Universal Studios Hollywood attractions, ranked

Art by Emaline Varava

All photos taken by Gavin Francisco

Located in Universal City not far from Eagle Rock, Universal Studios Hollywood is the closest theme park to us Eagles here at ERHS. Therefore, it is a popular destination for those seeking a day where they want to experience the magic of an amusement park, specifically that “movie magic” Universal Studios has. Prior to the addition of the roller coaster, Fast and Furious: Hollywood Drift (which will not be ranked in this article, as it is opening Summer 2026), the park has a total of 12 attractions. Which ones really prove that Universal’s movie magic truly lives up to its expectations, and which ones aren’t worth even entering the line and standing there for hours on a hot Saturday in the summer? Today, I will rank each ride; since they are all pretty much unique in their own way, the ranking will be based on how good each one is overall for everyone, not for me personally. I visited the park on the first day of Spring Break, and it was crowded (I even saw some of our fellow Eagles in the Studio Tour line!) However, I was able to ride every single ride on that packed Friday with the exception of Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge (though it will be featured here as I went on it about three weeks prior) by going early and taking advantage of the short wait times for some rides. So without further ado, let’s take a look at the movie capital of the world’s theme park and see which attractions are worth it.

12. Silly Swirly Fun Ride

Yes, I rode this one. Unless you’re looking for a cool view of Super Silly Fun Land, there is almost nothing this ride has to offer if you’re not younger than a preteen. It doesn’t help that in my experience, being on the left side of the bug-style vehicles is kind of weird as it feels like you’re about to fall off the vehicle at any moment. I do like that the attraction details itself are really colorful, and that you can move the vehicle slightly up and down with the joystick. However, those are really the only positive things I can say about this ride. For us Eagles, you’ll probably not even look at this one or let alone decide to ride it unless you have a little sibling and you want to make them happy. Not only that, but strangely enough the real wait for this was longer than the Jurassic World ride (even though both were posted at 5 minutes). This is because the attraction can only fit around 2 or 3 dozen people at once given the 12 vehicle capacity, whereas Jurassic World can fit 25 guests on one boat per minute or two. If you do appreciate these slow-moving rides that are similar to the Dumbo ride at Disneyland, then you can ride it if you wish. To everyone else, it’s likely a waste of time for you, so prioritize other attractions.

Good for: Families and those who enjoy slow-moving rides

Bad for: Practically anyone else

Why it’s #12: It offers almost no value for guests outside of families

11. Kung Fu Panda Adventure 

Located right next to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, this “ride” is in the Dreamworks Theatre, which used to house the Shrek 3D attraction. It’s at the bottom of the list because technically, it’s more of a theater show as you’re seated the entire time. The preshow is pretty much various Dreamworks characters fighting over who gets the spotlight, and it ends up being Po (obviously). The ride story is pretty simple - you’re on a mission with Po to deliver the “Liquid of Ultimate Power” to the emperor (which was revealed to just be hot sauce), encountering numerous obstacles such as the villain, Kang Wolf, along the way. It was my first ever ride at Universal when I first went at 9 years old, as the rest of the rides had a very long line. However, it’s pretty forgettable compared to the heavy-hitters as you just sit there watching a quick 5-minute show. However, the seats move along with the screen, which is pretty nice. The experience is also great for families, which is a plus. While it’s a nice break if you want something more relaxing to do, the attraction is an easy skip unless the wait times for everything else are literally hours on end. 

Good for: Kung Fu Panda fans and guests who want something to do on the relaxing end

Bad for: Thrill-seekers and those who want more of a ride experience

Why it’s #11: It’s more of a theater show, and it can be forgettable if you’re not the biggest fan of the franchise

10. Flight of the Hippogriff

The reason that this Harry Potter-themed roller coaster is near the bottom of the list is because it often has long wait times, which makes the ride experience rarely worth it as the coaster itself has a duration of around 30 seconds. The queue, which takes you through the Forbidden Forest, has a lot of misting fans, but let’s be honest here. This is a family-friendly ride that takes under a minute before it’s over, and barely anyone has the physical and mental capacity to withstand a long 45-60 minute wait. I love the ride itself as I do find it a lot of fun, but there are other things you can do at the park which aren’t standing in line for a sub-minute ride that takes an hour of your time. However, when the line is 30 minutes or less, I would give it a try. If you’re not that experienced in riding thrill rides, this is a great start (especially if you’re a Potterhead). Like many other roller coasters, there isn’t really any crazy story or plot to this ride. It’s just riding on a Hippogriff-style ride vehicle, hence the attraction’s name. Personally, I try to go on it each time I visit, but sometimes that just doesn’t happen due to the vast amount of guests at the park.

