, with seven huge launches on this amazing ride. Buckle up, it’s a journey like no other!

Jurassic Park River Adventure

📏 Height Requirement: 42” (107 cm) ⏰ Average Wait Time: 27 minutes

In true Hollywood movie style, everything is going so well, until it isn’t! Jurassic Park comes to life on the River Adventure you will never forget.

To start with, you’re floating along, taking in the views. Then suddenly, you’re staring at a T-Rex and you look at a lot like a lunchtime snack.

There’s an 85ft drop in the pitch black to escape. Do you have what it takes?

You’ll encounter plenty of other dinos too, including Stegosaurus, Dilophosaurus, and Ultrasaurus. The ride uses 1.5 million gallons of water, so expect to get a good drenching! 

Harry Potter And The Forbidden Journey

📏 Height Requirement: 48″ (122 cm) ⏰ Average Wait Time: 37 minutes

Get ready to soar with Harry Potter on Harry Potter And The Forbidden Journey.

This motion simulation takes you through the corridors of the school, where you’ll spot some familiar places including Dumbledore’s office and the Gryffindor common room.

Join Harry and his friends on a ride you’ll never forget, as you soar high in the sky.

This motion simulation throws you into the world you love in a completely unique way, incorporating 3D & 4D technology too. 

Caro-Seuss-el

📏 Height Requirement: None ⏰ Average Wait Time: 7 minutes

Are you a big fan of Dr Seuss?

Fox In Socks, The Cat In The Hat and Green Eggs & Ham are so absolute classics.

This super Seussian take on the classic Merry-Go-Round ride is fun for all the family. Ride the creatures and control them in this one-of-a-kind experience.

You can make their eyes blink, ears wiggle and heads turn. Look up and you’ll spot Horton the Elephant too. It’s like riding around inside Dr Seuss’ mind.

This ride is loads of fun that you’ll want to enjoy over and over again. 

Doctor Doom’s Fearfall

📏 Height Requirement: 52” (132 cm) ⏰ Average Wait Time: 15 minutes

Fancy accelerating faster than the space shuttle? Then Doctor Doom’s Fearfall is the ride for you.

The arch nemesis of the Fantastic Four is up to no good once again.

His most recent invention sucks the fear out of people so he can use it as a weapon against our heroic team.

You’ll be strapped in and sent towards the sky at super speed.

Before plummeting back towards the ground faster than you can say Johnny Storm. Scream for your life over on Marvel Super Hero Island.

Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls

📏 Height Requirement: 44” (112cm) ⏰ Average Wait Time: 28 minutes

The ultimate combination of half roller-coaster, half water flume comes to life with classic cartoons and plenty of laughs.

Dudley Do-Right, the loveable Royal Canadian Mountie guides you through the twists and turns of this splashtastic adventure, where you are guaranteed to get soaked.

Once you’ve made it to the end of the tracks, you’ll plummet down a 75ft drop and get drenched.

Fortunately, there are people-sized drying machines nearby where you can dry off, or bring some spare clothes to change into. 

Flight of the Hippogriff

📏 Height Requirement: 36″ (92 cm) ⏰ Average Wait Time: 30 minutes

This family-friendly ride is a bit more child friendly than some of the other Potter-themed adventures, meaning that young fans can also enjoy The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

The Hippogriff, which you’ll know is part-eagle, part-horse, will take you on a magical ride around Hagrid’s pumpkin patch, before swooping past his hut toward the end.

Keep an ear out for Fang and remember to use proper etiquette when approaching Hippogriffs. This will help you avoid danger.

The Flight of the Hippogriff is a magical ride for the whole family! 

Hogwarts Express: Hogsmeade Station

📏 Height Requirement: None ⏰ Average Wait Time: 23 minutes

The Hogwarts Express takes you between the two Universal parks, visiting both lands of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

This means you will need a Park-to-Park ticket. You’ll find the Hogsmeade Station in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter area of Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

Queue in the beautifully themed station before embarking on your trip.

You’ll see familiar faces and plenty of creatures from the Harry Potter books and movies. When you arrive at your destination, see if you can find the secret entryway into Diagon Alley.

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

📏 Height Requirement: None ⏰ Average Wait Time: 13 minutes

From the wonderful mind of Dr Seuss comes One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.

There is no minimum height for this delightful ride so every member of the family can enjoy a gentle glide around

The simple controls are child’s play but older children will need to pay attention to the words of the musical rhyme.

Otherwise, you might get a little bit wet!

Go up, up, up and down, down, down as you wonderful characters that have come to life straight off the page. 

Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges

📏 Height Requirement: 42” (107 cm) ⏰ Average Wait Time: 15 minutes

Watch out for the water cannons as you try to save the day and get Olive Oyl back for Popeye.

You’re guaranteed to get wet which is a perfect way to cool off during the mid-day sunshine.

With 12 seats to every ride, you’ll team up to take down Bluto.

However, there is an 18ft octopus and some raging rapids to contend with first. Eat your spinach and embark on a hilarious (& soaking!) adventure! 

Pteranodon Flyers

📏 Height Requirement: Minimum 36” (92 cm) Maximum 56” (143 cm) ⏰ Average Wait Time: 32 minutes

Found in the Jurassic Park zone of Universal’s Islands of Adventure, the Pteranodon Flyers are designed for children.

It is an ideal ride for those not so sure about the excitement and adventure of larger thrill rides. You’ll get an amazing view all around as you take flight under the huge wings of a Pteranodon.

Suspended from the track above you’ll soar and glide around, free from any scary moments, waving at family members on the ground.

Skull Island: Reign Of Kong

📏 Height Requirement: 36″ (92 cm) ⏰ Average Wait Time: 40 minutes

Head to a mysterious island on this Motion Simulation ride, where you’ll encounter prehistoric creatures and predators who see you as a tasty snack.

When it seems like you’ll never make it out alive, the silver screens favourite ape, King Kong shows up.

Standing 3 stories tall, he’ll quickly become your hero, or is he actually the biggest threat? The ride is jammed packed full of 3D and 4D technology that will have you screaming throughout.

Keep an eye out for the 887 skulls on Skull Island: Reign Of Kong.

Storm Force Accelatron

📏 Height Requirement: None ⏰ Average Wait Time: 6 minutes

Step into the world of X-Men, as the villainous Magneto tries to take over the world.

Earth’s only hope is the heroic Storm, who can control the weather.

Will this descendant of African priestesses be able to pull enough thunder and lighting to defeat the bad guy? She needs your help.

Jump aboard Professor Xavier’s power generator and work as a team to spin faster and faster. It’s a fun-filled family experience that fans of comic books will adore. 

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

📏 Height Requirement: 40” (102 cm) ⏰ Average Wait Time: 32 minutes

He’s been in comics, on the big screen and across the multiverse. Now Spider-Man has his own ride!

Jump into a 3D world of New York City as our friendly neighbourhood web-slinger chances down the bad guys and saves the day.

You’ll climb skyscrapers, sling through the city and battle villains at every turn. Brace yourself for the 400ft freefall.

In true iconic tradition, keep an eye out for the special appearance of Stan Lee. He loves cameos! It’s time to strike your superhero pose and head off on an amazing adventure!

The Cat In The Hat

📏 Height Requirement: 36″ (92 cm) ⏰ Average Wait Time: 9 minutes

Step into some of the most famous pages of this well-known Dr Seuss book. This motion simulation takes you through the story of The Cat in the Hat.

Join Thing 1 and Thing 2 for some crazy antics as you clean up before Mother comes home.

The story has been translated into more than 15 languages, so international visitors will adore seeing the characters come to life too. It’s fun to have fun! Find The Cat in the Hat™ down at Seuss Landing. 

The High In The Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!

📏 Height Requirement: 36″ (92 cm) ⏰ Average Wait Time: 22 minutes

Enjoy this kid-friendly gentle ride above Seuss Landing, with unrivalled views across the park.

The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride! takes you into the clouds as you’re retold the story of the Sneetches.

This popular Dr Seuss story is from way back in 1961 but you’ll witness lots of characters and creatures from his books. This is a graceful journey for the whole family to enjoy. 

The Incredible Hulk Coaster

📏 Height Requirement: 54″ (138 cm) ⏰ Average Wait Time: 35 minutes

Hands up, who put themselves down for a science experiment?

Head to Marvel Super Hero Island for a Hulked-up roller-coaster ride of a lifetime. Everything seems to be going well for Dr Bruce Banner’s volunteers until a blast of gamma radiation hits.

Hold on tight as you are launched up to 67 miles per hour on a high-speed charge that includes seven inversions and two subterranean trenches. Hulk SMASH!

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11 Best Rides at Universal Orlando (Plus Must Do Experiences)

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From thrilling roller coasters to the immersive Harry Potter world, there’s plenty to enjoy at the movie-themed Universal Studios Orlando.

We love exploring the different lands—hopping from Diagon Alley, London to Springfield, USA, strolling on San Francisco’s wharf and through the streets of New York.

In this post, we share our rankings for the best rides at Universal Orlando plus recommendations for other must do activities.

What is Universal Studios Florida?

Most popular rides at universal studios orlando, best rides at universal orlando, other top things to do at universal studios orlando, is universal orlando worth visiting, other universal and disney posts.

The Universal Orlando Resort consists of two theme parks— Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure , plus the water park Volcano Bay .

This post focuses on the best rides at Universal Studios Florida .

Be sure to check out our guide to the best rides at Islands of Adventure , as it’s home to our three favourite attractions in the whole resort— Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure , Jurassic World VelociCoaster , and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey .

The Islands of Adventure post also has tips for avoiding lines at Universal, what to pack, where to stay and more.

Note that both parks have Harry Potter Worlds — Hogsmeade is in Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley is in Universal Studios Florida. Both are amazing so it’s worth visiting both parks with a Park-to Park ticket .

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These are the top Universal Studios Florida rides that have the longest lines with their average wait times over a year:

• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts – 62 minutes
• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem – 46 minutes
• Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit – 46 minutes
• Revenge of the Mummy – 39 minutes

At busy times of the year, consider purchasing an Express Pass to skip the lines on almost all attractions at Universal Orlando (including all the rides below).

It’s included if you stay at one of Universal’s Premium hotels (we loved our stay at Portofino Bay a 10-15 minute walk from the parks).

You can also reduce your wait times by joining the Single Rider lines for Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, Revenge of the Mummy, and Transformers.

1) Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

Type of Ride:  Thrill Ride, 3D Motion Simulator Minimum Height:  42 inches (107cm) Express Pass:  Yes Locker Required:  Yes for bags (free) Location:  The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts is by far the best ride at Universal Studios Florida—don’t miss it!

