From magical Wizarding adventures to action-packed 3D rides and epic coasters, there are so many amazing rides to try at the Universal Orlando Resort theme parks. We’ve put together a list of our favourite rides at Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Volcano Bay Water Park, and even the brand-new Universal Epic Universe (opening May 22nd 2025) to give you some inspiration for your Florida holiday.
Best Rides at Universal Orlando Resort - The Stats
What’s the fastest ride at Universal Orlando Resort?
Jurassic World VelociCoaster is the fastest ride at Universal Orlando, reaching speeds of 70mph
What’s the longest ride at Universal Orlando Resort?
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is not just the longest roller coaster in Universal, but the whole of Florida, with a total track distance of just over a mile!
What’s the biggest drop at Universal Orlando Resort?
Dr. Doom’s Fearfall has the biggest drop at Universal Orlando, at 185ft. If drops are the thrill you’re looking for, take a look at our top drop rides in Orlando!
Which ride at Universal Orlando Resort has the most inversions?
The Incredible Hulk Coaster has the most inversions at Universal Orlando, with an impressive 7 inversions!
Top Thrill Rides at Universal Orlando Resort
We know that many people go to the Orlando theme parks for one thing only; the thrills! And rest assured, Universal Orlando doesn’t disappoint! With a smorgasbord of adrenaline-pumping roller coasters, mind-blowing motion simulators, and everything in between, thrill-seekers will be in their element.
Attraction | Theme Park | Land |
|---|---|---|
Jurassic World VelociCoaster | Universal Islands of Adventure | Jurassic Park |
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™ | Universal Islands of Adventure | The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade |
The Incredible Hulk Coaster | Universal Islands of Adventure | Marvel Super Hero Island |
Doctor Doom’s Fearfall | Universal Islands of Adventure | Marvel Super Hero Island |
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit | Universal Studios Florida | Production Central |
Revenge of the Mummy | Universal Studios Florida | New York |
Stardust Racers | Universal Epic Universe | Celestial Park |
Curse of the Werewolf | Universal Epic Universe | Dark Universe |
Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment | Universal Epic Universe | Dark Universe |
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry™ | Universal Epic Universe | The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ - Ministry of Magic™ |
Thrill rides - The highlights
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
This brand new Harry Potter-themed attraction will see you travelling by Floo Powder to the Ministry of Magic where Dolores Umbridge is about to stand trial. On this thrilling motion simulator ride, you’ll join Harry, Ron, and Hermione to journey deep into the Ministry, encountering death eaters and fantastic beasts along the way.
Jurassic World VelociCoaster
VelociCoaster tops Universal’s roller coaster roster for speed and drama, starting with a 70mph fast-launch as riders are invited to “feel the rush” of hunting with a bunch of velociraptors. There is a 155ft top hat feature, four inversions and a whizz over the central lagoon, and it all comes with plenty of neat theming and a super-smooth track.
Revenge of the Mummy
Be warned… this one definitely isn’t for the faint-hearted. Revenge of the Mummy will put your bravery to the test as you venture deep into the lair of the evil Mummy Imhotep. You’ll have to face swarms of insects, warrior mummies and a blazing fire, and did we mention you’ll be in complete darkness? The ride features real props from The Mummy movie, putting you right in the middle of the action.
“Revenge of the Mummy is my absolute favourite ride at Universal Studios Florida! It's my must-do attraction at Universal Studios because it not only combines the high-speed thrills of a roller coaster, it also engulfs you in the hidden secrets and stories surrounding the ride. You will use all of your senses on this one-of-a-kind attraction. It’s an indoor roller coaster dark ride. It is highly themed with props prompting you to believe you’re on the set of the Mummy movie.” - Nikida, Theme Park Hipster
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
This is simply the smoothest and most feature-packed coaster in the Universal catalogue, a “story-telling” ride with Hagrid – and his magical creatures – through a forgotten part of Hogwarts. It provides several fast launch sequences, a sudden vertical drop, and a backwards section into a vertical spike, and offers contrasting ride experiences from either the sidecar or motorbike seats.
