Whether you’re a daredevil at heart or a bit of a scaredy cat, there’s something for everyone at Universal Orlando. Here are my picks for the scariest and least scary rides at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure!
If you’re planning a trip to Universal Orlando, one of the best tips I can give you is to have a plan of attack. That means making yourself a list of the must-see attractions for your visit. And knowing which ones you can skip as well. No sense wasting time in line for a ride that your kid is going to nope out of at the finish line. Trust me.
But it can be a little tricky to know which rides are going to be a fit for everybody in the family. So I’ve pulled together this helpful little list. It doesn’t cover every single ride in the parks – just the ones that I deem scariest and least scary.
So if you have a wild child on your hands, make sure to prioritize the scary picks. And if you like things a little milder – avoid the scary list and focus on my top non-scary picks. It will make for a fun day for everyone.
The Scariest Rides!
Dr. Doom’s Fearfall: Easily one of the scariest rides in the park – maybe the scariest of them all. This rides shoots you 185 feet into the sky before plunging you back down faster than gravity. It’s crazy scary.
Velocicoaster: Still one of the newest and most popular roller coasters in the park, Velocicoaster will get your adrenaline pumping. With speeds reaching up to 70 mph and heights of 155 feet, including a 360-degree barrel roll over the lagoon, this one is only for thrill seekers. This one is also super popular, so if it’s on your wish list, you may want to consider getting express passes too.
Revenge of the Mummy: I totally misjudged this one with my nine year old and took him on it, thinking it was a simulator type ride. Yeah, that’s wrong. It’s a high speed indoor roller coaster that runs in nearly complete darkness. The graphics are also pretty terrifying, as you try to escape the Mummy and his curse. My kid screamed the whole time – not in a good way.
Incredible Hulk Coaster: This coaster starts by launching you upwards from zero to 40 mph in two seconds flat, followed by multiple inversions and top speeds of 67 mph. This one is not for the faint-hearted! This thing has been around since I was a kid myself, and it’s every bit as scary today.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey: This one was a surprise for me, as I was expecting something milder from the Harry Potter franchise. But the combination of real and virtual effects, along with sudden movements in the dark, makes for a pretty scary experience. My son was not amused. (Escape from Gringotts is a similar experience.)
Least Scary Rides
E.T. Adventure: This one is nice and gentle, while still feeling like a legit ride. Guests board a bicycle and gently glide through the sky – it’s pretty slow and the vibe is mostly mellow.
Cat in the Hat: This one is made for the kiddies. You board a little train car and drive through the scenes of the beloved Dr. Seuss book. It’s colorful and fun for the little ones, but nothing scary here at all.
… and everything else in Dr. Seuss World: This section of the park is filled with more great stuff for younger kids. Ride the Caro-Seuss-el, take a journey on The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride, or take flight on One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. Everything here is made with young kids in mind – but I admit I enjoy this area too!
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem: This simulator features Gru and his Minions in a fun-filled adventure that’s more giggles than thrills. If you’re looking for a good introduction to the simulator type rides, this is a good one to try first. The graphics are playful and funny, not scary!
Men in Black: If you want something a little more intense but still solidly in the not-scary camp, this is a good pick. In fact, this is my son’s favorite ride! You board a vehicle armed with a laser gun, and do your best to shoot aliens as you move through the cityscape. It’s a bit dark and there is some spinning around, but nothing jumps out and you and the imagery isn’t too intense.
Pteranodon Flyers: Take a gentle soar over the Jurassic Park area on this slow placed glider. This is one of the least intense rides, but the height makes it feel a little more grown up. But there’s a catch here – this ride has a height maximum to ride. Kids must be between 36″-56″ tall to ride. They can take an adult companion, but just one, and adults can’t ride without a kid. I do think this is a bit sad – my son stopped being allowed to ride by age 8 because he is on the tall side. :(
- Animal Actors Show: While not really a ride, the animal actors show is a really fun, and not at all scary, attraction. Trainers show off all the cool tricks that their animal actors can perform.
And there you have it – my picks for the scariest and least scary rides at both Universal Orlando theme parks. I hope it helps you plan the perfect trip. For more trip planning tips, check out these articles:
- Best Kid Friendly Rides at Universal Orlando
- The Best Bags for Universal Studios
- The Ultimate Universal Studios Packing List
- Inside Tips for a Perfect Visit to Universal Studios