Top Rides at Universal’s Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando Resort

Today, we’re coming at you from one of our favorite parks, Universal’s Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando Resort to share our top rides at this theme park.

Top Rides at Islands of Adventure

Check out today’s video as we take you through our top rides at Islands of Adventure. Islands has so many iconic rides, as well as several new rides destined to become classics. What is your favorite ride at Islands of Adventure? Be sure to let us know in the comments. Now, let’s get on with the list!

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

As you make your way through the Hogwarts Castle, be sure to check out all the details from the books and movies. Although you may be in a rush to get to the ride, the Castle offers just as much fun and excitement as the ride.

Watch for the Defense of the Dark Arts classroom, the Gryffindor Common Room, and Dumbledore’s office. Did you know, you can even take a Castle tour without riding the attraction? It’s a fun tour that we take advantage of any chance we get.

Enter through the towering castle gates and make your way down the familiar passageways and corridors of Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Then, soar above the castle grounds as you join Harry Potter™ and his friends on a thrilling adventure. Groundbreaking, state-of-the-art technology (and a little magic) creates a one-of-a-kind ride.

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™

If you love coaster rides, you’ll love our next top ride and you won’t even have to leave the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ to ride it.

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™ joins the lineup of award-winning entertainment experiences in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ at Universal Orlando and brings an all-new adventure inspired by J.K. Rowling’s beloved stories to life. Featuring rich sets, an actual forest with more than 1,200 trees, ground-breaking coaster technology and a captivating storyline, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is the world’s first “story coaster” – taking theme park experiences to a whole new level.

The journey begins as guests join Hagrid’s Care of Magical Creatures class and enter mysterious ruins, lain abandoned for centuries behind Hagrid’s hut and nestled on the edge of one of the most mysterious places in the Wizarding World – the Forbidden Forest. With Hagrid as their guide, guests will board magical motorbikes – riding on either the motorbike or in the adjacent sidecar – and feel the freedom of flight as they journey into the forest to discover the Wizarding World’s rarest magical creatures. You’ll ascend above the trees, rapidly accelerate through the ruins, rush forward – and backward – at speeds up to 50 mph and more on an unforgettable adventure with a few surprises along the way.

Be sure to take advantage of the virtual line on the Universal Orlando app or arrive very early. This popular ride fills up, FAST!

Hogwarts Express

Once you experience the thrills of Hagrid’s Motorbike, mosey over to the Hogwarts Express station. The Hogwarts Express takes guests from Hogsmeade to Kings Cross station near Diagon Alley. The train offers different shows in each direction, so be sure to ride the Hogwarts Express back from Diagon Alley, too.

On the way, encounter familiar characters and creatures from the Harry Potter™ books and films. When you arrive, pop around the corner to find the secret entryway into Diagon Alley™.

You’ll need a Park-to-Park ticket to ride the Hogwarts™ Express and visit both lands of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™. The train travels between Hogsmeade™ in Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley™ in Universal Studios Florida.

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

You don’t need to be a Spider-Man fan to enjoy this innovative ride, but it doesn’t hurt.

Strap on your 3-D glasses and join the world’s most famous web slinger in a high-flying virtual reality ride. The villains of the Sinister Syndicate have stolen the Statue of Liberty and it’s up to Spidey to save the day. 

You’ll face a cast of Marvel characters as you soar above the streets, scale skyscrapers and battle bad guys left and right. The high-definition 3-D graphics are so vivid, you might catch yourself counting the stitches on Spider-Man’s gloves. Just watch out for the 400-foot freefall.

Be sure to pay attention throughout the ride to spot several appearances from the one and only, Stan Lee!

The Incredible Hulk

One of our favorite rides at any theme park, the Incredible Hulk shoots guests out of a tube and into a giant loop. And, that’s just the start of this amazing coaster!

Step inside a high-security research compound commanded by General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross. You’ve bravely volunteered to be a test subject for a (potentially life-altering) science experiment based on Dr. Bruce Banner’s research. At the General’s word, your group is blasted with gamma radiation.

Suddenly, you feel unstoppable.

Before you can blink, you’re catapulted out with the force of a fighter jet. Hulk-like power propels you upside down into a weightless zero-gravity roll, racing faster and faster down the track. Hang on with superhuman strength as this high-speed, red-line rampage smashes its way through the sky.

This attraction will require guests to pass through a metal detector as loose articles are strictly prohibited.  Cell phones, cameras, headphones, loose change, keys, and other loose articles are not allowed. 

Jurassic Park River Adventure

Enjoy a leisurely river cruise through Jurassic Park aboard this ride until you make a wrong turn and all goes wrong!

This scenic water cruise starts out innocently enough. You’re gliding along in your raft, watching a baby stegosaurus and its mother share a moment.

When out of nowhere, you’re bumped off course and thrust into the ominous “restricted area” of Jurassic Park™. This is where they keep the other creatures. The dangerous ones. Suddenly, a T. rex stands before you. There’s nowhere to turn. Your only possible escape from his razor sharp teeth is to take the pitch-black plunge before you.

Did we mention it’s an 85-foot drop? Hope you brought a towel.

Flight of the Hippogriff

Although intended mostly for kids, the Flight of the Hippogriff offers a fun, short coaster ride as well as spectacular views of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade™.

Take the winding path towards Hagrid’s hut, where you may hear Fang barking as you pass. As you make your way, Hagrid gives instructions on the proper way to approach a Hippogriff, a magical creature that’s part eagle, part horse. This family-friendly roller coaster spirals and dives around the pumpkin patch before swooping past Hagrid’s hut.

Jurassic World Velocicoaster

The newest coaster at Islands of Adventure, Velocicoaster offers guests an unparalleled thrill ride through the Jurassic Park area.

From the moment they enter the attraction, riders will be confronted by Velociraptors from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s blockbuster “Jurassic World” films – including fan-favorite Blue, along with Charlie, Delta and Echo – as they prepare to join the hunt alongside the ferocious pack in an epic, high-speed coaster chase.

Riders will scream through a series of unbelievable near-misses and maneuvers, including two high-speed launches – the fastest reaching 70 mph in 2.4 seconds – a total of 12 seconds of weightlessness, a barrel roll just inches above the Islands of Adventure lagoon and the signature “Top Hat,” which will send riders 155 feet in the air and then immediately into an 80-degree drop.

To stay up-to-date with the latest Universal Orlando deals and to book your next Universal family vacation with the top travel experts, be sure to get in touch with our team at Destinations In Florida.