Top 8 Best Rides at Universal Studios Hollywood

Anybody who loves the movies needs to schedule a stop at Universal Studios Hollywood during their trip to California to experience the best Universal Studios Hollywood rides. With attractions and experiences featuring both contemporary thrillers as well as nostalgic classics, you'll find something for everyone here.

The addition of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter has made this a must-do stop during your Southern California vacation.

Whether you're hoping to spend a few days at Universal Studios, or you're scheduling just one day here to break up your Disneyland trip, there are a few rides that you won't want to miss to ensure your stay is a memorable one.

Discount Universal Studios Hollywood Tickets

Our favorite Disney-approved re-seller, Get Away Today, offers the best Universal Studios Hollywood discount tickets around. In addition to great discount prices, their customer service and easy support is absolutely fantastic. They have an entire department dedicated to making sure every order has a wonderful experience and they are on-call to help you during your vacation if you need them.

Buying tickets from Get Away Today is easy and convenient since all their tickets are sent electronically. You can take their vouchers and head straight to the gate without needing to wait in any ticket booth lines. They also offer layaway plans so you can pay off your vacation over time.

Save BIG on Universal Tickets>>

You can read my review on my personal experiences booking through Get Away Today and how much you can save here!

8 Best Rides at Universal Studios Hollywood

Let's dive into the top Universal Studios Hollywood rides! They have been ranked as the best rides at Universal Studios Hollywood..

1. Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour

Without a doubt, the famous Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour is consistently a favorite among visitors. This is one of the best rides at Universal Studios Hollywood. You'll board classic trams and explore the working backlot of a real movie studio. Visit sets from some of the most beloved movies of all time including Jaws, Psycho, and Back to the Future.

Since your tour will feature facts and sets from both contemporary and classic flicks, your whole family will enjoy it. Plus, you'll experience special effects like earthquakes and flash floods on your voyage. Narrated by Jimmy Fallon, the tour can last up to an hour and is inarguably the best way to tap into movie magic on your trip.

The Universal Studios Hollywood Tram Tour was actually the first experience offered when Universal Studios was just a regular movie studio. With the success of the tour experience, the theme park was built piece by piece on the existing studio lot.

2. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

Not only is this a fan-favorite in Hollywood Studios, but Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey was recognized nationally as one of the top attractions in the country. It provides an innovative, immersive experience from your very first step into the queue, which takes you through the halls of Hogwarts. The technology used to take you into the world of Harry Potter is completely unprecedented, and its unique combination of projections and real sets make this ride a do-not-miss. Overall the ride is considered the best ride at Universal Studios Hollywood.

3. Transformers: The Ride 3-D

Regardless of how you felt about the Transformer movies, the groundbreaking ride system created for this attraction makes for an experience unlike anything else . The ride uses a mixture of 3D media as well as flight simulation technology. With both impressive visuals and action, you’ll be taken into the Transformers world so immersively that you may forget it’s just a ride.

4. Jurassic World: The Ride

Everybody likes water flume rides, and this one is unlike any other you’ve experienced. Aboard a large boat, you’ll travel through an immersive, animatronic version of Steven Spielberg's famous Jurassic Park. Just when you think it’s going to be a pleasant, easy-going ride, things go awry, and the ride ends by barely escaping a ferocious T-Rex and plummeting down a heart-stopping 84 foot drop. You may want to consider bringing a rain poncho on this one.

5. The Simpsons Ride

This entertaining simulator ride takes you through Krustyland amusement park. You’ll spot many of your favorite characters and locations from the show. Those who are fans of The Simpsons, whose popularity has spanned almost two decades now, will definitely enjoy this family-friendly attraction. It will have you feeling exactly like you just took a step into your television set.

6. Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride

This dark ride/roller coaster hybrid is both exhilarating as well as entertaining. Reaching speeds of 45 MPH, travel through the Mummy’s tomb and face fire, scarabs, and other adventurous danger. You’ll even spend half of the ride going backwards. While thrilling, this attraction is still considered family-friendly, so your brave children will also enjoy the experience.

7. Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem

Inspired by the Despicable Me animated movies, this attraction features all your favorite characters from the franchise and includes both a motion-simulator ride as well as an outdoor family play zone for kids. Not only is the ride immersive, it’s also funny, and is a perfect option for families with kids who may be timid about some of the more intense, thrilling rides at Universal Studios Hollywood.

8. Secret Life of Pets- The Ride

Based on the great reviews from the first insider looks at the ride, this new attraction easily makes our top eight list of best rides at Universal Studios Hollywood! This new dark ride features over 64 animatronic characters form the Secret Life of Pets films and facial recognition technology that will transform guests into puppies looking to be adopted in New York City.

Plan your Universal Studios Hollywood trip now!

Now that you know how to make your Universal Studios Hollywood trip a memorable one, it's the perfect time to book your tickets. Don't forget to sign up for our Universal Studios discount newsletter so you have access to deals from our travel partners offered exclusively to our subscribers!

Dive deeper into our other Southern California travel articles:

1. Find Discount Universal Studios Hollywood Tickets
2. Ultimate Guide to Universal Studios Hollywood
3. When to Visit Disneyland 
4. Top 10 Disneyland Rookie Mistakes
5. Disneyland Halloween Tips, Tricks, and Hacks
6. 7 Best Hotels Near Disneyland + Discounts

You may want to take some time to look at our other Universal Studios articles and guides so you don't miss out on anything the park offers.

Thanks for joining us at MickeyVisit.com to discover the best rides at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Visit the official website for more information about what will be available on your trip.