Ranking The 10 Best Rides At Universal Orlando | 2023 Update

Universal Orlando boasts an exciting array of rides and attractions that promise to exhilarate, entertain, and even make you laugh. From thrilling rollercoasters like the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit or The Incredible Hulk Coaster, to family-friendly interactive shows like Shrek 4D, Universal Orlando’s plethora of rides offer a little something for everyone. Plus, Universal also has classic theme park staples like the Ferris Wheel and carousels for younger guests. But, what are the best rides at Universal Orlando?

Universal Orlando Resort offers a variety of attractions for all ages, but most of the rides cater to teens, adults, and bigger kids due to their thrills and height requirements. As such, the majority of listed rides are high-adrenaline types. That doesn’t mean you won’t find some slower-paced ones in the mix!

My Picks: The Best Rides at Universal Orlando

Below is my breakdown of the top 10 best rides at Universal Orlando, ranked from #10 to #1.

#10: The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is a hybrid ride that merges classic dark ride elements with cutting-edge 3-D projections, 4-D movies, simulations, and other high-tech gadgetry.

This incredible experience transports riders into the exciting world of Spider-Man, creating a realistic and immersive comic book adventure. It’s no wonder this attraction comes in at #10 on our Best Universal Orlando Rides list!

About The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

Step aboard a Daily Bugle van and get ready to enter the thrilling world of Marvel Comics’ Spider-Man! Sinister Syndicate’s villains have seized the Statue of Liberty with an anti-gravity gun, setting off a classic battle between good and evil. Can you help our friendly neighborhood hero save the day? Will you join him in this epic adventure?

Fast Facts

• Ride Category: Motion-Based 3D Dark Ride
• Theme: Spider-Man/Marvel Comics
• Ride Location: Marvel Super Hero Island at Islands of Adventure
• Date of Opening: May 28, 1999
• Height Requirement: 40″ / 102cm
• Duration of Ride: 5 minutes

#9: E.T. Adventure

Experience the nostalgia of Steven Spielberg’s iconic E.T. film with E.T. Adventure, coming in at #9 on our list of the best rides at Universal Orlando.

Even if you’re too young to remember the movie, you’ll still love this leisurely ride that takes you soaring past police officers, over the city, and into space – just don’t go looking for high-speed thrills here with this fantastic ride that has stood the test of time.

About E.T. Adventure

Hop aboard the “bicycle” with E.T. in the middle of the front row for a thrilling ride! Speed past NASA, as police give chase and soar into the sky, above the city, and into outer space – with a stunning view of the city below.

Make your way through a portal of flashing lights to arrive at the Green Plant, where Botanicus needs your help to save E.T.’s friends. With E.T.’s healing powers, all are saved, and ends in a joyous celebration! Don’t be scared by the beginning – it turns out bright and cheerful in the end – making it perfect for children or anyone young at heart.

Fast Facts

• Ride Category: Dark ride, suspended
• Theme: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
• Ride Location: Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone at Universal Studios
• Date of Opening: June 7, 1990
• Height Requirement: 34″ / 86cm
• Duration of Ride: 4.5 minutes

#8: Jurassic Park River Adventure

Climb on board and journey back to 1993 with Jurassic Park River Adventure, coming in at #8 on our Best Universal Studios Orlando rides list! This water-based attraction is inspired by Michael Crichton’s novel and Steven Spielberg’s film, taking you to the fictional Isla Numblar.

After undergoing renovations during 2018-2019, it re-opened better than ever before in the summer of 2019 for a thrilling ride like no other!

About Jurassic Park River Adventure

Take a journey back to prehistoric times with this Universal Studios ride! Board a floating water vehicle and explore the land of dinosaurs. With new updates including realistic visuals, enhanced storytelling, and plenty of state-of-the-art technology, get ready for an unforgettable experience.

Watch out for the Dilophosauruses that jump out and spit their (water) toxic venom at you! Experience two drops on this ride, including a thrilling 85′-high plunge into a tropical lagoon outside the Environmental Systems Building. Don’t forget your poncho or be prepared to get wet – because you don’t want to miss out on this one!

Fast Facts

• Ride Category: Chute-based flume ride
• Theme: Jurassic Park
• Ride Location: Lower Lot at Universal Studios Florida
• Date of Opening: May 28, 1999
• Height Requirement: 42″ / 107cm
• Duration of Ride: 7 minutes 20 seconds

#7: Men in Black: Alien Attack

Get ready for an out-of-this-world adventure with Men in Black: Alien Attack! Located at Universal Studios Orlando and coming in at #7 on our Best Rides list, this interactive dark ride is based on the 1997 film.

It’s packed with more than 125 animatronic aliens and covers 70,000 square feet – making it the largest dark ride ever built at a Universal park when it first opened in 2000! Plan your mission and get ready to blast away some aliens.

