Orlando is one of the most-visited cities in the US, thanks to its abundance of theme parks and family-friendly activities. While most families with small children choose to go to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios is a fantastic place for those with older kids or groups of adults. With more intense rides and attractions, Universal Orlando is the capital of entertainment in the Sunshine State. So naturally, people want to know which are the best rides at Universal Orlando?
As with any theme park, the main reason most people go is to experience the rides. Fortunately, Universal Orlando has some spectacular rides across three unique parks. We’ve compiled our list for the top five across all parks, so if you’re planning to hit them all, here’s what you need to know.
After you’ve read up on these amazing rides, check out our article about how to become a Universal Studios travel agent and see how you can save big on your next trip to Universal Studios (and lots of other incredible travel destinations).
A Breakdown of Universal Studios Orlando
Similar to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios is split up into multiple parks. So, if you want to get the full Universal experience, you have to buy a multi-park pass and plan to spend at least a full day in each park. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can expect at each location.
Universal Studios Orlando
As the OG Universal theme park in Orlando, this is the one to visit if you can only get to one park during your vacation. Universal Studios is broken up into different sections, including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Minion Land on Illumination Avenue, New York, Hollywood, San Francisco, and the World Expo. If you’re visiting the park with little kids, you can check out the Woody WoodPecker KidZone.
Each section of the park has different rides and attractions, some of which are roller coasters and some of which are virtual. With a virtual ride, you sit in a moving seat that replicates the feeling of being on an actual ride or on an actual set. Some examples of virtual rides include The Simpsons Ride, Fast and Furious: Supercharged, and Transformers: the Ride 3D.
If you’re a big fan of Harry Potter, you can spend most of your day in the Wizarding World. However, it’s good to hit each part of the park for the full Universal experience.
Universal Islands of Adventure
Because there are too many rides and attractions to fit into a single park, Universal Studios branched off into the Islands of Adventure. Here, you can explore zones like Marvel Super Hero Island, Skull Island: Reign of Kong, Jurassic Park, Hogsmeade (From the Wizarding World of Harry Potter), Seuss Landing, Toon Lagoon, and the Lost Continent.
Overall, if you’re looking for more roller coasters and a more theme park vibe, Islands of Adventure is an excellent choice. Plus, as the name suggests, there’s a lot of water surrounding each section, with a massive lagoon in the center of the park. That said, while the lagoon is impressive, it makes it harder to cut across to different areas. Instead, you have to make an entire loop to see everything in a single day, rather than cutting through the center of the park.
Volcano Bay Water Park
As a water park, Volcano Bay doesn’t really have roller coasters and rides like the other parts of Universal Orlando. Instead, this park is designed to be relaxing and carefree, giving guests a taste of the island life at a fraction of the price of a plane ticket to Hawaii or Tahiti. The park itself is also incredibly beautiful, with tropical plants and decor around every corner. There are also some fantastic places to eat within the park, so make sure to bring a hearty appetite.
The Five Best Rides at Universal Orlando
Since we’re evaluating all the rides across all three parks, we’re focusing on those that offer the most thrills and excitement. So, if you’re traveling with younger kids, you may not be able to partake in all of the rides we’re featuring here (that’s a different list). As a rule, these rides come with sizable wait times, but they’re worth standing in line for an hour or more.
The Incredible Hulk Coaster
- Location: Universal Islands of Adventure
- Average Wait Time: 40+ min
This Hulk-sized roller coaster will push your body to the limits as you launch at 67 miles per hour. The thrills don’t let up for one second as The Hulk tosses you around like a rag doll. You’ll drop, twist, spin, and ride inverted before you finally reach the end.
This is the ultimate ride for thrill-seekers, as it really gets your adrenaline pumping. With multiple loops and drops, you’re sure to feel the Gs as the ride seems to go faster and faster. As far as entertainment goes, it’s all downhill from here.
Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts
- Location: Universal Studios Orlando
- Average Wait Time: 60+ min
If you want the full Harry Potter experience, the Islands of Adventure has more rides and attractions. However, Universal Studios has a special way for guests to experience both sides of the Wizarding World via the Hogwarts Express. If you have a multi-park pass, you can board the train through platform 9 3/4, allowing you to ride all the rides and enjoy all the food and entertainment that Harry Potter has to offer. If you’re a true Potter fan, we highly recommend getting the multi-park pass, even if you only go for one day. You can easily spend all day in the Wizarding World and not feel like you’re missing out.
This particular ride is virtual, meaning you’re not going on a track or moving through space. Instead, the seats move as the screen shows you what’s happening. However, it’s easy to trick your brain that what’s happening is real, so the ride is just as intense as any roller coaster. As the name suggests, you and the gang are escaping from Gringott’s vault, which involves many obstacles and adversaries along the way.
Jurassic Park River Adventure
- Location: Universal Islands of Adventure
- Average Wait Time: 40+ min
Did you know that the movie Jurassic Park was actually based on the idea of a theme park ride? In fact, Steven Spielberg had a hand in developing the ride for Universal Studios, but he felt that his ideas would also translate well into a movie. So, both the ride and the film were created side-by-side (so to speak), making it even more immersive and entertaining.
