We’ve stated many times, here on ThemeParkArchitect.com, selecting the proper ride system that best tells a particular theme park story is key to that attraction’s – and its respective park’s for that matter – success. Water rides in theme parks are common throughout the history of theme parks, with legacy water based ride systems and interactive play areas still being prevalent in parks today.
Some of the best themed water rides and interactive water features can be found within the Universal Orlando theme parks. These are amazing rides that will keep you cool during the hot summers in Florida and they offer some of the best thrills Central Florida has to offer!
We’ve compiled a list of the best water rides at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in Orlando including some of the best interactive water play features for the kiddos.
Table of Contents
- How Many Water Rides Are at Universal Orlando?
- Universal Studios Water Rides
- Islands of Adventure Water Rides
- Best Shoes for Water Rides
- How to Keep Your Shoes From Getting Wet
- How to Keep Your Clothes from Getting Wet on the Water Rides
- How to Protect Your Phone and Belongings Dry
- Universal Lockers
How Many Water Rides Are at Universal Orlando?
Universal Orlando Resort has two theme parks, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. There is also a water park, Volcano Bay, which is considered a third theme park.
We are going to focus on the two theme park’s water rides since all of Volcano Bay is water rides and being in the pools.
There are three water rides and six water play areas throughout Universal Orlando.
Some rides have height requirements, so be sure to check the minimum heights that might be required.
Be sure to see our guide to the best waterproof fanny packs to protect your phone and valuables on the rides.
Universal Studios Water Rides
In Universal Studios, there are two water play areas that are perfect for children. These are not for adults.
Curious George Goes to Town
In this kid’s play area, children enter the cartoon land and have fun playing with water elements such as pumps and hoses. This isn’t a ride, but it is a fun playground where young kids and their parents can get wet.
Location: Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone
Height Requirement: None
Fievel’s Playland
This play land is filled with oversized props from the movies An American Tail and Fievel Goes West. Even if your children haven’t seen these movies, they will still have fun with the larger-than-life playground with rope bridges and a 30-foot spider web.
Fievel’s Playland has dry places to play, as well as a water play area. To cool off from the heat, have your kids go to the 1,000 gallon cowboy hat filled with water, or have fun going down the 200-foot slide.
Location: Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone
Height Requirement: None
Islands of Adventure Water Rides
For the best water rides, head to Islands of Adventure theme park. This is where you will find the rides best for kids and adults, that will soak you while you are enjoying a fun ride.
There are three water rides in Islands of Adventure.
There are also four water play lands. For kids that do not meet the height requirement for the ride, there are observation areas where they can watch the boats and still get soaked by the splashing from the ride.
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
This is not just a water slide! This thrilling attraction is part roller coaster, part water flume. The 75-foot drop can be scary for younger kids, as well as some adults! For the most thrilling water ride in all of Universal Studios, do Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls!
Location: Toon Lagoon
Height Requirement: 44″
Express Pass Offered? Yes
Consider watching the Dudley Do-Right movie, as well as some more of these movies to watch before going to Universal Studios so that the story makes sense when you are there!
Jurassic Park River Adventure
You’ll be on an adventure ride through Jurassic Park to escape a T-Rex chasing you. With 1.5 million gallons of water in the attraction, the 85-foot drop is guaranteed to get you wet! Let’s be honest, it’s going to get you soaked!
Fun fact: The 85-foot drop of Jurassic Park River Adventure was the largest theme park water descent ever built at the time.
Don’t get this water ride confused with the Jurassic World VelociCoaster ride.
Location: Jurassic Park
Height Requirement: 42″
Express Pass Offered? Yes
Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
If you’re looking for a tame water ride without the long waits, then Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges might be best for you! This attraction is not as scary as the other two water rides in Islands of Adventure. The cartoon characters make it better for younger children, and there isn’t a huge drop to scare kids and adults.
Though this might seem to be the most tame ride, it is actually the ride that will get you most wet! In fact, you will probably get soaked on Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges!
