Top 15 rides in Orlando
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
After visiting the Orlando theme parks countless times, I have noticed that I gravitate towards the same rides again and again. With so much to see and do within a limited time frame, you will want to know which rides are the best-of-the-best. Below is my guide to my most recommended rides at Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Walt Disney World Parks. Note: I have not included anything from Epic Universe as of yet as I’ve only visited the park once in June of 2025. I also recommend downloading the Wait Times App so you can avoid wasting precious time!
1. The Hulk Coaster
- Location: Universal’s Islands of Adventure
- Why it’s great: Super fast takeoff, so smooth
The Hulk is hands down the most exciting, heart pounding coaster in all of Orlando. This is the one to put tops on your bucket list if you are a coaster fanatic. Islands of Adventure is a wonderful theme park, home to many great coasters. The Hulk is the best here, and thus, tends to attract hefty crowds. Consider getting to this ride earlier in the day or in the evening hours when the park is less crowded. Check the Universal Wait times app to stay updated on each attraction’s current wait time.
The ride takes off at an exhilarating 40mph and continues on a fast paced journey of 67mph through 7 inversions. There’s barely time to anticipate the next drops and curves as the ride is just too darn fast.
2. Harry Potter and the Escape to Gringotts
- Location: Universal Studios
- Why it’s great: Great 3D effects
The Escape to Gringotts is the best of the three major Harry Potter themed rides located within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The ride opened in July of 2014, and at one point had an average waiting time of over 4 hours! I remember waiting for hours outside in a hot line. Today, the queue is much shorter (I got on in 30 min on my last visit in June of 2025), thanks in part to Universal’s newest addition, Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure (another fantastic ride, although the wait time is crazy!).
This dark themed indoor 3D rollercoaster ride combines simulator effects for the ultimate thrilling experience. Unlike other motion simulators, it does not jam you around as much. As I despise rides like Spiderman (if you have been on it, you know what I mean!), this one was a real treat. The special effects and overall creativity are just incredible. Harry Potter fans will love traveling alongside Harry, Ron, and Hermione through the underground vaults of the bank. The queue is pretty cool too as you get to walk through Gringotts Wizarding Bank and see the goblin tellers in action.
3. E.T. The Adventure
- Location: Universal Studios
- Why it’s great: One of Universal’s first rides (it’s so nostalgic)
Take a trip down memory lane on one of Universal’s original rides (it opened in 1990 when the park opened). As we all grew up watching E.T., it’s a fun blast to the past to take a ride soaring through the sky just like in the movie. The queue here takes you on a peaceful, cool walk through California’s beautiful redwood trees. It’s a great escape on a hot summer afternoon (and never overcrowded as tourists pass it by in favor of more popular, newer attractions). I always end my Universal day with a fun, relaxing, and nostalgic ride with E.T.! I finally caved in my most recent trip and bought the cutest stuffed E.T.
4. The Haunted Mansion
- Location: Disney’s Magic Kingdom
- Why it’s great: Incredible ghostly special effects
Easily the most iconic of all Disney rides, The Haunted Mansion should top your Magic Kingdom bucket list. Get ready for a spooky adventure through an eerie haunted estate. As you travel along in your doom buggy, you will see ghosts and other frightful sights along the way. The ghosts are so realistic looking, and the ballroom dancing room is especially memorable. This is a slow ride in near complete darkness, and although it’s creepy, there are no drops or inversions. Basically, it’s one your whole party will love!
The attention to detail throughout the Dutch Gothic revival style mansion truly is spectacular. The overall dark ambiance really adds to the spooky excitement. This is one attraction where the wait is just as exciting at the ride itself. This one is at its’ best during Mickey’s Halloween Party with many specialty frightly sights including ghostly appearances and more.
5. Pirates of the Caribbean
- Location: Disney’s Magic Kingdom
- Why it’s great: Fantastic set design & animatronics!
Next to The Haunted Mansion, Pirates is the other must-ride at the Magic Kingdom in my opinion. Climb into your barge and set sail on an adventure back to the 17th century when pirates ruled the seas. From cannons blasting, to realistic animatronic pirates belting out “A pirate’s life for me,” to special cameos by Captain Jack Sparrow, you will feel as if you have stepped right into the Pirates of the Caribbean movie set.
This is one of Disney’s oldest rides, having opened back in 1973. While the ride did not inspire the popular series of the same name (Jack Sparrow was added in 2006), the setting is pretty spot on. If you are a big Johnny Depp/pirate’s fan, this will definitely be one of your favorites!
