Whether you’re a first-time visitor or Universal Studios Passholder, planning your day around the best rides at the park requires a little bit of know-how.
While planning a day at Universal Studios might not require the same level of tactical workshopping that one of the Disney World parks might, it’s important to know which rides are attracting the highest crowds and longest waits.
So, we put together a breakdown of the top 7 best rides at Universal Studios to help you decide what’s worth hitting first thing and which ones are best left to the diehard fans.
Who knows? You might decide to ride or see something that wasn’t even on your radar.
Each breakdown features a description and a little bit of our honest commentary – because not every ride is for everyone, and that’s totally fine!
Let’s get into it!
7. Horror Make-Up Show
Ok, so it’s not technically a “ride,” but we consider it a don’t-miss attraction! If you’ve ever wondered how horror movies accomplish those gory special effects, but presented in a way that is both informative and knee-slapping hilarious, this live show is for you.
Height: None, but there are some scary and dark scenes (it has “horror” in the name for a reason!) as well as some “mature” jokes throughout.
Thrill Ranking: 8/10
Why we love it: Fake blood? Rubber arms? This is a macabre comedy show with a bit of the history of horror movie makeup sprinkled in. The performers are usually VERY talented, and we’ve almost always cracked up here way more than at home watching any Netflix comedy special.
Strategy Tips: No strategy needed, besides checking the showtimes and trying to work one into your itinerary (which is often trickier than it sounds. Anyone who has visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios knows this!).
6. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
For the kids (or adults) in your group who secretly want to become a Minion in Gru’s lab, this motion simulator ride drops you right in the middle of the banana-fueled action.
Height: 40”
Thrill Ranking: 3/10
Why we love it: This almost didn’t make the cut, but it really is a goofy ride that is a fun experience all the way from the queue to the pre-show. Plus, it’s pretty family-friendly and tame compared to the other Universal rides, which is honestly a nice break even if you love your thrills.
Insider Tip: Minion Mayhem is a much less intense experience than some other motion simulators in the park, but there is a stationary seat option for those with queasy stomachs.
Strategy Tips: This is a theater ride and very popular, and that combo means it’s SLOW loading, translating to very high waits. You should do this first thing in the morning standby if you don’t have Express Pass, otherwise, you might see a 1 hr+ wait most of the day, and we don’t think it’s worth that.
5. Transformers: The Ride-3D
Strap yourself into your robo-vehicle (we doubt that’s what they’re actually called, but hey) and launch straight into the action in a battle between the Autobots and Decepticons. Complete with explosions, high-speed chases, and Optimus Prime yelling (nice) things at you, this 3D simulator is both exciting and surprising.
Height: 40”
Thrill Ranking: 6/10
Why we love it: It’s big, it’s loud, and it’s chaotic. But we love the action, and between the queue, the sets, and the screens, it’s very immersive. And no, you do not have to know the movies to enjoy the ride (even we’re not 100% sure which ones are the bad guys in this).
Strategy Tips: Waits for Transformers get high early and stay high until evening, when they sometimes drop again. This isn’t a must-do for us personally, but you will want a little strategy if you have excited Transformers fans.
4. Hollywood Rip Ride RockIt
Attention thrill seekers! This ride, with a 90-degree vertical lift and near-vertical drop, is gut-wrenching exhilarating not your average coaster. Unapologetically thrilling right out of the gate, this ride definitely tests the limit.
Height: 51”
Thrill Ranking: 11/10
Why we love it: We sort of don’t LOL. This one is a little too fast, too furious for us (and no, that ride did not make this list). But, hey! RockIt is popular for a reason. And at least you get to choose the soundtrack to your personal music video, a.k.a. real-time ride recording. Yes, really!
Strategy Tips: This coaster can see HUGE waits, so we almost always recommend hitting it second thing in the morning after doing Despicable Me Minion Mayhem (if you’re doing standby lines). You can also wait until the end of the night to do it, but the wait time is variable for that. However, you should know the actual wait is almost always a lot shorter than the posted wait.
3. E.T. Adventure
Oh, the nostalgia. Hop on your very own flying bicycle to help E.T. save his home planet. This slow-moving ride is a family-friendly gem, unless you think your kids would get creeped out by the E.T. animatronic (and secretly, the 80s and 90s kids among us would agree, right!?). Bonus points if you hum along with the iconic John Williams score.
Height: 34”
Thrill Ranking: 2/10
Why we love it: Nostalgia aside, this ride is charming, whimsical, and a little weird in the best way. We especially love the immersive pine-forest queue leading up to the loading dock. Pure 1982 magic.
Strategy Tips: It doesn’t see AS high of waits as the rest of the attractions on this list, but if you’re there during a busy season, we recommend saving it for the end of the day when waits will typically drop significantly.
2. Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
Plummet to the depths of the famous wizarding bank in your mine cart and dodge dark wizards, dragons, and more in this exhilarating adventure from the Harry Potter universe. Part 3D dark ride and part coaster, this ride brings together Universal Studios’ strongest suits and leaves us with a movie-quality attraction that is equal parts immersive and magical.
Height: 42”
Thrill Ranking: 7/10
Why we love it: We have a soft spot for anytime storytelling is blended this perfectly with special effects and stomach twists. Exciting and utterly immersive, this ride is a must-do. Maybe even twice. The queue alone is worth a visit (hello, goblins and chandeliers)!
Strategy Tips: Despite its popularity, you sometimes have a bit of time before lines build in the morning. We usually recommend starting with this ride early if you’re focused on Harry Potter stuff, or getting back to Diagon Alley to ride this by 10:30 am.
Insider Tip: There is a Single Rider line here as well, and usually it’s VERY short. Just know you will not be able to ride with your party if you opt for this route. Also, if you aren’t interested in the thrills, you can walk through the queue and then exit and skip the ride. We highly recommend this, as the bank is incredible!
1. Revenge of the Mummy
Hop into your Jeep-like vehicle, where you’re on a movie set until things go terribly wrong. Skip the slow build, this indoor coaster goes straight to scary scarabs and Egyptian-curse chaos. We’d hate to spoil anything, but just know that Revenge of the Mummy feels a little like a roller coaster meets haunted house. That is also pitch dark. Does that help? Let’s put it this way: don’t miss it.
Height: 48”
Thrill Ranking: 8/10
Why we love it: With fireballs, backwards launches, and Brendan Fraser, this coaster is thrilling and unhinged in the best way. We love immersion, and this attraction holds up.
Strategy Tips: You’re probably noticing a trend, and that’s because the best rides at a theme park are inevitably going to have high waits. This ride is super popular and lines can get high, but a quick loading speed and high ride capacity mean that long lines won’t build as fast as other attractions. You have a little bit of time to get there in the morning, so we often recommend hitting it as your second or third attraction. Often, there is a lull in the early evening, sometimes around 5 pm.
Insider Tip: This attraction usually offers a Single Rider line, and it’s often quick. If you’re cool riding solo, this is the way.
Honorable Mention(ish): The Simpsons Ride
Step into the cartoon mayhem of Springfield with the Simpson family via a chaotic 3D motion simulator that packs in the big drops and the gags (literally).
This one is a toss-up (also literally). Some parkgoers would argue this ride belongs on a “best of” list. Longtime fans will be delighted by the inside jokes and trademark Simpsons humor, but some people might be too dizzy to find it remotely funny.
In our humble opinion, it’s the most nausea-inducing ride ever, but fans might find it worth popping a motion-sickness tablet for.
Wait, what about navigating the main Disney World parks? Our itineraries are packed with expert tips, strategy, and pro know-how to make your Disney planning a breeze – and there’s something for everyone!