Universal Orlando Water Rides: A Full Breakdown

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Universal Orlando has four water rides, split across two of its three theme parks. Three are at Islands of Adventure and the fourth is at the newest park, Epic Universe.

I’ve been on each of these water rides personally (most of them more than once), so here’s what you need to know before you take your trip to Universal Orlando.

Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges

📍 Location: Islands of Adventure (Toon Lagoon)
📏 Minimum height: 42″
💦 Soak level: Soaked, the wettest of the four
⚠️ Good to know: 12-person raft, no dry seat
🎟️ Express Pass: Yes

Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges is the wettest ride at Universal Orlando.

This is a twelve-person raft ride that spins through rapids, under waterfalls and past water cannons. Because the raft is circular, there’s no seat you can sit in to try and stay dry.

To make things even better, or worse depending which way you look at it, onlookers can fire extra water at you from cannons on the bridge above.

Obviously, the theming isn’t great, and that’s one of the main reasons I now skip it on most visits to Universal Orlando. I’m really hoping it gets a facelift soon, because the core concept is fantastic.

Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls

📍 Location: Islands of Adventure (Toon Lagoon)
📏 Minimum height: 44″
💦 Soak level: Very wet
⚠️ Good to know: 75-foot flume drop below the water line
🎟️ Express Pass: Yes

Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls is a cartoon-themed log flume that holds a handful of riders single-file. It’s one of the original rides at Islands of Adventure. This ride ends with a 75-foot drop that sends a wall of water back into the boat, making it the second-wettest ride at Universal Orlando.

However, unlike Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges, there are seats where you can somewhat dodge the worst of the water.

If you sit at the front you’re typically going to get the most wet (pretty much soaked from head to toe) but if you sit further back you’ll stay a little bit drier.

Jurassic Park River Adventure

📍 Location: Islands of Adventure (Jurassic Park)
📏 Minimum height: 42″
💦 Soak level: Wet
⚠️ Good to know: Closed for refurbishment until about 19 November 2026
🎟️ Express Pass: Yes (when open)

Jurassic Park River Adventure is currently mid-refurbishment, closed from 5 January 2026 until about 19 November 2026, and will reopen with updated effects. My experience is based on earlier visits, rather than the newly modified version we’re expecting.

This ride starts out as a gentle boat tour of the dinosaur park, and for a brief moment convinces you that you might not get that wet. That is until you begin climbing upwards as a raptor escapes. All of this then leads to the finale, an 85-foot plunge in the dark.

Each boat is made up of five rows of five. The front row is definitely the wettest place to sit, while the middle seats a few rows back tend to stay driest.

Fyre Drill

📍 Location: Epic Universe (Isle of Berk)
📏 Minimum height: None
💦 Soak level: You control it
⚠️ Good to know: Under 48″ needs a supervising companion
🎟️ Express Pass: Yes

Fyre Drill is the newest water ride at Universal Orlando and is located inside Epic Universe. This is also the only water ride with no height requirement, so it’s a great option for families with young children.

During this ride you’ll board a Viking longship on the Isle of Berk, then fire water cannons at flame-shaped targets and, if you like, at the guests in the other boats. Unlike the flumes, you decide how wet you get.

This is an unusual take on a water ride, and I was apprehensive when the designs were first released. However, having now experienced it first-hand, I really enjoy the engaging elements and how fun and clever it is.

How to Stay Dry on the Water Rides

Unsurprisingly, you will get wet on all of these water rides. A few small things make the difference between a fun soaking and a soggy, miserable afternoon:

• Poncho: Wear a poncho to keep your clothes dry, and bring your own from home rather than buying one in the parks.
• Clothes: Bring a change of clothes for after the water ride.
• Phone pouch: A cheap waterproof pouch keeps your phone safe without paying for a locker on every ride.
• Waterproof sunscreen: Reapply after each ride, because the water strips it fast and the Florida sun is brutal.
• Lockers: Rent a locker at the ride entrance, around $5 to $6 (£4 to £5) for 90 minutes.
• Human Dryer: Pay $7 (£5) to dry off in a human dryer after the ride.

Personally, I opt to ride the water rides last, just before leaving the park. Going on them early can leave you walking around damp for a few hours, which can be uncomfortable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Universal Orlando’s water rides outside Volcano Bay are below.