8 Best Rides at Universal Studios Hollywood

1. Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge

📏 Height Requirement: 40″ (102cm)
⏰ Average Wait Time: 120 minutes
🧍 Single Rider: Yes

Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is the newest ride at Universal Studios Hollywood. Located in the park’s Super Nintendo World, it uses incredible AR technology.

Since that this is the newest ride at Universal Studios Hollywood it currently doesn’t accept the Universal Express Pass. Instead the only way to skip the line on this ride is either on the VIP Experience or via the Single Rider line.

However, the line for Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is an experience in itself. Walking through Bowser’s Castle, the detailed theming captures the spirit of the Mario Kart.

While there are no interactive elements, the attention to detail is incredible. Some notable areas include:

• Bowser’s Throne Room: Get up close with Bowser’s massive throne, surrounded by trophies and battle gear.
• The Armoury: Marvel at the collection of weaponry, including Koopa shells and Bob-ombs, all ready for the race.
• The Grand Hall: Gaze at the imposing architecture and statues of Bowser, showcasing his dominance.

The AR technology of this ride is conducted through a visor. You’ll pick this visor up from a staff member as you reach the ride’s boarding area.

There are then multiple screens showing you how to adjust and fit the visor as well as how to play.

From experience, I’ve found that it takes a couple of attempts to get to grips with playing the game using the AR visor. So don’t be disheartened by your score on your first visit.

Pro Tip: If you have a Power-Up Band, tap it on the steering wheel before the ride begins.

Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge uses a lap bar for safety and security. The lap bar must securely fit around your waist to go on this ride. A test seat is located at the entrance, on the right before the stairs.

2. The World Famous Studio Tour

📏 Height Requirement: None
⏰ Average Wait Time: 23 minutes
🧍 Single Rider: No

The World-Famous Studio Tour is the highlight of Universal Studios Hollywood. This tram ride takes you through 100 years of film history, covering 400 acres of working studios. Popular films and TV shows shot here include:

• Back to the Future
• Jurassic Park
• The Mummy
• Desperate Housewives
• The Good Place

Each tram features four to five carts, which are made up of five rows, each holding up to six people. All trams feature a dedicated guide and driver to take you around, giving you up-to-date information.

Unless you’re on the VIP Experience, you will not get off the tram during the tour. Each tour lasts 45 minutes to an hour, so use the bathroom in advance.

The World-Famous Studio Tour has no height requirement. However, some scenes may be scary for younger guests. Some of the scenes you’ll see include:

• Bates Motel and the Psycho House: Step into the eerie world of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller.
• War of the Worlds Crash Site: Witness the aftermath of an alien invasion with a crashed aeroplane and a chaotic scene.
• Jaws: Keep an eye out for the famous shark that terrified audiences.

The World-Famous Studio Tour also includes two 4D experiences:

• Fast & Furious – Supercharged: Get ready for high-speed action with the Fast & Furious crew.
• King Kong 360 3-D: Experience an epic battle between King Kong and dinosaurs in an immersive 3D environment.

Unfortunately, these are not optional. However, they only last a couple of minutes each.

Since this is a real working studio, films, TV shows, and commercials are shot here daily. As such, you may be asked to remain quiet at certain points of the tour so as not to interfere with the recordings. This also means you may spot a celebrity or two.

3. Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride

📏 Height Requirement: 48″ (121cm)
⏰ Average Wait Time: 30 minutes
🧍 Single Rider: Yes

In my opinion, the scariest ride at Universal Studios Hollywood is Revenge of the Mummy. However as far as rollercoasters go, it’s still pretty tame.

This is an indoor rollercoaster set in the dark. The ride doesn’t go upside down, but it does reach top speeds of up to 45 mph (72 km/h) and goes backwards for a short time.

The seating format of Revenge of the Mummy is four across, with each rider having their own lap bar. This ride has a test seat at the entrance, where you can try the lap bar if required.

4. Harry Potter And The Forbidden Journey

📏 Height Requirement: 48″ (122cm)
⏰ Average Wait Time: 32 minutes
🧍 Single Rider: Yes

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a motion simulation ride inside Hogwarts. This ride has an immersive line featuring some of the most iconic rooms at Hogwarts. These include:

• Dumbledore’s office
• The Gryffindor common room
• A Hogwarts classroom

If the line is short, I’d recommend going inside to see the theming – even if you don’t plan to go on the ride.

The concept of this ride sees you ride a broomstick across Hogwarts with Harry, Ron & Hermione. However, as you might expect, it’s not free from surprising events.

This ride isn’t as bad as other simulation rides at Universal Studios Hollywood. You don’t need 3D glasses, and the synchronisation between the screen and the motion is good.

However, one restriction of this ride is the lap bar. The bar comes over your head and clips into place at the front, making it difficult for those with larger chests. A test seat is available at the ride’s entrance.

5. Jurassic World: The Ride

📏 Height Requirement: 42″ (107cm)
⏰ Average Wait Time: 47 minutes
🧍 Single Rider: Yes

Jurassic World: The Ride recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation. The special effects, sets, and landscapes have all been updated and look fantastic.

This water ride involves climbing into a boat in multiple rows of five, with the lap bar sitting across the group.

The concept of this ride is that you will explore Jurassic World. However, it’s not long before you discover a dinosaur has escaped. The ride climaxes with a 26m drop to the outside, where onlookers can see you get drenched.

6. Flight Of The Hippogriff

📏 Height Requirement: 39″ (100cm)
⏰ Average Wait Time: 19 minutes
🧍 Single Rider: Yes

Flight of the Hippogriff is one of the few outdoor rides at Universal Hollywood. This roller coaster is located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and is perfect for small kids.

The line for this ride is immersive, winding around Hagrid’s Hut and past his giant pumpkin patch. Meanwhile, the ride vehicle itself is designed to resemble a Hippogriff—a magical creature with the body of a horse and the wings and head of an eagle.

Each Hippogriff has several open-air carriages, each seating two riders side by side. The ride itself is short and mild. There’s a hill providing a great view of Hogwarts Castle and some gentle twists, turns, and small drops.

The ride is smooth and relatively tame, with no loops or intense speeds. As such, it’s one of the best rides at Universal Studios Hollywood for kids.

7. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

📏 Height Requirement: 40″ (102cm)
⏰ Average Wait Time: 25 minutes
🧍Single Rider: No

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem is a motion simulator ride located inside Gru’s House.

This ride is at both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando. The concept is that you’re turned into a Minion, racing through Gru’s laboratory. Fan favourites Margo, Edith, and Agnes also come along for the ride.

The seating format of this ride is similar to that of The Simpsons. It’s a theatre-style motion simulator platform facing a large curved screen. Each seat has a lap bar that securely fastens you in place.

While Despicable Me Minion Mayhem is a motion simulation ride, the simulation isn’t that bad. However, if you suffer from motion sickness, you may want to opt for one of the stationary seats.

Pro Tip: Outside the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem entrance, you’ll often find characters from the show available for photos.

8. The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash

📏 Height Requirement: 34″ (87cm)
⏰ Average Wait Time: 25 minutes
🧍 Single Rider: Yes

The Secret Life of Pets: Off The Leash is one of the best rides at Universal Studios Hollywood for little kids. However, it does have a surprisingly tall height requirement.

I say, surprising, as this ride goes at about 5mph. The concept of this ride is that you’re going through the streets of New York in search of a new forever home.

Each ride vehicle seats up to four people in two rows of two with a lap bar for safety. As one of the newest rides at the park, this ride features some of the latest technology, including fun special effects and 64 animatronics.