Think you know the best rides at Epic Universe?
My thrilling ranking will surprise you!
As a theme park enthusiast who’s had the privilege of experiencing every attraction at this incredible new park, I’m thrilled to share my comprehensive ranking of all rides from good to absolutely mind-blowing.
Whether you’re planning your first visit or strategizing your return, this guide will help you prioritize the must-ride attractions and set realistic expectations for the rest.
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Key Takeaways
- Universal Epic Universe features a diverse range of attractions, from interactive rides to immersive experiences.
- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge uses augmented reality to enhance gameplay and guest competition.
- Fyre Drill offers a unique interactive boat ride experience with water cannons for targeting fun.
- Yoshi’s Adventure is a family-friendly omnimover ride that has faced some operational challenges since its opening.
- Donkey Kong Mine-Cart Madness requires a height of 40 inches, making it accessible for many young thrill-seekers.
#11 Dragon Racer’s Rally
Coming in at the bottom of our list is Dragon Racer’s Rally, a family-friendly spinning ride in the How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Bark section.
While it’s visually appealing with its colorful dragon-themed cars, the experience is pretty standard for a spinner ride.
I do enjoy the gentle spinning motion that increases in speed, giving every rider a bird’s-eye view of the Dragon Isle area.
It’s perfect for families with kids or those who prefer milder attractions.
The ride vehicles are designed to resemble different dragon species from the films, each with unique color schemes and details!
However, it can be quite difficult to get this ride to do a full 360-spin when compared to similar attractions around the world.
HIPSTER POWER TIP: Ride this early in the morning or during meal times to avoid longer waits, as it has relatively low capacity.
#10 Yoshi’s Adventure
This omnimover-style ride in Super Nintendo World offers a charming journey through Mushroom Kingdom aboard a colorful Yoshi.
Opened initially at Universal Studios Japan in March 2021, this family-friendly attraction provides a gentle experience.
It’s a slow-moving ride where you’ll sit on Yoshi’s back and travel through vibrant scenes from the games.
The ride uses a combination of physical sets and screens to create an immersive environment.
Personally, I just love the views that I get of Super Nintendo Land whenever I experience this attraction.
It’s a great ride for both day and night. Making it one of the best rides at Epic Universe!
HIPSTER POWER TIP: Look for the hidden eggs (red, green, blue) throughout the ride – spotting them all adds a fun challenge!
#9 Fyre Drill
This interactive boat ride in the How to Train Your Dragon area offers splashy fun for the whole family.
Fyre Drill puts you in control of water cannons that can shoot over 28 feet through the air!
The ride’s storyline involves helping the dragon riders of Berk (like Viking twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut) put out “fires” throughout the village, with special effects that make it appear as though your water blasts are actually extinguishing flames.
It can be a leisurely boat journey where you’ll aim water cannons at targets (and possibly other boats); however, it can turn into a flash flood if that’s how you choose to experience it.
I’m not complaining since it’s particularly refreshing on hot Florida days.
HIPSTER POWER TIP: Wear quick-drying clothes or bring a poncho if you don’t want to get wet – because you definitely will! You can use the “People Dryer” nearby for a small fee if you want to dry off faster.
#8 Constellation Carousel
This isn’t your typical merry-go-round! The Constellation Carousel in the Celestial Park section offers a magical twist on the classic attraction with its celestial theming and enchanting nighttime lighting.
I love how each creature on the carousel represents a different constellation, and the ceiling above displays an accurate map of the night sky that changes with the seasons!
It’s a beautifully crafted carousel featuring mythological creatures and cosmic designs instead of traditional horses.
The ride experience is gentle but visually stunning with a soundtrack that changes often with every ride vehicle turning 360-degrees while lifting you up to 6 feet in the air.
On my first ride, I got a bit teary-eyed. The visuals, the movement of the carousel and the music just flooded my senses and a tear fell from my eye.
I was taken aback because I haven’t experienced that type of emotion on a theme park ride in a long time.
HIPSTER POWER TIP: Ride this attraction at night when the constellation effects truly come alive with spectacular lighting.
#7 Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
This innovative augmented reality dark ride brings the beloved Mario Kart games to life in Super Nintendo World using cutting-edge technology to immerse riders in the world of Mario.
You’ll don AR goggles and board a four-person kart to race through iconic Mario Kart courses.
I love how the ride combines physical sets with augmented reality to create a unique racing experience.
According to Universal, “The long-standing rivalry between Mario and Bowser is as fierce as ever!” on this attraction where guests compete for coins and points.