About Men in Black: Alien Attack

Step into the MIB training facility and get ready for an out-of-this-world experience! Disguised as a 1964 New York World’s Fair pavilion, the queue, and pre-show will prepare you for what’s to come.

Hop aboard the spinning ride system and hit the darkness with your laser gun – you’ll put your skills to the test as you battle aliens and accumulate points. Despite its age, Men in Black: Alien Attraction is still one of our favorite interactive rides at Universal Studios – it’s a blast!

Fast Facts

• Ride Category: Interactive dark ride with shooting
• Theme: Men in Black
• Ride Location: World Expo at Universal Studios
• Date of Opening: April 14, 2000
• Height Requirement: 42″ / 107cm
• Duration of Ride: 4 minutes

#6: The Incredible Hulk Coaster

Ready for an action-packed, thrilling ride? Look no further than The Incredible Hulk Coaster – it comes in at #6 on our Best Universal Orlando rides list! This attraction is similar to Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit because both offer a heart-stopping combination of speed and twists and turns.

But this coaster has plenty of unique features, including its own theme, location, and track layout. Located in Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park, The Incredible Hulk Coaster pays homage to the legendary Marvel Comics superhero! Get ready for an awesome experience!

About The Incredible Hulk Coaster

Get ready for the ride of your life – The Incredible Hulk Coaster! After undergoing a major refurbishment in 2015-2016, this coaster now has an all-new storyline and queue experience. At the entrance, you’ll find a statue of Hulk lifting a vehicle over his head and General Thaddeus Ross’ wacky scientific lab.

The televisions air CGI animations of test subjects who are transformed into creatures resembling the Hulk after being exposed to gamma radiation. Once you’re strapped in, you’ll be ready for some high-speed action – with seven inversions and a 2-second 0-40 MPH acceleration plus a top speed of 67 MPH (vs. 65 MPH in Rip Ride Rockit), you’re sure to get your heart racing as you make upside-down loops along the course!

Fast Facts

• Ride Category: Launched steel roller coaster
• Theme: Marvel Comics, The Incredible Hulk
• Ride Location: Marvel Super Hero Island at Universal Islands of Adventure
• Date of Opening: May 28, 1999 (as Animation)  August 4, 2016 (as Action)
• Height Requirement: 54″ / 137cm
• Duration of Ride: 1 minute 15 seconds

#5: Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

Get ready for an enchanting adventure at Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts – our #5 best Universal Orlando rides list! This amazing attraction is themed to the Gringotts Wizarding Bank, making it the flagship of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter section.

Experience an unforgettable journey as you enter this magical world and discover why this ride is an instant classic!

About Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

Step into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and experience the magic for yourself on Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts – the crowning jewel of Diagon Alley!

Based on J.K. Rowling’s beloved novel and movie franchise, this indoor steel roller coaster is like a dark ride in a light-controlled environment, featuring motion-based 3-D projections with live-action and animation sequences that make you feel like you’re really there with Hermione, Ron, and Harry in one of their most climactic scenes.

Get ready for thrills as you board your train and travel deep into the Gringotts Bank vaults – with Voldemort, dragons, and other creatures to encounter along the way – this is one of the most exciting rides in all of Universal Orlando!

Fast Facts

• Ride Category: Dark roller coaster
• Theme: Harry Potter/Gringotts Bank
• Ride Location: Diagon Alley at Universal Studios
• Date of Opening: July 8, 2014
• Height Requirement: 42″ / 107cm
• Duration of Ride: 5 minutes

#4: Revenge of the Mummy

For the ultimate thrill-seeking experience, look no further than Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios Florida – our #4 best Universal Resort rides list! This thrilling ride combines an immersive dark ride with a launched roller coaster experience, featuring incredible special effects and animatronics to create a truly unforgettable journey.

All of the best elements of a theme park attraction come together in this ‘psychological’ ride – if you’re brave enough to take it on, you won’t be disappointed!

About Revenge of the Mummy

Experience the adrenaline rush of Revenge of the Mummy – one of Universal Studios Florida’s best rides! Not only does this ride recreate popular props from The Mummy film series, some of them being actual film props, but it also utilizes Linear Induction Motors (LIMs) to launch you from a standstill position to speeds up to 45 mph in a matter of seconds.

Prepare for thrills as you enter an eerie tomb surrounded by fluorescent lights and encounter warrior mummies emerging from all directions. Feel your heart racing as you go from room to room and speed into dark abysses – the surround sound and special effects make this ride even more intense!

