Ready to dive into the most exciting attractions Universal Studios Orlando has to offer? Great—because I can’t wait to walk you through some of my absolute favorite rides at Universal Studios Orlando!
You’re in for an incredible time. Universal really knows how to bring movies and adventures to life.
Universal Orlando Resort is made up of four parks: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay and Epic Universe.
In this post, we’re zeroing in on Universal Studios Orlando and highlighting the top 10 rides you won’t want to miss.
Before we jump into the rankings, I’ll share a few helpful tips to make the most of your visit. Then I’ll break down each attraction on the list and offer insights from my own experiences. I’ll also include a full ride lineup at the end so you can plan your day with ease.
Of course, choosing the “best” rides is totally subjective, but my goal is to give you enough info so you can pick the ones that match your style and thrill level.
Let’s get started and countdown the top 10 rides at Universal Studios Orlando!
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Best Rides at Universal Studios Tips
Before we jump into the top rides, let’s go over a few helpful tips to make planning your Universal Studios trip a little easier. As you map out your visit, take some time to compare ticket types, Express Pass options, and overall costs so you can choose what fits your plans best.
How Many Days Do You Need at Universal Studios Orlando?
If your goal is to experience every attraction at Universal Studios Florida, you’ll want to set aside a full day for that park alone. However, since Islands of Adventure also has some of Universal’s most popular rides, a multi-day ticket is ideal. Trying to conquer both parks in a single day usually means you’ll miss out on a lot.
Is a Park-to-Park Ticket Worth It?
A park-to-park ticket is essential if you want to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in both parks and ride the Hogwarts Express. For Harry Potter fans, it’s a magical experience and definitely worth considering.
If you’ve already ridden the Hogwarts Express on a past visit, sticking with a one-park-per-day ticket can work perfectly fine.
Our Experience
On our first visit to Universal, we opted for a park-to-park ticket specifically so we could ride the Hogwarts Express—and we were thrilled we did. The downside? We simply didn’t have enough time to fully explore both parks in a single day.
On another trip, we chose a 4-day ticket with one park per day, and it made a huge difference. Having an entire day devoted to each park allowed us to hit every ride on our list without rushing.
Should You Add an Express Pass?
Some on-site Universal hotels include Express Passes along with early park entry, making them a fantastic value if you’re planning to maximize your time.
If you decide to purchase an Express Pass separately, it’s smart to buy it at the same time as your tickets. Prices tend to increase as your travel date approaches. Checking a crowd calendar beforehand can also help you decide whether it’s worth the extra cost.
When Is an Express Pass a Good Idea?
An Express Pass can be a huge time-saver if you only have one day to explore Universal Studios. It helps you squeeze in all the top attractions without spending most of your day in lines.
It’s also highly recommended during peak seasons—especially major holidays—when the parks are at their busiest.
Rider Switch
If you’re visiting Universal Studios with little ones who don’t meet the height requirements, take advantage of the Rider Switch program. Everyone waits in line together, and when it’s time to ride, one adult stays with the child while the other rides. Then you swap without having to wait in line all over again. If you have older kids with you, they often get the bonus of riding twice!
Pro Tip for Universal Studios Orlando
One of the best things about Universal is that younger kids can join in on most of the attractions. Aside from a few height-restricted rides, like Revenge of the Mummy, nearly everything is accessible to families. It’s a huge plus when you’re traveling with small children who want to be part of all the fun.
1. The Mummy
Height Requirement: 48″
How to Ride
Revenge of the Mummy now uses a virtual queue system on busy days, so you’ll need the Universal Orlando app to reserve your return time. On busy days, these spots can book up quickly, so it’s smart to grab a time slot early.
Additional windows for new reservations often pop up during the day—typically around 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.—so keep an eye on the app if you miss the first round.
Lockers
All loose items must be stored in a locker before you ride.
The Ride
The first time I experienced this coaster, I walked off absolutely raving about it—I even declared it one of my favorite rides in the whole park. After riding it a few more times, I still love the theme and the thrills, though I do wish it lasted a bit longer.
Even so, it’s absolutely worth doing. Revenge of the Mummy is one of those iconic Universal Studios attractions you don’t want to skip!
2. Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
Height Requirement: 42″
This attraction can be found inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Lockers
You’ll find complimentary lockers nearby for storing your belongings. They’re located just to the right of the entrance, outside of Diagon Alley.
