Your guide to all the rides at Universal Studios Orlando {updated for 2024}
Our family loves a theme park, so Orlando is one of our favorite cities to visit! And although we have a big place in our heart for that “other” magic place, we truly love Universal Studios Orlando (recently renamed Universal Studios Florida).
Why do we love Universal so much? Well, lots of reasons! But here’s a few:
- Annual passes are very affordable and worth buying if you plan to visit the parks for more than just a couple of days. We tend to visit Florida on a fairly regular basis, so we’ve gotten a lot of use out of our passes.
- Big roller coasters!
- Delicious food.
- Two words: Harry Potter.
But today’s post is all about the rides at Universal Studios Florida. What will you find there? Which rides can little ones go on? What rides might be too intense for some? What do we think are the best Universal rides?
Read on for our Universal Studios rides list, and start making your game plan for your next visit!
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Universal Studios Rides
Universal Studios Florida is packed with fantastic rides for visitors of all ages. Fast, slow, funny, scary, and everything in between. But if you’ve never been, or you just want to remember what’s there, here’s your guide to all of the rides at Universal Studios Florida!
I’ve grouped the rides by section, starting near the front of the park in Minion Land (formerly Production Central), heading straight back into New York, going clockwise around the lake, and finishing up in Hollywood (which actually has no rides, but be sure to catch both the Horror Make-up Show and the Bourne Stuntacular).
Let’s get our ride on!
Minion Land
Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast
Height requirement: No height requirement, but a supervising companion is required for children under 48” and hand-held infants are not allowed. Young children who can’t handle the large blaster will be given a child-size version (which does not actually interact with the ride).
Thrill factor: 2/5
Villain-Con (read our full review here) is a unique attraction that opened in August 2023 at Universal Studios Florida. The premise is that the premier conference for villains, henchmen, and general baddies has come to Universal, and the infamous Vicious 6 are looking for a new member of their villainous ensemble.
After walking through a queue designed to look like the Villain-Con trade floor, you’ll grab an E-Liminator X and board a moving walkway. Standing on an assigned spot, you’ll be transported past several giant screens where a whole lot is going down. It’s your job to shoot things, score points, and generally cause destruction.
With an interactive app that enables you to unlock new missions and upgrades, you’ll want to reride Villain-Con again and again to beat your high score, complete missions, and find the elusive collectibles.
This ride is perfect if: You have a competitive spirit and would enjoy the extra gameplay offered in the app experience. Or you’re evil.
Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem
Height requirement: 40″
Thrill factor: 2/5
If you’ve ever wanted to become a Minion, this ride is for you! On the screens throughout the queue line, you learn that Gru is hiring people to get turned into Minions, and “Minion Quizzes” are given to test your “Minion IQ.”
This helps to keep you entertained while you wait — which could be a while. Minion Mayhem usually has one of the longest wait times in this park, and on busy days you could be facing a 2–3 hour wait.
During the ride, you get trained by Gru’s adopted daughters on how to be a Minion, which goes a bit wrong when Agnes, the youngest, needs to save Gru’s anniversary present, celebrating their adoption day.
The ride vehicles sit 8 people total, 4 in front and 4 in back, and the auditorium of ride vehicles all face one screen. The vehicles are simulators which rock from side to side and make you feel like you are moving forward and back, while staying in one place. There are also stationary seats for those who would prefer to experience the ride without movement.
This ride is perfect if: You like the Despicable Me movies, enjoy a medium thrill, and want to laugh AND cry (happy tears).
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New York
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
Height requirement: 51″–79″
Thrill factor: 5/5
One of the tallest rides in Universal, towering over the park at 167 feet tall, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is a major roller coaster that goes 65 miles per hour and takes you through multiple inversions.
Probably the most harrowing part of the ride is the beginning — it takes you up toward the sky at a 90-degree angle before dropping you into a series of drops, loops, twists, and turns.
To add to the fun, you can choose from a wide variety of music to listen to while you speed through the ride. This is one that is fun to go on multiple times, because you can choose different music, giving you a unique experience every time.
This ride is perfect if: You like serious thrill rides and want to rock out while you ride!