✅ Click Here to Learn more about the Popeye Movie Village – the real movie set – located in Malta!
There is a center compartment on this ride that you can put your belongings in to stay dry.
You can get wet in many ways on this ride. Not only will you be splashed, but there are also water cannons shooting at you from Me Ship, The Olive.
Location: Toon Lagoon
Height Requirement: 42″
Express Pass Offered? Yes
Toon Lagoon
Two of the water rides are located in Toon Lagoon. Those rides do have minimum height requirements. For the younger children, check out the water play land areas in Toon Lagoon. These splash pads and fountains are perfect for cooling off and getting wet without a scary ride.
Location: Toon Lagoon
Height Requirement: None
The Mystic Fountain
This fountain will speak to guests talking to it. It also will spray water at you!
Location: The Lost Continent
Height Requirement: None
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
This ride for children has some water elements to it. Similar to the Dumbo ride at Walt Disney World, you will need to pay attention to maneuver your fish out of the way of the spraying water fountains.
Location: Seuss Landing
Height Requirement: None
If I Ran the Zoo
A wet play area is part of this imaginative play area inspired by a Dr. Seuss book.
Location: Seuss Landing
Height Requirement: None
Water rides are so much fun, but sometimes you really need to protect your belongings and make sure you are not walking around in wet shoes and clothes all day. You will get wet on these rides, so be prepared! These helpful tips will keep you and your belongings dry while you enjoy the rides.
Related Post: If you love water parks, stay at one of these Orlando hotels with a lazy river!
Best Shoes for Water Rides
Your feet will get wet on water rides! So you need to choose the appropriate shoes to wear.
- Flip flops are the best shoe to wear on water rides. They can get wet, yet your feet will dry off quickly. Purchase an inexpensive pair of flip flops at the Dollar Tree or a convenience store for use on the rides. Keep them in your backpack or bag and put them on in the queue line for the water rides before boarding. Change back into your normal shoes after riding.
- Crocs, Keens and other outdoor sandals that are designed for a variety of weather conditions are also a good idea. While these will stay wet on your feet for longer, they are more supportive. You also won’t have to carry around another pair of shoes.
- Water shoes are made for the beach and water parks (they are great at Discovery Cove), however they can also be used on water rides.
- DO NOT wear sneakers and socks on water rides! Your shoes will get soaked and you will be walking around on squishy shoes all day long. Trust me, your sneakers will take several days to completely dry out. It has happened to me before.
Proper footwear is just one of the 38 things you must know before going to Universal Studios. Be sure to see our entire list of tips and tricks for the theme parks.
How to Keep Your Shoes From Getting Wet
You are not allowed to take your shoes off in the queue of a water ride line or on the attraction itself. Universal does not allow you to be barefoot on the attraction or while walking for safety reasons.
If you don’t want to bring extra shoes or buy special shoes for the water rides, consider these tricks for keeping your shoes dry.
- Bring extra-large zip-top bags, such as these two-gallon Ziploc bags, to put over your shoes once you are on the ride.
- Grocery store plastic bags can be used to tie around your feet and shoes to help keep them dry.
- Use plastic bags from stores at Universal to put around your shoes if you forgot to bring bags yourself.
- Use waterproof shoe covers over your shoes to keep them dry. While these silicone shoe covers are just a little bit more than the cheap plastic kind, they are non-slip and will be snug around your ankle, which covers more of your shoe.
Related Post: How to Pool Hop at Universal Orlando Hotels
How to Keep Your Clothes From Getting Wet
Let’s face it, you will get wet on these water rides! Walking around in wet clothes, even on a hot day, is no fun. Especially if you go into air-conditioned restaurants, shops or attraction lines afterwards. You will be cold and shivering if you aren’t dry.
These tips will help you stay comfortable during your day after enjoying water rides.
- Seats WILL be wet on water rides. Even if you are not soaked with splashes of water, your clothes can get really wet from sitting in puddles on the seat.
