Guide to The Best Universal Rides

Universal Orlando Resort is one of the top destinations in Orlando, Florida. Universal offers three incredible theme parks - Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and their water park, Volcano Bay. The Universal rides are some of the most imaginative and thrilling rides in Orlando. The parks are filled with attractions meant to bring plenty of thrills and chills, with a taste of movie magic. 

You'll have a chance to hang out with some of your favorite movie and T.V. characters, swing through the streets with Spider-Man and other superheroes and comic characters, or challenge the threatening Krakatau volcano. Everyone has their favorite Universal rides, and today we'll prepare you for your next visit with all you need to know about the epic Universal Theme Parks. Universal also offers a selection of excellent on-site hotels, lots of entertainment, dining and is a “must” for your trip to Orlando, Florida. 

This guide will focus on the Universal rides and help you plan the perfect visit to these fantastic theme parks. Many people ask if they can do all the rides at Universal in one day. While it is possible to do Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios in one day since the parks are so close that you can exit one park, enter the other, or take the Hogwarts Express between them! We recommend three days so you can devote at least a full day to each of the three parks, including the water park, especially on a first visit. This will allow you to fully explore all of the attractions, entertainment, and shows at each of the parks and revisit your favorite rides and attractions. 

Here are some of the most thrilling rides at Universal Studios. Thrills can be determined by how much the perceived danger is and how intense the motion of the ride is. Are there quick drops, lots of twists and turns, and inversions? Here are some of our favorite Universal Studios rides.  They will make your favorite movie characters come alive. 

Revenge of the Mummy - This coaster ride is inspired by the Mummy movies and will take you on a ride into pitch darkness and even into reverse mode. You'll face off against creepy bugs, free falls, and a plunge into darkness. You'll face ancient curses and solve mysteries on this ride as you attempt to escape the evil Mummy Imhotep. This is a thrilling, fun coaster without being too scary. 

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit - This is one of the most thrilling Universal Studios rides. The Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit lets the rider choose their own soundtrack before taking off on a vertical ascent of 17 stories before rolling down at speeds of 65 mph. You'll thrill to the world's first non-inverting loop, and your entire ride will be recorded on video. You can even edit your video after the ride. Can you say Hollywood!? 

E.T. Adventure - This is a dark ride based on the movie, E.T. It is pretty slow-moving and gentle but still exciting as you hop on a bike and soar through town to save E.T.’s planet. You'll fly over the city lights and past the silvery moon, where creatures with familiar songs will welcome you. This is one of the most beloved and nostalgic experiences in the park and the only original attraction left in Universal Studios. 

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts - This is a 4D dark roller coaster and a Universal ride favorite. An elevator takes you miles underground to the vaults below Gringotts Bank, and with the help of Harry, Ron and Hermione, you escape the villains, Voldemort and Bellatrix. 

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem - This ride is based on the popular film franchise. It is a motion simulator ride that is fun for the entire family. You'll enter Gru's home and be turned into a minion as you go through his laboratory along with his daughters. The vehicles are theatre-style seating, so all seats are good seats, but the smaller ones may want to be seated near the front. You can opt for a stationary seating option if the jerky movements bother you. After the ride, join the Minion-inspired dance party and show off your best moves. 

Fast and Furious - Supercharged - This is a motion simulator where you'll join the Fast Family in their secret headquarters and then take off on a "supercharged " ride with Dom, Letty, Hobbs, and Roman. The attraction features over a dozen authentic vehicle replicas that put you right in the movie! 

MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack - As a trainee in the MIB, you'll be charged with saving the earth from aliens. Get ready, defenders, to grab your laser gun and zap away. You'll meet over 120 different kinds of attackers as you work toward being one of the true Men In Black. This is a dark ride that has some spinning and other movements. Ask about the Immigration Tour, and you may get an up-close look at the immigration room and meet an alien or two. 

Transformers: The Ride - 3D - You'll be plunged into the middle of an intergalactic clash between the Autobots and the Decepticons. You'll fight with Optimus Prime against Megatron, who can wipe out humanity to protect the AllSpark. It is a 3D dark ride, so put on your goggles and roll. 

For more on Universal Studios rides - Experience Your Favorite Movies at Universal Studios Florida 

Islands of Adventure is full of excitement for explorers, adventurers, and thrill-seekers. This is where heroes, myths, and legends come alive. 

