Epic Universe Rides Ranked: From Skip-It to Can't-Miss-It

You’re planning a day in Epic Universe and feeling a little overwhelmed by all the rides…and all the wait times people talk about.

What Epic Universe rides are actually worth it? Which rides can you skip when the wait is long?

On our trip to Epic Universe, we rode every single ride, some of them multiple times! And I have thoughts of course.

In this guide, I’ve ranked every ride at Epic Universe from skip-it to can’t-miss-it so you can quickly figure out what’s worth your time, what’s worth the wait, and what you can skip if you’re short on time.

Obviously, priorities are going to be different for everyone. Example: Monsters Unchained is pretty low on my priority list because I’m not a horror fan. But if you are you’ll want to move this up! So I’ll make sure to explain who is ride is best for and why your can’t-miss rides might be different from mine.

Epic Universe Rides: Best to Worst

Before we get into the details, here’s my quick ranking from best to worst (subjectively, of course!). I’ll dive into more details for each ride next though and my reasoning!

Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
Stardust Racers
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
Mine-Cart Madness
Curse of the Werewolf
Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
Dragon Racer’s Rally
Constellation Carousel
Fyre Drill
Yoshi’s Adventure

Epic Universe Rides Ranked

We spent a day at Epic Universe riding EVERYTHING! And honestly we had so much fun and the rides are so fantastic. With the exception of just a few, I really liked almost all of them!

So let’s get into more details about each ride. Here’s my ranking from worst to best, from the rides I think you can skip to the rides you don’t want to miss!

11. Yoshi’s Adventure

Location: Super Nintendo World
Height Requirement: 34 inches
Who Will Love It: Preschoolers

Mario themed ride vehicle moving through a colorful Super Nintendo World scene with a large Piranha Plant rising from a green pipe ahead. Bright game inspired elements and characters surround the track, creating an immersive ride experience popular with kids at Universal Studios. — Yoshi’s Adventure has super cute scenery! But it’s also a pretty short ride.

Yoshi’s Adventure goes last on my list because it’s probably the only ride I got off and thought “I waited in line for…that?”

It has a pretty consistently long line, and yet the ride itself is pretty boring. It’s a gentle people mover up above Super Nintendo World with a couple cute scenes of baby Mario characters.

But the track is extremely short and the great views don’t make up for the short ride with long wait times.

10. Fyre Drill

Location: Isle of Berk
Height Requirement: None
Who Will Love It: Elementary school kids

Colorful Viking themed water ride area at Universal Studios with cartoon dragons, wooden boats, and bright flame decorations surrounding splashing water features. The playful design and interactive elements create an adventurous ride environment that fits well among rides for kids at Universal Studios. — Fyre Drill is a very gentle boat ride, except you WILL get wet!

Fyre Drill is a slow boat ride where riders use water canons to blast targets and each other.

It’s cute and it’s fine, and on a hot day you will definitely get soaked. But there’s nothing here that really makes it stand out as a ride.

9. Constellation Carousel

Location: Celestial Park
Height Requirement: None
Who Will Love It: The whole family

A futuristic, dome-shaped carousel attraction with a celestial and steampunk-inspired design, featuring arched golden supports, blue and gold detailing, and star motifs on the glass-like panels. The ride is partially visible through the open arches, with guests seated on stylized ride vehicles. The surrounding area includes manicured landscaping and a colorful circular plaza. — The Constellation Carousel during the day just isn’t as magical as at night.

Honestly? I really like Constellation Carousel! There’s nothing thrilling about it, but the unique movement of this carousel (via the floor as opposed to the ceiling) is different from other carousels. And it’s really beautiful!

It’s a quiet ride, and it likely won’t be your most memorable. But if the wait it short, it’s worth doing.

Pro Tip: We did this one during the day, but ride it at night for peak beauty!

8. Dragon Racer’s Rally

Location: Isle of Berk
Height Requirement: 48 inches
Who Will Love It: Older elementary school kids

Dragon Racer’s Rally takes you on gliders that rotate around a central axis up high in the sky. And if you get the trick of throwing your body weight around (which I never did) you can actually turn your individual glider upside down.

