Planning a visit to Universal Orlando? There are so many incredible attractions to experience. But, are you looking for a definitive guide for the only the attractions that invert you upside down? Our Universal Orlando Upside Down Ride Guide gives you the information you need as you’re planning your trip to Orlando.
You definitely won’t be bored with a visit to America’s theme park capital! The Universal Orlando Resort has so much to offer, including 2 theme parks, a water park, 8 amazing resort hotels, incredible nightlife, and amazing dining.
For thrill seekers, we have the information on inverted attractions at Universal Orlando that will help you determine which attractions are best for you and your family!
- Universal Orlando Resort Basics
- Best Time To Visit Universal Studios Orlando
- Weather
- When Are Peak Crowds / Peak Season?
- Universal Studios Florida
- Universal Studios Themed Lands
- Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts
- Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
- Revenge Of The Mummy
- Universal Islands Of Adventure
- Universal Islands Of Adventure Themed Lands
- Wizarding World Of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade
- Marvel Super Hero Island
- Jurassic Park
Universal Orlando Resort Basics
Universal Orlando Resort Address: 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819
What to See and Do: There are three themed, gated parks: Universal Studios; Universal Islands Of Adventure; and Volcano Bay Waterpark (Universal Studios calls it a theme park, but it isn’t one in the traditional sense.) Universal CityWalk is a dining, shopping and entertainment complex. There are 8 Universal hotel resorts on property. Universal’s Epic Theme Park, the fourth gated park at Universal Orlando, is currently under construction and not open to the public yet!
Helpful Tip: Download the Universal Orlando Resort app to find up to date wait times on all of the rides you’re interested in.
Security: Every Guest will be required to go through a security checkpoint to enter the theme parks or Universal CityWalk. The security checkpoint is currently located between the parking garages and the entry into CityWalk.
For more helpful tips about planning a vacation to Universal Orlando, see these posts with our favorite Orlando travel planning information:
- 40 Best Universal Studios Orlando Tips and Tricks
- Best Dining at Universal Studios Orlando
- Universal Orlando Hotels: Why You Want to Stay On-Site
- How to Save Money on Dining at Universal Studios
- Best Way to Save Money on Universal Studios Tickets
Best Time To Visit Universal Studios Orlando
Weather, the time of year, and school holidays factor into when is the best time to visit Universal Orlando.
Weather
The best weather is going to be from November to March. This is when temperatures in Orlando are mild, generally around 70-80 degrees. Rain is not as common during this time frame. Humidity levels are lower, making the ambient air temperature feel cooler than normal in central Florida.
However, over the past five years, we have seen the weather go a little crazy in Orlando during this time frame. There have been days and weeks with unseasonably cold winter weather, as temperatures dip towards freezing overnight. Intense thunderstorms and tornado warnings are becoming more prevalent. And then the weather swings towards excessive heat, with temperatures that feel like 90 degrees.
Still, the weather is going to be much better in the winter and early Spring, compared to any other time of the year in Orlando.
June through November is hurricane season in the Southeast. This is when hurricanes can form, along with tropical storms and pretty bad thunderstorms.
While not common, it is a good idea to purchase vacation insurance if you are planning a visit during these months in case a hurricane prevents you from traveling.
See Universal Studios Rain Policy and Volcano Bay’s Rain Policy for more information on how weather can impact your visit.
When are Peak Crowds / Peak Seasons at Universal Orlando?
Orlando is a year-round vacation destination for Americans and for visitors from around the world. When school is on a break, that is when you will find the most visitors to Orlando.
Spring Break, Easter, July 4th, Summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s and any official holiday (even Labor Day) are going to be peak times in the theme parks. Anticipate heavy crowds and potential early park closures (due to park capacity restrictions) on the actual major U.S. holidays including one week before and one week after the holiday.
Universal Studios Florida
Universal Studios is a 541-acre theme park where all of your favorite tv shows and movies come to life. It is also home to one of the lands of Wizarding World Of Harry Potter, Diagon Alley.
It can be confusing when talking about Universal Studios. Not only is it the proper name of the first Universal theme park in Orlando, but it is also the general name that people use to talk about the entire resort.
Universal Studios theme park is located on one end of Universal CityWalk. You will enter the main gate off of CityWalk, right near where the rotating Universal globe is that is fun to take pictures with.
You can walk between this theme park and Islands of Adventure from the outside of the parks, via CityWalk. Or you can hop in-between parks on Hogwart’s Express, the Harry Potter train.
