More than 135 million people visit the Sunshine State every single year. Surprisingly, it’s not the soft white sand beaches, manatee-filled lagoons, and tart slices of Key Lime Pie that keep the tourists coming. It’s the theme parks.
While I’m sure many visitors love to soak up the Florida sun and relax in nature, the vast majority are here to indulge in the state’s impressive theme parks, the most popular of which, is Universal Orlando. Universal Orlando is just a 30-minute drive from our quiet Element Vacation Homes Kissimmee. Our Davenport rentals are just 15 minutes farther. This means you can savor a full day of amusement in the park and then retire to the relative quiet of a small Floridian town for an evening of relaxation.
Quick Things to Know About Universal Orlando
Universal Orlando is not just one single theme park. It’s actually three. The main two are Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Both these parks have an abundance of rides spanning a variety of themes and “skill” levels. The third park, Volcano Bay, is known for its water rides and attractions and is the least-visited of the three parks.
Before you plan your visit, be sure to purchase the correct park-to-park ticket pass or multi-day entry and understand which of the three parks your tickets grant you access to. See the official website to compare your ticketing options.
But which rides are most thrilling in this expansive amusement park? Let’s look at what the vast majority of visitors to Universal Orlando find to be the most amusing rides in the park.
Best Rides for Thrill-Seekers
1. The Incredible Hulk Coaster
Photo Credit: alwayssunnyalwaysreal
- Minimum Height Requirement: 54″ (138 cm)
- Location: Marvel Super Hero Island, Universal’s Islands of Adventure
- Inversions: 7
As you can deduce from the stats above, this scream machine is the most intense of all the rides within the three parks. With seven inversions and a 67-mph starting speed, this is for the biggest thrill-seekers in the group.
2. Jurassic World VelociCoaster
- Minimum Height Requirement: 51″ (130 cm)
- Location: Jurassic Park, Universal’s Islands of Adventure
- Inversions: 4
Sky-high and screaming fast, this is a ride that coaster enthusiasts will love. What it lacks in inversions (but it does still have 4 of them), it makes up for in speed and elevation. Only for the most intrepid of park-goers.
3. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
- Minimum Height Requirement: 48″ (122 cm)
- Location: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, Universal’s Islands of Adventure
The long lines of this Harry Potter-themed coaster are well worth the wait. Here, you’ll hop on the back of Hagrid’s motorcycle for a journey through the world of HP and a thrilling roller-coaster-style ride.
4. Revenge of the Mummy
Photo Credit: Anton_Ivanov
- Minimum Height Requirement: 48″ (122 cm)
- Location: New York, Universal Studios
An indoor roller coaster that is hailed as one of the best at Universal Studios Orlando. Not to be missed.
5. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
- Minimum Height Requirement: 51″ (130 cm)
- Location: New York, Universal Studios
If you’re looking for thrills. You’ve found it. The best part is riders get to choose their soundtrack for the 65 mph coaster.
6. Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
- Minimum Height Requirement: 42″ (107 cm)
- Location: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, Universal Studios
The pinnacle of thrill rides. Harry Potter fans delight in this super realistic dark ride where you fight to escape the goblins of Gringotts Bank.
7. Doctor Doom’s Fearfall
Photo Credit: Solarisys
- Minimum Height Requirement: 52″ (132 cm)
- Location: Marvel Super Hero Island, Universal’s Islands of Adventure
This 185-foot-tall needle freefall machine reaches speeds of 40 MPH. If you have a fear of heights, this is not the ride for you.
8. Jurassic Park River Adventure Ride
- Minimum Height Requirement: 42″ (107 cm)
- Location: Jurassic Park, Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Although the ride begins as a scenic boat ride through placid waters, it quickly turns into a tumultuous water ride through rapids and ends in an 85-foot drop. Expect to get wet.
9. Skull Island Reign of Kong
- Minimum Height Requirement: 36″ (92 cm)
- Location: Skull Island: Reign of Kong, Universal’s Islands of Adventure
This dark ride is trackless and has intense visuals, which makes it unsuitable for young children.
Best Kid-Friendly Rides
10. E.T. Adventure
Photo Credit: Craig Russell
- Minimum Height Requirement: 34″ (86.36 cm)
- Location: Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone, Universal Studios
This ride first opened in the park in 1990. It’s one of the oldest and most enduring attractions. Although the animatronics are dated, they still entertain.
11. The Hogwarts Express (King’s Cross Station or Hogsmeade Station)
- Minimum Height Requirement: None
- Location: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, both parks
- Other requirements: You must have a Park-to-Park ticket to experience this ride.
This unique train ride takes you from one side of Harry Potter Land to the other. This is also how you travel between Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure which explains why you need the “park-to-park” pass to enjoy this ride.
12. The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train
- Minimum Height Requirement: 36″ (92 cm)
- Location: Seuss Landing, Universal’s Islands of Adventure
This mellow coaster takes you high above the Seuss Landing world and offers two separate track systems. This means you can enjoy the scenery twice in one day without riding the same ride two times.
13. The Cat in the Hat
Photo Credit: Jerome LABOUYRIE
- Minimum Height Requirement: 36″ (92 cm)
- Location: Seuss Landing, Universal’s Islands of Adventure
One part nostalgia, one part motion simulation, this ride is fun for everyone. It’s immersive and closely follows the storyline of the beloved Dr. Suess character.
14. Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
- Minimum Height Requirement: None
- Location: Springfield, U.S.A.: Home of The Simpsons, Universal Studios
A simple spinning ride for fans of the classic Tilt o’ Whirl or a time filler if the line is short.
