What are the the Top 10 Universal Islands of Adventure Rides?

What are the the Top 10 Universal Islands of Adventure Rides?

What are the the Top 10 Universal Islands of Adventure Rides?

This article is your complete guide to the best Islands of Adventure rides in 2024! From high-speed roller coasters to immersive storytelling experiences, this park has it all. As fans of the parks and Annual Passholders, we’ve experienced each ride multiple times and are excited to rank the best rides at Islands of Adventure. Our rankings consider enjoyment, wait times, accessibility, and more! So let’s start diving into everything you need to know about the top rides at Islands of Adventure!

We hope you find this post helpful! Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time and money on your next Universal Orlando vacation!  If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando be sure to check out our discounted multi-day Universal Orlando tickets and Universal Orlando vacation package deals which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for the best time to visit Universal Orlando be sure to check out our Universal Crowd Calendar!

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The Best Universal Islands of Adventure Rides 2024

Islands of Adventure brings to life the most epic cinematic universes like Jurassic Park and Harry Potter. It’s home to some of the best rides in Universal Studios Orlando, like VelociCoaster, one of the most thrilling coasters in all of Orlando. And Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, an immersive experience that is our favorite theme park adventure ever! If you’re looking for the top rides at Universal Island of Adventure, our guide is packed with tips and insider tricks to ensure an unforgettable adventure!

What are the Best Rides at Islands of Adventure?

• Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
• Jurassic World VelociCoaster
• The Incredible Hulk Coaster
• Jurassic Park River Adventure
• The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges
• Flight of the Hippogriff
• Skull Island: Reign of Kong
• The Cat in the Hat

Related Post: The Best Rides at Universal Orlando Ranked

#1 – Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure – Best Ride at Islands of Adventure

Height Requirement: Minimum Height 48″

Express Pass Entrance: No

Highlights: 

• Motorbike Car – Guests get to ride in a motorbike car, choosing either the actual bike or an attached sidecar. This provides two unique experiences for the riders with extra immersion!
• Magical Creatures – Throughout the ride, guests encounter various magical creatures from the Harry Potter universe, including Fluffy the three-headed dog, Cornish pixies, Centaurs, and more.
• Incredible storytelling – Not only does Hagrid’s have an innovative track with drops, launches, and backward motion, but guests will love a narrative-driven experience. With Hagrid as your guide, you’ll feel as if you’re flying through the Forbidden Forest.
• Early Park Admission – Hagrid’s Magical Creatures is one of the few attractions open during Early Park Admission in Islands of Adventure Park. We highly recommend using Early Park Admission to cut your wait time down, as this is one of the most popular attractions.

Overview: Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is a must-ride. This immersive coaster takes you on a magical journey through the Forbidden Forest, where you’ll encounter some of the Wizarding World’s most fascinating creatures. The ride’s unique motorbike design adds to the excitement, making it one of the best rides at Universal Orlando.

Related Post: The Best Tips for Visiting Harry Potter World

#2 – Velocicoaster – Islands of Adventure Roller Coasters

Height Requirement: Minimum height: 51″

Express Pass Entrance: Yes

Highlights:

• High-Speed Thrills – The VelociCoaster reaches speeds of up to 70 miles per hour, making it one of the fastest roller coasters in the park. This ride also features two launches with one reaching heights of over 150 feet with a heart-dropping freefall!
• Velociraptor Encounters – Riders come face-to-face with animatronic velociraptors, including Blue, Charlie, Delta, and Echo, adding to the immersion and excitement.
• Themed queue – If you love hidden details from the Jurassic Park films, the Velocicoaster queue is not one to miss. Not only are there various exhibits throughout, but there are also life-like velociraptors that you can come face to face with!

Overview: The VelociCoaster is one of the most thrilling islands of adventure roller coasters. This high-speed ride takes you on a heart-pounding journey through the Jurassic World, where you’ll come face-to-face with ferocious velociraptors. With its intense twists and turns, it’s no wonder why it’s considered one of the best rides at Universal Islands of Adventure.