As soon as you walk down the wonderfully detailed Diagon Alley in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you notice the large dragon on top of Gringotts Bank—this is where the ride takes place.

Even the queue is part of the experience as you walk into the grand lobby past goblin bank tellers. It looks so much like the movie and the goblins are incredibly realistic.

The ride itself is a mix of roller coaster and motion simulator with 3D screens as you join Harry and friends as they try to escape from the bank. There are some fun thrills but it’s not too intense.

Harry Potter fans will love being part of key scenes from The Deathly Hallows Part 2 .

As Escape from Gringotts is the most popular ride in the park, you’ll want to ride this first thing. It’s at the back of the park so power walk straight over there as soon as the gates open.

It’s included in Express Pass so we walked right on.

2) Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

Type of Ride:  Thrill Ride Minimum Height:  51 inches (130cm) Express Pass:  Yes Locker Required:  Yes for bags and all loose items including phones (free) Location:  Production Central

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is the only outdoor roller coaster at Universal Studios Florida. It’s a scary one beginning with a vertical climb up to terrifying heights followed by a massive drop.

One of the most fun aspects of the ride is choosing a song as your personal soundtrack (don’t take too long to choose or you’ll end up with the default!).

Simon loved Rip Ride Rockit, but I found it too jolty. VelociCoaster in Islands of Adventure is a much smoother (and even more thrilling) coaster.

3) Revenge of the Mummy

Type of Ride:  Thrill Ride Minimum Height:  48 inches (122cm) Express Pass:  Yes Locker Required:   Yes for bags (free) Location:  New York

Revenge of the Mummy is a fun indoor coaster that takes place mostly in the dark with some cool special effects.

While it doesn’t go upside down, it can be pretty scary as mummies try to attack you and you feel the heat of fire.

It’s one of the best rides at Universal Studios Orlando, a classic that’s a must do for most visitors.

The single-rider line is useful for this popular attraction.

4) Hogwarts Express – Kings Cross Station

Type of Ride:  Family Minimum Height:  Children under 48 inches (122cm) need to be supervised Express Pass:  Yes Locker Required:   No Location:  The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley

Hogwarts Express is both a ride and transport between King’s Cross Station at Universal Studios Florida and Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure.

A Park-to-Park ticket is needed to ride, and you’ll want to ride it both ways for different experiences.

Starting from Kings Cross has the advantage of departing from the iconic Platform 9¾ —at the top of the stairs watch other guests disappear through the wall!

The video screens in the windows and doors of the train make it feel like you are really riding the Hogwarts Express along with Harry and friends.

5) Transformers: The Ride 3D

Type of Ride: 3D Motion Simulator Minimum Height: 40 inches (102cm) Express Pass:  Yes Locker Required:   No Location:  Production Central

Transformers is a 3D motion simulator where you join Optimus Prime and Bumblebee in a battle against Megatron.

It’s a thrilling adventure with some fun effects (feel heat and water) and realistic moments (when robots are thrown against the vehicle).

Motion sickness can be an issue on this one. It was for me in Universal Studios Singapore , so I skipped it in Orlando. Simon always enjoys it, though.

Look out for the Transformers character meet and greet outside.

6) The Simpsons Ride

Type of Ride:  3D Motion Simulator Minimum Height: 40 inches (102cm) Express Pass:  Yes Locker Required:   No Location:  Springfield, U.S.A: Home of The Simpsons

On this simulated roller coaster, you join the Simpsons family on a trip to Krustyland.

Simon thought it was a fun ride for Simpsons fans but not a must do.

It’s notoriously bad for motion sickness, so I skipped it.

The Springfield area is definitely worth visiting, though. It’s cool to see locations from the TV show like Moe’s, Krusty Burger, and Kwik-E-Mart. You can play carnival-style games too.

7) Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

Type of Ride:  3D Motion Simulator Minimum Height: 40 inches (102cm) Express Pass:  Yes Locker Required:   No Location:  Production Central

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem is one of the most popular rides at Universal Orlando, but we rank it lower. It’s a higher priority with kids.

It’s yet another 3D motion simulator ride where you join Gru and his daughters to train to become a minion. When it goes wrong, you follow the family through all sorts of dangers.

It’s a cute ride but maybe skippable for adults if lines are long, unless you are a big minion fan.

If you really want to ride it and don’t have an Express Pass, I’d head back here (it’s near the entrance to the park) after riding Gringotts and Rip Ride Rockit.

8) Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon

Type of Ride:  3D Motion Simulator Minimum Height: 40 inches (102cm) Express Pass:  Yes Locker Required:   No Location:  New York

Simon enjoyed the Jimmy Fallon ride more than he expected—it’s silly but enjoyable and worth doing if lines aren’t long when you’re in New York.

Jimmy Fallon fans will especially appreciate the jokes, but it’s a family-friendly attraction suitable for most, unless motion sickness is an issue (yep, it’s another motion simulator).

9) Men In Black Alien Attack!

Type of Ride:  Interactive Shooter Dark Ride Minimum Height: 42 inches (107cm) Express Pass:  Yes Locker Required:  Yes for bags (free) Location:  World Expo

Men in Black is a welcome break from the motion simulators as you ride in cars trying to shoot aliens and rack up the highest score.

While it’s not as well done as the interactive shooter rides at Disney like Buzz Lightyear at Magic Kingdom , it’s worth doing if you have time.

It’s a good option in the afternoon once you’ve ridden the more popular rides.

10) E.T. Adventure

Type of Ride:  Dark Ride Minimum Height: 34 inches (86.36cm) Express Pass:  Yes Locker Required:  No Location:  Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone

Another low-key dark ride is E.T. Adventure . It’s the only truly gentle ride in the park, so it makes a good break from thrills and 3D simulators.

You ride on flying bikes in the sky and then, strangely, visit E.T.’s home planet. It’s dated but cute.

11) Fast and Furious – Supercharged

Type of Ride:  3D Motion Simulator Minimum Height: 40 inches (102cm) Express Pass:  Yes Locker Required:  No Location:  San Francisco

Fast and Furious is one of the least popular rides in the park.

The various pre-stories feel unnecessarily long and the ride itself is short, shaky, and just not that exciting.

Unless you are a fan of the franchise or a car nerd (there are lots in the queue), this one is skippable.

For me, the best things to do at Universal Studios Orlando are not rides at all.

12) See the Knight Bus

While I find the rides at Universal Studios Florida less appealing than at Islands of Adventure, the area I truly love is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley .

You start in London with the Georgian townhouses of Grimmauld Place and Kings Cross Station, where you catch the Hogwarts Express.

One of the top attractions in this area is the purple triple-decker Knight Bus , one of the actual prop buses used in the Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban film.

You can peek inside, meet the conductor, and occasionally watch him converse with the shrunken head that hangs above the dashboard.

13) Explore Diagon Alley

This is where it gets really good. See if you can find the hidden entrance to Diagon Alley then emerge into another world.

This immersive area is incredibly detailed with lots to explore. You can buy a wand in Ollivanders , jokes at Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes , Every Flavour beans at Sugarplum’s Sweetshop and feather quills and parchment at Scribbulus .

While the stores sell plenty of souvenirs, the decor feels authentic and there’s lots of cool stuff to see, even for non-shoppers.

The street is dominated by the huge dragon on top of Gringotts Bank, which breathes actual fire every now and then.

Diagon Alley gets really busy so it’s best enjoyed at the very beginning or end of the day.

We came here first thing to ride Gringotts and look around and then returned for lunch after looping around the park. It also looks especially magical after dark.

14) Wander Down Knockturn Alley

At the end of Diagon Alley, you can find the entrance to Knockturn Alley , home to vendors specialising in darker forms of magic.

It is literally dark down here with a genuinely creepy vibe that doesn’t feel like a theme park at all.

Make sure to go inside Borgin and Burkes to see all kinds of powerful Dark Arts objects.

15) Watch the Wand Ceremony at Ollivanders

Watching the wand ceremony at Ollivanders Wand Shop is a must do at Universal Studios Orlando.

The dark store in Diagon Alley feels so authentic with its towering piles of wand boxes on dusty shelves.

One person is chosen from the room to be paired with their perfect wand by conducting spells. They can then choose to purchase the wand next door, as can anyone watching.

You can also visit Ollivanders in Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure , but obviously, the Diagon Alley location is most authentic.

16) Cast a Spell with a Wand!

Buying an interactive wand (from $63) is a fun way to enhance your experience at Harry Potter world. You can cast spells in Diagon Alley and over in Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure.

We loved creating wand magic on our Universal Studios Japan visit!

Look out for the gold medallions on the floor that show you where and how to cast a spell.

It might take practice to get the wand movements just right to create magical effects like making it rain, illuminating lanterns, and levitating a quill.

17) Eat in the Leaky Cauldron

The Leaky Cauldron pub is the main place to eat in Diagon Alley. It serves British fare like fish and chips and bangers and mash.

Vegan options include Irish Stew and Shepherd’s Pasty Pie (with meatless beef crumbles and vegetables), which Simon enjoyed.

Accompanying your meal with a glass of Butterbeer (hot, cold or frozen) is a rite of passage. We also tried a Fizzy Orange Juice but regretted it.

18) Enjoy a Butterbeer Ice Cream

The Butterbeer beverage is super sweet and I prefer it in soft-serve ice cream form, which you can enjoy from Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour in Diagon Alley.

19) See a Show

For a change of pace, there are two indoor shows at Universal Studios Florida.

The Bourne Stuntacular is a live-action stunt show as you watch Jason Bourne on his adventures.

Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-up Show gives you the opportunity to see how makeup and special effects are created for the big screen including how to make fake blood.

20) Look out for Street Entertainment

You can also find street entertainment throughout the park—check the app for schedules.

In Diagon Alley, you can watch musical sensation (and Molly Weasley’s favourite singer), Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees , and enjoy storytelling and puppets with The Tales of Beedle the Bard .

In New York, listen out for the soulful sounds of The Blues Brothers .

Universal Orlando is definitely worth visiting—it’s a must for movie fans.

While we prefer the rides at Islands of Adventure, we wouldn’t miss Universal Studios Florida for the incredibly immersive Diagon Alley and the excellent theming throughout the park—from New York to London to San Francisco.

Try to spend a day at each of the parks if you can, although with a Park-to-Park ticket you can see the highlights in one day, especially if you have an Express Pass.

Don’t miss our guide to the must do Islands of Adventure rides .

Read our guides to other Universal Studios and Disney parks in Orlando and beyond.