Transformers: The Ride 3D
Height requirement: 40″
Thrill factor: 3/5
Transformers: The Ride is an indoor experience that utilizes 3-D screens to put you right into the story. You ride along with Evac as he works with Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and the other autobots to get the Allspark out of the city and away from Megatron and the decepticons.
The ride vehicle drives along a track as it bumps, shakes, tilts, and turns, while 3-D imagery makes everything seem even more real and intense. As far as motion simulators go, this is probably our favorite!
This ride is perfect if: You’ve always wanted to be a Transformer or you have little ones who enjoy a medium thrill.
Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
Height requirement: 40″
Thrill factor: 2/5
Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon is a 3-D simulation ride that takes you through the streets of New York City (as well as some other unexpected places), as you race Jimmy Fallon in his Tonight Rider.
Like Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem, you are seated in a large room with a big screen at the front. The seats move as you look at the screen, making the whole experience seem very real.
But I think the best part of the attraction is the queue! There are fun interactive games to play and hilarious clips from the Tonight Show to entertain you while you wait your turn.
This ride is perfect if: You are a fan of the Tonight Show and/or simulation rides.
Revenge of the Mummy
Height requirement: 48″
Thrill factor: 4/5
Universal has a lot of 3D and simulation-style rides, so Revenge of the Mummy is a nice treat because it’s a true, indoor roller coaster! The queue line starts off on the set of The Mummy movie, where you hear that news of a curse has been going around. You soon find out that the curse is real, and the spirit of Imhotep is here to take your souls.
The scary elements can be a bit intense — this ride was too much for our 7-year-old who otherwise enjoys roller coasters. The ride goes backward, as well as forward, and incorporates a launch and a false ending. Ghostly swoosh!
This ride is perfect if: You like high-speed, story-driven, indoor coasters.
San Francisco
Fast and Furious – Supercharged
Height requirement: 40″
Thrill factor: 3/5
Fast and Furious – Supercharged takes you on a ride based on the Fast and Furious movies. With screens on both sides of the ride vehicle (party bus!), it makes it seem like you’re really there with all of the characters you know. And of course, it wouldn’t be Fast and Furious without cool cars and big explosions.
This ride is perfect if: You like the Fast and Furious movies, enjoy a medium thrill, and love rocking out on a party bus!
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley
Hogwarts Express – King’s Cross Station
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 1/5
Universal Studios came up with an innovative way to get guests from one park to another: let them ride the Hogwarts Express! This takes what could have been a boring tram ride and makes it into an immersive Harry Potter experience. You’ll need to have a park-to-park pass that allows you admission into Universal’s Islands of Adventure, because that’s your final destination.
The Hogwarts Express looks exactly like the famous train from the books and movies, and you can see magical scenes out your “window” as you travel (be sure to watch the window AND the compartment doors), taking you to the Hogsmeade area in Islands of Adventure. Sure beats walking!
Be sure to take the train both ways, because the experience is different depending on your direction!
This ride is perfect if: You’re heading to Islands of Adventure or you love Harry Potter!
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
Height requirement: 42″
Thrill factor: 4/5
Located in the heart of Diagon Alley, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts is one of the newest and most exciting rides the park has to offer.
Gringotts is an indoor roller coaster that stops several times to treat you to some fantastic 3D scenes. You’ll encounter goblins, a dragon, and come face-to-face with Voldemort himself!
Take some time to enjoy the ride queue — the bank interior is particularly immersive, making you feel like you’re really in the movie!
We’d categorize this ride as a medium thrill — our kids enjoyed it as soon as they were tall enough to ride, and my mom (who is very prone to motion sickness) rides without an issue!
This ride is perfect if: You love roller coasters or you’re a Harry Potter fan!
World Expo
Men in Black Alien Attack!
Height requirement: 42″
Thrill factor: 2/5
On Men In Black Alien Attack, you become new recruits to the Men In Black alien-fighting agency, with a test of your skills that turns into a real alien emergency!
Everyone piles into a ride vehicle with individual seats (3 in front and 3 in back) equipped with a laser blaster. As you ride through the city streets, you blast aliens at every turn! The ride keeps track of your score so you can see who is the best defender of the planet.
