Best Rides for Thrill Seekers at EPIC Universe

Universal's Epic Universe, the first major theme park to open in the U.S. in more than 20 years, made its grand debut on May 22, 2025, in Orlando, Florida. Part of the expansive Universal Orlando Resort, this $7 billion marvel unveils five immersive lands, each packed with groundbreaking attractions that redefine the theme park experience.

From cutting-edge technology to pulse-pounding rides and richly detailed storytelling, Epic Universe raises the bar for thrillseekers and fans alike. Whether you're chasing high-speed coasters or stepping into the worlds of your favorite franchises, this next-generation park promises unforgettable adventures that will have you coming back for more. Here is a breakdown of the rides within each realm.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic

Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry  - Immerse yourself in the magical realm as this high-tech motion simulator ride transports guests into the heart of the Ministry of Magic, where they join forces with Harry and his allies in an epic battle against dark forces. The ride's intricate sets and dynamic movements create a spellbinding experience. Unfortunately, while I was visiting the park, this ride was a virtual queue only, and despite trying all day, I was unable to secure the queue to be able to experience the ride. This will be a must try during my next trip!

How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk

Dragon Racer’s Rally - this is an interactive thrill ride where guests can control their own dragon-riding experience, performing aerobatic maneuvers and barrel rolls up to 67 feet in the air. Riders can choose between a mild or wild experience. This is a very challenging ride, as it takes coordination of your hand-controls, and use of your body weight to get your dragon soaring and rolling. I tried multiple times to get my dragon to fly upside down, but I was unsuccessful. Out of all of the dragons flying with me, only one was able to get their dragon doing rolls. Dragon Racer’s Rally is a short ride and unless you are working hard to perform the aerobatic maneuvers, the ride is not worth a long wait time, in my opinion.

Fyre Drill  - a slow moving, water-based attraction where teams board dragon-headed boats equipped with water cannons to extinguish flame-like targets and soak opposing teams. With over 130 moving targets, it's a fun and interactive experience for all ages. Perfect for the whole family as there is no minimum height requirement (children under 48 inches must be accompanied by a supervising companion). BEWARE!!!! You will get wet on this ride!

Hiccup’s Wing Gliders  - offers a family-friendly yet thrilling multi-launch coaster experience. Riders soar through the skies on dragon-inspired gliders, experiencing sudden launches and aerial maneuvers that mimic the feeling of dragon flight. This ride was so smooth, and FUN!! Definitely my favorite in this realm and would highly recommend it!

Super Nintendo World 

Yoshi's Adventure  - is a gentle, slow-moving, family-friendly ride where guests ride Yoshis through the Mushroom Kingdom, searching for hidden eggs. This ride offers great views of the Kingdom both day and night (Perfect for capturing pictures!) This is a very short ride, perfect for little ones, but perhaps not worth a long wait time.

Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge  - combines augmented reality with physical sets to create an interactive racing experience. Guests wear AR headsets and steer through iconic Mario Kart courses, battling Bowser and his crew in a race to the finish line. The ride's immersive technology and competitive gameplay offer a unique thrill for gamers and non-gamers alike. Being a Gen X-er, I grew up playing video games and the original Mario Bros, but I never had a chance to play Mario Kart, so I was a bit lost during the game, but did my best to compete and have fun!

Donkey Kong Mine-Cart Madness  - this innovative coaster simulates the classic video game experience, featuring track-jumping effects and dynamic movements that make riders feel like they're navigating treacherous mine tracks alongside Donkey Kong. The ride's unique mechanics and nostalgic theming provide a thrilling journey for guests of all ages. This ride was so smooth and definitely one of my favorites! The detail that was put into the ride was mind-blowing.

Dark Universe

Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment  - This cutting-edge dark ride combines motion simulation with immersive storytelling, plunging guests into a chaotic lab where classic Universal Monsters like Dracula, the Mummy, the Wolf Man, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon have broken free. The ride's intense sequences and state-of-the-art effects make it a standout attraction. The animatronics in this ride are so life-like, it feels like you are in the movies. Although the animatronics were great, I felt that the ride itself was underwhelming. I suppose that I had set a certain expectation on this ride, and felt that it fell short of that.

Curse of the Werewolf  - offers a spinning coaster experience that takes riders on a wild journey through a haunted forest. With unexpected twists, turns, and free-spinning cars, this ride delivers a disorienting and exhilarating adventure as you attempt to escape the clutches of werewolves lurking in the shadows. This ride was GREAT both during the day and at night! I like that the coaster car spins and twirls as it makes its way around the track, giving you a different view each time you ride. The initial launch of this ride was unexpected but in a good way! This was a very smooth, fast riding coaster that in my opinion was awesome, the only downfall, it is over way too quickly!

Celestial Park

Stardust Racers  - a dual-launch racing coaster that propels riders through the cosmos. This high-speed attraction features synchronized launches and inversions, offering a thrilling experience as you race alongside another train through a star-studded landscape. With two different tracks, you can experience a different ride on each side. The launches are powerful, the inversions - intense and the intertwining of the two coasters is insane! This ride was one that I was really looking forward to as an adrenaline junky, and it DID NOT DISSAPPOINT!! I loved this ride from the beginning to the end. There is not a bad seat, you can see everything from beginning to the end of the ride. I enjoyed myself so much that my sides hurt at the end of the ride from laughing and yelling! It's a must-ride for coaster fans seeking speed and excitement. And don’t forget to ride this during the day and at night as the coaster is lit up after dark!

Planning Your Visit

Planning your next Universal Orlando vacation is easier and more enjoyable with the help of a travel agent from All In Vacay. Their experienced agents specialize in Universal destinations and offer personalized, concierge-level service at no extra cost to you. From securing the best deals on tickets and hotel packages to creating customized itineraries that maximize your time in the parks, All In Vacay takes the stress out of planning. Whether it's navigating early park admission, booking dining reservations, or giving insider tips on the best rides and shows, their expert guidance ensures a magical and seamless vacation from start to finish.