• 10 Best Rides at Islands of Adventure in Universal Orlando
• 26 Best Things to Do at Disney World: Must Do Rides in Each Park
• Planning a Trip to Disney World on a Budget
• Is Disney Genie Plus Worth It? Everything You Need to Know
• Must Do Rides at Magic Kingdom
• Best Things to Do at Animal Kingdom
• Best Things to Do at Epcot
• Must Do Rides at Hollywood Studios
• Disneyland & California Adventure in One Day: An Itinerary for Adults
• 11 Best Universal Studios Japan Rides for Adults
• 6 Best Universal Studios Singapore Rides for Adults
• Disneyland Paris for Adults: Itinerary for 2 Parks in 1 Day
• 12 Best Tokyo Disneyland Rides for Adults
• 14 Best Tokyo DisneySea Rides for Adults

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The 11 Most Thrilling Rides at Universal Orlando

Unlike the more restrained Walt Disney World , Universal Orlando lets it ride when it comes to thrills. (That's not to say that there aren't any thrills to be had at the nearby Mouse House.) Nearly all attractions at the park, even ones intended for general audiences, include amped-up, in-your-face moments.

Visitors on the extreme low end of the thrill-tolerance spectrum may find themselves a tad challenged at Universal. But coaster-loving tweens and teens, as well as adults, who want to get their adrenaline pumping will find plenty of opportunities to test their mettle. (If you will be visiting the theme park resort with younger children in tow, check out  the 10 best Universal Orlando rides for kids .)

The following are the 11 most thrilling attractions at the resort's two parks. As you might expect, roller coasters figure prominently. They can't match the world's fastest coasters for sheer terror, but the two Universal rides at the top of the list are truly world-class and don't skimp on the thrills.

Most of the rest of the attractions offer a combination of physical and psychological thrills. Using innovative ride design and an impressive array of special effects, Universal is masterful at creating suspense, rattling nerves, and keeping guests on the edge of their seats—even if, despite appearances, the ride vehicles aren't really moving all that much. (Case in point: Although passengers are supposed to be revving over 100 mph on Fast & Furious – Supercharged, the “party buses” don’t move forward an inch during the chase scene.)

The rides are listed in order of the thrills they deliver, starting with the most thrilling. Each attraction includes a 10-pont thrill scale with a maximum score of 10 equaling a solid "yikes!" down to the wimpiest rating of 0. You can read full reviews of most of the rides by clicking on their names.

By the way, if thrills just aren’t your thing (or the thing of someone with whom you will be visiting the parks), you might want to check out how to survive Universal Orlando if you are a wimp . Hint: Stay the heck away from the coasters!

Jurassic World VelociCoaster

Arthur Levine for TripSavvy

Wowza, what a coaster! Given its wild stats, VelociCoaster is the most thrilling attraction at Universal Orlando. (Although, we have not included Volcano Bay’s water park rides here, and the Ko'okiri Body Plunge, which is inside the volcano, may actually be scarier.) It features two magnetic launches, one of which propels it to 70 mph. Its trains scale a 155-foot-tall top hat tower with an 80-degree plunge. And it includes four inversions, the freakiest of which inverts passengers for a full 100 feet while delivering the eerie feeling of weightlessness. Jurassic World VelociCoaster is not for the faint of heart.

• Thrill scale: 8.5
• Location: Islands of Adventure

The Incredible Hulk

How's this for thrills? Hulk sends passengers soaring up its "Gamma Force Accelerator" tube only to turn riders upside down as they emerge. And that's only the first few seconds. Lots of inversions and crushing positive G-force moments follow in the wild ride.

• Thrill scale: 8

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

Arthur Levine

This daunting coaster sends passengers up a 17-story vertical lift hill (when Universal says empty your pockets before boarding, they mean it) and releases them into a steep drop at 65 mph, all against a soundtrack of your choosing. The twisting track meanders through Universal Studios' New York backlot and includes many attention-grabbing inversions.

• Thrill scale: 7.5
• Location: Universal Studios Florida

Tie: Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

Universal Orlando

With its stunning animatronics and lushly-designed scenes, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is one of Universal’s best dark rides. But it is also one thrill-tastic coaster. It includes multiple launches (more than any other coaster in the world when it debuted), a 65-foot tall dead-end spike, reverse motion, and a vertical drop (yikes!).

• Thrill scale: 6.5

Tie: Revenge of the Mummy

The first act of the Mummy ride presents some great animatronics and dark ride scenes while the second half delivers a pulse-quickening coaster ride in the dark. There are no inversions, but the ride is fairly intense nonetheless.

Tie: Dr. Doom's Fearfall

While it has some cool Marvel theming, Dr. Doom's Fearfall is essentially the same kind of drop tower ride found at many amusement parks. Blasting up and freefalling down the two towers provides some giddy positive and negative G-forces.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

The original Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade invites muggles inside Hogwarts Castle to experience an adventure with Harry and his pals. The robotic arm ride system, a first of its kind, provides some wild, disorienting moments. In addition to being thrilling, the attraction is so well done, that it tops our list for the best theme park ride in North America.

• Thrill scale: 5.5

Tie: Jurassic Park River Adventure and Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls

OK, it's actually the 12 most thrilling rides at Universal Orlando since we lumped Islands of Adventure's two flume rides together. Like most water rides, neither is particularly thrilling until the finale. But, oh, what finales they are. The logs on the Dudley Do-Right ride drop 75 feet (compared to the 52.5-foot drop on Splash Mountain) and appear to momentarily disappear underwater. Passengers aboard the Jurassic Park shoot-the-chutes ride, meanwhile, need to brace themselves for an 85-foot drop. Yikes! In both cases, be prepared to get positively soaked (which may or may not be a thrilling experience for you).

• Thrill scale: 5
• Location:  Islands of Adventure

Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts

Courtesy of Universal Orlando

The featured attraction at Diagon Alley, the second Wizarding World of Harry Potter land at Universal Orlando, Escape from Gringotts combines real roller coaster thrills (although they are fairly tame) with Spider-Man-style ride-film trickery to tell a great story and kick up the excitement. The low thrill level makes this a perfect coaster for the thrill-averse.

• Thrill scale: 4

Tie: The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

The revolutionary Spider-Man ride, which incorporates 3-D scenes, 4-D film elements, motion-base vehicles, and more, wowed visitors when it first opened in 1999. A 2012 makeover, which enhanced the attraction with stunning 4K media, makes the entire experience, including the (simulated, thank goodness) freefall off the top of a skyscraper, all the more thrilling.

• Thrill scale : 3.5

Tie: Transformers: The Ride 3D

The second attraction to feature Universal's groundbreaking roving motion-base ride system it developed for its Spider-Man ride, Transformers offers the same kind of wild, frenetic action. The combination of 3-D photo-realistic imagery and the movements of the vehicles makes for a harrowing (in a good way) experience. The two-story show building includes an elevator to raise and lower the ride vehicles. Give Transformers a whirl, and help the Autobots save the world.

• Thrill scale: 3.5

Plan Your Visit to Universal Orlando

Tips for Visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Islands of Adventure: The Complete Guide

The Wildest Roller Coasters at Universal Orlando

Ways to Skip the Lines at Universal Orlando

10 Best Reasons to Stay at a Universal Orlando Hotel

How to Survive Universal Orlando If You Don't Like Thrill Rides

Your Guide to Visiting Universal Orlando During the Pandemic

The Best Haunted Attractions

10 Best Universal Orlando Rides for Kids

15 Best Theme Park Rides in the US

10 Best Roller Coasters in Florida

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Coaster: How Scary Is It?

Could You Handle Jurassic World VelociCoaster?

Universal's Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts: How Scary Is It?

Florida Theme Parks and Amusement Parks

The 20 Best Rides at Universal Orlando to Prioritize in 2024

Universal Orlando offers two theme parks with many immersive worlds to explore. While the shows, dining, and other unique experience are fun, the rides are what draw most people in. With dozens of rides to choose from and a limited amount of time, it is essential that you prioritize the best rides at Universal Orlando for your interest.

In this blog post, I am sharing the best Universal rides for thrill seekers, families, movie-buffs, and water ride lovers. The thrill seeker section is what I imagine most will be interested and I find these to be the top five rides in the whole theme park complex. However, if you are looking for a tamer ride experience, I have highlighted the best options for that as well. Read on to find out the best rides at Universal Orlando to experience in 2023. 

Table of Contents

Best Universal Orlando Rides for Thrill Seekers

Universal Orlando has close to a dozen rollercoasters that offer all the thrilling twists and turns imaginable. They also tend to have the longest lines, so you will want to ride them early in the day. These first five Universal rides are the best in the parks and should be prioritized above all for roller coaster lovers.

1. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

Currently, the best ride in the park is Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbikes Adventure. Though it does not go upside-down, this is a high-speed ride with intricate animatronics and a fun plot. I am not the only one who thinks though as the line is almost always over two hours long.

This ride is located in Islands of Adventure in the Hogsmeade section of the park. You will want to ride in first thing when the park opens to avoid long midday waits. The height requirement of 48” is less than many of the other coasters, so it is a great ride for families as well. You do not even have to be a Harry Potter fan to enjoy the thrills of this new coaster.

2. Velocicoaster

Another rollercoaster I never miss is Velocicoaster, also at Islands of Adventures. This is a Jurassic World-themed coaster located of course in the Jurassic Park section. This is one of the craziest rides in the park with high speeds, tall drops, and many loops. Though it’s actually a lot smoother than many rollercoasters, it still is not ideal for those afraid of fast speeds and heights.

3. Incredible Hulk Coaster

My third favorite ride at Islands of Adventure is the Incredible Hulk Coaster located in Marvel Super Hero Island. This coaster has been here for years, but still delivers the same number of thrills. It starts out speeding up a giant hill and then proceeds to go upside down multiple times. Though it’s over in a couple of minutes, I always find it to be a blast. This is another ride that only thrill seekers will want to experience, especially because the lines can be very long. There is not much going on thematically, it is simply an exhilarating roller coaster.

4. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

Over at Universal Studios Orlando, rollercoaster lovers will want to prioritize Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. This is a music-themed rollercoaster where you can choose what song plays while you are riding it. The songs are synced up with the ride making it an even more enjoyable experience. This rollercoaster also goes very high, very fast, and upside down, so it is not for the faint of heart.

5. Escape From Gingott’s

Last on my top five best rides at Universal Orlando is Escape from Gringotts. This ride is a favorite of many, as it is an immersive adventure through Gringotts Wizarding Bank. You can find this in the Diagon Alley section of Universal Studios Florida. Though this is the furthest ride from the entrance, it is also one of the most popular, so I recommend riding it first thing.

This coaster does not go upside down and much of the movement is simulated through screens. You wear 3D glasses throughout and it tends to be a very in-your-face experience. Though the height requirement is 42” people who get scared, claustrophobic, or don’t like fast rides will probably not enjoy it. However, thrill seekers will love experiencing the immersive nature of this ride.

