Are you planning on going to Orlando this year? Are you thinking of going to Universal Studios instead of Walt Disney World? Maybe you are planning on doing both. Either way can be done.
My daughter and I like to try and do both and it can easily be done. You just need to do a little planning. However, today we are not going to go over how to plan and WDW and Universal trip. We want to showcase all the amazing rides.
Some people think that all Universal Studios Orlando and Islands of Adventure have are trill rides. While there are some thrill rides like Rip Ride Rockit and the Hulk. Universal Orlando Resort also has rides for every thrill level in your group and some classic rides too. So buckle up and grab the popcorn while you watch all the amazing rides from Universal Orlando Resort.
Rip Ride Rockit
A steel Roller coaster with a vertical lift hill that reaches a top speed of 65 mph.
The Simpson Ride
The Simpsons Ride is a motion simulator dark ride that is amazing. I love the story it tells and everything about it. While I do hate that it replaced Back to the Future. It is a great ride and may even be better than what it replaced.
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
This roller coaster replaced Dragon Challenge and is currently the MOST expensive roller coaster ever built. When it is working this ride is amazing. However, it has had plenty of down time with some days not opening at all.
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
This indoor roller coaster inside the Gringotts Wizarding Bank in the Diagon Alley area of Universal Studios. This ride replaced Jaws. It’s kinda sad for me since Jaws was the first ride I ever did at Universal. However, if you look at the Diagon Alley section that whole area used to be Jaws the ride. It was a massive ride. So for the loss of one of the original rides, we did get an Amazing land.
In 2016 it placed 2nd in the Golden Ticket Awards for best dark ride.
Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
Sometimes theme parks replace older good rides with newer better ones. This was not the case here. While some people enjoy this ride. I will forever prefer Twister. This is a screen based ride.
Revenge of the Mummy
Indoor roller coaster themed around the Mummy franchise (Brandon Fraiser movies). This ride reaches a top speed of 40 mph. Year after year this coaster placed first for the best indoor roller coaster. As of 2019 the Golden Ticket Awards retired the indoor roller coaster category and give this ride legendary status.
Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
Do you hate going on a water ride and barely even getting wet? You will not have a problem on this river rapids style ride. You will be soaked from head to toe. I would be surprised if you even have one patch of dryness on you when you get off this ride.
Jurassic Park River Adventure
Water ride based off of the Jurassic Park movie. It’s a thrill style ride with some elements around to spook you. The big drop at the end will get your heart racing. However, you will most likely not get soaked. The people watching might.
Fast & Furious Supercharged
This ride replaced Disaster! and boy is this ride a disaster. A screen based ride that no one wanted or asked for. If you are trying to ride as many rides as you can the good thing is this ride usually has a very short wait. The queue is pretty cool so it does have that going for it.
The Incredible Hulk Coaster
Go from calm to raging in two seconds as this launch coaster sends you on your way to a top speed of 67 mph. DON’T let the video fool you. This is an intense, gut-wrenching ride.
Transformers: The Ride
A Motion simulator 3D dark ride in the Transformers universe. You will be in for a crazy adventure as you follow along Optimus Prime to get to safety.
Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem
A 3D motion simulator ride based on the Despicable Me franchise. It is a fun little ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat. This is a great one for all ages.
ET the Ride
This is the last original ride still in operation at Universal Studios Orlando. All other rides that were around when this theme park opened are now gone. While it may not be the best ride out there it is a fun look at our past.
This ride is based on the ET movie and who never wanted to hop on their bike and fly? You can here, as you follow along with ET’s journey home.
Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster
This kid coaster in Universal Orlando Woody Woodpecker Kidzone area. It is a short ride coming in around 45 seconds but is a great first roller coaster for kids. The lines are usually pretty short too so they can ride back to back with little to no wait.
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man Full Ride
Twenty plus years old and this ride is still amazing. This dark ride is one to ride if you love thrills but don’t like roller coasters. It will get your blood pumping.
Pteranodon Flyers
Suspended ride that flies around the Camp Jurassic area of Islands of Adventure. Just note adults CAN NOT ride this ride without a child present.
Men in Black Alien Attack
This Men in Black themed interactive dark ride has you become part of the team. Shoot your way back to HQ as this ride spins you and throws you around as you try and save the city.
Skull Island: Reign of Kong
Trackless dark ride based around King Kong.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Motion simulator dark ride based on the Harry Potter Universe. Fly around Hogwarts Castle, see some Dementors and get up close to a Quidditch match. While you might think it is a roller coaster since it has over the shoulder restraint system. It is not a roller coaster, just an intense dark ride that will whip and spin you around.
The Cat in the Hat Ride
Dark ride based off of the Cat in the Hat. This is a crazy and fun adventure. Its like going through the mind of Dr Seuss.
Flight of the Hippogriff
A junior coaster themed around the Harry Potter universe near Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure. This can be a great first roller coaster for kids.
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
One thing Universal Orlando resort does right is the water rides. This log flume ride will leave you soaking wet. Not one dry butt will leave those seats.
Hogwarts Express
If you have a park to park ticket you can enjoy the Hogwarts Express that will take you from Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade and back again.
Below you will find some videos of the classic rides that are no longer at Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure. Some of the newer attractions are better than the ones they replaced. Some are not. Some are really really bad. It was sad to see them go but at least we have video to show what it was like.
Back to the Future Ride
This ride was replace by the Simpson Ride. While I enjoy the Simpson Ride and I believe it is my Daughter’s second favorite ride. The Back to the Future Ride was so iconic. Wish they would have updated it and moved it to a different area. At least we have video of it.
Dueling Dragons
Twister Ride it Out
Jaws
One of the rides that will go down in theme park history.
How many of these rides have you ridden? Did you get a chance to ride any of the now closed rides? Do you wish you had a chance to ride one of the older rides? Let us know in the comments below.
Universal Orlando Resorts doesn’t receive the love it should get. While it is no where near as big as near by Walt Disney World. Universal Orlando is fun for the whole family. Many people think it is only for teens and adults and that is simply not the case. They have done a good job adding attractions the whole family can enjoy.
So will you plan a visit to Universal Orlando on your next Florida trip? Did you enjoy these ride videos? Remember to share with your friends. Maybe host a watch party of all the amazing rides and plug in the fans so you can get the wind blowing through your hair. Who knows, as always it’s up to you.
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