- Wear a rain poncho on the ride. Yes, you might look silly, but you’ll be dry!
- Buy inexpensive rain ponchos before you get to Universal Studios. You can purchase plastic ponchos at Dollar Tree, Walmart or Amazon. Be sure to get some smaller kid-sizes for children. Some have drawstrings at the neck so you can be sure to protect your clothes from water coming in.
- Ponchos at Universal Orlando can be expensive! They range in price from $10-12 for kids and adult sizes.
- Large plastic trash bags can work as ponchos if you cut out a hole for the neck and arms.
- Bring a second pair of clothing to change into after the water rides. Keep this outfit in the lockers or a backpack that you bring.
- Bring an extra pair of socks if you plan on wearing shoes and socks on the rides.
- Be sure to bring an extra pair of underwear! This item takes up so little room, yet wet underwear can be miserable to wear all day long! (This tip works for hot days with sweating, too!)
- Have a reusable wet bag to store wet clothing in. A large zip-top bag can work, too. These will keep your other items protected from the dampness of your clothing, socks and shoes.
If you are worried about getting soaked on the water rides, you can schedule your day around these attractions for less worry. Here are some great ideas:
- Do all of the water rides at the same time. In Islands of Adventure, two of the three rides are in the same land. Schedule a part of your day to just ride them all at once, and only have to dry off once!
- Wear a swimsuit (underneath clothing) to enter the park and go to the water rides. You won’t need to worry about getting clothing soaked and can easily change out of your swimsuit into a change of clothing that you bring. Or go back to the hotel and hop in the pool or change your clothes. Or go to Volcano Bay. Keep in mind that there are guidelines of what is appropriate to wear inside the park. Men will not be able to wear only swim trunks, and women can’t ride with nothing but a tiny bikini top.
- Make sure to get all of your important photos with characters and in front of Universal Studios icons before you go on the water rides.
- There are People Dryers at the exit of the water rides that will help you dry off if necessary. These small kiosks that work like a giant hair dryer can fit up to 3 adults in them. You will need to pay $5 to use the people dryers, but they are cheaper than having to buy new, dry clothing!
- Towels and t-shirts are always for sale at the exit of the water rides. You can always buy a dry t-shirt to change into as a souvenir!
How to Keep Your Phone, Camera and Belongings Dry
While wet shoes and clothing can be miserable to wear all day, it will be okay. However, getting your phone or camera wet on a water ride can damage your devices and cause a lot of expense to fix or replace them.
Sometimes the rides have dry compartments to help keep your belongings safe, such as the middle compartment on the Popeye ride. However, those compartments aren’t guaranteed to stay dry. And if there is water inside the compartment once you are on the ride, you don’t have any other option to keep your tech devices dry.
Here are some helpful tips for protecting your belongings on water rides:
- Bring zip-top bags to store your phone, camera and wallet in. These are easy to carry in a purse or backpack.
- Waterproof lanyards will protect your tickets, Express Pass, IDs, cash and perhaps your phone. These can be worn around your neck all day and are convenient to use on all rides. Check out our list of the best lanyards for Universal Studios for more options.
- Consider bringing a waterproof fanny pack which will keep your phone safe without having to carry a bag in your hands.
Universal Lockers
Using lockers by the water rides at Universal is an easy way to keep all of your belongings, including your phone and cameras, safe and dry.
Universal Orlando offers lockers throughout its theme parks. They are available by the water rides.
There are time limits on the lockers. While you can keep your belongings in a locker for an hour, after the hour the doors will automatically unlock. Universal Guest Service members are usually located by the lockers keeping an eye on things, but keep this in mind.
If you want to have a locker for more than just an hour or so, consider paying for full-day lockers at the front of the theme park. However, these lockers will be far from the attractions and you will need to walk across the theme park to get your dry clothes or other belongings.
Now that you know all about Universal’s water rides, see our Guide to Planning a Universal Orlando Vacation.