Unfortunately, the original ride at Universal Studios Hollywood has since been revamped to reflect the recent Jurassic World franchise. However, you can still recapture some of the magic of that ride by coming to Orlando and getting on the Jurassic River Adventure. This ride is a mixture of a roller coaster and a water ride, so you’ll get wet but not completely soaked (depending on where you sit).
What we like about this ride is that it tells a story as you progress, starting as a safe ride where you can see dinosaurs and turning into a fight for your life as the dinos escape and rampage throughout the park. The final 85-foot drop is intense and memorable, and it’ll make you want to ride this adventure again and again!
Krakatau
- Location: Volcano Bay Water Park
- Average Wait Time: 45+ min
Although Volcano Bay doesn’t have many rides, the ones it does include are pretty amazing. Most of the “ride” options are actually slides, but Krakatau is an “aqua coaster,” so you sit in a boat that makes turns, dips, and drops. Also, because this is a water park, you can expect to get plenty wet with this ride.
Overall, we included this ride on this list because it’s probably the best attraction at Volcano Bay. So, if you’re planning to spend the day swimming and relaxing, you should at least ride Krakatau one or two times throughout the day to get the full park experience.
Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride
- Location: Universal Studios Orlando
- Average Wait Time: 35+ min
Although the Brendan Fraser-helmed “Mummy” movies have been out for quite a long time, this ride is just as fun and exciting as the day it was built. This ride is very similar to the one at Universal Studios Hollywood, although it has a bit more pomp and circumstance, including decorations and pre-ride set designs.
What makes this ride so exciting is its speed. It starts off slow and engaging enough, but once you anger the titular Mummy, you’re flying off into the depths of his tomb. Also, because the ride is shrouded in darkness, each twist and turn is impossible to anticipate, so you’re at the whims of the Mummy and his wrath.
How to Maximize Your Ride Time at Universal Orlando
If you’re interested in getting the complete Universal experience, you must try to visit at least Universal Studios and the Islands of Adventure. While it’s impossible to ride and see everything in both parks in a single day, you can easily ride every ride if you have two days for your vacation. Here are our top tips for squeezing as much fun as you can out of these parks.
- Arrive Before the Park Opens – Unlike Disney World, Universal Orlando closes relatively early (usually around 7 pm). So, you must get there early to maximize your ride time. If the park opens at 9 am, we recommend getting there at least 30 minutes before. The lines will still be long, but at least you can get to your top ride before it gets too crowded.
- Use Hogwarts Express to Move Between Parks – A multi-park pass is really the best way to go because you can travel quickly between each Wizarding World of Harry Potter. While you could go between the parks by exiting and entering both from the front, it takes much longer.
- Use the Apps – Universal Studios Florida has its own app, which allows you to order food, see ride wait times, and schedule live shows. The app can help you navigate throughout the day, as well as save time by ordering food ahead of time so you’re not standing in line to eat.
- Get an Express Pass – As with most theme parks, Universal Studios has a pass that allows you to skip the line by reserving a spot. The Express Pass is kind of pricey (minimum $80 per person), but if the park is super packed, it’s worth the investment. You can also upgrade to an Unlimited Pass, which gives you more ride options and flexibility with booking times.
- Plan Your Vacation Strategically – Unlike Disney World, Universal Studios isn’t packed every day of the year. Some seasons are busier than others, so you can visit the parks during the off-season and cut down on ride wait times significantly. While the parks won’t necessarily be “empty,” there’s a noticeable difference.
- Use Single Rider Lines if Possible – Many of the rides at Universal Studios have a “single rider” line, allowing you to bypass the main line and get much closer to the front. If you’re in a bigger group, this tactic may not work very well, but it’s perfect if you go to the park with one friend or significant other. In many cases, you can both get on the same ride, just not necessarily next to each other.
- Plan Your Route – As we mentioned, the Islands of Adventure has a huge lagoon in the center, so you have to walk around the water to get to the other side of the park. Make sure to plan your route accordingly so you know exactly where you’re going next. You don’t want to have to double back to get to a particular ride, as that will take much longer.
Book Your Universal Orlando Vacation Through Boardwalk Travel Agency
Are you ready to buy your multi-park pass for Universal Orlando yet? Actually, hold that thought! Before you buy anything, learn more about how to become a Universal Studios travel agent and consider signing up with Boardwalk Travel Agency to save big on your next Universal adventure.
Why? Because you get access to special discounts and perks that are only available to certified travel agents. This way, you, your friends, and your family members can all take advantage and have the best vacation ever. Also, when you stay at a Universal Studios resort property, you get extra advantages that will make your stay more enjoyable and unforgettable.
Becoming a Boardwalk Travel Agency member is easy, as all you need to do is sign up with a one-time membership fee. Once you go through the training (at your own pace), you’re ready to start booking Universal Orlando vacations. Check us out today and start booking in no time!
