From the late 1990s to the late 2000s, Univeral Orlando was perceived as the roller coaster capital of Orlando, and by Disney fans, it had too many roller coasters. Now, in the year of our Lord 2024, everyone is adding roller coasters to their parks! Thanks to new technology, we can have coasters with crazy launches, dark ride segments, special moments, and more. This article will attempt to be the de facto, definitive rankings of roller coasters at Univeral Orlando.

What Is a Roller Coaster?

But first, what the heck is a roller coaster? Per Wikipedia, “A roller coaster is a type of amusement ride employing a form of elevated railroad track that carries passengers on a train through tight turns, steep slopes, and other elements usually designed to produce a thrilling experience.” Ok got it, but this also includes some things the general public does not perceive as a roller coaster, like High in the Sky Suess Trolly Ride. So I’ll amend the above statement to add “must be powered by its weight descending through the course”. There we go. Yes, this is a point of contention for the coaster fan community, as “powered coasters” exist.

Wait, How Are YOU a Definitive Source?

Ok, fair! Besides writing about Universal Orlando for 7 years I am also a fan of roller coasters. I’ve ridden hundreds of coasters across the country – from Disney parks to Branson, MO to Sandusky, OH. I’ve ridden the tallest, fastest, and bonkers-ist rides like Hypersonic XLC, Kingda Ka, X2, Steel Vengeance, and them all in Orlando. So hold my hand and I’ll take you on a guided tour of the best coasters at Universal Orlando (I swear I’m not just some person running an AI prompt).

Yes, this list is tongue-in-cheek and my opinions, but I hope I offer some justifications for my choices.

Our Rating System

First, let us define the criteria. I will be judging these rides in four categories on a sca

⭐️ Thrill – The unexpected turns, drops, and sudden movements that make a thrilling ride. It ranges from a predictable and pleasant ride to an action-packed thrill ride.
⭐️ Intensity – The forces exerted on the human body, from the exertion of taking a stroll to multiple g-force rides. Higher intensity does not mean a better experience.
⭐️ Theming – The overall term I am using for the design, decoration, and justification of the rides. Ranges from “county fair with a cut out of character” to highly immersive and realistic environments.
⭐️ “It” Factor – Is this a ride that stands out? Does it have a unique quality? Is everyone talking about it? This is the little push that hypes up a roller coaster.

The Rankings

With all that out of the way, here is what I believe to be the top coasters at Universal Orlando. Despite all my bluster about definitive rankings in my deliberately provocative article title, these are still my opinions. I can see the justifications for moving some of these around. All right, here we go…

#9 – Trollercoaster

Thrill: 1
Intensity: 1
Theming: 1
“It”: 2

Ride Time: 60 seconds
Restrictions: 36″ (92 cm) minimum height

A kid’s coaster with Trolls decorated ride trains and queue area. This low thrill attraction is only 28 ft tall and reaches a blistering 22 mph pace. While it’s at the bottom of our list, the barebones theming and no music hold it back, it does fill a niche for small children. Unless you need to pad your coaster count or have a small child you are most likely skipping this ride.

#8 – Flight of the Hippogriff

Thrill: 2
Intensity: 2
Theming: 2
“It”: 2

Ride Time: 60 seconds
Restrictions: 36″ (92 cm)

The Trollercoaster’s bigger cousin, Flight of the Hippogriff is Island of Adventure’s children’s coaster. It is slightly more thrilling than the Trollercoaster with a taller drop, faster top speed, and longer coaster experience. Theming is slightly nicer with a load station hut and glide past a hippogriff exiting the station. Due to the Harry Potter theming wait times are longer than the Trollercoaster, and sometimes longer than the Hulk.

#7 – Pteranodon Flyers

Thrill: 3
Intensity: 2
Theming: 3
“It”: 4

Ride Time: 80 seconds
Restrictions: The minimum height is 36″ (92 cm), and guests taller than 56″ must be accompanied by someone between 36″and 56″.