Good for: People who want an introduction to thrill rides and diehard Potterheads

Bad for: Anyone who wants a longer ride or a more fascinating experience 

Why it’s #10: Long wait times can significantly downgrade the overall value of the attraction, though it’s a good family coaster

9. Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem 

This is similar to the Kung Fu Panda ride, but you’re actually in a ride vehicle and the screen is much bigger (and a bit outdated, too). The premise is that you’re turned into a Minion after being recruited by Gru and his daughters. The Minion “training” goes haywire, and you have to survive the various obstacles in the Minion lab while protecting an anniversary gift the girls made for Gru. The story is great, and the preshow is really humorous, as it involves Gru deriding the guests for not showering and spraying others who want to leave with a “fart gun” (it’s actually just a banana scent). The ending of the ride is also really sweet as Gru saves the girls from the lab and they get to celebrate the one-year anniversary of being adopted. After getting off, you’re in a dance party-style room where you get to dance with Minions before entering the gift shop. Overall, it’s a great idea for an attraction, specifically for an IP as huge as Despicable Me. However, it isn’t more than a standard motion simulator. Personally, I would rank this higher due to the story, but some guests might feel queasy if motion simulators aren’t really their thing. 

Good for: Minions fans and those who like motion simulators

Bad for: People with motion sickness

Why it’s #9: It’s a little outdated, but the ride experience (especially the humor) is great

8. The Secret Life of Pets: Off The Leash! 

Opened on April 16, 2021, this ride is without a doubt, the cutest ride at Universal. If anything, the attraction may be the cutest in the world. It’s a dark ride featuring 64 animatronic pets from the franchise, including Snowball, Max, and many more. For a Friday on Spring Break, the line was unusually short. Even while walking through the queue, there are multiple animatronic pets that you can see. When I got on the ride, I saw a projection of myself as a stray puppy on a screen before being taken through New York City in a cardboard box-style vehicle trying to get adopted. Being one of the newer rides, I was impressed by the technology and appreciated the tiny details more (such as the facades of the buildings) as this was one of the attractions that I haven’t been on in a long time prior to visiting. You do get adopted by a family at the very end, which is immediately followed by a “Welcome Home” celebration. It is designed for families rather than thrill-seekers, and it is a really slow ride. It’s totally worth it when you’re tired from all waiting in line for all the thrill rides and walking around, but if you’re just at Universal to experience the more renowned attractions such as the Mario Kart or Jurassic World rides, I wouldn’t really bother with this ride.

Good for: Guests looking for a great dark ride or somewhere to relax

Bad for: Thrill-seekers or those who find slow-moving rides boring

Why it’s #8: It can be boring for thrill-seeking guests, but the ride is very cute and high-tech

7. The Simpsons Ride

Personally, this is #2 or #3. Yes, you heard that right. I love this ride. I even memorize the majority of the dialogue said by the characters. From Homer getting chased by a giant steel ball to radioactive Maggie thinking the guests in the ride vehicle are a pacifier, the story is a masterpiece, especially for Simpsons fans. The reason I have to put it at #7 is because it’s very outdated, and wherever the employees tell you to go actually affects your experience significantly. I don’t want you to go to Universal thinking this motion simulator is great just to get a mid-tier experience if you’re not lucky. This is because the ride operates in an IMAX dome, and the colorful ride vehicles are spread out throughout the top, middle and bottom levels. Unless you come early and get one of cars 5, 6 or 7 specifically (they usually only operate the middle level in the morning), your experience will not be as great depending on your luck and position in the line. The screen can appear significantly warped if you’re in the cars on the edges, which is a major reason for motion sickness (it is one of the most notorious nausea-inducing rides at the park). Regardless of what vehicle you end up in, the story is the same: you and the Simpson family are placed on Krusty the Clown’s new roller coaster and things go haywire quickly. Regarding the preshow, it’s quintessential to understanding what’s happening on the ride. I could talk about this attraction for hours that it could have an article just about it, but I have to end here in order for other rides to get in the spotlight.