HIPSTER POWER TIP: Practice your aim before riding – collecting coins and hitting items significantly enhances your score and experience!
#6 Curse of the Werewolf
Located in the Dark Universe area, this thrilling dark ride takes you through a terrifying encounter with werewolves in a Gothic European village.
The attraction perfectly balances storytelling with genuine scares and fun elements of a roller coaster.
This spin coaster will have you looking for the impressive werewolf figure, along with special effects, and unexpected moments that will have you spinning in your seat.
The ride vehicles move unpredictably, enhancing the suspense.
I really like how this attraction draws inspiration from classic Universal monster films, particularly the 1961 film, “The Curse of the Werewolf,” with several Easter eggs for horror fans to spot throughout the ride.
HIPSTER POWER TIP: Sit in the back row (at night) for the most intense experience – the front row riders often telegraph the scares!
#5 Donkey Kong Mine-Cart Madness
This groundbreaking roller coaster in the Donkey Kong Country area of Super Nintendo World uses innovative technology to create the illusion that your mine cart is actually jumping across gaps in the track (just like in the game)!
With a height requirement of 40 inches, it’s accessible to many families.
Some people don’t like the roughness of this Epic Universe roller coaster, but that’s what I came to love about this ride. It makes the ride feel realistic and adds to the experience.
HIPSTER POWER TIP: Sit in the back row for the most intense “jump” feeling when the cart appears to leap between tracks.
#4 Stardust Racers
This high-speed coaster in the Celestial Park area combines the thrill of a roller coaster with the disorienting fun of a one that duels.
This dual-launched cosmic adventure spans approximately 5,000 feet of track and reaches exhilarating speeds of 62.6 mph with a peak height of 133 feet as you race through a celestial landscape.
There’s also an inverted crisscross known as the Celestial Spin that makes you feel as if you’re truly racing through space! Making it one of the best rides at Epic Universe.
#3 Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
This dark ride in the Dark Universe area is a technological marvel that brings Universal’s classic monsters to life in terrifying new ways.
The attraction features some of the most advanced animatronics ever created for a theme park.
You’ll fall in love with the narrative-driven dark ride where you witness Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s experiments go horribly wrong, unleashing multiple classic Universal monsters.
The ride combines massive sets, state-of-the-art animatronics, and special effects.
The attraction features appearances by multiple Universal monsters beyond just Frankenstein’s creation, including the Creature from the Black Lagoon, the Mummy, and more!
To me, it felt like a nod to both the Universal Classic Monsters and the creators who work so hard on the Halloween Horror Nights events from the past.
HIPSTER POWER TIP: Pay attention to the pre-show – it sets up story elements that make the main ride even more impactful.
#2 Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
This groundbreaking dark ride in the Wizarding World area uses a combination of physical sets, screens, and special effects to create one of the most immersive Harry Potter experiences yet.
The attraction puts you right in the middle of an epic magical battle.
While you’re on this ride, you go through a thrilling journey through the Ministry of Magic where you’ll encounter Death Eaters, cast spells, and aid Harry and his friends in an intense magical confrontation.
The ride system seamlessly blends motion platforms with massive physical and digital environments.
HIPSTER POWER TIP: Look for the hidden magical creatures (and Easter eggs from the Potter universe) throughout the Ministry – there are several that only appear if you’re looking in exactly the right place!
#1 Hiccups Wing Gliders
Taking the top spot is this magical roller coaster in the How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk.
This attraction offers the most believable flying experience ever created in a theme park, making you truly feel like you’re soaring on one of Hiccup’s latest contraptions. Making it one of the best rides at Epic Universe!
You’ll love the breathtaking flight over Berk and beyond, as you experience smooth swooping motions, near-miss elements with Viking village structures, and incredible theming that makes you feel like you’re truly riding a dragon.
HIPSTER POWER TIP: Request the “front row” on this ride for the most unobstructed view and intense experience (especially at night).
My Final Thoughts
Epic Universe truly lives up to its name with this incredible lineup of attractions.
From family-friendly adventures to white-knuckle thrills, there’s something for every type of theme park enthusiast.
While my rankings reflect my personal preferences, the beauty of Epic Universe is that each land offers its own unique brand of immersion and excitement.
The standout attractions like Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry represent the cutting edge of theme park technology, while even the “lower-ranked” rides like Dragon Racer’s Rally and Yoshi’s Adventure offer charming experiences that round out the park perfectly.
No matter which rides you prioritize, you’re in for an unforgettable day at Universal’s most ambitious theme park yet! Leave your favorite rides at Epic Universe below.
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor, and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!
Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.
Connect with me on Instagram!