Fast Facts

• Ride Category: Enclosed dark ride steel launch coaster
• Theme: The Mummy
• Ride Location: New York City section of Universal Studios
• Date of Opening: May 21, 2004
• Height Requirement: 48″ / 122cm
• Duration of Ride: 3 minutes

#3: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

Come explore the wonders of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, ranked #3 on our Best Universal Orlando rides list! This motion-based dark ride blends innovative technology with an in-depth exploration of the magical world of Harry Potter.

As you travel through Hogwarts Castle and its surroundings, recognizable locations and scenes from the series come to life – fans won’t want to miss it! Plus, this cutting-edge attraction takes the theme park experience to a whole new level – join us now for a journey like no other!

About Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

Escape to the world of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort! This area is full of extraordinary detail that truly immerses you in books and films.

The star attraction here is certainly Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – this wild ride takes you on a daring getaway through Hogwarts Castle, an encounter with Death Eaters, a high-flying Quidditch match, and more exciting moments with Harry. Plus, it showcases real innovation with its robotic ride vehicles. Whether you’re a fan or not, you don’t want to miss out on this incredible experience!

Fast Facts

• Ride Category: Dark ride
• Theme: Harry Potter/Hogwarts
• Ride Location: Hogwarts Castle at Universal Islands of Adventure
• Date of Opening: April 7, 2016
• Height Requirement: 48″ / 122cm
• Duration of Ride: 4 minutes 6 seconds

#2: Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

Embark on an unforgettable adventure with Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure! This multiple-launch steel roller coaster takes you to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park.

Open since 2019, this thrilling experience has quickly become one of the most popular rides at Universal Orlando Resort – and it comes with a hefty price tag of $300 million! Plus, it immerses riders in a world full of their favorite characters and creatures. Get ready for a magical journey like no other!

About Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

Get ready for an incredible experience with Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure! This ride has it all – thrilling elements, great storytelling, and plenty of Harry Potter-themed fun. It features a max height of 65 ft, a 17 ft drop, a 70° max vertical angle, and a 5,053 ft long coaster.

Plus its seven launches reach speeds up to 50 MPH! Plus, you won’t want to miss the unique reverse section and drop track. With exceptional animatronics and theming to match, this is one adventure that will send your heart racing – especially if you’re a fan of the magical world of Harry Potter!

Fast Facts

• Ride Category: Roller coaster
• Theme: Harry Potter/Forbidden Forest
• Ride Location: Hogsmeade area of Universal Islands of Adventure
• Date of Opening: June 13, 2019
• Height Requirement: 48″ / 122cm
• Duration of Ride: 3 minutes

#1: Jurassic World VelociCoaster

Take a thrilling ride on the Jurassic World VelociCoaster – said to be one of the best roller coasters in any Florida theme park! This steel-launched roller coaster opened on June 10, 2021, and is located in Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park.

With a height of 155 ft, a drop of 140 ft, and a length of 4,000 ft, it’s no wonder that this roller coaster has earned so many accolades since its opening. So come feel the thrill at Universal Orlando Resort!

About Jurassic World VelociCoaster

Get ready for an unforgettable experience at the VelociCoaster! Guests can enter an examination room to see two caged animatronic velociraptors, before boarding the four-train coaster and buckling up.

The first launch reaches 0 to 50 mph in two seconds while the second goes from 40 to 70 mph in 2.4 seconds. Feel the rush with airtime, laterals, near misses and four inversions – plus a max vertical angle of 80°! This ride has great theming and fantastic animatronics – sure to excite roller coaster fans and Jurassic Park enthusiasts alike. But don’t blink – the experience only lasts for 2 minutes!

Fast Facts

• Ride Category: Launched steel roller coaster
• Theme: Jurassic Park
• Ride Location: Jurassic Park area of Universal Islands of Adventure
• Date of Opening: June 10, 2021
• Height Requirement: 51″ / 130cm
• Duration of Ride: 2 minutes

My Final Thoughts on The Best Rides at Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando Resort has continuously evolved and expanded its roster of thrilling rides and immersive attractions, making it a must-visit destination for theme park enthusiasts. In this article, we’ve explored the top 10 best rides at Universal Orlando, taking you on a journey through cinematic experiences, adrenaline-pumping roller coasters, and magical adventures.

As you plan your trip to Universal Orlando, remember that the best rides are subjective and will vary depending on your interests and preferences. What might be the most thrilling ride for one person could be a little too intense for another. It’s essential to keep an open mind and be ready to explore the wide array of experiences Universal Orlando has to offer.

Whether you’re a fan of high-speed roller coasters, immersive 3D attractions, or family-friendly adventures, Universal Orlando has something for everyone. The park continues to innovate and expand, ensuring that each visit is filled with fresh excitement and unforgettable memories. Be sure to make time for these top 10 rides on your next visit and prepare to be amazed by the magic, adventure, and thrills that await you at Universal Orlando.