Best Universal Orlando Rollercoasters- Our Favorite Rides RANKED!

Universal Orlando is synonymous with thrilling, action-packed rollercoasters – but which coasters rank the best?Unlike rollercoasters at Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World, rollercoasters at Universal Orlando are on a level of their own. Packed with rollercoasters for both the adventure and thrill seekers, Universal Orlando is bound to make you either scream in your seat or marvel in awe. Some of them will make you want more.

Yet, despite its reputation for thrilling rides, each rollercoaster is unique, with certain factors that make them ideal for different audiences. We go to the Universal Orlando theme parks frequently and have ridden all of its rollercoasters.

That's why we put together this guide about what to expect from each rollercoaster at Universal Orlando, including the best ones to ride, the pros and cons of each, and the best rollercoasters for kids.

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Which Rollercoasters are at Universal Orlando?

Universal Orlando has a number of thrill rides, including several rollercoasters.

Each rollercoaster varies in style, theming, and intensity. We'll dive deeper and discuss the pros and cons of each.

Here's an overview of which rollercoasters are at each of the 2 Universal Orlando theme parks:

Universal Studios Florida has 3 rollercoasters:

• Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
• Revenge of the Mummy
• Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts

Universal's Islands of Adventure has 4 rollercoasters:

• Flight of the Hippogriff
• Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
• Jurassic World VelociCoaster
• Incredible Hulk Coaster

Best Overall Rollercoasters at Universal Orlando

Each of the 7 rollercoasters at Universal Orlando offers unique theming, storytelling, and of course, thrills.

Below, we rank the best overall rollercoasters at Universal Orlando. In making our list, we took into consideration factors such as overall theming, music, intensity, and ride smoothness.

Let's jump straight into this list, ranked from worst to best.

7. Flight of the Hippogriff

Flight of the Hippogriff is the most family-friendly rollercoaster at Universal Orlando.

On this ride, you'll take the winding path towards Hagrid's hut. Along the way, you'll hear Fang barking and learn how to approach a Hippogriff from Hagrid himself.

This rollercoaster spirals and dives around the pumpkin patch before swooping past Hagrid's hut. Great for the kiddos, this ride has no inversions and reaches a gentle top speed of 22mph.

Here's a few need-to-know bits of information:

• Location: Universal's Islands of Adventure
• Safety Restraints: Lap bar restraints
• Height Requirements: Guests must be at least 36″ (92cm)
• Supervising Companion: required for guests under 48″ (122cm)

6. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

This thrilling rollercoaster gives you a musical twist: you get to pick the song you ride to!

Boasting the tallest height of any rollercoaster at Universal Orlando, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is extremely easy to spot. Hint: it's the ride with the 90 degree climb up a 167 foot steep hill drop.

While this ride may be too intense for some, solace comes in the fact that you get to jam out to the song of your choice while screaming along. Topping out at 65 mph, you'll feel pinned to your seat as you experience some incredible g-forces.

And for a ride that's been around for over 10 years, it's very smooth!

Here's a few need-to-know bits of information:

• Location: Universal Studios Florida
• Safety Restraints: over-the-shoulder restraints
• Height Requirements: Guests must be at least 51″ (130cm)

5. The Revenge of the Mummy

The Revenge of the Mummy is an indoor rollercoaster that will guarantee screaming.

Set inside a faux movie studio, this ride starts as an audition for you – the rider – preparing to work as extras in a mine-train scene from the film Revenge of the Mummy. However, the mystery comes up where you're not quite sure if the fire and light effects were created by the studio crew or the spirit of Imhotep.

We like to compare the ride experience to Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts, but with very different theming. It's an indoor roller coaster where most of the thrill simply comes from being indoors. Your ride vehicle turns to direct your attention to important story elements. And most importantly, its drops and turns aren't nearly as intense as The Incredible Hulk Coaster or Jurassic World VelociCoaster.