Best Water Rides at Universal Orlando

With temperatures almost always above eighty degrees Fahrenheit, water rides are quite popular at Universal Orlando. I debated putting these in the thrill seeker section, but since not everyone enjoys water rides, I decided to make a separate category. All three are at Islands of Adventure, adding to why this park is preferred for thrill seekers over Universal Studios.

On a hot day, most of these will have at least a half an hour wait. I tend to ride these attractions midday, although the lines may be longer then. These three water rides are also great options for thrill seekers visiting Universal Orlando, but just make sure you are okay with getting splashed!

6. Jurassic Park River Adventure

Of the three water rides here, the Jurassic Park River Adventure is my favorite. This is a ride similar to Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World, with animatronic show scenes leading up to a big drop. I find the dinosaur theme and the story of the ride to be very entertaining. It also is the ride you will get the least soaked on! However, it is the least thrilling of the three. If you don’t mind heights, this water ride is a fun experience.

7. Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls

For those who want to get extremely wet on a Universal ride, Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls will do it. This is also a flume ride but has tons of water features throughout it. I find the theming to be lacking with only simple figures instead of animatronics. However, the one time I went on, I was more concerned with how soaked I was getting than the theming. If you like hills, drops, and lots of splashes, this one provides that and more. The final drop is down a multi-tier hill that will have even the bravest riders screaming!

8. Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges

My least favorite water ride at Universal Orlando is Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges. It is a basic raft ride that goes down a few waterfalls. The drops are pretty big, so many thrill seekers will have fun. The main goal of the ride is to get you wet though and with fountains, people spraying water, and rapids everywhere, there is no avoiding it.

Best Universal Rides for Kids

I’ve shared the top eight thrilling rides at Universal Orlando for adults and brave kids, so now I want to share the rides that are best for a more relaxing experience. Whether you are traveling with your family of kids under 42” or you just don’t like hills and high speeds, these six rides are the ones for you.

9. ET Adventure

My favorite non-thrill ride in all of Universal Orlando is ET Adventure at Universal Studios. This is a classic dark ride that takes you on a journey to ET’s home planet. It is full of cute, animatronic aliens and interesting set designs. This is fun for kids and adults alike and usually has a wait of less than half an hour.

10. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

The most popular kids’ ride at Universal Orlando Resort is Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, also at Universal Studios. This is a simulator ride where your seat moves in flow with the screen. This makes it feel like a bit of a bumpy ride at times, but for the most part, is very tame.

With no track to speak of, there are no hills or loops for people to worry about. However, those with motion sickness may want to sit in one of the stationary chairs to avoid feeling ill. Kids and fans of Despicable Me will appreciate the silly nature of this ride, but adults who are sick of minions should stay clear!

11. Flight of the Hippogriff

For kids looking to test the waters with riding coasters, Flight of the Hippogriff is a great option. It is a simple kid’s coaster that is themed to the forest of Hogwarts where Hagrid is hiding his hippogriff, Buckbeak. It’s a quick ride with a few twists and turns, but definitely not waiting over an hour to ride, unless your child is eager to. Adults can avoid this one, but families should prioritize this early in the day.

12. Pteranadon Flyers

One ride I have never been on but would love to ride is Pteranadon Flyers. This is located in the Jurassic Park section of Islands of Adventure and gives riders a birds’ eye view of the park on a quick, 75-second flight. Weirdly though, adults can only go on when riding with a child between 36” and 56” to go on. Since I have never visited with a child and it didn’t exist when I was that age, I sadly have not been on it.

I hear it’s fun and gives you a great view of the park. It’s not fast but does have enough turns to make it interesting. Most kids love it, but if they or the adult riding with them is afraid of heights, it may be too scary.

13. The Cat in the Hat

Another dark ride at Universal Orlando that families should prioritize is The Cat in The Hat. This tells the story of The Cat in the Hat on a whimsical ride through the book. It is slow and smooth so anyone can enjoy this ride. The wait is usually less than half an hour, so it can be done any time of day.  

14. High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride

Young and old will appreciate the Seuss Trolley. It’s a simple trolley that takes a relaxing ride around an elevated track, which offers awesome views. It’s similar to the people mover at Disney World and also has a cult-like following. The line can get up to an hour here, so families with young kids may want to prioritize it early in the day.

Best Universal Orlando Movie-Themed Rides

Lastly, I want to end this post with the six best movie-themed rides at Universal Orlando. These are the ones I ride after getting my fix of thrills. They usually have waits under an hour long and are a fun way to relive popular movies. Though some are thrilling, most are screen-based and not actual roller coasters. I will point out which ones are ideal for which type of riders.

15. The Simpsons Ride

Over in Universal Orlando, The Simpsons Ride is a must for any fans of the famous Springfield family. Though the graphics are getting a little dated, I still enjoy the jokes and Simpsons references. This is a theater-style ride where twists, turns, and drops are simulated by the screen and your chair moving. Some kids might find the premise scary and those with motion sickness may struggle, but otherwise, I think this ride is a safe bet for most.

16. Revenge of the Mummy

I was tempted to put Revenge of the Mummy in the best Universal rides section, but newer additions to the park have this one beat for me. Regardless, the Mummy is still a fun coaster with all sorts of high-speed thrills through the dark. The mummy theming is 100% on point from the queue to the ride, although I don’t know if that movie still has a lot of fans. I would prioritize other coasters over this one, but it is still worth at least half an hour’s wait if you have time.

17. Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey

The original Harry Potter ride, Harry Potter, and the Forbidden Journey is a mixed bag. The visuals and the immersive nature of the ride still make it one of the best movie rides in my opinion. This ride first takes you through Hogwarts Castle in line and then on to a robotic arm ride vehicle. This is supposed to simulate riding on a broomstick, which can be extremely nauseating.

I rarely get motion sickness, but this one is way too much for me. Between the twisting movements, the in-your-face dementors and spiders, and the long duration, I find it too intense. It does do a great job of telling the story of Harry Potter. If you are a fan, I recommend trying it or at least going through the usually short line to see the cool Hogwarts effects.

18. Men in Black Alien Attack

For an interactive ride through the ’90s, Men in Black Alien Attack is part ride, part video game. You ride in a spinning ride vehicle equipped with a gun to shoot aliens. Similar to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Disney, you also get a score and ranking at the end! Even without the speed, thrill seekers love it, as well as those who want a more tame experience.

19. The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman

Another ride movie buffs should prioritize is the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. This ride used to be my favorite, but there are a few others with more impressive effects now. Still, it’s a fun dark ride that uses screens and 3D to make it feel like you are swinging from buildings with Spidey Boy himself. Kids must be over 40” to ride but may find some of the villain themes too scary. Definitely prioritize it if you are a Marvel fan though!

20. Hogwarts Express

Lastly, I think everyone who has a park hopper should ride Hogwarts Express. This train ride takes you between the Wizarding World of Harry Potter sections of both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Each side has a different experience, so Harry Potter fans will want to take the train both ways during their visit!

The line does get lengthy at midday, so try and ride it before lunch or after dinner to avoid hour-long waits. Everyone in the family can ride it and use it to avoid walking from park to park. You can’t ride it without park hopping abilities, unfortunately, but this is the only attraction at both parks that presents this issue.

Know Before You Go: The Best Universal Orlando Rides to Prioritize

I hope this guide helped your figure out what rides at Universal Orlando to prioritize on your visit! Whether you like fast coasters or relaxing dark rides, there is plenty of fun to experience here. In addition to the rides, do not forget to check out CityWalk, Volcano Bay, and the Universal resorts for a full experience.  

Before you go, keep these tips in mind for experiencing the best Universal Orlando Resort attractions!

• To ride the most popular rides at Universal Orlando, you will want to rope drop the theme parks. This means getting there at least half an hour before the park opens and rushing to the most popular ride. It is the easiest way to have a short wait for popular rides.
• Another alternative is to get in line for a popular ride just minutes before the park closes. They will continue to let people on the right who were in line at closing, so you can maximize your park time this way.
• If you really want to avoid long lines, most of these rides offer a paid Universal Express Pass .
• One other way to cut down on wait times is to ride the single-rider line. These are common on roller coasters and though you have to ride next to a stranger, the line can be much shorter.
• For those looking for hotel options, here are my picks for the best theme park hotels to stay at.

For more theme park tips, be sure to check out my posts on the best Disney World rides for adults and my ranking of the best theme parks to visit. If you need help planning a trip, I am partnered with Kelly’s Magical Vacations and highly recommend her services. Find out more here!

Getting to Know Universal – Free Attraction Tours

Curious about how your favorite Universal Orlando attractions work? Want to see the backstage areas not available to most guests? Need to know where all the easter eggs are located? The free attraction tours at Universal Orlando are a fun diversion for seasoned fans of the parks. In this article, we will cover what to expect from a tour, how to request one, and which attractions feature tours.

What Are Attraction Tours?

Universal Orlando offers several free, unpublicized tours of popular attractions. Tours last approximately 15-30 minutes and include behind-the-scenes information that explains the attraction’s stories and how the rides work. Many tours include visits to areas guests normally cannot access such as control booths, the Immigration Floor at MiB Alien Attack, or under the Revenge of the Mummy track.

Tours are available when staffing permits at the discretion of the Team Members. To request a tour ask the greeter Team Member located at the attraction entrance if tours are available. If the attraction tour is not available come back before park closing or the next morning.

Universal Studios Florida

Revenge of the Mummy

Team Members will guide guests through the attraction queue, explaining the attraction’s oddly complex storyline, and finally get a tour of the track switch section of the ride where you can watch the “Cup Of Coffee” video play out every 30 seconds.

Race Through New York starring Jimmy Fallon

View prior Tonight Show hosts artifacts followed by a tour of the lounge areas. Guests then get a behind-the-scenes tour of the show control booth before ending on the VIP balcony.

Fast & Furious: Supercharge

Guided tour of the garage showing off the various cars and trucks in the queue’s garage.

Hogwarts Express Tour

Discover the Harry Poter easter eggs and how this “train” actually works.

Gringotts Bank Tour

Learn about the complex attraction’s storyline and where the story slots into the Deathly Hollows movies. Plus learn about some cool technical facts.

Men in Black: Alien Attack

The MiB Immigration tour brings guests down to the immigration office room featured in the attraction queue. Take photos with the aliens, sign the log books, and sit in those incredibly uncomfortable white chairs .

Explore the forest inside the attraction’s queue with the opportunity to watch the full Botanicus preshow.

