5 Worst Rides at Universal Studios Hollywood
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you book or buy through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.
As a Universal Hollywood annual passholder, I visit the theme park often, and when I do, I avoid these rides.
In my opinion, these are the worst rides at Universal Studios Hollywood. I skip these rides for one of two reasons:
- Cause me severe motion sickness
- I find the ride to be boring
I should preface this by saying I am not prone to motion sickness. However, some rides at Universal Studios Hollywood can still make me feel very sick.
1. The Simpsons Ride
📏 Height Requirement: 48″ (unaccompanied) 40″ (accompanied)
The worst ride at Universal Studios Hollywood is The Simpsons Ride. As a huge Simpsons fan, I do not say that lightly, but it’s 100% true.
The Simpsons Ride is available at Universal Hollywood and Orlando and has the same storyline. The story sees you visiting Krusty the Clown’s budget theme park with the Simpsons family.
This ride takes place inside a theatre room with an 80-foot domed screen. Once strapped into your seat, the ride will lift you off the floor for a full-motion experience.
If you’ve seen any episodes of The Simpsons, you can imagine what Krusty’s theme park will be like. The motion is non-stop and intense. However, the ride was opened in 2008 and is over 15 years old.
This ride has undergone several upgrades. However, the intense non-stop motion simulation makes most stomachs a little queasy.
2. TRANSFORMERS: The Ride 3D
📏 Height Requirement: 48″ (unaccompanied) 40″ (accompanied)
The second-worst ride at Universal Hollywood is TRANSFORMERS: The Ride 3D. This is another older motion simulation ride that opened in 2011.
The motions resulting from the storyline on this ride aren’t as strong as those in The Simpsons. However, the 3-D is still dated.
On this ride, you don’t just sit in a theatre; you ride in a cart. There are no drops, but the cart does make sudden, thrilling movements that swing you around quite a bit.
Intense and sudden swings combined with the 3-D make this one ride I always avoid when visiting Universal Studios Hollywood.
3. Fast & Furious – Supercharged
📏 Height Requirement: N/A
The Fast & Furious: Supercharged is part of the Universal Studio Tour. Unfortunately, due to the design of the Universal Studio Tour, you can’t get off the tram on this ride.
So, to experience the best ride at Universal Studios Hollywood, you must also experience one of the worst.
This ride has been known to cause motion sickness. However, this isn’t why it’s one of the worst rides at Universal Studios Hollywood. Instead, this ride made the list because it’s one of the most underwhelming rides ever developed.
With a massive franchise and a fantastic storyline, this ride had incredible potential. However, it underdelivered and is four minutes of my life I won’t get back.
4. The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash
📏 Height Requirement: 34″
The Secret Life of Pets is a great ride if you’re visiting Universal Hollywood with young kids.
However, the ride has a tall height requirement, and I’m still trying to understand why. There are not only no drops on The Secret Life of Pets, but there’s also no incline or decline.
This ride’s story involves sitting in a two-person vehicle and travelling through the bustling streets of NYC.
The queue area and the ride itself are immersive and creative. However, Universal has overdone the height requirement. In fact, by the time most kids reach the height for this ride, they will be over the concept and want to go on more thrilling rides instead.
5. Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey
📏 Height Requirement: 48″
Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey is a prime example of a great concept that has been well executed. The ride is everything a Harry Potter fan could want and more. So why is this a ride I avoid at Universal Studios Hollywood?
Unfortunately, Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey can also cause motion sickness. However, it’s at the bottom of this list for two good reasons.
- As I mentioned, the concept and design of this ride are fantastic.
- The motion sickness isn’t as bad as The Simpsons or Transformers.
This is the only ride I would take Dramamine (motion sickness-reducing tablet) for.