Pro tip: Near the end of the ride, press the red button when instructed for an extra 100,000 points! Then get ready to spin!
This ride is perfect if: You like interactive rides and have a competitive spirit!
Springfield, U.S.A.: Home of the Simpsons
The Simpsons Ride
Height requirement: 40″
Thrill factor: 2/5
If you’re a fan of The Simpsons, you’ll love the Springfield area of the park, which is perfectly themed to make you feel like you’re in the cartoon!
Head to the huge Krusty the Clown head to ride The Simpsons Ride. You’ll enter a simulator vehicle and follow along as Homer, Marge, Bart, and Lisa are forced by Sideshow Bob to ride an unfinished roller coaster. What happened to Maggie? She’s just hanging out with Grandpa…right?
This ride is perfect if: You love The Simpsons and want to feel like you’re part of the show!
Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 1/5
The other ride in Springfield is the Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl. These friendly aliens won’t try to eat you…or will they? The Twirl ‘n’ Hurl is a “Dumbo”-style ride where you can control your spaceship up or down as you ride in a circle.
Despite the name, this is a pretty tame ride, great for little ones.
This ride is perfect if: You or your family members prefer a calmer ride.
Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone
In January 2023, most of Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone was permanently closed. This includes Fievel’s Playland, Curious George Goes to Town, DreamWorks Destination, Shrek and Donkey’s Meet & Greet, and Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster.
In 2024, this area of the park has yet to be renamed. You can still ride E.T. Adventure, shop in SpongeBob StorePants, eat at KidZone Pizza Company, and watch Animal Actors on Location!
E.T. Adventure
Height requirement: 34″
Thrill factor: 1/5
E.T. Adventure is the only current ride at Universal that was there when the park opened back in 1990! This dark ride puts you on a bike, “pedaling” through the forest to save E.T. from government agents, before flying over the city and eventually bringing E.T. to his home planet.
The ride vehicle is suspended from above, which makes the flying feel real! This is a relaxed ride with music you might recognize from the movie. The queue line features behind-the-scenes clips and interviews with the movie’s cast and crew, before sending you into the forest to board your bike.
Before you enter the forest, a worker usually asks your name. At the end of the ride, E.T. says goodbye to you, calling you by your name! Or at least he tries. E.T. doesn’t always get it right, but that’s part of the charm.
This ride is perfect if: You prefer a gentler kind of ride or want to feel like you’re back in the ’80s.
The best order to ride Universal Orlando rides
We usually park hop between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure on any given day, and we usually begin in Islands of Adventure. But if you’re doing one full day at Universal, you can really maximize your time and hit every ride. It also helps (in a big way) if you go during a slower time of year!
My first tip is to arrive nice and early. Most people don’t, which means you’ll be able to get on several rides before the crowds really start pouring in, and you’ll be that far ahead of them.
Express Pass
If you’re hardcore, you can purchase the Universal Express pass as an addition to your park tickets. You can choose the version that allows you to jump to the front of the line once per ride, or the unlimited pass. But these are a significant additional expense and therefore not an option for everyone.
Virtual Queue
At various times, Universal has offered virtual queue passes via the app. These virtual passes are free with your park ticket and allow you to choose a time to return to a ride later in the day.
Usually Universal either offers a stand-by line OR virtual queue, so if a ride is offering them, you will need to get one to ride. Be sure to check first thing, as the park is opening, and if there aren’t any available, keep refreshing. More will appear throughout the day. And keep your eye on the app because sometimes a ride will transition to using virtual queue later in the day.
2024 note: We haven’t seen Universal use the virtual queue system for the past few years, but check for it during your visit. If they bring it back, it can be a great way to maximize your time!
Although it might be tempting to run directly to the biggest rides, if you intend on riding everything that’s not actually what I’d recommend.
As you enter the park, you’ll first come to Despicable Me and I recommend jumping on first thing, as the wait time tends to climb quickly and never recover as the day goes on.
Villain-Con, while newer, has a line that moves much faster because of its continual loading. After riding both rides in Minion Land, you can hit Rip Ride Rockit before heading deeper into the park.