Transformers Tour

Walk through the queue as the Team Members attempt to explain the attraction’s storyline. Plus you’ll hear about the attraction’s cool technology like the dual elevator lifts.

Islands of Adventure

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Tour

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Castle Tour is a self-guided tour through the Universal Express queue. Guests walk through Dumbledor’s office, the portrait gallery, and the Gryffindor Common Room. The best option to see the inside of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry for families with young kids or those with motion sickness.

Jurassic World VelociCoaster Tour

Queue walk-through that highlights the easter eggs and technology behind VelociCoaster.

Skull Island: Reign of Kong Tour

Skull Island: Reign of Kong’s Temple Tour takes guests through the attraction’s queue, explaining the technology found within the attraction and explaining the ride’s plot. No backstage areas are visited in this tour but you will be able to linger in areas you will normally not for the queue.

Doctor Doom Tour

Don’t let the drop tower scare you away from seeing one of the funniest queue videos ever made.

The Incredible Hulk Coaster

The only way to take photos and videos of the Incredible Hulk Coaster is through the Gamma Tour. Team Members will point out various aspects of the attraction’s storyline, queue easter eggs, and other attraction information.

TouringPlans Touring Tips

• Tours are offered at the discretion of Team Members – tours are most often granted in the morning when attractions are fully staffed but guests have not arrived.
• The free tours do not include riding the attraction. Universal’s VIP Tours take you behind the scenes and skip the lines.
• Be cool man, Team Members are more likely to work with you to provide a tour if you work with them.

(Originally published October 14, 2022. Last updated on February 17, 2024.)

Have you done any Universal Orlando free tours? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

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Joseph Matt

Joe covers theme parks through the lens of his quality engineering day job. He has over five years of writing experience at Touring Plans and has gone on dozens of trips to Orlando over his life. When not at amusement parks you can find Joe at breweries, enjoying live theater, playing video games, and cooking.

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Do you have to pay for park admission for your backstage tours? If not, will you please send me information on your group backstage tours, group pricing, days of tours, hours of tours and how long the tours last? Thank you

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Skipping the lines of 12 major rides at Universal Orlando on a $349 group VIP tour

Theme parks this summer are...busy. Very, very busy .

In a recent earnings call, we got an official statement that Universal Orlando's capacity and attendance are pretty much back to pre-pandemic levels, which matches what we've seen on the ground. After a postponed 2020 trip, we were ready to visit Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter to take our oldest on a delayed 11th birthday celebration (which is, of course, the age when you get invited to attend Hogwarts in the Harry Potter books).

But between the summer crowds, the heat and the ongoing pandemic, we wanted to avoid lines to the greatest extent possible while going full-on into the Harry Potter side of things.

Universal Orlando actually has several available options for those looking for a shortcut to the front of the lines. Universal has private VIP tours and Express Passes, both of which we have tried before. But this much-anticipated trip presented a good excuse to try something situated at a price point between those two choices: the group VIP tour.

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The Universal Orlando group VIP experience gives you a guide, walk-up attraction access, two meals and valet parking, but it costs a lot less than the private VIP tour. It also includes unlimited Express Passes for you to use after the tour concludes, but the ride access it provides during the tour is faster than the Express Pass lines.

After trying the Universal group tour out for ourselves, we found the tour to be outstanding for certain situations — and not so great for others.

Related: Guide to visiting Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando group VIP tour basics

The one-day, two-park Universal Orlando group tour lasts for seven hours and provides priority entrance into at least ten rides and attractions. It will start at 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. and run until 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. The day starts with a private VIP buffet breakfast at Cafe La Bamba, which is also where the VIP buffet lunch takes place.

Those meals and some bottled water are included, as is valet parking — which was extremely helpful and came with its own security screening. Normally, valet parking costs $75.

The group tour starts at $239 per person on the least expensive days, with rates going up to $300 to $400 per person during peak dates. For our busy Saturday in July, the group tour was $349 per person. This is obviously a lot of money on top of admission tickets, which are not included. However, it's magnitudes less expensive than paying for a private VIP tour, which costs over $3,000 . This is especially true if you only need the tour for yourself or a small family.

You'll get an Express Unlimited Pass to use when the VIP tour concludes. While the best way to get Express Unlimited Passes is normally by staying at a Universal Orlando Premier hotel such as Loews Portofino Bay Hotel , Hard Rock Hotel or Loews Royal Pacific Resort , you can also purchase the passes individually for anywhere between $110 to $240 per person per day if you aren't staying at one of those resorts.

If you were planning to pay for those extras, you are already a decent chunk of the way to the cost of the group VIP tour price.

You can price out and book the Universal group VIP tour online directly with Univeral or you can book for no extra cost via our friends at Mouse Counselors, who will help you navigate the pros and cons of all of these options for your group.

Related: Why you may want to rethink that Florida theme park trip

Our experience on the Univeral Orlando group VIP tour

We spent the night before the tour at the Hyatt Regency at Orlando International Airport using points and made the drive to Univeral Orlando that morning. While there were reports of back-ups in the garage parking and security screening that Saturday morning, we didn't have any problem pulling right up into valet parking and zipping through that dedicated security entrance.

We were at the Univeral Orlando entrance within minutes after parking, ready to head into the lobby for the VIP tour, where you get your tickets and lanyards for the day. Our check-in time was at 10 a.m. and by arriving about 15 minutes before, we had ample time to pick up the included stroller and head over to Cafe La Bamba for the included buffet breakfast.

The food was good, but not over-the-top amazing.

It's also important these days to note that it was a traditional buffet, and you are seated at full tables with people not in your party. Masks are not currently required at Univeral Orlando and there are really no pandemic precautions in play on this tour.

Our actual tour started at around 10:35 a.m. when our group of 12 — the maximum size for the group tour — headed to ride E.T.

This classic ride is one of my favorites, but unfortunately, it was "on delay" (aka not working) when we arrived. The same was true for Men in Black, the next ride we attempted to ride on the tour. It finally started working right as we were getting ready to leave the building, so we rode our first attraction of the day at 11:16 a.m. Later in the morning, we had the same problem with Transformers, which we didn't get to ride.

In fact, we only successfully rode three attractions before lunch, and it got to be a bit frustrating with the amount of bad luck our group encountered. Here's a quick look at our morning:

• 11:16 a.m. Men in Black Alien Attack (regular wait posted as 45 minutes)
• 11:51 a.m. Harry Potter: Escape from Gringotts (regular wait posted as 50 minutes)
• 12:48 p.m. Revenge of the Mummy (regular wait posted as 50 minutes)
• 1:15 p.m. Lunch break

Lunch was made up of a variety of buffet options such as salad, sliders, chicken wings, salmon, mashed potatoes, asparagus, macaroni, tater tots, cookies, macarons, fruit and beyond. We were also given more bottles of water to get us through the hot afternoon.

Thankfully, the afternoon was significantly more successful when it came to attraction availability. After a slow start that morning, we still surpassed the "guaranteed" 10 rides on the tour:

• 2:25 p.m. Hogwarts Express (regular wait posted as 20 minutes)
• 2:50 p.m. Harry Potter: Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
• 3:05 p.m. Harry Potter: Forbidden Journey (regular wait posted as 60 minutes)
• 3:30 p.m. Harry Potter: Flight of the Hippogriff (regular wait posted as 40 minutes)
• 3:50 p.m. Velocicoaster (regular wait posted as 80 minutes)
• 4:15 p.m. Jurassic Park River Adventure (regular wait posted as 60 minutes)
• 4:30 p.m. Skull Island: Reign of Kong (regular wait posted as 70 minutes)
• 5:08 p.m. The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman (regular wait posted as 45 minutes)
• 5:26 p.m. Incredible Hulk Coaster (regular wait posted as 40 minutes)

If the posted wait times were true, that was over nine hours of lines we mostly skipped since this was almost walk-on access (other than the lockers you still have to deal with before many of these rides). You often enter through alternative entrances that usually entirely bypass the traditional queues.

And all of that saved time doesn't even count the virtual queue we didn't have to mess with for Hagrid's Magical Creatures since it was included in the tour. (However, that ride is outstanding and therefore worth whatever effort it takes to get on it.)

Once the tour ended after the Hulk Coaster, we were free to continue our adventure in the park on our own — which is exactly what we did. We rounded out the day with another ride on the Hogwarts Express and more time spent living out our best Harry Potter lives in Diagon Alley.

Related: Here's what happens on a Disney VIP private tour

Is the Univeral Orlando group VIP tour worth it?

Unlike with the (much pricier) Disney VIP tour , there wasn't a commemorative pin or any tangible takeaway item provided on the tour, but the $349-per-person fee did get us 12 walk-on attractions, an Express Pass Unlimited, valet parking, two meals, multiple bottles of water, large lockers at each attraction where they are required (usually, only the smallest ones are free to use) and a stroller rental.

If we hadn't hit bad luck in the morning with multiple rides that weren't working, our ride total could have easily been 13 or 14 rides.

If you put no value on the meals, parking, lockers, the Express Pass, and other extras, that breaks down to $29 per ride for walk-on access. Obviously, the more value you put on those extras, the lower your cost-per-ride.

Given the very high crowd levels on this particular day, I thought the tour was an overall good value for us. However, there are some situations when I don't recommend this particular group tour.

First, if you have young kids (or kids who aren't yet over 48 inches tall), you won't get the full benefits of the group VIP tour.

Our youngest daughter is right at 48 inches. It was a big debate between Universal team members each time she would get measured as to whether she was tall enough for a given ride, so we eventually stopped trying and had her skip rides on the tour.

Unlike on the private VIP tour, where you get to dictate which rides you do and in what order, there are no re-rides on the group tour. This means parents can't take turns sitting out with a kid not tall enough to ride while each gets a turn.

The tour guide did sit with our youngest daughter while we both did the newer Hagrid's ride, but for the most part, one of us skipped anytime there was a ride she couldn't or didn't want to do.

Second, while this tour does help you avoid time spent in line, you have to be comfortable being in pretty close contact with mostly unmasked people for the day. Your group will stay together, ride attractions together, eat together, and more.

Frankly, while I planned the tour long ago, the pandemic situation was changing (again) by the time it actually happened, and it was uncomfortable for us at several points in the day — especially around the relatively crowded meals.

This is in contrast to the private VIP tour we did a few years ago, where we ate in an essentially empty Cafe La Bama restaurant and were really only in close contact with the tour guide. That may or may not matter to you, but it's worth knowing these days.

Bottom line

If you want walk-on ride access, have a traveling group that is over 48 inches and are OK not being the one picking out the rides and planning the agenda, the Universal Orlando group VIP tour may be a good fit. It offers many of the conveniences of the private VIP tour but at a fraction of the price.

