In 1999, Universal Islands of Adventure opened along with the CityWalk as part of a plan to make Universal more of a resort than simply a theme park. Unlike Universal Studios which brought you into the movies, Islands is a journey for adventurers to explore 8 islands: Marvel Super Hero Island, Toon Lagoon, Skull Island, Jurassic Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, The Lost Continent, Seuss Landing, and the Port of Entry. There’s something for everyone – kids, Potterheads, comic book fans, dinosaur lovers, and animation followers.
With the closure of Poseidon’s Fury, The Lost Continent is severely lacking and sadly won’t be on this list as it doesn’t actually have any rides or attractions at this time. The most recent addition to Islands is the Jurassic World VelociCoaster. Let’s see where that fits into our rankings of rides and attractions at Islands of Adventure.
Before we dive in, remember that as with other rankings, we do not include nighttime spectaculars and streetmosphere as well as Pteranodon Flyers since you need a child to ride.
Now let’s grab our wands, see some dinosaurs and fight alongside superheroes!
17. Popeye & Pluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
One word – soaked. This Popeye themed river raft will leave you drenched. Not even the paid dryers will get you dry after riding this one. If you really want to ride this one make sure to do it on a really sunny day to help you dry out, otherwise you’ll be leaving a wet spot at all subsequent ride seats. Personally this writer is happy to have this be a one and done experience.
16. Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
This is a log flume ride themed to Dudley Do-Right. The theming is a bit out of date and won’t be recognizable to most kids or Gen Z’s but can still be fun if you enjoy zany cartoons. You will end up wet but not nearly as bad as Popeyes. The worst part of Dudley’s is the seating. Having to put your legs around a stranger or vice versa is uncomfortable to say the least and getting out of the ride soaked to the nines isn’t graceful in any sense.
15. Caro-Seuss-el
Carousels are never anything life changing but they can be enjoyable and kind of relaxing. The theming of Dr. Seuss characters is fun and colourful. The oddest thing about this ride is the belts they use. They keep you secure on the characters with literal clothing belts – you know the ones you use to keep your pants up. It’s weird.
14. Doctor Doom’s Fearfall
With “Fearfall” in its name, I was expecting a drop that was a lot more terrifying. Maybe it’s because the other drop rides I’ve been on are Tower of Terror at Disney World and Drop Tower at Canada’s Wonderland but I found Fearfall to be lacking. You kind of just bounce around and compared to the other attractions at Marvel Super Hero Island, the theming is minimal and lackluster. Fortunately, there is never a long line so at least you don’t wait around for a mediocre experience.
13. The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride
A nice ride for families to take journey through the colourful island that is Seuss landing. The mild turns and nice view makes for a relaxing ride for the whole family, and with multiple tracks, you never know what exactly you might see. The lines can be kind of long for such a tame experience, but it’s definitely still a fun filler ride that provides a break from all the thrills.
12. Storm Force Accelatron
Storm Force is a spinning teacup ride themed to Storm from X-Men. There’s nothing particularly unique about this ride that would make it stand out amongst other tea cup rides. The comic panel in the queue featuring Storm, Magneto, and Professor X are a fun touch, but again only use it as a filler ride between the two heavy hitters in Marvel Land.
11. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
Seuss landing is known for its fun and colourful theming. This spinner ride is no different. The one thing that makes this ride standout from other spinner rides out there in Orlando is the chance that you’ll get wet. If you listen to the directions and press the right buttons, you’ll avoid getting water squirted at you or at least that’s what they want you to think.
10. Flight of the Hippogriff
This rollercoaster is fun for the family and a good introduction to coasters for kids. There is a nice appearance from Buckbeak that you won’t want to miss because he’s hands down the best magical creature in the Wizarding World Universe. My biggest issue with this coaster is that it is way too short, it makes me wonder if it’s worth the wait in line for. Let us have at least another run around the track Universal!
9. The Cat in the Hat
Truthfully, I have a blast every time I go on this ride. There’s rarely ever a line which might make some people think this is a ride to skip but I wouldn’t. It’s a classic storybook ride that places you in the Cat in the Hat story. It also has some mild thrills as the ride vehicle twists and turns to match the wild pacing of the Cat in the Hat. Are some of the characters nightmares? Sure, but that’s all part of the fun!
8. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
I know, I know this should be ranked much higher on this list. The queue I’ll walk through any day to see Hogwarts, the classrooms, and the sorting hat. But when it comes to the ride, I get so motion sick being jerked back and forth amidst so much screens of Dementors and Death Eaters that I can’t justify putting it higher on MY list when I have such a difficult time enjoying it when my eyes are closed for 80% of the ride. Sorry Potterworld, we still love you!
7. Hogwarts Express: Hogsmeade Station
Like with our Universal Orlando rankings, we’re including the Hogwarts Express here. The station itself isn’t as exciting as King’s Cross with no Hedwig or Platform 9 3/4. However, the ride from Hogsmeade has so many fun Easter eggs including Hagrid, Buckbeak, Centaurs, the Weasley twins and so much more. As a diehard Harry Potter nerd, it’s hard not to get excited to ride such an iconic mode of transportation.
6. Skull Island: Reign of Kong
Skull Island has a similar ride set up as the Fast & the Furious ride in Island’s sister park, but don’t worry it’s a lot more fun. The queue is spooky perfectly preparing you for the ride experience. It features skull carvings along the wall, a terrifying slug from the 2005 film, and witch animatronics. The ride itself puts you on an expedition where you face attacks from predators and then enters the star himself, King Kong. While the screens are decently done, it’s the super impressive Kong animatronic that steals the show.
5. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
Debuting in 1999, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man was ahead of its time with its 3D simulator dark ride. If you’re a Marvel fan, this is a must ride as you join the Bugle as a cub reporter after the Sinister Syndicate steals the Statue of Liberty and it’s up to Spider-Man to save the day. There are appearances from so many Spider-Man villains and characters but my personal favourite is the classic Stan Lee cameo. Spider-Man is proof that when done right, a simulator can be a lot of fun and not nauseating.
4. The Incredible Hulk Coaster
One of the more thrilling rides in the whole park, The Incredible Hulk Coaster launches you up to 67 mph with 7 awesome inversions!! While the ride opened in 1999 it was refurbished in 2015 with an updated queue and smoother track and trains. The queue puts you in a science experiment by General Thaddeus Ross and the ride is a gamma accelerator. If starting off your day in Marvel Land, it’s the perfect thrill to get your heart pumping for the rest of the day.
3. Jurassic Park Adventure
Jurassic Park Adventure is fun and nostalgic!! It takes you on a boat ride where you come across many realistic Odinosaur animatronics featuring a giant T. Rex that is ready to eat everyone whole. It all ends with a thrilling 85 foot drop into water. Some might say its outdated, but sometimes the classics shouldn’t be messed with. It’s an attraction that literally every person no matter the age enjoys from start to finish.
2. Jurassic World VelociCoaster
Opening in 2021, the VelociCoaster has been a fantastic addition and arguably the most thrilling ride in all of Orlando. The queue is great featuring animatronic raptors and a video of Dr. Wu. Great for families or guests who just want to be immersed in Jurassic World but don’t want to have their stomachs turning, there is a family room that shows “Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous” while you wait for other members of the party to finish the ride. Fast speeds, four inversions, and appearances from Blue, Echo, Delta, and Charlie make this ride a can’t miss for all thrill seekers!
1. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventures
Hagrid’s has it all: excellent theming, unique seating, a fun queue, an interactive pre-show, and an overall thrilling ride! Hagrid takes us on a journey through the Forbidden Forest on a motorcycle with a sidecar that Arthur Weasley duplicated from Sirius. You’ll see Fluffy, Cornish Pixies, Devil’s Snare, Centaur, and a Blast Ended Screwt. The ride itself is fast paced and has an unexpected drop. This ride is guaranteed to always have long waits but it’s well worth it, because I’d ride this one over and over again if I could!
What’s your favourite ride or attraction at Universal’s Islands of Adventure? Let us know in the comments below or on one of our social media channels and make sure to follow Frozen Mouse Fever for all your Universal and Disney needs.
Frozen Mouse Fever 