The Incredible Hulk Coaster - This is the most thrilling ride at Islands of Adventure and even at Universal Orlando. It is considered one of the most thrilling roller coasters in the world. The ride features a high-speed cannon launch, seven inversions, and numerous near misses with the ground. This is a must-do for a true thrill-seeker. You'll be propelled at up to 67 mph while twisting and turning on the track. You'll jet through a zero-gravity roll and hear the roar of Bruce Banner's alter ego, The Hulk. 

Jurassic Park River Adventure - Picture yourself on a pleasant boat tour of Jurassic Park when the ride goes awry. You are pushed off course by a dinosaur, the power fails, and you end up in the Raptor containment area where velociraptors are loose and hungry. Avoid falling jeeps, take a slow climb through a pitch-dark facility, and have a close encounter with a T-Rex, then take an 85-foot drop into darkness. This is an exciting ride. 

Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure - This is the newest addition to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This state-of-the-art roller coaster will let you fly beyond Hogwarts castle and into the Forbidden Forest. The theming is incredible, and you will feel almost like you are flying through the forest. You'll be on a multiple-launch steel motorbike roller coaster. The top speed is around 50 mph, and there is no inverting, so it is considered a "family" coaster. 

Doctor Doom's Fear Fall - This is a 199 foot tall Drop Tower ride in the Marvel Super Hero Island. It is based on the Marvel Comics super-villain Doctor Doom. You'll blast 185 feet into the sky and then plummet straight down with a force stronger than gravity. The drop is 151 feet, and its maximum speed is 40 mph, and it is moderately scary. 

The Amazing Adventure of Spider-Man -  This virtual reality ride includes a simulated 400-foot free fall. You'll mirror Spidey as he slings webs and scales towering buildings. The ride has impressive special effects and 3D technology. Get ready for an epic adventure as you save the Statue of Liberty from the Sinister Syndicate. 

BRAND NEW IN 2021! Jurassic World VelociCoaster - This brings roller coasters to a new level. You'll speed through the jungle and board the vehicle for a high-speed run through the park's raptor paddock. Race alongside these creatures, twisting and soaring above land and water. 

Volcano Bay is a beautifully themed water park that is vibrant and exciting. It features Rainforest Village, winding water slides, an epic aqua coaster, and more. Leave a whole day for this one. 

Krakatau Aqua Coaster - This Aqua Coaster is as thrilling as the dry rides at Universal, with guests rocketing over hills and through tight turns as they rush around Volcano Bay. You'll defy gravity soaring over the tropical grounds and then splash down into the landing pool. This is one not to be missed. 

Ko'kiri Body Plunge/Kala and Tai Nui Serpentine Slides - These are actually three intertwined attractions. Located at the top of Volcano's Bay Krakatau Volcano, these three slides send riders plummeting 200 feet into the abyss. You'll stand on the trapdoor high in the air, with drums pounding as you wait for the plummet. Kala and Tai Nui are the more thrilling slides since the journey is less predictable, but the Ko'kiri Body Plunge is your chance to "fall' into a bottomless pit. 

The Orlando theme parks are always busy. Lines can get long, and waiting in the sun is no fun. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your visit to Universal Orlando Resort and for making sure you experience all of the best Universal rides. 

It is well worth the splurge for Universal Express Pass. This will give you shorter wait times at most of the top Universal rides and attractions. The Universal Express pass allows you to skip the regular lines one time per participating ride at Universal Studios and Universal's Islands of Adventure for $69.00 per person for one park. The Universal Express Unlimited pass allows you to skip the regular lines an unlimited number of times at participating rides at both parks for $89.99 per person for one park. Volcano Bay Express pass allows you to skip the Virtual Line one time per participating ride at Universal's Volcano Bay. 

Several Universal Studios Rides have a Virtual Queue. This means you can "virtually" wait in line while enjoying other attractions in the park. Use the Universal App to choose your ride, and enter your info.  

For a red carpet trip, get the VIP Experience guided tour with your own Universal Orlando expert through the top Universal rides with front-of-the-line access to all rides, a backstage tour, and Universal Unlimited pass for the rest of the day, and lots of other benefits. 

Stay at a Universal Orlando Resort Hotel for early entry to the parks, and at some hotels, free Universal Express Unlimited passes, and a few other perks. 

Head to the Harry Potter attractions first, before the lines build up. If you want to ride the train back and forth from Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade, you'll need a Park Hopper pass. 

Volcano Bay lets you use your TapuTapu wristband to hold your place in the Virtual Line for one attraction at a time. 

Look for single rider lines at your favorite rides to move through the line more quickly.

Take a look at the Universal Orlando map and plan your itinerary to cover your favorite rides early in the morning. 

For more - Tips and Tricks for Visiting Universal Orlando