Being able to truly skip the lines, get some "backstage access," enjoy valet parking, eat two included meals, score some inside info from your tour guide and get an Unlimited Express Pass to use when the tour ends is a pretty solid return for an added price that starts at $239 per person.

This is not the tour to do with little kids, but if there are just a handful in your group (and you want a special experience at a more reasonable price than a private tour), this may be exactly the tour you're looking for.

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Best Thrill Rides at Universal Orlando Resort

EDITOR’S NOTE: This blog was originally published in January of 2019 and then underwent extensive updates and editing in the fall of 2020 to remain current and relevant.

Ok, thrill-seekers, it’s time to seize the day on your next Universal Orlando Resort vacation. These are our favorite pulse-pounding, hair-raising, heart-pumping thrill rides that you absolutely cannot miss on your next visit to Universal Studios Florida , Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Volcano Bay .

The Incredible Hulk Coaster

Location: universal islands of adventure.

Let’s start this list with a Hulk Smash ! The Incredible Hulk Coaster in Marvel Super Hero Island has an intense launch shooting you upward of 150 feet as well as seven exhilarating inversions. This is a thrill seeker’s dream roller coaster.

Jurassic World VelociCoaster

Nothing in the world is quite as thrilling as entering the Raptor’s paddock! This newest Universal Orlando Resort attraction is a whole new species of roller coaster and delivers on the thrills with four inversions, two exhilarating launches, a one-of-a-kind 360-degree barrel roll right above the lagoon, an inverted zero-gravity stall that will send riders upside down across 100 feet of track, and a 155-foot tall “top hat” with a 140-foot drop at eighty degrees.

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

Whether you choose to ride the bike or the sidecar, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade will not disappoint. With a 17-foot free-fall vertical drop and seven (yes, I said SEVEN) high-speed launches, you’ll fly through the Forbidden Forest and cross paths with some of the rare magical creatures that inhabit it.

Krakatau Aqua Coaster

LOCATION: Universal Volcano Bay

The Krakatau Aqua Coaster at Universal Orlando’s water theme park, Volcano Bay, is an incredible technological achievement. This four-person canoe slide navigates tropical mists on a wet and wild journey through Krakatau, the mighty fire and water volcano and awe-inspiring centerpiece of the entire park.

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

LOCATION: Universal Studios Florida

It starts with a white-knuckle 90-degree climb before rocketing you through twists and turns at upward of 65 mph. And the best part is on the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit you can choose your favorite song to ride to from an impressive list of popular music.

Jurassic Park River Adventure

LOCATION: Universal Islands of Adventure 

“Hold onto your butts” as you float through Jurassic Park River Adventure , trying to evade ravenous Raptors before taking the final plunge down an 85-foot evacuation drop to narrowly escape the razor-sharp-teeth of a giant T. rex.

Ko’okiri Body Plunge

Have you ever dropped straight down 125 feet from atop a water-spewing volcano? Well, this is your chance. The Ko’okiri Body Plunge features a 70-degree angle water slide descent via a trap door that is sure to test your courage.

Doctor Doom’s Fearfall

Doctor Doom’s Fearfall in Marvel Super Hero Island is a towering sight to see. Not only is it a blast to ride (pun intended) but the view from the top — 185-feet-high, to be exact — is enough to get this ride on the top of any thrill seeker’s must-do list.

Ohno of Ohyah & Ohno Body Drop Slides

This drop slide at Volcano Bay can be found at the foot of the giant Krakatau water volcano. I recommend riding Ohno (purple) which is a higher drop than Ohyah (green), although true adrenaline junkies will surely try both.

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley is the ultimate themed thrill ride. As if the life-size, fire-breathing Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon atop the attraction exterior wasn’t enough, this ride takes you deep into the vaults of Gringotts bank where you’ll come face-to-face with malicious villains and the bank’s magical security measures.

Honu of the Honu Ika Moana

Honu means Sea Turtle (blue slide) but don’t let that fool you — this slide at Volcano Bay is anything but slow. This is a multi-person raft ride, so get a few of your friends and get terrified together.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

There’s nothing more thrilling than taking your first steps into the hallowed halls of Hogwarts castle in Hogsmeade . Nothing, that is, except when those steps lead to one of the most immersive adventure rides in all of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey .

Revenge of the Mummy

Revenge of the Mummy is an award-winning indoor roller coaster and is a fan-favorite for a reason. You’ll fly through low-light and pitch-black spaces encountering evil mummies, beetles, treacherous flames, and an ancient curse (which, of course, is real).

Tai Nui of Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides

This body slide is the definition of a rush. The drop slide seats atop of the volcano send you down fast and furious before reaching the bottom for a splendid splash. Just remember, Tai Nui (green) is my recommendation for anyone seeking extra excitement. The anticipation before the drop is what thrills are made of.

Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls

I know what you’re thinking, how can a ride called Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls possibly be thrilling? Well, for one: “danger, dynamite.” Two: you WILL wet your pants.

So now it’s time for you to live your most thrilling life at Universal Orlando Resort. Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments.

Wait, are you still reading? What are you waiting for? Let’s ride!

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Daniel Pacchioni

Social Content Strategist, Professional Curious Person, and Failed Animal Actor at Universal Orlando Resort.

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looks awesome

I am going on Vacation this summer in August.

We are so happy to see this and we look forward to your visit!

25 days until we leave PA for our trip to Universal!

Can’t wait, Linda!

I realize that this article was posted in January of 2019, but why haven’t you updated it to put the Hagrid ride on this list? Also, the Hulk at #1??? Both the Rock-It and the Mummy ride are way better than that. The Hulk used to be good and smooth, but now it’s so rough and shaky that you have a headache after riding it. This is even after you re-did it.

Hi Brian, Thank you for this feedback! We will make sure to pass this along to the appropriate teams.

All the rides look so fun! I can’t wait to be in Universal this April!

We’re so excited to have you visit!! Be sure to stop by Universal Studios Florida and check out Minion Land on Avenue. Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast is so fun, it’s a crime!!

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17 Best (And Worst) Rides at Universal Orlando

May 4, 2023 //  by  Macey Sidlasky //   Leave a Comment

Whenever you think of Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure, you probably automatically think of magic, food, Harry Potter, superheroes, and of course the best rides at Universal Orlando!

We all know we love the magic of Disney, and the thrill rides at Disney , but we want to make sure you can enjoy all Orlando has to offer, including other theme parks. So we are bringing you this list about Universal!

Do you want to know the top universal Orlando rides? How about the best Islands of Adventure rides? We have got you covered! With so much to do and see– from shows to shops to thrill rides and even great restaurants– you don’t have a lot of time to waste in the parks.

Thus, we want to ensure that you have an article that focuses on all rides at Universal that are worth the wait! Obviously, Universal Orlando has two parks to offer. These provide great (and some rubbish) rides. Take a look at this article and find out what is best for you and your adventure! Think of it as your Universal Orlando Guide!

If you are having a hard time choosing, make sure to check out our detailed and honest post about Disney World Vs Universal Studios!

How Many Rides are at Universal Studios Orlando?

There are currently 48 rides at Universal Studios Orlando! These, as mentioned earlier, are divided into two parks. And they are also divided by category.

There are tons of rides for children– like the Cat in the Hat– but there are also many thrill rides. Most rides are also easily accessible, but some are easier to get on than others.

Just make sure to check for updates when some rides are down for maintenance, and keep up to date with the things that are changing! For example, the famous Shrek 4D ride is now gone, but something exciting is being built in its place! (More minions for the kids?!).

What is the most intense ride at Universal Studios Florida?

Obviously, the most intense ride at Universal Studios is dependent on your opinion. If you are determining intensity based on speed, Jurassic World’s Velocicoaster reaches 70 miles per hour.

However, the Incredible Hulk reaches 67 miles per hour and has intense g-forces. Other fast and intense rides include Hollywood’s Rip Ride Rockit, and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure! Think of all the Universal Orlando roller coasters as intense!

Best Rides at Universal Studios

Harry potter and the escape from gringotts.

Of all the things to do in Universal Studios, make sure you look in Diagon Alley! On a journey through the “safest place on Earth” make sure you are ready to pull out your wand and swish and flick. Those wands help make this one of the best Universal Orlando rides!

The magic of HP feels even closer as this indoor roller coaster dips you through the tracks, and stalls at screens to show some of your favorite characters as they come to life. Be ready for fire-breathing dragons, wizards, and trolls!

This makes our list of one of the best rides in Orlando theme parks!

TRANSFORMERS The Ride 3D

Of all rides at Universal, make sure you know the best attractions at Universal studios. Transformers just so happens to be one of them. Not only does the theming of the movies translate well into the design of this ride, but the motion-stimulation will always have you on edge.

Join Optimus Prime and Bumblebee on a daring mission to defend Earth. Put on your 3D classes and enjoy this war between robots and humans. It’s all-out: autobots vs. deceptions. You’re right in the middle of it!

Revenge of the Mummy

We all know and love classic movies– especially the classic horror movies. Of all Universal Orlando thrill rides, take a step back in time for this classic with the mummy! Journey through the myths of ancient Egypt. Just remember that “it’s a trap!”

You will hurl around in darkness, dusty rails, and plunge into fires on this famous ride. The references to the movie will leave you smiling, but you will also come face-to-face with your fears. And don’t forget Brandon’s cup of coffee!

Men in Black Alien Attack

Men in Black, Alien Attack is out of this world– literally! Aliens have attacked the earth, and you and your crew are required to go through shooter’s training to help stop the takeover. Save the planet!

Grab your blaster and defend New York on this ride that almost acts like a video game. This ride is super kid and family friendly. The motion simulator isn’t overwhelming, and who doesn’t love friendly competition. Just don’t push that red button (unless you know when to!).

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

Ready to be 17 stories tall? No? Me either. This radical rollercoaster is one of a kind. It is one of the tallest thrills in Orlando, making it one of the top Universal Orlando rides. You will probably see this ride as one you must do on a Universal Orlando thrill rides.

Maxing out at about 65 miles per hour, this ride twists and turns, and drops you though an intense journey. Don’t forget to pick your song that plays during it, however! This unique feature helps curb the anxiety of that straight incline at the beginning of the coaster.

Worst Universal Orlando Rides

The simpson’s ride.

Although this is a personal opinion, we think that the Simpson’s ride is never worth the wait. Joining Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie may be fun, and Springfield does make for adventure, however the screen in this ride is overwhelming. In fact, many people agree that on the Universal Orlando rides list, Simpson’s is the most nauseating ride around.