Related Post: How to Ride the VelociCoaster at Universal Orlando Resort

#3 – The Incredible Hulk Coaster – Best Islands of Adventure Ride for Adults

Height Requirement: Minimum height – 54″

Express Pass Entrance: Yes

Highlights:

• High thrills – The ride begins with a powerful launch that accelerates riders from 0 to 40 mph in just two seconds, simulating Bruce Banner’s transformation into the Hulk. The coaster features a total of seven inversions, including a zero-gravity roll, a cobra roll, and two vertical loops, providing plenty of thrilling upside-down moments.
• Onboard Audio: Custom onboard audio syncs with the ride’s movements, enhancing the experience with music and sound effects that capture the essence of the Hulk.

Overview: Themed around Marvel’s Hulk character, this Universal roller coaster is one of the most thrilling and intense. Guests can feel the fury of the Hulk as they’re launched from the gamma-ray accelerator on a wild ride through inversions, high speeds, and more.

Related Post: Complete Guide to Universal Roller Coasters

#4 – Jurassic Park River Adventure

Height Requirement: Minimum Height – 42″

Express Pass Entrance: Yes

Highlights:

• Dinosaur Encounters: Throughout the ride, guests come face-to-face with life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, including a Stegosaurus, Parasaurolophus, and the fearsome T-Rex
• Thrilling features: Guests will experience an 85-foot drop, life-sized dinosaurs, and sound and lighting effects to enhance the experience. You also will get wet! So plan accordingly, as the drop brings a giant splash.

Overview: Jurassic Park River Adventure is a water-based boat ride at Islands of Adventure that takes guests on a ride through the iconic Jurassic Park. While starting as a leisurely tour, guests can expect a rather exhilarating turn of events as you’re detoured into the Raptor Containment area. Guests must then escape a terrifying encounter with a T-Rex in a heart-pounding finale plunging you 85 feet below.

Related Post: Complete Guide to Jurassic Park Universal Orlando

#5 – The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man – Best Rides in Islands of Adventure for Families

Height Requirement: Minimum height – 40″

Express Pass Entrance: Yes

Highlights:

• Unique ride experience: The ride features stunning 3D visuals that bring Spider-Man’s world to life, allowing riders to swing through the city, dodge explosions, and come face-to-face with villains like Doctor Octopus and Electro. It also is designed to move in sync with the on-screen action, which gives you a realistic sensation of swinging and soaring.
• Iconic characters: Not only will you see many of the famous foes of Spider-Man like Green Goblin, Sandman, and Scream … but you might also catch Stan Lee going for a drive too.

Overview: The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is a family-friendly attraction in Islands of Adventure. This thrilling journey takes you through the streets of New York City as you have to team up with Spider-Man to face some of the most infamous villains. This ride is a 3D motion-stimulation attraction that immerses guests to the fullest.

Related Post: Complete Guide to Marvel Super-Hero Island at Universal Orlando

#6 – Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

Height Requirement: Minimum height – 48″

Express Pass Entrance: Yes

Highlights:

• Unique ride experience – The ride uses a state-of-the-art robotic arm system that moves guests through various scenes, providing a fluid and lifelike motion experience. There are also 3D visual effects with huge physical visual sets giving a seamless, immersive experience.
• Iconic characters – If you’re a Harry Potter fan, this is the staple Harry Potter ride with all of our favorite characters like Ron, Harry, and Hermione. You’ll even encounter Dementors, The Whomping Willow, and more.
• Incredible queue – Even if you do not ride this attraction, you have to see the queue if you’re a Harry Potter fan. You will truly feel as if you are in the halls of Hogwarts Castle. Pass through Dumbledore’s office, The Gryffindor Common room, and more!

Overview: This is a thrilling dark ride that takes guests on a magical journey through the grounds of Hogwarts, stopping at iconic locations along the way. Utilizing advanced robotic arm technology, the ride offers a seamless blend of live-action sets, animatronics, and projection screens to create an immersive and unforgettable experience.