Here’s the order I suggest hitting the rides, but of course you might need to adjust based on any virtual queue passes you’ve snagged or the current wait times.
Universal Studios Orlando ride order
- Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem
- Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast
- Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
- Transformers: The Ride 3D
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
- Hogwarts Express (though best to hit this whenever you are switching parks, if you have a park-to-park pass)
- Revenge of the Mummy
- Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
- Fast and Furious – Supercharged
- The Simpsons Ride
- Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
- Men in Black Alien Attack!
- E.T. Adventure
What to do other than rides at Universal Studios
In addition to the rides, there are lots of other things to entertain you at Universal Studios! There are shows, play areas, and special events.
Universal Studios Orlando shows
As you wander the park, you’re likely to come across plenty of performers — singers, dancers, characters, percussionists, and more! Try to catch those when you can, but you may also want to carve out time to catch the larger shows.
In Diagon Alley, catch performances by Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees and The Tales of Beedle the Bard.
Even though most of Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone was shut down in early 2023, you can still watch Animal Actors on Location!, where they demonstrate how Hollywood animals are trained to perform on movie sets. It’s a cute show, and the animals are impressive!
The show doesn’t seem to ever change, so if you’ve seen it once, you’ve seen it a million times. If it’s your first time or you just really love seeing the animals perform, it’s probably worth finding time to catch one of the performances.
In Hollywood, you’ll find the Horror Make-up Show. The performers are very funny as they show how some of the special effects are performed on horror movie sets. It might be too intense for the younger crowd, though.
And also in Hollywood, introduced in 2020, is the Bourne Stuntacular. I have to say, my husband and I actually have a background as theme park and theatre performers and we are hard to impress. This show is incredible!
The way they’ve combined digital and real-life elements blurs the line between what’s real and what’s Hollywood magic. You’ll definitely leave asking, “How did they do that?!”
Everybody loves a parade! Catch Universal’s Superstar Parade or a seasonal parade. They are a great way to relax, enjoy a snack, and see lots of fun characters as they dance by.
In 2023, we got to be part of the fun, boarding a Mardi Gras parade float and tossing beads to the spectators along the route in Universal Studios!
2024 update: In 2023, Universal closed Cinematic Celebration, a nighttime show over the water that projected images and scenes from popular Universal movies, to make way for a new nighttime spectacular. We hope to see it launch later this year!
Universal Studios Orlando play areas
In early January 2023, we said goodbye to both Fievel’s Playland and Curious George Goes to Town — two playgrounds with water features. My kids will especially miss the ball factory in the back of Curious George. But we look forward to seeing what Universal will create as they retheme this area of the park!
Universal Studios Orlando special events
Depending on the time of year, there maybe some fun additional events taking place at Universal Studios! From Mardi Gras, to Halloween Horror Nights, to Christmas in the Wizarding World, there’s always seasonal fun to be had! Get the latest here (I also love their crowd calendars)!
Best Universal Studios food
Last, but definitely not least, I want to share some of our favorite foods you can find in Universal Studios Orlando. You could eat your way around the park all day, just be sure you don’t head straight onto a roller coaster afterward, unless you have a strong stomach!
We love to get the refillable popcorn bucket, because once you buy it, it’s only $2 (less with an annual pass discount!) to fill it up! It’s a cheap way to get the whole family powered back up in between meals.
I love the Leaky Cauldron, especially their cottage pie, wedge fries, and Scotch eggs. Add a Butterbeer and you’ll really feel like you’re in London, dining in Diagon Alley!
I’m also a fan of the Chicken and Waffle sandwich you can get at Cletus’ Chicken Shack in Springfield. Add a Flaming Moe’s for a drink with style!
Central Park Crepes is another favorite, especially the Thanksgiving Feast crepe they offer during the holidays. Delicious and very filling!
And there are so many other options, that you’re sure to find something you love — from burgers and beer, to pizza and ice cream, to seafood, and even giant donuts!
I hope you have an incredible visit to Universal Studios Orlando, and please come back and tell us all about it!
Check out our other theme park posts!
Your guide to all the rides at:
- Universal Orlando Resort:
- Walt Disney World Resort:
- SeaWorld Orlando
- Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida
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