Here's a few need-to-know bits of information:

• Location: Universal Studios Florida
• Safety Restraints: lap bar restraints
• Height Requirements: Guests must be at least 48″ (122cm)

4. The Incredible Hulk Coaster

Moving up our list of best rollercoasters at Universal Orlando brings us to The Incredible Hulk Coaster.

On this ride, you're volunteered to take part in a science experiment based on Dr. Bruce Banner's research. But a blast of gamma radiation changes everything. Thanks to the experiment, you'll launch to a top speed of 67mph, speed down into a zero-gravity roll, and zoom through loops and twists.

While this ride is a favorite for many, it doesn't crack our top 3 best rollercoasters at Universal Orlando for 2 reasons. First, while its theming is well-done, its storytelling could be much better. Second, we've found that the ride experience simply isn't as smooth as other rollercoasters at Universal Orlando – so much so that we found our heads bobbing left and right.

Not the most comfortable feeling on a high-speed rollercoaster!

Here's a few need-to-know bits of information:

• Location: Universal's Islands of Adventure
• Safety Restraints: over-the-shoulder restraints
• Height Requirements: Guests must be at least 54″ (138cm)

3. Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts

Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts is the perfect blend of updated rollercoaster technology and Universal's signature screen-based rides.

Escape From Gringotts takes you deep under the vaults of Gringotts with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Along the way, you have to escape the wrath of Voldemort, Bellatrix, trolls, and other creatures!

With rollercoaster tech that resembles the “OmniCoasters” in EPCOT's Guardians of the Galaxy – Cosmic Rewind, you become even more immersed into the ride's screen-based storytelling. And along the way, you'll experience a few small surprises!

Featuring a top speed of 25mph and a 30 foot plunge into the darkness, this ride is for the biggest Harry Potter lovers.

Here's a few need-to-know bits of information:

• Location: Universal Studios Florida
• Safety Restraints: lap bar restraints
• Height Requirements: Guests must be at least 42″ (107cm)
• Supervising Companion: required for guests under 48″ (122cm)

2. Jurassic World VelociCoaster

Jurassic World VelociCoaster is far-and-away the most intense, most thrilling rollercoaster at Universal Orlando.

Here's the catch: for having a launch sequence, several boosts, and endless amounts of loops and twists, this ride is also amazingly smooth. This ride takes you directly into a velociraptor enclosure, eventually reaching a top speed of 70mph as you tumble through the sky and escape the clutches of death.

Sure, it's not difficult to develop a rollercoaster that conveys an epic amount of thrills. However, Universal does a fantastic job at tying in the rollercoaster's intensity level with its storyline. And to add, its smooth ride experience gives me all the thrills without the whiplash sensation.

Just check out this list of ride features:

• Multiple dive loops
• 2 high-speed launches
• 360 degree barrel rolls over open water
• 155 foot top-hat hill
• 100 foot zero-gravity inverted stall

Here's a few need-to-know bits of information:

• Location: Universal's Islands of Adventure
• Safety Restraints: over-the-shoulder restraints
• Height Requirements: Guests must be at least 51″ (130cm)

1. Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure tops our list of best rollercoasters at Universal Orlando for 2 reasons: storytelling and ride experience.

This ride takes you on a field trip with Hagrid into the Forbidden Forest. Aboard his famous motorbike, you'll see some of the world's rarest magical creatures along the way.

Everything about the ride experience syncs up with the ride's storyline, from its twists and turns and 50mph launches to its backwards drop and 17 foot free-fall vertical drop. Universal made all the stops to make you truly feel like you're riding Hagrid's motorbike through the Forbidden Forest!

Universal touts this as their most highly themed, immersive coaster – and we wholeheartedly agree.

Here's a few need-to-know bits of information:

• Location: Universal's Islands of Adventure
• Safety Restraints: lap bar restraints
• Height Requirements: Guests must be at least 48″ (122cm)

Pros and Cons of Each Rollercoaster at Universal Orlando

Even with this ranked list of the best rollercoasters at Universal Orlando, we recommend riding each of these rides at least once – especially if you're a thrill seeker.

However, each guest has different tastes and preferences. Here, we break down what you need to know to understand if these rides are the right fit for you.