Related Post: The Best Universal Orlando Tips

#7 – Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges – Best Islands of Adventure Water Ride

Height Requirement: Minimum height – 42″

Express Pass Entrance: Yes

Highlights:

• You will get wet – If it is a hot day in Central Florida, I can guarantee that you will get soaked on this water rapids ride. Every time we’ve gone for a float, we’ve left soaked head to toe – so we promise that for you too.
• Fun theme – The ride is filled with colorful and whimsical theming inspired by the Popeye cartoon, including characters like Popeye, Olive Oyl, Bluto, and Wimpy. There are also elements like fast-moving rapids, waterfalls, and whirlpools to give a more exciting experience too.

Overview: Themed around the classic Popeye the Sailor Man, guests should prepare to get drenched during their wild journey through the waters of Sweethaven. There will be twists, turns, splashes, and more during this daring adventure to rescue Olive Oyl.

Related Post: Complete Guide to Water Rides at Universal

#8 – Flight of the Hippogriff

Height Requirement: Minimum height – 36″

Express Pass Entrance: Yes

Highlights:

• Perfect for kids: With its gentle twists, turns, and mild drops, Flight of the Hippogriff is designed to be accessible to younger riders and those looking for a less intense coaster experience.
• Scenic views: You will truly get the best views of the Wizarding World while riding the Flight of the Hippogriff, which is why we love it. You might catch a glimpse of Buckbeak himself on your way up the lift, but make sure you’re ready for the view of the Hogwarts Castle.

Overview: If you’re looking for an easier approach to the roller coaster world, then Flight of the Hippogriff is perfect for you. This is a family-friendly coaster located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, perfect for little ones or new riders. Themed around the magical creature called a hippogriff, this ride offers a quite gentle, but enchanting journey through the forest near Hagrid’s hut.

Related Post: Ranking all of the Harry Potter World Rides: Worst to Best

#9 – Skull Island: Reign of Kong

Height Requirement: Minimum height – 36″

Express Pass Entrance: Yes

Highlights:

• King Kong encounter –  The ride culminates in a face-to-face encounter with a massive animatronic King Kong, providing a breathtaking and memorable finale. You’ll want to be ready to see this up and close because it is one of the most impressive animatronics in the parks.
• Innovative storytelling – The ride’s vehicles are designed to resemble expedition trucks, complete with a “driver” animatronic that interacts with guests and adds to the storytelling. You feel like you’re driving through the jungles and caves of Skull Island.

Overview: Skull Island: Reign of Kong is an intense dark ride that takes guests on an expedition to the mysterious Skull Island. With a combo of 3D tech, animatronics, special effects, and more, this ride truly packs a punch when it comes to thrill. This journey even includes an encounter with King Kong himself, which shows the ride’s impressive scale and detail in theming.

Related Post: The Best Universal Studios Rides for Larger Guests

#10 – Cat in the Hat – Best Islands of Adventure Rides for Kids

Height Requirement: Minimum height 36 ” Children under 48 inches (122 cm) must be accompanied by a supervising companion.

Express Pass Entrance: Yes

Highlights:

• Seated and air-conditioned – Look, there’s no getting around the fact that we love The Cat in the Hat ride because it’s an opportunity to relax for over 2 minutes in the AC. Not only is it a fun ride, but it truly is one of the best with the lowest waits for Universal adults or families looking to escape the heat.
• Colorful and vibrant sets –  The ride faithfully recreates the story of “The Cat in the Hat,” taking guests through the mischievous adventures of the Cat, Thing 1, and Thing 2. The ride’s sets are designed in the signature Dr. Seuss style, with bright colors, whimsical shapes, and playful details.

Overview: The Cat in the Hat ride is a dark and whimsical attraction and one of our personal favorites here at The Park Prodigy. Based on the beloved children’s book by Dr. Seuss, the ride takes guests on a colorful and playful journey through the world of the Cat in the Hat. With spinning ride vehicles, vibrant sets, and beloved characters, it’s a delightful experience for children and families.

Related Post: Complete Guide on Celebrating a Universal Studios Orlando Birthday

What Should I Ride First at Islands of Adventure?