The Queue
The queue for this ride is incredible. You’ll make your way through the famous wizarding bank, complete with lifelike goblins hard at work. The level of detail is so impressive that it truly feels like stepping into the films.
As you move deeper inside, it’s easy to imagine yourself tagging along with Harry, Ron, and Hermione—hidden under the Invisibility Cloak and preparing to search for a Horcrux. The immersive theming in this part of the park is absolutely unmatched.
The Ride
The ride itself is a blast! It closely follows the storyline from the movie, making you feel like you’re right in the middle of the action. And of course, one of the coolest features is the massive fire-breathing dragon perched on top of the building outside.
If motion sickness is a concern, this one is much gentler than the attraction inside Hogwarts Castle.
For Harry Potter fans, it’s easily one of the top rides at Universal Studios Orlando!
3. Minion Mayhem
Height Requirement: 40″
The Ride
Despicable Me is a 3D motion-simulator experience, and it’s absolutely adorable. If you love the Minions, this is one attraction you’ll definitely want to fit into your day. You’ll watch an animated film while your seats move along with the action, making it feel playful and immersive.
It’s one of the best Universal Studios Orlando rides for younger children—fun, gentle, and not the least bit frightening. If you’re visiting with little ones, this is a great addition to your must-do list!
4. Jimmy Fallon – Race Through New York
Height Requirement: 40″
How to Ride
This attraction also uses a virtual queue system during busy times, so you’ll need to reserve a return time through the Universal Orlando app if your app shows the needt to.
When your time slot arrives, you’ll receive a colored card that tells you which group you’re in. Guests wait in the lobby—complete with plenty of Jimmy Fallon entertainment—until their color is called.
The Ride
This 3D adventure takes you zipping through the streets of New York and even soaring all the way to the Moon. It’s a fun, lighthearted experience, and we enjoyed it a lot. In fact, our five-year-old declared it the best ride at Universal Studios!
5. Transformers The Ride 3D
Height Requirement: 40″
The Ride
I’m a big fan of this virtual simulator! It’s definitely on the intense side, with lots of sharp movements and action-packed moments. It ended up being a little overwhelming for my five-year-old—he found it a bit scary—but it’s an awesome fit for older kids, teens, and adults who enjoy thrill-heavy attractions.
The storyline is engaging, and the combination of special effects and motion simulation makes you feel like you’re part of the adventure from start to finish. Among all the rides at Universal, this one stands out as a seriously fun experience.
It’s a popular favorite for a reason—many consider it one of the best rides at Universal Studios, and it’s high on my list too!
6. Villian Con Minnion Blast
Height Requirement: None
The Ride
This is the newest addition to Universal Studios Orlando Resort, and it feels like a blend of laser tag and Disney’s Toy Story Mania.
Guests are handed a blaster and take on the role of a villain as they move through seven different themed rooms on a continuously moving walkway. You’ll be on your feet the whole time, aiming and firing as you go.
It’s a fun, family-friendly attraction and a great option for younger kids as well.
7. Men In Black
Height Requirement: 42″
The Line
The queue for this attraction is pretty entertaining. There are animated elements and interactive features that help pass the time, and we enjoyed watching everything as we moved along.
The Ride
This one is a blast—literally! It’s an alien-themed shooting game, and my kids couldn’t get enough of it. We ended up riding multiple times because they loved it so much.
Fun tip: sitting in the back seemed to give me an advantage when it came to scoring points!
It really is one of the standout attractions at Universal Studios Orlando.
8. The Bourne Stuntacular
Height Requirement: None
The Show
The Bourne Stuntacular is a live-action show that debuted in June 2020. It is amazing!
This high-energy show follows the adventures of Jason Bourne, the iconic spy. It features live performers, impressive stunts, and state-of-the-art effects. The performance runs about 26 minutes and is scheduled hourly throughout the day.
Ready To Ride The Top Rides at Universal Studios Orlando?
Which ride at Universal Studios is your absolute favorite? Share your top pick in the comments!
Hopefully, this complete guide helps you know what the best rides at Universal Studios in Orlando are!
We love visiting and enjoy all it has to offer.
Universal Studios Top Rides
- Gringotts
- Mummy
- Transformers
These rides will have the longest waits, and you will want to hit them right in the morning!
Have so much fun!