It’s a cute ride and I enjoyed it, but it’s also super short and definitely not worth a long wait. The views from the top are what push this up on the list for me though! Otherwise it would be ranked lower probably.

7. Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment

Location: Dark Universe
Height Requirement: 48 inches
Who Will Love It: Monster movie fans

Gothic-style stone castle tower at Universal Epic Universe featuring pointed turrets, arched windows, and a detailed crest above the entrance. The upper section displays a circular stained-glass window framed by sculpted serpents, all set against a cloudy sky. — The entrance for Monsters Unchained in Dark Universe.

Listen. I know Monsters Unchained is an absolute favorite ride for a lot of people! But this was honestly the only ride I actively wished I was not riding while I was on it. So I just can’t put it any higher.

This takes you through a series of monster movie scenes and I’ll admit the technology is amazing and it’s an objectively good ride.

But I do not do scary stuff, so I did not enjoy this one at all.

6. Curse of the Werewolf

Location: Dark Universe
Height Requirement: 40 inches
Who Will Love It: Mild thrill seekers

This one earns it’s high-ish ranking because it honestly surprised me how much I enjoyed it. Before going to Epic Universe, this one was on my skip list. But we hopped in line when we had time and I’m so glad we did!

This is a pretty tame coaster as far as the track goes, but where the thrills come in is how the cars rotate unpredictably as you are moving.

I thought it was really fun and it’s perfect for kids who are ready to step up their coaster game.

Note that taller adults with longer legs may find the seats a little uncomfortable though.

5. Mine-Cart Madness

Location: Super Nintendo World
Height Requirement: 40 inches
Who Will Love It: Kids and Nintendo fans

Entrance to a tropical themed Donkey Kong Mine Cart Madness ride at Universal Studios with a large stone temple facade and palm trees lining the walkway. Families walk toward the attraction through a colorful jungle setting that highlights a fun ride for kids at Universal Studios. — Entering the Donkey Kong Country area of Super Nintendo World where you’ll find Mine-Cart Madness.

I thought this coaster was super cute and fun! It’s themed after Donkey Kong, complete with train tracks that make it look like you’re going to go off course.

My only complaint honestly? Everything went too fast to feel like I really got to absorb the theming on the ride. And the line was always WAY too long to be able to ride it again.

4. Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge

Location: Super Nintendo World
Height Requirement: 40 inches
Who Will Love It: The whole family, especially Mario Kart fans

Display of Mario Kart themed trophies and power up icons including mushrooms, stars, and shells arranged on pedestals inside a Universal Studios attraction queue. Colorful circular emblems line the wall behind the figures, creating a playful indoor scene that appeals to kids and gaming fans. — Not only is Mario Kart a fun ride, but fans of the game will geek out over the queue details!

This rides truly makes it feel like you are in a Mario game, especially the queue!

It’s part slow dark ride, part Virtual Reality game where you wear a VR visor that makes it feel like you are moving faster than you really are and allows you to play a Mario Kart game.

It’s really fun, if a little confusing at first, and if love Mario Kart (or loved it as a kid!) you can’t miss this one!

3. Stardust Racers

Location: Celestial Park
Height Requirement: 48 inches
Who Will Love It: Thrill-seekers

Stardust Racers is probably the most intense roller coaster I have ever been on in my life. I LOVED it! But it also made me nervous every time I got on it (I rode it twice while we were there).

It’s a dueling coaster track, which is so fun. And probably the only reason it’s not my favorite coaster in the park is that it lacks re-rideability for most people just because of how intense it is. Gerrit rode it three times during the day, but I had to tap out after two times.

2. Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry

Location: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
Height Requirement: 40 inches
Who Will Love It: The whole family, especially Harry Potter fans

Dramatic interior of the Ministry of Magic at Universal Epic Universe, featuring a giant banner announcing "Dolores Umbridge Stands Trial Today" beneath a dark, enchanted sky ceiling. The scene includes glowing windows set in glossy red and green tiled walls and a striking golden statue of a wizard seated above the crowd. — The inside of the Ministry of Magic is incredible!