That’s right, the 4D experience moments can cause some serious overstimulation. The sounds, movement, smells, and bright lights is a lot all at once. Make sure to be prepared for this screen simulator. And don’t eat a donut or drink a Duff beer before going on.

Fast and Furious- Supercharged

When you’re here, you’re family. Wait. No, that is Olive Garden’s slogan. But when you are on Fast and Furious, you’ll be so confused with the plot of the ride that you won’t even know which slogan is which.

Technically you are part of the family as you buckle up alongside Dom, Letty, and the gang. But this motions simulation ride through is just… boring. Not much happens for the long wait. And the visuals aren’t great. Honestly? The actors in the queue are the most entertaining part.

Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon

Take a trip to the Big Apple… and the moon? And the ocean? We all love and know Jimmy Fallon’s quirky humor, but this doesn’t translate well into the ride. As you sit in a “flying theatre” you’ll get to race through New York with Jimmy.

While cute, soaring above skyscrapers and then racing back into the Fallon studio just seems extreme. There isn’t anything special about this ride, except the interactive queue that has live performances from the show. Say hi to hashtag panda, but don’t waste time waiting for this ride.

Best Rides at Islands of Adventure

Jurassic world velocicoaster.

Hold onto your bums, because with an intense launch, a constant high speed, and many tall drops and corkscrews, Velocicoaster is the best coaster at Universal Orlando.

Feel the thrill while you speed alongside a pack of velociraptors in this new ride. Enjoy the zero-G stall, a barrel roll, and the 80 degree drop from 155 in the air. Don’t worry– the Dinos don’t bite! This is one of the best rides at Islands of Adventure!

Hagrid’s Magical Creature’s Motorbike Adventure

Of all the Harry Potter Rides at Universal Orlando, Hagrid’s is the best. Feel the magic of a bike and side cart as you travel through a forest on this ride. This themed ride features tons of drops, twists, turns and launches.

You will be propelled! And dropped! So hold on tight and keep an eye out for that Devil’s Snare. This is one of those best rides at Island of Adventure Florida that you will want to ride over and over again. And best yet? It is perfect for every type of ride: kid, adult, thrill seeker, etc.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

The universal islands of adventure rides are always iconic, but what makes one more iconic than literally being inside Hogwarts?! Immerse yourself in the castle and the wizarding world itself as you travel along with familiar characters.

Fight dragons, battle spiders, and even fly on a broom! This ride is not for the faint of heart– you get up close and personal with many of the creatures on this thrilling adventures. Just know that of all Universal islands of adventure rides, this is detailed and a must see.

The Incredible Hulk Coaster

We have talked a lot about the rides at Universal Studios, but what about the best friends at Islands of Adventure Florida? Make sure to check out the Hulk! Adrenaline-junkies will have a great time on this coaster. It is one of those Universal Island of adventure rides that takes your breath away.

In fact, this is a scary ride, reaching speeds of 67 miles per hour. With a breathtaking launch and tuns of turns and loops, this coaster smashes all other rides. It is not for the weak hearted, however. But we still want to include it on the list of rides at Islands of Adventure you want to check out.

Flight of the Hippogriff

Looking for an easy ride? Maybe a kid friendly ride? Young Potter fans can join in on the magical experience on the Hippogriff. This gentle coaster is made for those who may not enjoy a big thrill.

Swoop through pumpkin patches, Hagrid’s hut and enjoy a great a view of Hogwarts. And don’t be surprised when you see a Hippogriff at the end!! Glide and fly away!

The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride

Of all things to do in Islands of Adventure, we want to make sure that we are also including kid friendly rides! Or rides for those who don’t love the big thrill. Thus, we are putting you in Seuss land!

The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley gives guests a great view of the park while also allowing everyone to tour the wacky world of Seuss. A gentle ride and slow journey above the things below allows kids and guests alike to delight in the colorful section of Seuss Landing.

Worst Islands of Adventure Rides

Doctor doom’s fearfall.

This is a hard one. We love the fast thrill of this ride. I mean you are literally space shuttle launched into the air! It is a white-knuckle ride, however, the wait isn’t worth it. The ride itself is super short.

Plus, if you don’t love the anticipation of being shot into the air, then this really isn’t for you. Plunging back toward Earth at high speeds may just not be for everyone. The queue itself is also quite boring. Skip and go see something else!

The Cat in the Hat

While the nostalgia is fun, the Cat in the Hat in Suess landing has definitely not aged well. The animatronics are looking rough, and honestly, Thing 1 and Thing 2 are probably scarier than half of the things at Halloween Horror Nights.

There is some creations in the colorful made of Dr. Seuss’ characters that are entertaining. But the track is slow, and while it is a kid’s ride, we don’t know if kids will even enjoy this storybook-come-to-life-ride. You’ll see this ride mentioned on those list or rides at Universal Studios Orlando that aren’t worth the wait.

Skull Island: Reign of Kong

We all love King Kong, but the classic King Kong is no more in Skull Island. Instead of our monkey friend climbing towers, he is now fighting dinosaurs? The motion simulator is more entertaining than the one on Fast and Furious, but it is the same thing essentially.

The one cool thing about this ride is definitely the huge animatronic at the end. Watch Kong come to life, but otherwise, don’t wait super long for this ride. Oh, and hold on! You’ll bounce around a lot on this bus journey.

And there you have it folks! The best rides at Universal Orlando you don’t want to miss. And the worst rides too! Obviously this list of best rides at Universal Studios Florida is based off of opinion, so you’ll have to ride and make decisions yourself, but use this guide as help if you are short on time at these magical parks!

And don’t forget, there is always more to do in Orlando than theme parks: so check out a list of things to do in Orlando that go beyond Universal, Disney and more!

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• VIP Tour Experience at Universal Orlando Resort

If you’re looking for the red-carpet experience at Universal Orlando Resort, a VIP Experience guided tour may be just the thing for you. With multiple options spanning both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure , this is a perfect way to feel like a celebrity as you “live the movies.”

Each VIP Tour permutation has its own special benefits, which we cover for you in-depth on this page. Before we do, however, it’s really important to point out one key item: the VIP Experience does not include theme-park admission. Please keep this in mind when pricing everything out.

Now, with that out of the way, let’s walk that red carpet!

Skip to: Overview | Options | Pricing | FAQ

What is the VIP Experience?

No matter which VIP Tour you choose, there are a few key benefits that you’re guaranteed to enjoy. The first, as you might have guessed, is a VIP tour guide to escort you on a group tour through Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, or both. These guides are experts on all things Universal Orlando, so even if you think you know everything there is to know about the parks, you’re sure to be blown away by the fun facts and insider knowledge they share with you.

All VIP Tours also offer priority front-of-the-line access to all rides and attractions, including the ever-elusive Pteranadon Flyers and all of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter . (Yes, that means you’ll get to ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure with no line, virtual or otherwise!) Other benefits of VIP Tours include:

• Exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences (photography not permitted)
• Complimentary Valet parking
• Reserved seating at shows (excluding the seasonal Mardi Gras and Mannheim Steamroller concerts)
• Complimentary continental breakfast and lunch
• Unlimited Express Pass access throughout the rest of the day following your tour
• Exclusive VIP lanyard and credentials
• Discounts at select Universal merchandise locations throughout the resort

How many VIP Tour options are there?

Before you get to reap all those VIP rewards, you’ll have to first choose which experience is right for you. We’ve broken down all the options below:

1-Day, 1-Park Experience

A 1-Day, 1-Park VIP Tour lasts for five hours and includes priority entrance into a minimum of eight major attractions at either Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure (you get to choose the park, though your tour guide sets the itinerary). And while you will receive all of the benefits listed above, keep in mind that you’ll only enjoy a free continental breakfast if your tour begins at or before 11:00 am. Generally, though, the 1-Day, 1-Park Experience kicks off at 9:30 am, so your chances of enjoying that meal are high!

1-Day, 2-Park Experience

A 1-Day, 2-Park VIP Tour lasts for seven hours and includes priority entrance into a minimum of 10 attractions at both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. Besides the additional park and tour length, the main difference between a 1-Day, 2-Park Experience and its singular-park counterpart is that this version includes lunch at a full-service restaurant. You can expect this tour to (usually) begin at 9:30, 10:30, or 11:30 in the morning.

Private VIP Experience

If you’d rather travel with just your own party, rather than in a group with other individuals, you can opt for the exclusive VIP treatment with this experience (which lasts for the whole day!). Besides receiving the undivided attention of your tour guide, the main draw of this option is the chance to create your own itinerary (for the non-private VIP Tours, your guide lays out the agenda for you). You’ll also enjoy three full-service meals, including dinner, at one of Universal Orlando’s restaurants and receive a three-day My Universal Photos package.

There are a few options if you’re in the market for a Private VIP Experience, including the only two-day tour available:

• 1-Day, 1-Park Tour (availability may vary)
• 1-Day, 2-Park Tour
• 2-Day, 2-Park Tour

How much does a VIP Experience cost?

As you might have guessed, the price of your VIP experience will vary drastically depending upon which tack you take. The one consistent here, though, is that all ticket prices are the same regardless of age – that means your two-year-old will have to pay just as much as you do to enjoy all that exclusive access!

• 1-Day, 1-Park: $229
• 1-Day, 2-Park: $239
• Private VIP experiences: prices vary; call 1-866-346-9350

Remember: in addition to the cost of a VIP Tour, separate theme-park admission is required. Furthermore, guests that are under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

VIP Experience Breakfast Menu

Available to Private and Non-Private VIP Tours that start at or before 11:00 am

House Baked Pastries

Dark Chocolate Chip Muffin

Flaky Butter Croissant

Blueberry Streusel Muffin

Elderberry Croissant

Fresh Cut Fruit

Golden Ripe Pineapple

Vine Ripe Strawberries

Oats & Yogurt

Overnight Oats Steeped in almond milk, agave, crunchy almonds, chia seeds, toasted coconut flakes

Vanilla Bean Yogurt Whole grain oat and wheat granola with slivered almonds and cinnamon

Warm Apple Oatmeal Flan

Hot Offerings

Applewood Smoked Bacon

Pork Sausage Links

Fluffy Scrambled Eggs

Red Bliss Potatoes Served with carmelized onions

Savory Buttermilk Biscuit Sandwich Filled with braised mushrooms, leeks, scrambled eggs

VIP Experience at Universal Orlando – frequently asked questions

Do i need to buy a vip experience ticket in advance.

No, you don’t need to, but we strongly recommend it, as quantities are limited, and – you never know – Universal may sell out the morning of your arrival. Just as with Halloween Horror Nights , our motto is it’s better to play it safe and order in advance than be disappointed the day of!

Do I get to choose my itinerary for a VIP Experience?

