This post is all about Universal Orlando Rides that you should go on.
Are you wanting to take a trip to a theme park? I have a really good suggestion for you. You need to go to Universal Orlando. It is one of the most fun places in the US. (People would argue about nature activities or Disney World but that’s not what this post is about.)
I have been to Universal Orlando enough times to be able to decide which rides I do and don’t like. For this post, I’m gonna share which Universal Orlando rides I think you should check out.
I will not be ranking any of these rides because to me, they are all 10/10.
I was originally going to separate the rides into categories of which park they belong in, but I decided to separate them by their intensity. (Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Theme Park will not be reviewed.)
The categories are small, medium, big, and extra big. (We all only care about its intensity anyway.) Within each description, I’ll include which park the ride belongs to just so you have that information too.
I also want to add that I did a really horrible job at remembering to take pictures in front of all the rides I went on. So, the next time I go back, I plan on taking more photos and adding those into the blog post.
Here are 13 amazing rides that I highly recommend and why.
This post is all about Universal Orlando rides that you should go on.
Disclaimer
I am not affiliated with Universal Orlando in any way. I have just been there enough to make a list of my favorite rides and why I think you should go on them. Just to let you know, I am not entirely knowledgeable about these rides. I only speak about my experience and what I can remember from when I did ride them. There is a high chance that I won’t give an accurate description of what these rides are although I try my best to be as accurate as possible. There are only so many details this tiny brain of mine can remember.
Everything in this blog post should be used for informational purposes only. I will not be held responsible if you decide to go on this ride and it does not suit your interests or you get sick from different descriptions. These are just my opinions.
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Let’s begin.
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The Best Universal Orlando Rides You Should Go On
Small Rides
E.T. (Universal Studios)
E.T. is a really great ride to go on after lunch. It is very slow-paced and relaxing.
You don’t want to go on an intense ride right after eating. You’ll be setting yourself up for disaster.
The line moves relatively fast too. At least all the times that I have gone on it. We only needed to wait 20 minutes to go on the ride at most.
The area that you wait in line in is also relaxing and cozy. This cozy part is for when you get closer to the actual ride though.
I have never seen the E.T. movie before (I will eventually.) so when I go on this ride, I just enjoy and appreciate the visuals. And the fact that the ride is you being on a bike and “floating” in the air is so fun.
My favorite part of the ride is when you slowly move over the city at night. It’s so cool.
It’s actually just a bunch of tiny boxes with lights on them to represent buildings but it really does feel like you’re flying in the sky over the city.
When I go on this ride with my boyfriend, it feels romantic in a way. It’s probably just me.
Pretty much, if you want a relaxing slow-paced ride, I recommend E.T.
Men In Black Alien Attack (Universal Studios)
This is a fun ride for kids and adults alike.
You’re just shooting aliens and collecting points from the number of aliens you shoot and how big those aliens are.
If you shoot the big boss alien, I’m pretty sure you get 100,000 points (because I did that once and surpassed all my friends despite me having the lowest score originally.)
This is another fun indoor, relaxing ride. There should be no reason to worry about this ride and it can easily be a no-brainer ride. so take advantage of that time to rest (or have a different kind of fun!)
I guess I wouldn’t give this ride a 10/10 because I am okay if I don’t end up on this ride.
I definitely use this ride for a little bit of competition and to settle my stomach when I don’t feel good.
This would still be a 9/10 ride though at least. It’s simple, yet so fun.
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem (Universal Studios)
Minion Mayhem is about you becoming a minion to help Margo, Edith, and Agnes give Gru his anniversary gift for the anniversary of the girls’ adoption.
This ride is just you in front of a projection screen but it really feels like you’re part of the story.
The animation is a little funny though. When you see the girls’ faces, you’ll know what I mean. They do not look entirely like themselves.
This ride made the list mainly because of how cute and sweet it is.
I love the familial feeling you get when Agnes is finally able to give Gru the gift that she spent the entire ride doing. You can also sense the warmth and happiness on Gru’s face from the gift.
If you want a cute little ride, this one’s for you. If you loved the Despicable Me movies and love the minions and girls, this ride is definitely for you!
Medium Rides
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (Islands of Adventures)
The Forbidden Journey is a Harry Potter ride that kind of keeps you elevated off the ground and puts you in front of a projection screen.
The ride moves you sideways, upwards, forwards, and backward to follow along with the story on the screen. (aka a motion sickness ride, but aren’t they all?)
I really like this ride because of how being put in front of the screen makes you feel like you are part of the events that happen in the Harry Potter movies.
The ride projects the characters from the film (Harry, Hermione, Ron, etc).
Hermione is pretty much trying to make sure you stay safe by helping you and telling you “what to do.”
Harry and Ron are guiding you to safety so you just “follow them.”
