Thrill Rides at Universal Orlando Resort, Ranked

A visit to a theme park just isn’t complete without a couple of thrill rides. Being dropped from several stories up, sharp turns and inversions,  fast speeds, riding in the darkness – thrill ride seekers just can’t get enough of it all. If you’re heading to Universal Orlando or thinking of going soon, and you want to get a good thrill in, you’re in luck.

Ranked on a scale from Chill to Thrill, with “Chill” being fairly tame, “Better Still” representing rides that deliver an even bigger rush and “Thrill” being the most intense, we’ve compiled a list of rides in Universal Orlando that are sure to get your heart racing. And to make your search even easier, we’ve ranked all the rides by park.

Universal Studios Florida

Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster

Thrill Level: Chill 

Know someone who needs to be gently introduced to thrill rides or needs a chill thrill ride? That’s what Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster is for. This coaster gently swoops and turns through Woody’s nut factory that’s filled with puns and jokes galore. It’s your classic coaster without all the death-defying drops and swirls, so anyone can enjoy it.

Fast & Furious – Supercharged

Thrill Level: Better Still

Join Dom, Letty, Hobbs and the rest of the Fast & Furious crew to look at the vehicles and locations from the films themselves. But, when you least expect it, an enemy attacks, and the chase is on! Staying at the same pace with the crew in this ultra-fast ride will be crucial in your survival.

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

Thrill level: Better Still

Venture to the far end of Diagon Alley™ and enter the Gringotts™ bank underneath the huge fire-breathing dragon. As you wait for the ride, you’ll have a chance to walk through the bank’s fantastic marble lobby and see the goblins hard at work.  Then, you’ll take a journey and meet Harry, Ron and Hermione so you can avoid villains such as Voldemort™ and Bellatrix as well as trolls and more that stand between you and your return to Diagon Alley™. This is a must thrill ride, even for non-Harry Potter fans!

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

Thrill level: Thrill

Have you ever wanted to scream on a roller coaster to the soundtrack of your life? Look no further than Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. This rip-roaring ride will have you travel at a 90-degree angle towards the sky, then dramatically drop you before blasting you through the track at 65 mph – all to the song of your choice, bumping through the speakers in your seat. At the end, you’ll have a chance to relive your adventure by purchasing a photo or a video of the experience.

Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon

Thrill level: Thrill

Hey, hey, hey, hey! Fans of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” will be thrilled to experience the history and fun of Studio 6B.  After sending a “Thank You Note,” seeing Hashtag the Panda and enjoying a barbershop performance by the Ragtime Gals, go on an extremely fast-paced ride through, below and above New York City with Jimmy Fallon and pals.

Revenge of the Mummy

Thrill level: Thrill

Others might tell you this ride’s not all that scary. It’s not the conventional outdoor roller coaster filled with twists and turns and inversions. But, that doesn’t make it any less of a thrill. “Revenge of the Mummy” will have you thrashing forward and back on the track as you try and escape the evil mummy Imhotep. Insects, warrior mummies and fire are just some of the things that he’ll throw at you. And just when you think you’re safe and sound? You’ll go on a pulse-quickening ride that goes on and on in the abyss.

Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Flight of the Hippogriff

Thrill level: Chill

This family-friendly coaster starts with Hagrid’s instructions on how to take care of a Hippogriff, a magical creature with the front legs, wings and head of a giant eagle and the body, hind legs and tail of a horse. Then, the Hippogriff will take you around the Care of Magical Creatures grounds and through the pumpkin patch. You’ll gently swing by Hagrid’s hut before making your return.

Doctor Doom’s Fearfall

Thrill level: Better Still

If you consider yourself a thrill ride pro, this ride – one of the two Marvel-based thrill rides on the list – will challenge your limits. Here’s the story: Doctor Doom needs to test his latest invention that sucks fear out of people. And he’ll use this fear as a weapon against the Fantastic Four. How is he going to possibly get fear out of you? His henchmen will strap you into a seat, blast you 185 into the sky with more thrust than a 747 jet’s and hurl you down with a force stronger than gravity itself. You won’t even have time to catch your breath on this ride!

The Incredible Hulk Coaster

Thrill level: Thrill

For the other Marvel-based thrill ride, you’ve volunteered to be a test subject for a potentially life-altering science experiment based on Dr. Bruce Banner’s research. You’ll step inside a high-security research compound commanded by General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross who blasts you with gamma radiation. Then you’ll be catapulted out with the force of a fighter jet and you’ll need to hang on with superhuman strength as the red-line rampage breaks its way through the sky.

Skull Island: Reign of Kong

Thrill level: Thrill

The ride starts the moment you walk in and wait in line, from the movie score playing to the temple ruins and skulls in the queue. Once you’re aboard, you and your guide will go deep into the heart of the jungle. Suddenly, you’re under attack! Your guide tries to fight off the attackers, but it’s only until King Kong – at three stories tall and 18 feet wide at the shoulders – shows up and gets in-between them. Is King Kong friend or foe? It’s not easy to tell, but one thing’s for sure: you’re in his domain now.

Universal’s Volcano Bay

Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides

Thrill Level: Chill 

After taking a leap of faith at the top of a volcano, two guests will plunge down twin trap doors through clear, intertwining tubes on a fast-paced water adventure towards the sparkling turquoise pool at the bottom. If you love simple yet thrilling water rides, this ride’s the one for you.

Ohyah of Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides

Thrill level: Chill 

After you ascend the side of a cliff, you’ll plummet down twisting and cold waters and get dropped four feet above a swirling pool. This thrilling water ride will make you want to ride it again and again!

Krakatau Aqua Coaster

Thrill level: Better Still

A misty journey with dark twists and turns on a four-person canoe within a volcano awaits. At the end of the journey, you plunge into a glistening waterfall. This ride, which is at the heart of Volcano Bay, is a thrilling adventure that’s sure to get you thoroughly soaked.

Ohno of Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides

Thrill level: Better Still 

A treacherous climb to cross a deep chasm, a rickety rope bridge and a deep plunge into a swirling adventure that ends six feet above the pool at the base of Krakatau™ awaits riders of the Ohno Drop Slide.

TeAwa the Fearless River

Thrill level: Better Still

You’ll face roaring rapids and chopping waves when you ride TeAwa the Fearless River in Hammerhead Beach. A life vest is a must-have when you face this treacherous whitewater ride.

Ko’okiri Body Plunge

Thrill level: Better Still 

A ride based on the centuries-old tradition of honoring the volcano god Vol means that this ride is no joke. A 70-degree fall through a drop door, 125 feet of white-knuckle fun and a dizzying descent awaits all who dare to put themselves in Vol’s presence. As a reward for the journey, there is a wonderful payoff with a watery tribute from Vol.

Puihi of Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides

Thrill level: Thrill 

If you want a good thrill ride that’ll get your heart racing, this multi-person rafting ride will do the trick. The lava-tube path will test your bravery as you hurtle through a dark, winding cavern before you experience the sensation of zero gravity as you rush out the tunnel and splash to the bottom.

What are your thoughts on these thrill rides rankings? Let us know in the comments!

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