15. Villain-Con Minion Blast
- Minimum Height Requirement: Under 48″ (122 cm) requires a supervising adult.
- Location: Minion Land, Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Interactive point-and-shoot game-style ride that is very similar to the Men and Black-themed ride.
16. Caro-Seuss-El
- Minimum Height Requirement: None
- Location: Seuss Landing, Universal’s Islands of Adventure
The most whimsical carousel you’ll ever ride. Rather than circus-themed animals and seats you can expect the wacky Dr. Seuss characters we all know and love from our childhood.
17. Flight of the Hippogriff
Photo Credit: VIAVAL TOURS
- Minimum Height Requirement: 36″ (92 cm)
- Location: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, Universal Studios
A short family-friendly coaster with views of the Hogwarts Castle.
18. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
- Minimum Height Requirement: None
- Location: Seuss Landing, Universal’s Islands of Adventure
This is a true kiddo ride with minimal thrill. It’s colorful, whimsical, and has some mild spinning for the kids who can’t ride some of the other attractions in the park.
19. Pteranodon Flyers
Photo Credit: VIAVAL TOURS
- Minimum Height Requirement: 36″ (92 cm)
- Location: Jurassic Park, Universal’s Islands of Adventure
A ride not for adults! In a major park plot twist, these parasailing dinosaurs are ONLY for riders with a child between the 36-56 inch height range.
20. Storm Force Accelatron
- Minimum Height Requirement: None
- Location: Marvel Super Hero Island, Universal’s Islands of Adventure
If you’re familiar with Walt Disney World and the spinning tea cups of the Mad Hatter, this is a spinoff. Pun intended.
Best Motion Simulator Rides
21. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Minimum Height Requirement: 48″ (122 cm)
- Location: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, Universal Studios
This ride straddles the line between motion simulation and thrill coaster. This ride is consistently labeled as one of the best attractions in the park overall due to the innovative technologies used in its special effects and the stunning (and super realistic) backdrop that is Hogwarts Castle.
22. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
Photo Credit: Paula Montenegro Stock
- Minimum Height Requirement: 40″ (102 cm)
- Location: Marvel Super Hero Island, Universal’s Islands of Adventure
A fully immersive indoor amusement ride that takes you into the Marvel universe.
23. MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack
- Minimum Height Requirement: 42″ (107 cm)
- Location: World Expo, Universal Studios
We all love an interactive ride. Come shoot some aliens and compete against yourself as you ride again and again.
24. Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
Photo Credit: Paula Montenegro Stock
- Minimum Height Requirement: 40″ (102 cm)
- Location: New York, Universal Studios
Want to experience New York City in Florida? This is your chance. A super high-speed 3D motion ride that the whole family will love.
25. The Simpsons Ride
- Minimum Height Requirement: 40″ (102 cm)
- Location: Springfield, U.S.A.: Home of The Simpsons, Universal Studios
This ride gets extra points for being so hilariously funny. In classic Simpsons fashion, you’ll be laughing the whole way through.
26. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
Photo Credit: Craig Russell
- Minimum Height Requirement: 40″ (102 cm)
- Location: Minion Land, Universal Studios
Right off the CityWalk, this family-friendly ride system is right next to one of the best-themed restaurants in the park.
27. Transformers: The Ride 3-D
- Minimum Height Requirement: 40″ (102 cm)
- Location: New York, Universal Studios
This is one of the best 3D projection rides in the park. Beware, this ride can give visitors a little motion sickness. But it’s unmissable if you’re a Transformers fan.
Best Water Rides
28. Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
- Minimum Height Requirement: 44″ (112 cm)
- Location: Toon Lagoon, Universal’s Islands of Adventure
A classic log-flume-style ride with bright colors and cartoony features that make it a fun water ride for the whole family! But as with all the other water rides on this list, be sure to plan to get very wet.
29. Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
Photo Credit: Mia2you
- Minimum Height Requirement: 42″ (107 cm)
- Location: Toon Lagoon, Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Another wet and wild ride. While it’s not a thrill-seeker ride, it is the wettest ride in the park. Here, you can help Popeye rescue sweet Olive Oyl from Bluto in this oldie-but-goodie-themed ride.
30. Krakatau Aqua Coaster
- Minimum Height Requirement: 42 inches to ride at all, 49 inches to ride alone
- Location: Volcano Bay
Ditch the rafts and the body slides, and check out this real-life water roller coaster. You’ll climb aboard a canoe-shaped cart and twist and turn through the watery tunnels into a volcano.
31. Ko’okiri Body Plunge
- Minimum Height Requirement: 48″ (122 cm)
- Location: Volcano Bay
Go shooting down this 145-foot slide coffin style at nearly a 75-degree angle. This is a high-speed wedgie-inducing tube slide for the bravest and most daring among you.
32. Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides
Photo Credit: VIAVAL TOURS
- Minimum Height Requirement: 42 inches to ride at all, 49 inches to ride alone
- Location: Volcano Bay
A 6-person waterslide ride that careens through twisting colorful tubes. The least intense of the water rides in Volcano Bay on this list.
Stay With Us On Your Next Theme Park Adventure!
The best way to enjoy these rides and attractions to their fullest is to get a good night’s sleep. The only way to ensure that is to ditch the crowded and overpriced Universal Orlando Resort and instead stay at one of our carefully curated vacation rentals in Kissimmee and Davenport, Florida, within easy reach but beyond the chaos of the parks themselves.
Here, you can choose between a plethora of parks, such as Universal Orlando (coming soon: Epic Universe), Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and several water parks.
Book your Element Vacation Home stay today!
