Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida is sometimes overlooked as being the little sibling of Disney’s parks just down the road. Though I agree that the parks do not quite have the same level of theming and consistency that Disney does, Universal boasts many rides that are simply superior to most of what Disney is able to offer.
Their best rides are roller coasters, but there are also some great rides that might surprise you. For this list, I’m considering all of Universal Orlando’s current parks – Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and the Volcano Bay water park. It will require some new additions once Universal’s Epic Universe Park opens!
#6 – Krakatau Aqua Coaster
elisfkc from Orlando, FL, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Though typically not a part of “best ride” lists at themed resorts, Universal’s Volcano Bay water park is too good to ignore. The best ride at the park is the aqua coaster, which takes sets of 4 riders up and down through the volcano.
It seems a bit scary at first, but it’s just a ton of fun and just exciting enough to thrill riders looking for a lot of excitement.
#5 – Revenge of The Mummy
Jeremy Thompson from United States of America, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
It’s a personal favorite of mine, but the Mummy Ride at Universal Studios is a great ride for everyone. The queue through ancient artifacts is amazing, the story elements and physical sets in the ride are awesome, and there are plenty of surprises throughout the attraction that make it amazing.
The ride, just like the movie, just has a lot of charm that leaves everyone smiling after they ride. Though it is a roller coaster, there are no huge drops, no inversions, and nothing that makes it too intense for most riders. This is a big positive for families with kids who aren’t quite brave enough to test out some of the more intense roller coasters.
#4 – Men in Black: Alien Attack
Jeremy Thompson from United States of America, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Though it’s a relatively old ride, the Men in Black attraction is always loads of fun for everyone. It’s a “target shooting” type of ride, but does it exceptionally well. You board slow moving cars and are provided with a laser gun to blast through aliens invading the city. Shoot as many aliens as you can to get a high score!
Aside from the competitive scoring element in the ride, the scenes are well constructed and make the whole attraction an immersive experience. Even if you have terrible aim or aren’t interested in the shooting aspect of the ride, you could sit still and still enjoy the ride for its scenes.
#3 – Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Loadmaster (David R. Tribble) Loadmaster (David R. Tribble), CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This ride is one of the best at Universal due to its unique ride system that gets you up-close and personal to the show scenes throughout the dark ride. Effectively, you’re placed on a mechanical arm that moves and tilts you through the ride’s story. Or perhaps, rather, you really are flying on a broom throughout the iconic scenes in the Harry Potter movies/books.
Though the plot of the ride sort of jumps all over the place, the scenes you go through and the way the ride system is utilized is absolutely incredible. The queue through Hogwarts Castle is an awesome part of the attraction, too. It’s a unique experience that you can’t get anywhere else, and the ride is a must-do when visiting Universal Studios Orlando.
#2 – The Velocicoaster
Eric A. Soto, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Universal’s Island of Adventure has many thrilling roller coasters, but none is more intense than the Velocicoaster. The attraction is an all-around fun experience, but it’s not for the feint of heart. The ride has multiple inversions, from loops to aileron rolls, and maintains a high speed throughout the entire ride by means of multiple launches.
My favorite aspect of the ride is the restraint system. Most intense roller coasters put you in the heavy over-the-shoulder restraints which lock you deep into your seat. The Velocicoaster, however, simply has a lap bar that locks over your hips and legs to get you safely onto the ride.
As you’re flying along the track, you have your entire upper body to flail around and have fun with. This bothers some riders, as it feels like you could just be flung out of the ride at any time, but that’s what makes it great for me!
#1 – Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
Elisfkc, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hands down Universal’s best overall ride is the ridiculously long-named ride most often referred to as simply “Hagrid’s”. The Roller Coaster is a thrilling experience with lots of twists and turns, high speeds, and surprises throughout the way that make the ride Universal’s best.
I don’t want to spoil the ride with too many details, but the animatronics included and story sections of the coaster create an amazing theme and plot. The ride truly makes you feel like a part of the story, which vastly enhances what a typical roller coaster ride is.
One of the best things about the coaster is how smooth the ride is. Universal’s other roller coasters are too rough for most visitors, and really only reserved for true roller coaster fans. Though it’s still a fairly intense ride, Hagrid’s does not have any inversions or quick turns, making it easy enough for the whole family to ride if they meet the height requirement.
Note that the ride puts on rider atop Hagrid’s motorcycle and one rider in the sidecar for each row. The motorcycle seat is clearly the superior option, which can cause a bit of angst amongst siblings when riding (“I want the better seat, it’s not fair”). While the seating type makes the ride more fun, be wary of the difference between the two seats.
The ride typically has the longest waits in the whole park (Islands of Adventure), so be warned that you should arrive first thing in the morning or expect to wait a while to experience the attraction.
The Bottom Line
All in all, Universal Studios Orlando has a ton of great rides to experience during a visit to central Florida. A vast majority of Universal’s best rides are the thrill rides, so families with older kids tall enough and brave enough to experience everything will be the ones who can make the most of their visit.