If you purchase a Universal Orlando Ticket that gives you Early Park Admission, then we always recommend starting with Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. Early Park Admission gets you into the theme parks an hour before general admission with access to certain rides. Typically, Hagrid’s is going to have the highest wait during the normal hours, so we always recommend doing that first.

If you don’t have Early Park Admission or want to skip Hagrids, then you’re going to want to head straight to the Velocicoaster. If you can handle 70 mph launches at 8 AM, then you will have a low wait right at open for VelociCoaster. For families, the Spider-Man ride offers a perfect blend of excitement and fun and will have very low waits if you head to it right at open.

What is the Best Ride at Islands of Adventure?

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is hands down the best ride in Islands of Adventure! Not only is it super thrilling, but the storytelling is unmatched, especially for Harry Potter fans. We love that you get to ride inside a motorbike and have Hagrid as your guide through the Forbidden Forest.

How Many Rides Are in Islands of Adventure?

There are 19 rides featured in the Islands of Adventure theme park. Some of those include roller coasters like VelociCoaster and The Incredible Hulk Coaster, while there are other family attractions like One Fish, Two Fish, and The Flight of the Hippogriff.

Related post: Guide to Universal Studios Vs. Islands of Adventure

Best Islands of Adventure Rides FAQ

Q: What are the best rides for adults in Islands of Adventure?

A: Personally, as an adult who travels to Universal Orlando, I would recommend VelociCoaster and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure for adults. While The Incredible Hulk Coaster is among the most thrilling, it seems like Marvel Super Hero Island is targeted at kids. For straight-up thrills with more adult vibes, we would recommend either Jurassic Park Land or The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Q: What are the Best Rides for Kids in Islands of Adventure?

A: For younger adventurers, the Cat in the Hat ride and the Jurassic Park River Adventure are perfect. These rides at Universal Islands of Adventure are designed to entertain without overwhelming. If you’re looking for other rides that aren’t included in our best rides in Islands of Adventure – we recommend checking out Seuss Island. Three other attractions are perfect for kids, especially for little ones like toddlers who need something super gentle.

Q: What is the best ride for Early Park Admission at Islands of Adventure?

A: The best ride for Early Park Admission in Islands of Adventure is Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. During the regular hours, you can always expect Hagrid’s to have a high wait, as it is one of the most popular rides in the parks. We always recommend heading to Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure first, whether you have EPA or not!

Q: What is the most intense ride at Islands of Adventure?

A: The Velocicoaster takes the crown for the most intense ride, offering a heart-pounding experience. Every time we ride VelociCoaster, we cannot believe how intense the two launches are, one of them going at 70 mph straight into a 150-foot drop. There are also corkscrews over water, suspended time upsidedown and so much more! This ride is not for the faint of heart.

Q: What thrill rides are at Islands of Adventure?

A: Islands of Adventure is the perfect place for thrill rides and happens to be the most intense park out of the two at Universal Orlando. Thrill-seekers will love the Hulk Coaster, Velocicoaster, and Doctor Doom’s Fearfall, as they tend to be the rides that get your heart pumping the most. We also find that Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is quite thrilling with backward motion, drops, and high speeds.

Q: What are the top rides at Islands of Adventure for 2024?

A: The top rides include Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Velocicoaster, The Incredible Hulk Coaster, Jurassic Park River Adventure, and The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, among others.

Q: How many rides do Islands of Adventure have?

A: Islands of Adventure officially has 19 rides, with a mix of coasters, dark rides, and 3D simulators. Guests will also find a variety of shows to watch throughout the day, which will add to the endless adventure.

Q: Which is the most intense ride at Islands of Adventure?

A: The Velocicoaster is considered the most intense ride at Islands of Adventure. It takes that title with an intense launch at 70mph, extreme drops, twists turns and so much more.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Universal Orlando?

Our Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We breakdown the park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices by day, and average temperature.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Universal Orlando Trip?

If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando be sure to check out our discounted multi-day Universal Orlando tickets and Universal Orlando vacation package deals which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

And to stay up to date on everything going on inside the theme parks be sure to check out our partners at Themeparktoday.com!