Remember though that this is all a matter of perspective – many things that we may consider a “con” can easily be considered a “pro” for others.

Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

Pros

• Immersive combination of storytelling and thrill
• High-tech, up-to-date rollercoaster technology
• Different seat combinations = high re-rideability factor
• Lots to see and explore in the ride queue

Cons

• Tends to have very long wait times
• First section of the queue is outside and exposed to the Florida heat; it can also get stuffy at times
• The sidecar seat can be a tight fit for some
• The backwards drop and vertical drop may not be appropriate for those with a motion sickness sensitivity
• This ride doesn't participate in Express Pass

Jurassic World VelociCoaster

Pros

• Plenty of thrill elements to keep you screaming
• Fastest rollercoaster in Universal Orlando
• Overall smooth ride experience despite its thrill elements
• Great theming both in the queue and on the ride

Cons

• Tends to have moderately long wait times
• First section is outside and exposed to the Florida heat
• High heights, fast top speeds, and loops may not be appropriate for those with a motion sickness sensitivity

Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts

Pros

• Incredible theming throughout the queue and ride
• Animatronics in the queue look really life-like
• Great storytelling combined with thrilling ride elements
• Unexpected drop that is timed very well with the story

Cons

• Tends to have moderately long wait times
• Screen-based storytelling and rotating ride vehicle may not be appropriate for those with a motions sickness sensitivity
• You don't get a full view of the screen if you sit toward the back of the ride vehicle
• Some would argue that the seats are too small

The Incredible Hulk Coaster

Pros

• Unique ride elements include a launch sequence at a 30 degree angle and 7 inversions
• 2nd fastest rollercoaster at Universal Orlando
• Immersive ride queue
• Usually has a short wait time compared to other rides

Cons

• Ride experience will likely have your heads bobbing left and right
• Thrill elements may not be appropriate for those with a motions sickness sensitivity
• Storytelling element is not as strong
• Ride queue can be too loud for some guests

The Revenge of the Mummy

Pros

• Great storytelling and thrilling ride elements
• Great theming throughout the queue
• High re-rideability factor
• Usually has a short wait time compared to other rides

Cons

• After the initial part of the ride, it feels short
• Lower thrill factor compared to other rollercoasters at Universal Orlando
• Ride can be scary for some guests
• Ride can get too loud for some guests

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

Pros

• Universal Orlando's tallest rollercoaster
• Plenty of thrill elements, including  a 90 degree climb, near-vertical drop, and helix
• Incredible views of Universal Orlando Resort
• Ability to choose your soundtrack = high re-rideability factor

Cons

• Many argue that the theming and ride experience is becoming outdated
• Usually has a short wait time compared to other rides
• On-ride music can get too loud for some guests
• Thrill elements may not be appropriate for those with a motions sickness sensitivity

Flight of the Hippogriff

Pros

• Fun immersive elements that take you into the world of Harry Potter
• Great storytelling
• Incredible views of Hogwarts and Hogsmead
• Great rollercoaster for the kiddos

Cons

• Tends to have moderately long wait times
• Ride feels too short
• Not nearly as thrilling as other rollercoasters at Universal Orlando
• Ride vehicles can feel small for some guests

Best Rollercoaster for Kids at Universal Orlando

If you've made it this far, you can probably guess which ride is best for kiddos riding their first rollercoaster.

Flight of the Hippogriff is the only rollercoaster at Universal Orlando where its thrill elements are at a level that's appropriate for first-time rollercoaster riders. It has no loops or steep twists, and its top speed is 29mph. It also seats guests in rows of 2, making it perfect for parents to sit with their kiddos. These elements pale in comparison to any other rollercoaster at Universal Orlando.

However, if you're looking for your kiddo's first rollercoaster, you may want to consider some of the rollercoasters at Disneyland or Walt Disney World!

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• Universal Islands of Adventure Ride Guide
• Universal Orlando Discount Tickets
• Volcano Bay Tickets – Top Ways to Save on Universal Tickets
• Discover Jurassic Park at Universal Orlando!