Good for: Simpsons fans, those who love immersive rides and motion simulators, and guests who want a really funny story

Bad for: Anyone with motion sickness

Why it’s #7: It’s really outdated (it replaced the old Back to the Future ride) and depending on your luck, you can get a nice ride experience or a weird one

6. Transformers: The Ride 3D

Universal is heavy on motion simulators, and this is another one that may cause motion sickness, as the “EVAC” Autobot vehicles physically move on a track throughout the ride while passing through screens in different rooms. The premise for this ride is that the Autobots must protect the AllSpark from Megatron and the Decepticons at all costs, and the experience itself is highly action-packed. There are numerous battles fought throughout the ride, with the culminating one being against Megatron. Optimus Prime and Bumblebee are your primary guides through the ride, and they make a great impression to guests, especially to those who are a fan of the Transformers franchise. Another thing to note is that it uses physical effects like wind, water spray and heat, which is a neat addition. This is a really good ride, but it’s also extremely overrated per the majority of Universal guests. I also noticed the queue can get extremely long, and I realized that this ride opens at 10 AM as opposed to 9 AM (when I went, at least) causing the wait time to increase significantly to 45-60 minutes as the park is already packed with guests. It doesn’t help that the queue isn’t as visually appealing as other rides, as it takes place in the “N.E.S.T.” headquarters which doesn’t have much scenery (though it’s designed to be that way). Definitely do this ride, but be prepared for long waits.

Good for: Transformers fans, those who love action-packed stories, and guests who like immersive rides

Bad for: Those who are sensitive to 3D effects 

Why it’s #6: Long wait times can cause you to get antsy, but the ride is worth it for the wait

5. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

I don’t know why, but I enjoyed this one more than usual when I visited. I first rode it as my second ride at the park when I was nine, and prior to coming back recently I last rode it back in October with my cousins. Is it the spinning robotic arm motion, the highly intricate Harry Potter props such as the Dementors and Whomping Willow, or the story that captivated me this time round? Perhaps a combination of all of them. I did find some of the parts a little too jerky for me, but it was part of the thrill the ride had to offer. While I do enjoy the franchise, I’m not the biggest Potterhead. Imagine those who are diehard fans of Potter and the gang on this ride having a blast while they battle Slytherin in a Quidditch match, and you’ll probably be down to see what the hype is about. Back then, the line would get really long but for some reason it has died down significantly recently (this is your cue to ride, Eagles!) The only problem you might encounter is getting stuck, especially if you’re facing the ceiling when it happens. Due to the highly advanced technology, it does break down a lot. Even the queue is as detailed, with portraits of characters like the Fat Lady in Painting (the guardian of the Gryffindor Tower) and the four founders of Hogwarts being displayed along with many props. If you don’t have motion sickness (at this point, you’ve realized this is the biggest hurdle for any Universal guest), ride this, especially if the wait time is low.

Good for: Diehard Potterheads and those who love motion simulators/thrill rides

Bad for: Guests with motion sickness or those with high sensitivity to jerky rides

Why it’s #5: State-of-the-art technology combined with highly detailed props makes this the quintessential Harry Potter experience

4. Jurassic World: The Ride

It seems like a chill boat ride on the surface if you don’t know what you’re about to experience, but the popular attraction features a 50 MPH, 84-foot drop at the end which ends with you getting significantly splashed at the end. And on top of that thrilling conclusion, you get to see a bunch of very detailed animatronic dinosaurs along the way. This replaced the Jurassic Park version of the ride in 2019, and it is regularly on the to-do list for many guests. I love this ride, and I’m sure you would have a great time too (though bring a poncho or a change of clothes if you fear getting wet!) Throughout the queue, you actually get to learn about specific dinosaur types (did you know an adult Velociraptor can bite with a force of 8,000+ Newtons?) as there are boards filled with information on dinosaurs. In my experience, the line goes by faster than it seems. This was true during my recent visit as it only took 5 and a half minutes to get to the front even though the posted wait time was 15 minutes, I believe. The entire ride is pure immersion into the Jurassic World franchise as you go from seeing a Mosasaurus in the water tanks to narrowly escaping an encounter with a ginormous T-Rex at the end (which is why you’re dropped 84 feet). This is one of the few rides that doesn’t heavily rely on screen-related technology to tell a story at the park, and people with motion sickness shouldn’t have a bad time on this one.

Good for: Jurassic World fans and those who love thrills (the tension builds throughout the ride so get ready for that big drop) 

Bad for: Those who don’t want to get wet or people scared of heights (though this is a great ride to brave that fear)

Why it’s #4: It’s a really immersive ride and one of the few that don’t heavily rely on screens 

3. Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge

When I was younger, I’d visit Disneyland and California Adventure a lot, finding joy in Toy Story Midway Mania!, a 3D shooter attraction in which you’d shoot targets to earn points. On February 17, 2023, Universal opened the Mario Kart ride to the general public, also a 3D shooter. I wasn’t able to ride it until June 2025, but have since rode it again 3 weeks prior to my main visit over Spring Break. Yes, it’s the most popular and overrated attraction in the park. But since I was a huge fan of the Toy Story ride at California Adventure, imagine how I felt when riding this. I’m not even the biggest Toy Story fan, but I’m a very huge Mario fan, so you’ll know how I feel about this ride; I love it so much. It’s simple; compete with Team Bowser for the Golden Cup in a race. You even get to compete against other guests (whether it’s family, friends or complete strangers) to win the most coins by looking at enemies to throw shells via the 3D visors. While the line was too long to ride it at the end of the day during my most recent visit, I still enjoyed the visual aspects of Super Nintendo World while there. You could even appreciate the scenery from the queue while waiting for the Mario Kart ride. Not only is the outer portion of the queue appealing, but the interior is filled with trophies, Bomb-ombs, Bullet Bills, and so many other Mario characters. Growing up with these characters, I could go on and on about this ride, but like with the Simpsons, I have to stop here for the sake of the other rides.

Good for: Mario fans and anyone who wants an interactive ride experience

Bad for: People who are sensitive to 3D effects 

Why it’s #3: It is still highly popular to this day, and even three years after opening it is still highly talked about and loved by many, especially Mario fans

2. Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride

Many people find the Orlando version of this roller coaster to be much better, but that’s only because it has a bigger building area, meaning it has more opportunities to make its mark. Outside of that, this is as close to peak Universal as it gets. Sure, it's on the older side in terms of theme park attractions, as it opened in June 2004. However, they have consistently refurbished the ride and is still as good to this day. Like The Simpsons Ride, I memorize most of the dialogue spoken. That “Ahm kum Ra, ahm kum Dei” spoken by Imhotep is my favorite part, as the tension builds immediately before being suddenly launched into the darkness at 40 MPH. Universal did its job well here, as the illusion of darkness makes it seem like you’re going much faster than you actually are. The premise for this attraction is simple; Imhotep has awoken and you have to escape his curse before he claims your soul. It has always been my personal favorite at the park, and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon (I still have to ride the Fast and Furious ride, though). From the props of Imhotep’s tomb to the backwards portion of the coaster, this is a classic attraction that is still beloved by many today. Be careful if you have problems with jerky movements, as it isn’t the smoothest coaster. Outside of that, try to ride it every time you visit because this is definitely one you won’t forget. I’ve even heard stories online about guests being tricked by friends or family that the ride is a “water ride” or “slow dark ride” before their souls were taken by Imhotep…

Good for: Anyone who loves thrill rides, roller coasters, the Mummy franchise, or wants the best theme park experience at Universal

Bad for: Those who are sensitive to jerky movements

Why it’s #2: This is a beloved coaster that has been one of the hearts of the park for two decades, and like Jurassic World it’s one of the few that don’t rely heavily on screens to tell its story

1. Studio Tour 

On July 15, 1964, Universal Studios Hollywood was opened as a theme park to the public. Nearly half a century prior, the original version of the world-famous Studio Tour had begun operating in “The World’s Only Movie City” (Universal City). It’s simply not Universal without it; that’s why it’s at the very top of the list. This attraction is the entire foundation of the park and is a must-do for any visitor on any given day. It’s accessible to everyone, and you get to learn how various Universal-related IP’s were produced through a tour guide who does commentary over the speakers. Various actors and filmmakers also appeared on the tram screens, talking about their experience at Universal or a project of theirs. Not only that, but it’s called “Studio Tour” for a reason; you get to physically go through the sets of different films such as Back to the Future, Jordan Peele’s Nope, and even experience simulated attractions inside the tour itself, such as King Kong 360 3-D and Earthquake: The Big One. Other cool things that I noticed were that you got to see many cars used in movies like in Transformers, props from Jaws and the real Boeing 747 used in War of the Worlds. In conclusion, you don’t get to experience the true magic of Universal Studios Hollywood if you don’t go on the tour, so plan your day around it if you can.

Good for: Practically everyone, especially those who want the quintessential Universal experience 

Bad for: Anyone who thinks sitting on a tram for one hour is not worth their time, regardless of the overall experience

Why it’s #1: The attraction is what makes Universal what it is, and you can’t beat the literal foundation of the entire theme park

All things must come to an end, and since Universal Studios Hollywood only houses 12 rides, the list must end here. Even though it was a very crowded Friday and the entire LAUSD started Spring Break leading to the influx of families, I was pleasantly surprised that with a little strategy, I was able to knock out 11 of the 12 rides in one day (I’m coming for you, Mario Kart). Which ride were you surprised to see in a specific position on the list? Before I conclude this article, my personal hot takes are that The Simpsons Ride is much higher on my personal list like I said earlier, and that Flight of the Hippogriff is way too overrated for the experience. With that being said, I hope you enjoyed this overall ranking and please do not get your souls taken on the Mummy ride by Imhotep or else you might not be able to read the Eagle’s Scream again.