An Epic Time Awaits You At Universal Orlando Resort
Get ready, theme park enthusiasts! Universal Epic Universe in Orlando, USA, has finally opened its portals, and trust me, the hype is real. As someone who's had the incredible opportunity to experience all the thrills, laughs, and pure magic this brand-new park has to offer, I can tell you that ranking the rides was a lot tougher than we initially thought.
Every single ride in Epic Universe is fun, but some just push the boundaries of innovation and immersion more than others.
If you're planning your visit and want to make sure you hit all the must-do attractions and know which ones you can potentially skip if time is tight, you've come to the right place. We've ridden them all to bring you our definitive guide to the Best Rides in Universal Epic Universe!
Honorable Mention: Constellation Carousel
Kicking off our list, but not quite making the top 10, is the Constellation Carousel. This isn't your average carousel; Universal truly did a great job making it whimsical and unique. The animals you ride are themed around constellations and they don't just go in circles – they actually twirl and dance.
It's a great, charming ride for kids and couples, offering a gentle start to your Celestial Park journey.
10. Dragon Racers Rally
Get ready for an arm workout on Dragon Racers Rally. This aerial carousel is definitely a spin on a classic, and if you're afraid of heights, this one might make you think twice. It’s similar to Magic Kingdom's Astro Orbiter in terms of height.
If you simply relax, you'll have a leisurely cruise, but the real thrill comes if you flap those wings! It's almost like a rowing motion, and if you keep up the momentum, you can get a full rotation and flip upside down. Smaller kids or those without strong arm muscles might struggle to achieve the inversion, but it's still enjoyable without it.
9. Curse of the Werewolf
Curse of the Werewolf is one of four coasters in Epic Universe, found in Dark Universe. While it features massive werewolf animatronics, we ranked it lower in the coaster lineup because it lacks the intense thrills or theming of Epic's other coasters. The unique feature here is that the coaster cars spin, with the amount of spin depending on your car's weight distribution. This spinning action adds a thrilling element, as you won't know which way you'll be facing during drops and turns.
It's a spinning family coaster inspired by "The Wolf Man," with wagon-like vehicles that launch, go up a twisted spike, and even roll backward through a hut.
8. Yoshi's Adventure
Over in Super Nintendo World, Yoshi's Adventure is an absolute delight, especially if you're visiting with younger ones. This tame ride truly makes you feel like you're inside the world of Mario, offering incredible views of the Mushroom Kingdom.
It's not scary at all and has just the right amount of interactive elements to keep everyone entertained.
You'll be helping Captain Toad on a treasure hunt, searching for glowing Yoshi eggs and collecting them by pressing buttons. While older kids seeking intense thrills might find it a bit boring, the impeccable theming makes it a solidly fun ride that balances out the park's more thrilling attractions.
7. Fyre Drill
Prepare to get wet on Fyre Drill, which is perfect for those hot Orlando days. Located in the Isle of Burke, you'll board an 8-person Viking ship equipped with powerful water cannons. Your mission is to work with your boat crew to hit targets and battle other boats. It's a really fun ride that relies on teamwork, so there’ll be a lot of shouting at your family or friends!
Klook Tip: If you're in the front, aim for that blue X to give your teammates a good soaking! Be warned, you might even get splashed in the queue, so keep your phone tucked away. Don't worry about staying soaked; there are cute dragon-themed dryers nearby. Just note, there are no lockers in the queue, but your boat does have a crate for smaller items.
6. Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge
If you've ever dreamed of playing Mario Kart in real life, now's your chance. Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge in Super Nintendo World uses augmented reality (AR) visors to immerse you in the race.
Before you ride, you'll get a tutorial on how to steer, collect coins, and throw shells. If you have a Power-Up Band, you can even sync it to collect points. While it uses screens, you're primarily moving through physical sets, creating a realistic and well-rounded experience.
The movement isn't too spinny or jarring, so most people will be fine, though those sensitive to 3D rides might feel a bit disoriented by the AR visors. You'll race through iconic courses, aim at Team Bowser members, and even face Bowser himself on Rainbow Road in an epic finale.
5. Minecart Madness
For the Donkey Kong fans out there, Minecart Madness is a definite must-do. You'll embark on a mission to protect the golden banana, with exciting drops and turns, blending indoor and outdoor sequences, including a splashy flyby past the Golden Temple waterfalls.
While it's not the most intense coaster in Epic Universe, it is quite rough and jerky. You'll be jostled along as you careen through mines, and the track jumping effect is really cool, making it feel like your coaster car is truly leaping into the air.
