Universal Orlando’s best rides, ranked

Heading to Universal Orlando and want to make sure you ride all the park’s best rides? You might need a little help because Universal is actually three parks: Universal Studios Florida™, Universal’s Islands of Adventure™ and Universal’s Volcano Bay™, the brand new waterpark, but don’t worry—we’re here to help.

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We suggest spending a day in each park in order to get all of the best rides in. There are several different park passes that will let you explore the parks how you want. To help you get the most out of your next visit to Universal Orlando, we’ve put together a list of the top 7 can’t-miss rides.

Universal Orlando Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit | Photo GettingStamped.com

1. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit™ at Universal Studios Florida

To get your adrenaline pumping for a day in the park, head straight to Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit™. As you climb straight up with music blaring, be prepared for crazy drops and speeds reaching 65 mph. All this while you rock out to some jams built right into the seats.

The Incredible Hulk Coaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure | Photo Courtesy of Universal Orlando

2. The Incredible Hulk Coaster® at Islands of Adventure

Roller coaster lovers will fall for The Incredible Hulk Coaster®. It’s like no other ride at Universal Orlando. Hang upside down into a zero-gravity roll and race down the track at speeds up to 67 mph. Feel like Superman as you fly through the sky.

3.  Jurassic Park River Adventure™ at Islands of Adventure

Jump on a raft and begin your journey watching a baby stegosaurus and out of nowhere you get off track and are in a restricted area of Jurassic Park. This is where things start to get interesting! This is where the “dangerous” dinosaurs are kept and you have to make it out alive after an 85-foot drop in your water raft! Just beware: You will get wet on this ride, but there are human dryer machines that can have you dried off within minutes for a small fee.

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Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts – Photo GettingStamped.com

4.  Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™ at Universal Studios Florida

Head to Diagon Alley™ and enter Gringotts™ bank, which is right under the fire-breathing dragon (you can’t miss this). Journey deep underground into the vaults of the bank while waiting for your turn to ride. Climb aboard for a Harry Potter inspired 3D motion simulator ride through the underbelly of Gringotts™ bank.

Volcano Bay Rendering | Photo courtesy of Universal Studios

5. Ko’okiri Body Plunge™ at Volcano Bay

Fall through a trap door 125 feet down a volcano at a 70-degree angle; there is no better way to get your heart pumping at Universal Orlando. We suggest hitting Ko’okiri Body Plunge™first when visiting Volcano Bay. Check out the complete list of the best rides at Volcano Bay.

6. Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon™ at Universal Studios Florida

The fun starts before you even get on the ride at Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon™. There are no big lines for this ride—there are no lines at all, actually. Grab a colored card on the way in and when your color is called, it’s time to ride. While you’re waiting, Hashtag the Panda and the Ragtime Gals keep you entertained. Jump in the car and literally race Jimmy Fallon through New York City. Hold on tight because this 3D motion simulator will have you on the edge of your seat. 

7. E.T. Adventure™ at Universal Studios Florida

If you grew up in the 80s, E.T. Adventure™ is a must. It may not have the big drops and uber advanced motion simulators, but this ride is a classic! Ride a flying bike through the sky, with E.T. in the basket of course. Along the way, watch out for the bad guys and get E.T. back to his home safely.

Get more rides in!

Consider staying at one of four hotels on site. Several have rates that include express passes and even get you into the park an hour before it opens to the public.

If your trip to Universal Orlando is in the spring or after, make sure to head on over to the newest ride at Universal, Fast & Furious—Supercharged, which is scheduled to open in spring on 2018. 

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Tagged: Florida, Orlando