Pteranodon Flyers is a suspended family coaster that I have never been on. Why? Because you cannot ride this roller coaster unless you’re riding with someone between the heights of 36″ and 56 “*. We appreciate Universal’s dedication to keeping it kids only. The ride is a gentle downward slope with some wide turns, but the real thrill comes from the solo swinging chairs 20 feet over the paths of Camp Jurassic.

*Some private parties allow all guests to ride.

#6 – Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

Thrill: 3
Intensity: 4
Theming: 2
“It”: 3

Ride Time: 2 minutes
Restrictions: 51″ (130 cm) minimum height

Universal’s music-themed coaster doesn’t live up to the rockstar hype. The layout is poorly paced with too many block breaks and some jarring coaster transitions that are too intense. The choose your music feature is a bonus and the vertical lift hill is iconic, but that doesn’t excuse the mediocre ride experience.

#5 – Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

Thrill: 3
Intensity: 3
Theming: 5
“It”: 3

Ride Time: 4 minutes
Restrictions: 42″ (107 cm) minimum height

If there is a linear scale, with “Roller coaster” on one end and “Dark Ride” on the other, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts would rest closer than most would like on the dark ride side. But with that being said, the ride is still primarily a roller coaster, featuring the first tilt drop track in North America and a unique spinning coaster car design before Cosmic Rewind. But the short coaster parts bookend a by-the-numbers Universal 3D film.

#4 – The Incredible Hulk Coaster

Thrill: 4
Intensity: 5
Theming: 3
“It”: 3

Ride Time: 80 seconds
Restrictions: 54″ (138 cm) minimum height

One of the most iconic roller coaster silhouettes in the world, and arguably the “ride” when people think of Orlando theme parks, is The Incredible Hulk coaster. The launched hill over the Marvel Super Hero Island path into the cobra roll and large loop is an iconic Universal theme park element. The ride experience is very intense, with a ride design that focuses on positive G forces but also the semi-hard rubber over-the-shoulders restraints cause lots of pain. We know with some redesigned elements and updated trains this could reawaken the Hulk we all fell in love with in 1999.

#3 – The Revenge of the Mummy

Thrill: 3
Intensity: 4
Theming: 4
“It”: 3

Ride Time: 3 minutes
Restrictions:

On the “coaster to dark ride” scale, Revenge of the Mummy balances the two halves of the experience with engaging dark ride segments with thrilling coaster bits better than Escape from Gringotts. Here we are, tourists on a set visit within a very haunted set where the immortal Imhotep attempts to steal our souls. It’s all a very universal experience at its core, one that even my Disney-loving sister can’t help but rank as her favorite Universal ride.

#2 – Velocicoaster

Thrill: 5
Intensity: 4
Theming: 4
“It”: 5

Ride Time: 90 seconds
Restrictions: 41″ (130 cm) minimum height

Some would argue that Velocicoaster is the best coaster in central Florida—the Intamin trains are smooth, with lap bar-only seating offering a wide-open feeling. The ride layout is thrilling but not too intense, offering both high positive g-forces and airtime moments as it flips guests upside down and launches 70 mph over the Islands of Adventure lagoon. VelociCoaster is fantastic, one of the best coasters in the world… but it has to compete with its older sibling.

#1 – Hagrid’s Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure (TM)

Thrill: 5
Intensity: 3
Theming: 5
“It”: 5

Ride Time: 3 minutes
Restrictions: 48″ (122 cm) minimum height

Depending on your proclivities this could be the obvious choice or a colossal upset. It doesn’t go the fatest or offer inversions, but I think Hagrid squeaks out the win as the best coaster at Universal Orlando. This highly themed coaster sends guests around the outskirts of Hogwarts Castle as we go on a class field trip with Hagrid. Of course to get us all out to the hut for our lesson Hagrid somewhat haphazardly replicates his motorbike into a ride vehicle. The ride itself is a blast of launched segments and twisty turns through a lush landscape. There are more than a few surprises during the ride that still pack a punch for unsuspecting guests.

Do you agree with Joe’s ranking of Universal Orlando coasters? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!