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A list of the twelve best rides found at the Universal Orlando Resort. These include thrilling and family-friendly attractions found in Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme parks.
The Universal Orlando Resort does a fantastic job of bringing its guests into the movies. With rides based on Jurassic Park, Spider-Man, and Harry Potter, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Putting this list together was pretty challenging. Some awesome rides were left off, but we took into account all of the aspects of each attraction. Our rankings are based on storytelling, art details, and the overall experience. In other words, attractions that hold our attention the most were ranked higher.
1. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure – Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Universal nailed Harry Potter storytelling with this one-of-a-kind coaster. The name says it all: you meet Hagrid and then his collection of magical creatures while riding a roller coaster. There are animatronic creatures, a life-sized Hagrid, and even some scary moments. But the best thrills come from the coaster itself with sidewinding turns and fantastic drops! Hagrid’s may not just be the best ride in Universal, it’s probably the best in Orlando.
2. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – Universal’s Islands of Adventure
The original Harry Potter ride is one of the most inventive attractions ever. It’s sort of like Haunted Mansion meets the Indiana Jones Adventure (Disneyland), but with Harry Potter characters. Escape dragons, dodge spiders and even soar through a Quidditch field. However, even if the ride didn’t exist, the queue still has guests walking through Hogwarts Castle. Really, it’s a dream come true!
3. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man – Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Marvel’s iconic superhero comes to life at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. The animated ride is like hopping into a 3D comic book as you swing along with Spider-Man. The ride’s vehicle system hits a home run with its use of giant screens and physical movements. Best of all, the timing of this ride is perfect with scenes moving seamlessly together.
4. Revenge of the Mummy – Universal Studios Florida
The Mummy film franchise starring Brendan Fraser may have ended over a decade ago, but its ride certainly lives on. Enter a museum and see Imhotep curse the world around you. The attraction has coaster and dark ride elements that make the storytelling very, very cool.
5. Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges – Universal’s Islands of Adventure
While Popeye seems like a fairly standard rapids raft ride, Universal really nails this one. In fact, it’s the best raft ride we’ve ever experienced. The dips feel like actual danger and the silly cartoon world around the river is well detailed. We always leave this ride with huge smiles.
6. Jurassic Park River Adventure – Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Jurassic Park’s river-based ride is set to elements of the film and book. Hop on a boat and cruise down a river to meet giant dinosaurs. That is, before everything goes wrong and the raptors attack! Jurassic Park scores high on fun and theme, but some of its rundown animatronics desperately need replacing.
7. The Incredible Hulk Coaster – Universal’s Islands of Adventure
The Hulk is one big, angry, green machine! Launch up a gamma ray before lopping, spinning, twisting, and turning around Marvel Superhero Island. The Incredible Hulk Coaster doesn’t try to be anything other than an electric thrill ride – and we love it for that!
8. Transformers: The Ride-3D – Universal Studios Florida
If the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man didn’t exist, Transformers would place much higher on our list. However, they are the same ride system but with different stories. The only difference is that the cartoon action works better on Spider-Man than Transformers. Just like the films, Transformers: The Ride takes itself a little too seriously, but the special effects and action-packed storytelling make it worthwhile.
9. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit – Universal Studios Florida
This steal coaster reaches up to 65 miles per hour, has a nearly straight-down drop, and you can pick the soundtrack. Of course, the coaster is over 10 years old and the playlist hasn’t been updated. But Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit satisfies a roller coaster fan’s need for thrills.
10. The Hogwarts Express – Both Parks
We love a ride that the entire family can enjoy. The Hogwarts Express is magical from beginning to end. Hop on a fully realized version of the Hogwarts Express and ride between parks. That’s right, you can hop on the Hogwarts Express in Hogsmeade Village and end up near Diagon Alley! There are different storylines for each direction, too.
11. Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts – Universal Studios Florida
Diagon Alley’s debut ride is big on thematic elements, ride vehicles, and screens. However, none of these come together very well. The bank-themed queue is filled with animatronic goblins that look pretty real. But once you enter the vault, the coaster never delivers the thrills. For a ride that followed Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, it certainly doesn’t best it. Nevertheless, Escape From Gringotts helps make the Wizarding World a believable experience.
12. The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride – Universal’s Islands of Adventure
It’s a train that travels around a highly detailed Dr. Seuss-themed land. It’s like you’ve stepped into one of his books and began an adventure on your own. There isn’t a story, but there doesn’t have to be. As you ride around, you’ll see beloved stories like The Lorax and If I Ran the Circus. It’s beautiful, silly, relaxing, and completely iconic.
