Top 15 rides in Orlando

11. Men in Black Alien Attack

• Location: Universal Studios
• Why it’s great: Fun theme & cool interactive experience

Take a step back in time to the days of old school arcades on this quirky alien themed ride based on the popular Will Smith Men in Black series. I am not a huge fan of the movies, but I do love this ride, mainly because I love old school arcade gaming! This is one of the rides our party always chooses to go on at least twice. On this ride, you will head to the dark streets of NYC where you will get to compete with your party to see who can zap the most aliens. As intense spinning is also involved, shooting the targets is not as easy as you would think! Hands down, this is the best of the interactive park rides. Lots of fun special effects, twists and turns: a really crazy ride to say the least.

12. Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure

• Location: Islands of Adventure
• Why it’s great: Lots of unexpected surprises on a fast coaster.

This is one of Island’s most popular rides since opening in 2019. It’s still quite busy to this day with a long wait out in the sun in an unshaded line. This is one of my favorite coasters in Orlando. There are great views of the park and lot of fun surprises along the way. Lots of steep drops (included a few unexpected) and twists and turns on this one!

13. Revenge of the Mummy

• Location: Universal Studios
• Why it’s great: Crazy special effects

The Mummy definitely is right up there with the best-of-the-best Universal rides. No matter how many times you go on this ride, it is a blast every single time. The ride blasts off at 45mph in total darkness. The amazing special effects seemingly pop out of nowhere in the dark surroundings, so you have no idea what to expect with each twist and turn! As someone who is terrified of bugs, the scarab beetles were terrifying!

The combination of special effects, 3D, and a super fast coaster really puts this ride way above your typical coaster. On a cool side note, there are some real Egyptian hieroglyphics on the walls. The queue is amazing on this one: so dark, so creepy, so eerie!

14. Dudley Do Right’s Ripsaw Falls

• Location: Islands of Adventure
• Why it’s great: You’ll get soaked (and cool down for at least an hour or 2)

Although Dudley’s is located in the kiddie section of Islands, this is no kiddie ride. It may look tame, however, there are lots of fun drops on this water coaster. I love saving this one for mid day on a hot, humid summer afternoon. The theme based on the classic cartoon is so colorful and nostalgic. The wait can be super long and it can get really stuffy: it’s worth it my opinion as the best water ride in Orlando. Check out more of my favorite water rides!

15. Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey

• Location: Islands of Adventure
• Why it’s great: Incredible imagery and an awesome queue

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is an exciting motion simulator ride located within the Hogwarts Castle. This ride definitely wins the award for best queue. Instead of waiting in the hot sun, you get to walk through the beautiful Hogwarts castle. Ron, Harry, and Hermione, the sorting hat, and many other cast members make appearances. I love looking at the interactive newspapers and talking portraits (just like in the movies!). The castle is so intricate and detailed. I give the designers props for really creating something special: this is a great experience for all Potterheads!

The ride itself is visually stunning with many special effects. This is a thrill ride which twists and turns you around in every direction possible! On this ride, you will follow Harry on a broom to many of Hogwarts most iconic sites. Soar past Dumbledore’s office, the Gryffindor common room, and more while also avoiding dementors and other scary sights! The quidditch scene is really fun. As great as this ride is, it is a definite skip for anyone with motion sickness!

Note: Sadly, I removed the fabulous Aerosmith Rock N’Roller coaster from my list. This coaster will be replaced by a Muppets themed coaster in 2026. Too bad as it was one of the best rides at the Disney parks.

Ride Tips

Check the Wait times app throughout the day to get the most bang-for-your-buck experience.

Stay at a Universal property to gain hour early admission. Some of the Harry Potter rides are open early.

Ride as a single rider if you don’t mind splitting up with your party. You can often get on in half the time.

Wear a lanyard. You can scan your ticket to access lockers without scanning your phone each time.

Avoid these if you have motion sickness: The Forbidden Journey, The Simpsons, Spiderman, Minions, The Hulk.

Best AC queues: Men in Black, Fast & Furious, Jimmy Fallon, The Forbidden Journey, E.T.

Plan Islands of Adventure for mid afternoon (there are 3 great water rides to cool off on).

Honorable Mentions

Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges: Whitewater rafting style ride with many fun drops and big splashes. The one to go on if you want to get really wet! Even more fun if you are at the park with a big party as there are 8 seats!

Hollywood Rip Ride Rock It: Musical coaster where you get to pick a song that only you can hear while you ride. Not for those scared of heights! This ride goes straight up with a vertical lift! Cool fact: this ride features the world’s first non inverting loop!

Monsters, Inc.: A fun cool break in the AC during the mid afternoon hours at the Magic Kingdom. You’ll laugh along with other park visitors as Mike Wazowski cracks his best jokes with a lot of audience interaction involved.

Soarin’: The iconic Epcot attraction where you will get to soar above popular world landmarks.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin: Fun interactive ride where you will get to zap targets. Similar to Men in Black, this is Disney’s arcade style ride.

Peter Pan: Classic ride based on the beloved Disney movie. So cute and nostalgic!

Space Mountain: Thrilling fast indoor coaster in a near pitch black setting. I love the ambiance on this one!