Best Rides for Kids at Universal Orlando Resort
While Universal Orlando Resort is generally seen as a destination more suited to older children and adults, there are in fact lots of attractions that younger guests will love. From fantastic shows to amazing rides, Universal Orlando is a great place to have an unforgettable family holiday, with kids of all ages. There’s even one attraction that you can only ride if you’re with someone UNDER a certain height!
Attraction | Theme Park | Land |
|---|---|---|
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem | Universal Studios Florida | Illumination’s Minon Land |
Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast | Universal Studios Florida | Illumination’s Minon Land |
Pteradon Flyers | Universal Islands of Adventure | Jurassic Park |
The Cat in the Hat | Universal Islands of Adventure | Suess Landing |
Caro-Suess-el | Universal Islands of Adventure | Suess Landing |
The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train | Universal Islands of Adventure | Suess Landing |
E.T. Adventure | Universal Studios Florida | Hollywood |
Trolls Trollercoaster | Universal Studios Florida | Dreamworks Land |
Fyre Drill | Universal Epic Universe | How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk |
Yoshi’s Adventure™ | Universal Epic Universe | SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ |
Rides for kids - The highlights:
Pteradon Flyers
Forget VelociCoaster - Pteranodon Flyers is the hottest ticket in Jurassic Park! That’s because this attraction was made solely with kids in mind, so much so that it has a MAXIMUM height requirement of 56” (unless you're accompanying a child between 36” and 56”). Under the 10-foot wings of a pteranodon, you’ll take flight above the trees as you gently swing from a suspended track for an incredible view of the park below.
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
We’re guessing your little ones are already obsessed with everything to do with the Minions (who isn’t?!), so they’re sure to love this family-friendly ride. This is a motion simulator ride, where riders will join Gru, his daughters and the Minions on an unpredictable adventure. The experience continues even after you step-off the ride, with an interactive Minion-inspired dance party.
Fyre Drill
This new interactive boat ride is perfect for both cooling down in the Florida heat and getting into a bit of friendly competition as a family. Blast your water cannon at the flame-like targets and the occupants of other boats to become a fully-fledged Viking firefighter. With no height requirements (excluding handheld infants) this is an attraction the whole family can enjoy.
Trolls Trollercoaster
If you’re kids are just graduating into trying out some thrills, the Trolls Trollercoaster is the perfect ride to get them started! With a height requirement of just 36”, little ones can board the Caterbus for their first roller coaster experience alongside Poppy and Tiny.
Best 3D and 4D Attractions at Universal Orlando Resort
You don’t have to have high speeds and multiple inversions to create a thrilling attraction, proven by the incredible motion simulators and 3D/4D experiences across Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Universal Epic Universe!
Attraction | Theme Park | Land |
|---|---|---|
Mario Kart™: Bowser's Challenge | Universal Epic Universe | SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ |
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™ | Universal Islands of Adventure | The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ - Hogsmeade™ |
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man | Universal Islands of Adventure | Marvel Super Hero Island |
Skull Island: Reign of Kong | Universal Islands of Adventure | Skull Island |
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts | Universal Studios Florida | The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ - Diagon Alley™ |
The Simpsons Ride | Universal Studios Florida | Springfield USA |
Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon | Universal Studios Florida | New York |
TRANSFORMERS: The Ride - 3D | Universal Studios Florida | Production Central |
3D and 4D attractions - The highlights:
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™
If you’ve ever wished that you could be a student wandering the infamous halls of Hogwarts School, this is the ride for you. After queuing through the castle itself, you’ll soar over the grounds, across the Quidditch pitch and through the Forbidden Forest (meeting a few creatures along the way), before being welcomed back to the Great Hall by Dumbledore.
Top Tip! If any members of your party don’t want to ride or aren’t tall enough, they can still get a taste of the Hogwarts experience by entering a special line in the queue that will take them through the castle without having to ride!
Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge
This brand-new ride at Universal Epic Universe takes immersion to another level thanks to a VR headset that will make you feel like you’re really in a game of Mario Kart! Don your special goggles and race alongside Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach for a different outcome each time you ride.
The Simpsons Ride
This is a rollercoaster like you’ve never experienced before! Using motion effects and a giant 80-foot 3D domed screen, this indoor ride is entirely simulated, but it will feel just like you’re on a huge rollercoaster! On the ride, you’ll join all the Simpson family for a trip to Krustyland, but there might be a few issues (and some familiar cameos) along the way.
“My favourite ride at Universal Studios is The Simpsons Ride. It's such a brilliant simulator ride, and the pre-show consisting of cartoons is a great way to start the fun. It all starts on a rollercoaster in Krustyland and goes down (and uphill) from there. Watch out for Side Show Bob, the giant baby Maggie, and the Death Drop. A must do if you ever go to Universal.” - Mellissa, The Diary of a Jewellery Lover
Skull Island: Reign of Kong
Take a treacherous journey to a mysterious island with some strange and spooky inhabitants. As you ride through the jungle in your expedition bus, you’ll come face-to-face with some prehistoric creatures and of course, the larger-than-life ape King Kong.
Best Water Rides at Universal Orlando Resort
Whether you need to cool down with a splash on a log flume in the theme parks, or take it to the next level with a full day at Volcano Bay Water Park, there are all kinds of water rides throughout Universal Orlando Resort.
Attraction | Theme Park | Land |
|---|---|---|
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls | Universal Islands of Adventure | Toon Lagoon |
Jurassic Park River Adventure | Universal Islands of Adventure | Jurassic Park |
Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges | Universal Islands of Adventure | Toon Lagoon |
Krakatau Aqua Coaster | Universal Volcano Bay Water Park | River Village |
Ko'okiri Body Plunge | Universal Volcano Bay Water Park | Wave Village |
Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides | Universal Volcano Bay Water Park | Rainforest Village |
Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides | Universal Volcano Bay Water Park | Rainforest Village |
Honu ika Moana | Universal Volcano Bay Water Park | River Village |
Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides | Universal Volcano Bay Water Park | Rainforest Village |
Water rides - The highlights:
Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
Water rides don’t come a whole lot wetter than this one, a rollicking raft adventure in the middle of a battle between Popeye and arch-enemy Bluto. Riders are warned to expect quite a dousing, and it comes from all directions – including the OctoPlus Grotto – as the rafts bounce and twirl through some serious white water. There are no big drops, though, so it’s not a scary ride from that point of view.
Jurassic Park River Adventure
While the main part of this raft ride is seemingly the big drop into a major splashdown at the end, there is a lot more to see and admire as a gentle journey into Jurassic Park suddenly turns into a quest to escape the lurking T-Rex menace. This is another ride that will get you fairly wet, but that’s quite a bonus during the summer months
Fun Fact: 1.5million gallons of water is used in the ride which is enough to fill around 37,500 bathtubs.
Ko’okiri Body Plunge
If you consider yourself a bit of a thrill seeker, put this attraction at the top of your list. Ko’okiri Body Plunge is all about the centuries-old tradition of honouring the fiery volcano god- Vol. If you’re feeling brave enough, take your place inside the clear tube. When you least expect it, the floor will disappear and you’ll plummet 125 feet at a 70-degree angle!
Krakatau Aqua Coaster
The Krakatau Aqua Coaster is one of Volcano Bay’s most popular attractions. Be warned though as it’s described as “a drencher”! When you enter the park, you can’t fail to notice the 200-foot-tall Krakatau Volcano towering above you. This incredible water slide actually takes you inside the volcano on an action-packed adventure.
So now you know the must-do attractions at Universal Orlando Resort, it’s time to start planning your holiday! Browse our great value Universal Orlando Resort tickets, or book a Universal Resort hotel and ticket package to stay as close to the action as possible!