Universal Studios Themed Lands
There are specific lands inside the theme park. However, they are not as clearly defined as the themed lands are in Walt Disney World. So if you’re not sure where you are, you are probably not alone! The lands include:
- Wizarding World Of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley
- Springfield: Home Of The Simpsons
- The Lagoon
- Hollywood
- New York
- Production Central
- San Francisco
- Minion Land
Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts
While you don’t go upside down on this attraction, there are portions with high speeds with twists and turns. Located in Diagon Alley, riders will discover this magical thrill ride. On the ride, you’ll navigate the subterranean vaults of Gringotts Bank with Harry, Ron and Hermione by your side.
This ride is one of the 33 Things to Not Miss in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
Height Requirement: Thrill, Motion Simulator, and 3D / 4D immersive experience. Supervising companion required for those under 42″ in height.
Revenge Of The Mummy
Located in New York section of the park, and similar to Escape From Gringotts, you will not be completely inverted, but there are portions of this attraction that include high speed accelerations and sudden twists & turns. You’re transported to Egypt into the world of The Mummy racing through pyramids, forwards and backwards to escape the evil mummy, Imhotep, on this rollercoaster.
Height Requirement: Minimum 48″ in height. Thrill ride best for adult, teens (13-17), and tweens (7-12).
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
Located in the Production Central section of Universal Studios, the outdoor Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster doesn’t completely turn you upside down, however it does include a non-inverting loop that also includes high speed, tight turns and a near 90-degree first drop with onboard music.
Height Requirement: Roller coaster thrill ride best for adult, teens (13-17), and tweens (7-12). Minimum 51″ in height.
Universal Islands Of Adventure
The second theme park at Universal Studios Orlando, is Islands Of Adventure. This park features the Marvel Super Hero Island, with The Incredible Hulk Coaster coaster; Hogsmeade Village; and Jurassic Park, which includes the Jurassic World VelicoCoaster. This is also where you will find the three water rides at Universal Orlando Resort.
You can easily access Islands of Adventure from CityWalk. Or you can hop in-between parks on the Hogwarts Express, the Harry Potter train.
The most popular rides in the park are Hagrid’s Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure, VelociCoaster, and The Incredible Hulk Coaster. Pro tip: to avoid long wait times on the E-ticket attractions, try to ride these first thing in the morning.
Universal Islands Of Adventure Themed Lands
The lands at Universal Islands Of Adventure are, quite literally, out of this world! You will walk from land to land, each with a different look and theming. They include:
- Port On Entry (Park entrance)
- Wizarding World Of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade
- Marvel Super Hero Island
- Skull Island
- Jurassic Park
- Toon Lagoon
- Seuss Landing
- The Lost Continent
Wizarding World Of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade
The second land themed to the Wizarding World Of Harry Potter is located at the Islands of Adventure. At Islands of Adventure you will get to enjoy Hogsmeade, which is complete with Hogwart’s castle.
Hagrid’s Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure One of the newest additions to the Wizarding World, this thrill ride has been deemed one of the best rides in all of Florida. This rollercoaster is one of the best and most popular rides in the entire park. Though it does go both forward and backward at different locations, it does not turn you upside down but does include high speed twists and turns.
Height Requirement: Minimum 48″ in height. Roller coaster thrill ride with child swap available.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey This fan favorite is one of the most popular rides at Islands of Adventure. The queue is inside of the Hogwarts castle and the interactive nature makes the long wait times fun. Once on the journey, you’ll fly through the grounds of Hogwarts on the ride of a lifetime. A word of caution, this ride tends to leave adults dizzy and nauseous.
Height Requirement: Minimum 48″ in height. Thrill, motion simulator, and 3D / 4D immersive experience. Child swap and Single Rider options are available.
Marvel Super Hero Island
The Incredible Hulk Coaster The Hulk Coaster is one of the premiere rides at Universal Islands Of Adventure. Although the coaster is 20 years old it still impresses with a quick launch and incredible corkscrews putting riders nearly completely upside down.
Height Requirement: Roller coaster thrill ride with minimum 54″ in height.
Jurassic Park
Be transported to the land of dinosaurs in Jurassic Park. Themed after the hit 1990’s popular films and the book by Michael Crichton, this land feels like you’ve stepped into the jungle!
Jurassic World VelociCoaster This roller coaster is known as one of the best in all of Orlando! This popular roller coaster will turn you upside down for periods of time throughout the ride. Coaster enthusiasts also appreciate all of the thrilling twists and turns included on this thrill ride.
Height Requirement: Minimum 51″ in height. Inverted roller coaster thrill ride.