I say these in quotations because that’s what the ride is telling you to do while also forcing you to do it anyway because you’re on the ride.
I don’t know if anything I just said makes sense.
Maybe when you ride the ride you’ll get a different impression of what the ride might be but this is what I saw and what I remember from when I went on it.
I highly recommend this ride because it is very adventurous. I also love the greenery that you see while you’re waiting in line.
The physical floating dementor figures are my favorite part because they are scary yet so cool to look at.
Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts (Universal Studios)
Lol, I don’t remember what happened on this ride.
I didn’t go on it the last time I went to Universal Orlando. But I do remember I really liked it. I am also guessing it’s a medium-level ride. (I guess you’ll just have to find out for yourself.)
I’m pretty sure this ride is when you’re riding with the Harry Potter gang on the dragon that broke out of the bank in Harry Potter: The Deathly Hallows Part 2.
Which would make sense because this ride takes place in Gringotts bank.
The one thing that I remember for sure that happens is that when you’re waiting in line, there is a section where you are actually waiting in the bank.
You’ll also see the sidelines of employee goblins holding their quills and working in the bank too. It’s so cool. (They move too!!)
Just go on this ride at least once because just waiting in line alone already makes you feel like you’re in the movie.
Jurassic Park River Adventure (Islands of Adventures)
This ride made this list because of the big drop towards the end where you get super soaked depending on where you are sitting.
From my experience, my hair is normally damp from the mist and the splashes, and my thighs are soaked.
I might’ve been wetter, I don’t entirely remember.
You should definitely go on this water ride for some thrill and to cool down in the summer.
You can also fit a family of 4-5 in one row which is really nice for people trying to ride as a family.
Dudley’s Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls (Islands of Adventures)
If you want to get even more soaked than the Jurassic Park River Adventure, then you need to sit at the very front of this ride.
You are just riding along a river in a log-shaped capsule while also getting wet with almost every turn that you take.
There is also a drop where you will definitely splash into.
It is pretty much inevitable to not get wet on this ride.
The last time I went on this ride, I was soaked because I was the one that had to sit in the front (the two boys I was with were too chicken to take the loss.)
When you go on this ride, you’re going to have all of your belongings with you though so make sure you have a way to protect your bag from getting wet. This was the ride that our backpack suffered from the most.
Pack some Ziploc bags or trash bags if you want to take it that far in protection. Or you can wear a poncho and tuck your backpack in your poncho.
You may also like: 10 Best Essentials For A Theme Park Backpack
Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges (Islands of Adventures)
This water ride is probably my favorite water ride at Universal Orlando.
On this ride, you are in a circular raft and are guaranteed to get wet.
It doesn’t matter where you sit because the movement of the raft is unpredictable.
Although, there is most definitely going to be one person that gets the most soaked out of everyone in the raft.
Luckily, on this ride, your belongings are pretty safe. There’s a cubby with a thick plastic cover in the center of the raft. So while you’re getting all soaked, your backpack will be dry, if not a little wet from droplets or splashes.
I HIGHLY suggest going on this ride with a group of friends.
When I went on it last, it was only me and 2 other people, but because of the COVID restriction and the lack of people wanting to go on the ride, the three of us were able to get a raft all to ourselves. It was AWESOME.
(Be aware that you may not get the same personal raft luxury as I did when you go on this ride.)
My boyfriend ended up getting the most soaked out of the three of us. It was so funny.
This ride is even better if it’s a really hot and sunny day. You’ll be cooled down almost instantly. (You’ll still take a while to dry off though.)
Big Rides
The Mummy (Universal Studios)
This ride has the reputation for being intense.
When I first heard of it, I was more scared of it than anything. I thought this ride was going to be a roller coaster that was dark and jump scares. Almost like a haunted house.
Obviously, I was wrong because it is just like any other intense ride. I got the dark part right, but the ride is just really fast-paced, with some drops and little to no light.
Honestly, I am having a really hard time describing this ride. It’s just a really intense ride. I don’t know what else to say about it.
The only complaint I have about this ride is that it wasn’t long enough. Every time the ride is over, I almost always say “What? I thought there was more”.
This ride is all indoors too so I appreciate the AC while waiting in line.
Almost every time I go on this ride, it’s raining by the time I get out of it.
It’s even more unfortunate that the exit of the ride is on the opposite side of where the lockers are.
So, I had to run outside and in the rain to get back to the lockers.
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Ride (Islands of Adventures)
I have only gone on this ride twice so far. Let me just say that this ride is SPECTACULAR (because I already used the word awesome.)
The best parts of the entire ride (in my opinion) are when you can see on the roller coaster tracks when you’re about to accelerate.
This ride is very fast-paced with lots of twists and turns. I only categorized this ride as a big ride instead of an extra big ride because the height does not compare to Velocicoaster or Rip Ride Rockit. It’s just speedy.