If you have heard about one ride at Epic Universe, it’s probably this one! It’s well known for its amazing entrance hall, its groundbreaking ride technology, and its LONG waits.

In this ride you attend the trial of Dolores Umbridge at the Ministry of Magic, only she escapes and you travel with Harry, Ron, and Hermione to recapture her.

I loved this ride so much and could not believe how immersive the motion simulation technology was.

The only reason it’s not the top spot for me? The wait times can be prohibitive. And as good as the ride is, the wait times on some days still aren’t worth it.

1. Hiccup’s Wing Gliders

Location: Isle of Berk
Height Requirement: 40 inches
Who Will Love It: Mild-Thrill Seekers

Large Viking warrior statue holding a shield and sword rising from the water in a themed kids area at Universal Studios with roller coasters and colorful attractions in the background. Wooden bridges and playful ride structures surround the lagoon, creating an adventurous setting for rides for kids at Universal Studios. — You can see the gray track of Hiccup’s Wing Gliders along the water here. Don’t worry about the yellow and green tracks in the distance…that’s Stardust Racers!

Most people aren’t going to have this ride so high up on their list, but to me, this was my absolute favorite ride at Epic Universe!

It’s a mild coaster (think Slinky Dog Dash at Disney’s Hollywood Studios), and it’s so fun! And the way the music lines up with the movement of the ride? Perfection. I actually cried.

I love this ride and think it’s definitely a can’t miss ride. Almost everyone will be able to ride it, and the wait times usually aren’t too terribly long. We actually rode it three times during our day at Epic Universe, never waiting more than about 30 minutes.

Best Rides at Epic Universe for Kids

If you’re going to Epic Universe with younger kids, your priority list is probably going to be a little different than the average visitor. You’re likely looking for rides that the whole family can ride and that have either no height requirement or very short height requirements and that aren’t too intense.

Here’s what I would prioritize with younger kids:

Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
Yoshi’s Adventure
Fyre Drill
Constellation Carousel
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry (if they are okay with slightly more thrills…or use the family waiting area!)
Mario Kart Bowser’s Challenge
Mine-Cart Madness

What I’d Prioritize If I Only Had One Day

It is actually very much possible to ride every Epic Universe ride in one day! Especially if you get Express Pass!

I’ve got a full one-day Epic Universe itinerary for you, with tips for both days with Express Pass and days with no Express Pass.

Here’s how I would prioritize my day though:

Hit the big Nintendo rides first thing in the morning: Mario Kart Bowser’s Challenge and Mine-Cart Madness.
Head to Isle of Berk to ride Dragon Racers Rally and Hiccup Wing Gliders.
Do Ministry of Magic right after lunch or late afternoon.
Use the rest of the afternoon and evening for the other rides that will generally have shorter wait times.

What Else You Can’t Miss At Epic Universe

Indoor stage show at Universal Studios with a large glowing map projection featuring dragons and fantasy illustrations displayed across a wide set. Guests sit in rows facing the stage as part of an immersive show experience that adds variety beyond rides for kids at Universal Studios. — Waiting for the Untrainable Dragon Show to start!

While the rides at Epic Universe are fantastic, there are also other experiences at Epic Universe you won’t want to miss!

Shows: Le Cirque Arcanus or The Untrainable Dragon — There are two stage shows at Epic Universe and both of them are great! My favorite was Le Cirque Arcanus in the Harry Potter area, but if you have a How to Train Your Dragon fan you won’t want to miss The Untrainable Dragon.
Fountain Show — Each night at closing there is a fountain show at the fountain right outside the Grand Helios Hotel at the back of the park. It’s really cool and a great way to end the day!
Theming — For Universal Parks, Epic Universe has really taken the theming to the next level. Make sure you spend some time looking at all the details in each land!
Characters — If you love meeting characters there are great ones here! Toothless in Isle of Berk does get hour long lines though, and I’m not sure that’s worth it. But you can meet Mario characters in Super Nintendo World and monster movie characters in Dark Universe.