There's even a bit of a launch to enhance that sensation. It's still on the beginner coaster end of the spectrum, but if you dislike jerky rides, you might want to skip this one.
4. Hiccup's Wing Gliders
Stepping up the thrill factor, Hiccup's Wing Gliders in the Isle of Burke is still a relatively tame coaster. You'll experience a double launch and encounter fantastic animatronic sections throughout. Hiccup talks to you as you train to fly a real dragon, and the theming is a solid 9 out of 10.
The views from this coaster are incredible, offering great vantage points of the Isle of Burke. It's an incredibly smooth gliding coaster, making it a perfect introduction to larger thrills for those who might be hesitant about more intense rides.
3. Stardust Racers
The big thrill ride of Celestial Park, Stardust Racers, lives up to its name. This is a dueling coaster with two sides: green on the right and yellow on the left. Both are incredibly thrilling, but many gravitate towards the green side because the hill that drops you into a corkscrew is slightly higher.
This coaster is incredibly smooth, offers impressive airtime, and boasts a gorgeous aesthetic. With two separate tracks intertwining, you'll experience launches up to 62 mph, a 133 ft top hat, and a unique "celestial spin" inversion where both trains corkscrew around each other. It's easily one of, if not the, best coasters in Orlando.
2. Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
Our number two spot goes to Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment in Dark Universe. This ride perfectly captures the thrill of watching a monster movie without being overly scary; think dark and spooky. The ride itself is very similar to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey in Islands of Adventure, with seats mounted on an arm that twists, tilts, and turns you to face different elements. The movement here feels even more fluid than Forbidden Journey, though motion sickness can still be a concern due to all the tilting.
The story plunges you into chaos: Dr. Victoria Frankenstein's experiment to control Dracula goes wrong, and he releases all the monsters who then chase you. You'll encounter numerous huge, fluidly moving animatronics that provide some jump scares, but it's more spooky than terrifying, though it might be a bit much for anxious kids.
This is an absolute must-not-miss ride if you're visiting Epic Universe, as it beautifully encapsulates the vibe, immersion, and theming of the Dark Universe land. Plus, it has a huge ride capacity, meaning wait times are usually not as long.
1. Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
And finally, taking the gold as the hands-down best ride in Epic Universe is Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. The queue alone is jaw-dropping, featuring one of the most incredible practical effects where you literally travel by Floo Network straight to the Ministry of Magic.
The ride tells a captivating side story where you get a front-row seat to Dolores Umbridge's trial, only for things to go wrong as she escapes. You then join Harry, Ron, and Hermione in a chase through parts of the Ministry you haven't seen on film before, like the Department of Magical Creatures and the Time Room.
This ride is a motion simulator that seamlessly blends screens with physical sets and animatronics. What truly sets it apart is the advanced technology: there are no 3D glasses, and it's incredibly hard to tell where the screens end and the physical sets begin.
This is undoubtedly going to be the most popular ride in Epic Universe. Make sure to try joining the virtual queue at the later drops (3:00 PM and 6:00 PM) as the early 12:00 PM slot fills up quickly.
Beyond the Rides: Essential Epic Universe Tips for You
Epic Universe is already shaping up to be one of the most popular theme parks in the world, so tickets can sell out fast, especially during peak travel seasons. To avoid the stress of last-minute availability issues, we highly recommend booking your tickets in advance on Klook.
You can easily purchase official Universal Epic Universe tickets on the Klook app, and enter the park directly by showing the voucher. Plus, you'll get instant confirmation and the option of free cancellation should your travel plans change.
Once you’re in Epic Universe, here are a few more expert tips for you to enjoy your day as smooth as possible:
- Single Rider Lines: If you're okay splitting up from your group, many major rides offer single rider lines, which can significantly save you time.
- Express Pass: If you prefer to stay with your group and are willing to splurge, Universal's paid skip-the-line service, Express Pass, starts at $159.99 per person per day. This will likely sell out fast, so grab it as soon as you can.
- VIP Tours: For an even more exclusive experience, VIP tours start at $449.99 per person.
- Download the app for Virtual Queues: Expect popular rides, especially Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, to use virtual queues, particularly on peak travel days. So make sure you download the Universal Orlando app ahead of your visit to land those coveted timed entry tickets to lands and rides!
Your Epic Universe Adventure Awaits!
Epic Universe truly pulls you into blockbuster worlds with an incredible level of immersion and groundbreaking attractions. We've had a blast exploring every corner of this new park, and we can't wait for you to experience it too!
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