The only security you have to the ride is a bar over your lap so this ride will most definitely make you feel like you’re going to fall off at any moment.
This ride is a two-person ride where one gets to be on the motorbike and the other gets to be in the sidecar.
I personally think the motorbike gives the best view because you are higher up and there are fewer roller coaster materials in your view.
This ride is outdoors so you’ll get to focus on nature around you and the coaster tracks.
Extra Big Rides
Rip Ride Rockit (Universal Studios)
This rollercoaster was the first big roller coaster I had ever gone on. So in a way, it holds a special place in my heart.
On this ride, you get to choose which song plays during your ride and I chose “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor for my first time (Lol. I was terrified!)
This ride is all outdoors so try not to go on a day that it rains because they will shut the ride down. (Luckily, I went on it right before the rain started.)
At the very beginning of the ride, you are going up at a perfect vertical angle until you are dropped down and zooming through the coaster with loops and swift turns. I had my eyes closed the whole time.
This was a really big moment for me though because now I am no longer scared to go on big rides.
I have only gone on this ride twice so far.
That first time I went on it, I felt absolutely sick to my stomach. But it was only because it was the first ride of the day and I only had Nutella and pretzels for breakfast.
The second time I went on the ride, I played “Pump It Harder” by the Black Eyed Peas because it reminds me of the movie “Flushed Away” with the slugs (Yeah, I don’t know why. It just does.)
That second time on the Rip Ride Rockit was super fun. I opened my eyes the entire time this time around and it was exhilarating.
The Hulk (Islands of Adventures)
I have only been on this ride once and I will admit that I had my eyes closed the entire time for this one too.
BUT the good news is, I didn’t get sick on this one like I did the Rip Ride Rockit ride.
I’m pretty sure it’s mainly because I had a decent meal before going on The Hulk Ride.
I definitely plan to go on this ride again with my eyes OPEN.
This ride felt very exhilarating too because of how fast it felt. I also just screamed when other people screamed because that meant there was a big turn or dip or something.
This ride is outdoors too (which you should already assume by now since it is considered an EXTRA BIG ride in my books.)
It’s big. It’s green. And I was lucky to only have to stand in line for about 17 minutes.
Apparently, that ride is really popular and I don’t blame them. This ride is the kind of ride that gets applause afterward.
Jurassic World VelociCoaster (Islands Of Adventures)
I had to save the best for last.
The Velocicoaster is literally the BEST roller coaster at Universal Orlando.
It’s the best roller coaster because I said it’s the best roller coaster. (Don’t argue. Just trust me.)
VelociCoaster is the newest addition to the parks and you absolutely must go on this one at least once.
This ride is located in the Islands of Adventures (which isn’t a surprise) and is located towards the back of the park.
The entrance is really easy to miss. I almost walked past it myself but luckily my boyfriend recognized the entrance instantly.
Going on this ride on a beautiful blue day is the best too. There is a portion of the ride where you are literally over the water (Or at least it looked like we were over the water from where I was sitting) and it was absolutely breathtaking.
The music that plays during the ride is PERFECT.
There is also a portion of the ride where you can see the people that are waiting in line (If the line extends that long.)
The first time I went on this ride, we were in the line that was long enough to see the people on the roller coaster zoom by us.
I would give this ride a solid 12/10. It is that good. If you can handle the big coasters, this is a really good extra big coaster. Go on it!
Ending Note
I really hope that when you go to Universal Orlando, you check out these 13 rides. I think the rides that I listed are the best. Others may think otherwise, but this is my blog post so they can deal with it.
Also, if you plan to go on these rides, make sure you double-check which park you are visiting and which rides are in that park. You don’t want to get into one of the parks and realize the ride you want to go on is in the other park. (I met someone who had that happen to them.)
Don’t forget to take lots of pictures while you’re at Universal Orlando because you don’t want to have regrets as I do!!!
I hope you enjoyed reading about my impressions of these Universal Orlando rides. If you want to go deeper and do more research on your own about the Universal Orlando rides, you can visit their official website.
Let me know which rides you want to try, have already been on, and what you thought of them! Have a good day!
This post is all about Universal Orlando Rides that you should go on.
Island Traveler says
Universal Studious is so much fun. Thanks for sharing the exciting adventures. I love the Mummy Ride. The last universal I’d been was in LA. I hope to revisit Orlando again , so much great stuff to do there. So many great memories. Thanks.
Lily-Anne says
I’ve never been to the one in LA before but that will definitely be added to my list! I got to universal very often.
Manish Ambaliya says
Amazing! I know nothing about traveling all over the country, what a wonderful looking place to explore.
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Lily-Anne says
You should definitely visit Universal Orlando Resort! It’s such a fun place to be.