That depends on which VIP Tour you go with. For the Non-Private 1-Day, 1-Park or 1-Day, 2-Park experiences, you’ll be touring with other traveling parties, so in the spirit of fairness, the day’s agenda will be determined by your tour guide. If you’d rather make the plans yourself, you’ll need to purchase a Private VIP Experience.

Is a VIP Experience worth it?

It depends on what you’re looking to get out of it. If you’ll only be in Orlando for a few days and want to make the most of your time at Universal Orlando Resort, a VIP Tour is a great way to do so. The priority front-of-the-line access can’t be beaten, along with the exclusive backstage experiences and insider tips from the VIP guides. Even if you’re a seasoned Universal veteran, you’re still bound to learn something new thanks to their expertise.

• Breakfast Options at Universal Orlando Resort
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• Child Swap at Universal Orlando’s Thrill Rides
• Free or Inexpensive Things to Do Around Orlando
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• Lockers at Universal Orlando – a Complete, Up-to-Date Guide
• Men in Black Alien Attack – How to Max Out Your Score at 999,999
• Mobile Ordering at Universal Orlando – Complete Insider’s Guide
• My Universal Photos & ride photos at Universal Orlando – complete guide
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• Refillable Cups, Popcorn Buckets, and Coke Freestyle at Universal Orlando – Complete Insider’s Guide
• Shopping and Merchandise at Universal Orlando – Complete, Up-to-Date Guide
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NEWS: 3 Popular Universal Orlando Rides Announce Months-Long CLOSURES

Universal fans have some exciting updates to look forward to!

Yes, Epic Universe is gonna be…well…epic, but there are plenty of things going on in the current parks. Universal Studios is getting a new Dreamworks land ( including a new coaster that is already giving us nightmares ). However, we have some bad news for fans of these three rides.

Universal previously revealed that E.T. Adventure would temporarily close in May and Revenge of the Mummy would temporarily close in June . But now, there are three more ride closures announced for later this year!

Now listed on the Universal Studios calendar, two more attractions have posted closures.

First up is  Fast & Furious – Supercharged which will be closed from August 19th to November 3rd, 2024.  On this ride, you’ll join the Fast & Furious crew on a party bus and it’s quite the journey!

Then  MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack is set to close from November 4th to December 10th, 2024.  This is an interactive ride where you blast aliens just like in the movie  Men in Black !

Over at Islands of Adventure , there is another new closure. Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls is set to be closed from October 1st, 2024 to January 2nd, 2025. Although the ride is fun, at least it’s closing when the weather cools down. Not many people want to get soaked on a water ride in the winter!

Unfortunately, there are also a couple of stores closing in CityWalk — learn all about that here.

While we wait for more news about the current parks, let’s dream a little, shall we? Check out our posts below about Epic Universe, which is set to open in 2025!

• Pricing and Details CONFIRMED for NEW Universal Epic Universe Hotels
• Universal Shares 18 NEW Photos of Epic Universe
• 🚨 Exciting Details Announced for How to Train Your Dragon Land at Universal’s NEW Epic Universe Park 🚨
• How Much Will Express Pass Cost at Universal’s Epic Universe?

The park will have five lands — Celestial Park , Super Nintendo World , Dark Universe , the Wizarding World of Harry Potter , and How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk . Universal has released details on Celestial Park and Isle of Berk, so stay tuned to AllEars to be the first to know about the other lands!

Keep following AllEars for more Universal updates.

What We Pack for Disney World That We Don’t Pack for Universal

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What is your favorite Universal Orlando ride? Let us know in the comments!

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Fast and Furious just needs to close…permanently, and use that space for something else!

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Tourism | Disney, Universal report leg injuries, loss of…

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Tourism | Disney, Universal report leg injuries, loss of consciousness on rides

Visitors at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando experienced leg injuries, shortness of breath and loss of consciousness on rides at their theme parks in the first three months of 2024, a state report revealed Thursday.

The document listed eight guest injuries at Disney and two at Universal from January through March.

In January, a 63-year-old visitor injured her leg while leaving the ride vehicle for the Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, and a 70-year-old guest fell and injured her leg while loading into Epcot’s Spaceship Earth attraction.

At Magic Kingdom, a 32-year-old female lost consciousness while aboard Space Mountain, and a 46-year-old had head pain and nausea after riding Tron Lightcycle / Run roller coaster. Both were reported in January.

Four other Disney World incidents involved pre-existing conditions, according to the report. A 73-year-old male lost consciousness after riding Spaceship Earth in January. A 68-year-old female felt shortness of breath after riding Slinky Dog Dash, a roller coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in February.  A 44-year-old female had a seizure after experiencing Frozen Ever After, a water ride at Epcot, in March.

And at Blizzard Beach water park, a 29-year-old guest lost consciousness after Summit Plummet, a near-vertical drop body slide, in February.

At Universal, “an altered state of consciousness” was reported from a 56-year-old male after experiencing Doctor Doom’s Fearfall, a drop ride at Islands of Adventure, and from a 38-year-old male after Transformers: The Ride — 3D, a motion-simulation attraction at Universal Studios. Both occurred in March.

SeaWorld Orlando, Legoland Florida and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay did not report any injuries in the first quarter of 2024.

Under an agreement with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which oversees ride regulations, Florida’s major theme parks self-report guest injuries on rides that require at least 24 hours of hospitalization. The department does not receive updates after the initial assessments of conditions.

Investigations by the Orlando Sentinel have shown descriptions of the injuries often can be vague or inaccurate.

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Fifteen people injured as Universal Studios Hollywood tram ride crashes due to 'brake issue'

F ifteen people were injured when a tram crashed at Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles on Saturday night, authorities said.

Emergency responders from the Los Angeles County Fire Department rushed to the park on Lankershim Boulevard after 9pm local time, to assist. The victims taken to area hospitals had minor injuries, the department said. A spokesperson from Universal Studios Hollywood said that there were a few small injuries from the tram accident.

The California Highway Patrol will lead the investigation, the fire department said.

READ MORE: Berlin Township crash: Siblings, 8 and 5, killed as car smashes into kids' party injuring 15 more

Footage of the incident showed first responders treating several patients on the ground near the empty tram. One person was seen being taken from the scene on a stretcher. The victims have not been identified as of yet.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. Maria Abal said that the last car of the tram struck a rail when it was travelling down a hill of a parking structure. Abal told the LA Times : "There was some type of issue with the brakes. We don’t exactly know what yet."

The theme park confirmed in a statement that an incident that "resulted in multiple minor injuries" took place. Universal Studios Hollywood said: "We are working to support our guests and understand the circumstances that led to the accident."

The World-Famous Studio Tour at Universal Studios, known for its iconic tram ride, is a standout attraction in the theme park. Next week, the park will mark the ride's 60th anniversary.

The tour takes visitors behind the scenes of famous movie sets, from classics like "Jaws" to recent hits like Jordan Peele’s "Nope," offering a glimpse into the past 50 years of Universal films. The ride lasts around 45 minutes to one hour.

For all the latest news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to The Mirror US

Universal Studios Hollywood is based in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles County, California. It started out as a movie studio in 1915 and a theme park was added in 1964.

Key attractions include The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and a studio tour ride, which takes riders on a behind-the-scenes trip of some of Hollywood's most memorable films and television shows.

The park is one of several Universal Studios. Others include Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Singapore.

Beloved ‘Harry Potter’ Ride Now Closed, Universal Park Confirms Replacement

in Universal Studios Japan

The original  Harry Potter  theme park ride has officially closed at one Universal theme park.

It’s been nearly 14 years since the first Wizarding World of Harry Potter area opened at Islands of Adventure and Universal shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.

Related: ‘Harry Potter’ Changed (And Kind of Ruined) Theme Parks

What started with an über-realistic recreation of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the neighboring village Hogsmeade has expanded to the Forbidden Forest, Diagon Alley, and Gringotts Bank at Universal Orlando Resort, with a third area – inspired by both the UK and France’s versions of the Ministry of Magic in both Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them – set to open with the rest of Universal’s new theme park Epic Universe in 2025.

While other versions of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter only feature recreations of the OG land at Islands of Adventure (at least, that’s the case so far), they all have two rides in common: Flight of the Hippogriff and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. The latter takes place inside Hogwarts Castle itself , making it a bonafide dream come true for Potterheads, and boasts some impressive immersive technology that makes it worth the ride (and long lines) for casual fans, too.

Several tweaks have been made to the Harry Potter ride over the years, with Universal Studios Hollywood introducing – then axing – 3-D to make the experience even more immersive. However, considering the dedicated Harry Potter fanbase, it’s hard to imagine Universal ever closing such an iconic attraction forever .

That’s what makes the latest closure at one Universal theme park such a blow. As of today (April 18), Universal Studios Japan has confirmed that its version of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is experiencing an unplanned closure due to a system error.

Breaking News) #USJ Due to a system problem today, April 18th, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey will be suspended for the entire day.

■ In addition, USJ has announced that Journey will be suspended until April 20th. It is scheduled to reopen on April 21, but please note #ユニバ this is just a tentative plan and not a confirmed date.

速報) #USJ 本日4月18日はシステムトラブルで ハリー・ポッター・アンド・ザ・フォービドゥン・ジャーニーは終日運休。 ■尚、USJはジャーニーの4月20日までの運休を発表しました。 4月21日から再開予定ですが、確定では無く、あくまでも予定なのでご注意を。 ハリポタ #ユニバ pic.twitter.com/sWFgkia0Hy — ＵＳＪのツボ (@usj1) April 18, 2024

According to USJ 1 , what was originally announced as a one-day closure on the Universal Studios Japan app has since been updated to extend to at least April 20. For now, Universal has said that Forbidden Journey will reopen on April 21, but USJ 1 stressed that this is just a tentative date for now.

The silver lining for the Harry Potter ride’s closure is that the park has temporarily reopened Hogwarts Castle Walk as a replacement to entertain guests in the meantime. This previously suspended experience allowed guests to explore the castle – taking in sights such as the “Moving Portrait Corridor” and “The Portrait of the Fat Lady” – without actually riding Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

Related: New Lands and Attractions Needed at Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Universal Studios Japan also recently shuttered another experience in the Wizarding World. The Magical Creatures Encounter closed in January, less than a year after it first debuted at the park. This allowed parkgoers to get up close and personal with fictional creatures from the franchise, including Hippogriffs , Nifflers, Pygmy Puffs, and baby dragons. “Beloved magical creatures appear here and there throughout Hogsmeade!” the park said in a press release announcing its limited-time run in 2023. “Interact with the magical creatures with care, as you create everlasting memories with them!”

What’s your favorite  Harry Potter ride? Let us know in the comments!

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