The Top 10 Rides at Universal Studios Hollywood
#10 -
Silly Swirly Fun Ride
Bring out the fun for the kiddos with this simple, but silly flying ride! Located near Minion Mayhem, this ride offers a 360-degree view inside a buggy that you can control. This one is meant for the very littles under 48” and supervision is required. You get to enjoy the music from the Despicable Me soundtrack and just have some fun! This ride is part of Super Silly Fun Land, so you can also enjoy the water play area, play fair games, and shop or eat just like a Minion. Banana anyone?
#9 -
Flight of the Hippogriff
For a quick, easy ride with usually a short wait time, hop on over to meet Hagrid and the gang in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (more on that later). You will learn the proper way to care for a Hippogriff, a part eagle, part horse magical creature from the infamous book and movie franchise. Soar past Hagrid’s hut, spiral through the pumpkin patch, and help this majestic animal along the way. This ride is family friendly so good for most ages. Afterwards, enjoy all the World has to offer such as wand and candy shops, magic spells, Hogwarts merch, and of course Butterbeer!
#8 - The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash
As the newest attraction at the park, this ride and experience was very cute! It is located right next to Minion Mayhem, making this area of the park great for young children. Make sure you reserve a spot in the Virtual Line to have the best experience with your favorite characters, such as Max and Duke, from the movie. Although geared toward young children, this is fun for parents too and you can get some good pictures in the interactive wait line. After that, assume your role as a stray puppy in ride vehicles that resemble cardboard boxes, and enjoy your journey through New York City. You will see all your favorite animatronic characters, including Gidget and Snowball, and video screens that mimic your own movements! The new technology makes you a part of the ride! Kids will smile at all of their furry friends and be greeted with a forever home, making this a joyful experience to remember.
#7 -
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
Who doesn’t love the adorable girls and their silly Minion friends? This ride is fun for all ages and will take you on a journey through Gru’s home, where you will be transformed into a Minion too! Assume your training where you will encounter unexpected prickly cacti, lasers, huge boxing gloves and more…especially…bananas! The laughs keep coming on this 3-D interactive experience where you are tested on your “strength, speed, and ability not to die.” You and the characters come to life as you work together as a team to make it to the final party of their adoption anniversary. Help them celebrate with a ride ending dance party! Show off your best moves and have fun!
#6 - Revenge of the Mummy
Are you ready for a rush? Then hop on Universal Studios Hollywood’s fastest and most exhilarating ride: Revenge of the Mummy. Based on Universal Pictures popular Mummy franchise, you’ll be catapulted on a high speed Egyptian adventure, complete with actual hieroglyphics and props from the films. You’ll be launched at a speed of 45 miles per hour in an indoor setting that at times is covered in total darkness. The ride was the park’s first roller coaster and they spared no expense (around $80 million were spent creating the ride) in fabricating a unique and exhilarating experience. Many park fans were disappointed when Universal announced this attraction would be replacing the fan favorite E.T. Adventure ride, but soon after opening, it became the new favorite ride of many park visitors.
#5 - Jurassic World: The Ride
If you’re at Universal on a hot summer day, this might be the ride for you! Updated in 2019 from Jurassic Park to Jurassic World, this water ride takes you through the jungle where you’ll meet all sorts of dinosaurs from the films. It all leads up to the big splash down at the end! Each boat takes 25 passengers on the journey, with the front row riders most likely getting absolutely soaked. If you want to take in the ride and get the least wet, we recommend requesting the back row, but at the very least you’ll still get a little water on you. The updates to the ride added a lot of cool technology that really enhances the fun. Not only did Universal create this great ride, but it built an entire area dedicated to the franchise. There’s a “DinoPlay” area and a raptor encounter that are great for youngsters, the “Isla Nu-Bar” and Jurassic Cafe supply tropical food and drinks, and “Jurassic Outfitters” (where you’ll end up after the ride) sells a ton of Jurassic World merchandise. This is a can’t miss area of the park for Jurassic Park/World fans and dinolovers alike!
#4 - Transformers: The Ride 3-D
This dark ride is more than meets the eye! This next-gen thrill ride combines 3D video screens (up to 60 feet high!) and flight simulation technology to forge a unique and innovative experience. Based on the hugely successful live-action Transformers films, you’ll be put right smack in the middle of a battle between the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons. Your ride vehicle follows a 2,000 foot long track and has the ability to move 360 degrees at several different angles, creating an unpredictable adventure. It’s up to you to help Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and the rest of your favorite Transformers protect the Allspark and save the planet!
#3 - The Simpsons Ride
If you miss out on taking a spin on this virtual reality roller coaster you and your family will be saying, “doh!” Based on the hugely popular and long running fox animation Simpsons franchise, this ride will have you laughing and screaming throughout. Replacing the beloved Back to the Future: The Ride in 2008, expectations were high and Universal met the task and delivered a perfect Simpsons ride. You’ll journey through Springfield and see a ton of your favorite characters from the show, including the Simpson family, Krusty, Groundskeeper Willie, and more! Even though you’re inside a massive 80 foot dome, you’ll feel like you’re on the world’s largest and fastest roller coaster. The innovative technology paired with the comedic genius of the Simpsons’ writers and actors will deliver a one of a kind adventure!
#2 -
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Universal made a great decision when they worked out a deal for the theme park rights to the highly successful Harry Potter franchise. Harry Potter fans were thrilled and Universal delivered with an entire area devoted to the famous franchise. You can purchase food and drinks made famous in the books and films (butterbeer anyone?) and visit iconic locations such as Dumbledore’s office and Ollivander’s wand shop! There are two rides, the aforementioned Flight of the Hippogriff and the main attraction that resides inside of the Hogwarts castle: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. After placing your belongings in the free-to-rent lockers, you walk through a queue that is essentially a tour of Hogwarts where you’ll see some groundbreaking use of technology and some familiar friends. Once aboard, your ride vehicle will be enchanted with a spell, allowing you to fly all around the Hogwarts grounds, take in a quidditch match, and help Hagrid with finding his fiery friend. All in all, it’s a magical experience that’s fun for Potterheads and non-fans alike!
#1 - The World Famous Studio Tour
One amazing thing that Universal Studios Hollywood has over almost any other theme park in the world is their exclusive Studio Tour. You’ll be taken on a guided tram for around 60 minutes, visiting a functioning Hollywood movie studio lot. Every tour is different, as there are always different TV shows and movies filming on the lot. You’ll see sets and locations (like their Metropolitan area) and maybe even spot a celebrity! Some cool areas that you might see are a set from Jaws, Bates Motel from Psycho, and a massive plane crash site from War of the Worlds. The tour is co-hosted by Jimmy Fallon, who provides fun facts and many laughs throughout. If that wasn’t enough, you’ll go on several simulated, high speed adventures! Those may include the world’s largest 3-D experience in King Kong 360 3-D, or a ride along with the Fast and the Furious family. Between the long duration of the ride and the endless possibilities, the World Famous Studio Tour is given our top spot on this list.
Click here to learn about our top 10 rides at Disneyland!