Every Ride at Epic Universe, Ranked Worst to Best
And no, the best one isn't Harry Potter and the Battle At The Ministry.
Mine-Cart Madness
There’s no denying the charm of Donkey Kong’s wild Mine-Cart Madness coaster, but among Epic Universe’s offerings, it lands squarely at the bottom. This isn’t a failure by any means—it’s just limited by its intended audience. The ride is built on nostalgia and visual tricks like “broken track” illusions and barrel jumps that do make first-timers gasp. But the coaster itself plays it safe. The restraint system is comfortable, the train design clever, and the theming meticulous. Yet by your third lap, the novelty wears thin.
As a family coaster, it serves its purpose beautifully. But if you’re here for thrills, story, or anything even vaguely heart-pounding, Mine-Cart Madness is where you warm up, not where you climax.
Constellation Carousel
It’s a stunning piece of kinetic sculpture, an ode to celestial myth made tangible. The beasts are alien, glowing, and worthy of an art exhibit. Guests float rather than ride, suspended slightly off the platform in gentle orbit. And while all that makes this one of the most visually beautiful carousels ever built, it’s still a carousel. Once the awe wears off—and it will, around the second revolution—it’s not an experience you’ll crave again unless you’re four, drunk, or holding hands with someone starry-eyed.
But in the right light, on the right evening, with a cocktail from the Astronomica lounge in hand? It’s perfection. Just not a top-tier ride.
Yoshi’s Adventure
This omnimover is the most approachable ride in Super Nintendo World. It’s slow-moving, colorful, and absolutely packed with detail. Kids love the egg hunt mechanic, and longtime Nintendo fans melt at every character cameo. But ride-wise? It’s a scenic cruise. Think E.T. Adventure without the suspense, or The Seas with Nemo but pixelated.
Where it shines is accessibility and charm. It’s not trying to be anything but a love letter to fans and families. The music loops are whimsical, and the animatronics are well-executed. But it’s a background ride—perfect to kill time while you wait for Mario Kart or digest your mushroom-shaped burger.
Fyre Drill
Let’s call this one what it is: a glorified splash pad with shoulder harnesses. Guests hop into Viking boats equipped with water cannons and spray targets (and each other) in what can only be described as aquatic chaos. It’s wet, wild, and genuinely hilarious the first time. But unless you’re six years old or boiling in July heat, it’s not a must-ride.
It gets credit for being interactive and fitting the tone of the Isle of Berk. But if it weren’t for the hilarious animatronic sheep lifeguard and the soaked dads shouting at their kids, this would feel more like a hotel water feature than a park headliner.
Dragon Racer’s Rally
This Gerstlauer Sky Fly invites you to literally spin yourself sick. Riders board Viking gliders and choose how intense their experience is—tilting the wings for barrel rolls or cruising calmly in aerial loops. It’s a smart ride system, and the freedom of control makes it better than your average flat ride.
Still, it’s a flat ride. And while the visuals and set dressing add flair, it doesn’t hold a candle to the heavy-hitters around it. Worth a spin? Yes. Worth the wait during peak crowds? Probably not.
Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
This family coaster surprises you. At first glance, it’s another How to Train Your Dragon addition with pleasant pacing and scenic flyovers. But once onboard, the launched track and curving glide over the lagoon prove this ride is more ambitious than expected. It has a fantastic “soaring” feeling, and the visuals of Berk are rich and cinematic.
It doesn’t quite punch hard enough to compete with Universal’s elite coasters, but it’s the best ride in the Isle of Berk, hands down. Think of it as a kid-friendly cousin to Hagrid’s—more heart than teeth.
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
Here’s where things get controversial. This is Universal’s latest flagship Wizarding World attraction, set in the 1920s era of Fantastic Beasts. It features trackless ride vehicles, moving elevators, and immersive courtroom action as you dodge spells through the Ministry of Magic. The technology is dazzling. The sets are movie-perfect. And the lore is deep.
But it’s not quite the next Forbidden Journey. The focus on Fantastic Beasts instead of classic Potter may alienate some fans, and the ride system, while innovative, doesn’t feel quite as chaotic or dynamic as its Hogwarts predecessor. Still, it’s a rock-solid experience and a visual feast.
Curse of the Werewolf
This spinning coaster in the Dark Universe realm is a delightful surprise. It launches you through a foggy forest village and into the twisted gothic lore of lycanthropy, all while your car spins in unpredictable directions. The theming is moody, the queue is straight out of a Universal horror classic, and the final drop gives more punch than expected.
While the spinning can be a turn-off for some guests, this ride proves that even “smaller” coasters can steal the show with the right storytelling. It’s not for the faint of stomach, but it is for the faint of daylight.
Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
This dark ride is Universal Creative at its most unhinged. You’re a test subject caught between Dr. Frankenstein’s ambition and a rogue lineup of monsters. It uses a KUKA robotic arm ride system (think Forbidden Journey) to tilt, swoop, and shake you through electric labs and Gothic terror. The monster designs are huge, grotesque, and occasionally theatrical.
It doesn’t need to go fast—it’s all about intensity and dread. With top-notch effects and pacing, it makes the classic monsters feel relevant again. It’s Universal’s answer to Disney’s Haunted Mansion, if Haunted Mansion were possessed and twice as violent.
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
Mario Kart rides the line between game and attraction. Armed with augmented reality visors and a steering wheel, you race through a physical track with digital overlays, firing shells at Bowser’s army. It’s one of the most re-rideable rides Universal has ever built—mainly because you’ll want to improve your score. Plus, it’s multiplayer. And bragging rights are a hell of a motivator.
That said, the AR can be tricky for first-timers, and the visual chaos might overwhelm some. But as a flagship experience for Nintendo fans, it delivers exactly what it should: gameplay, competition, and chaos.
Stardust Racers
This is it. The king. The crown jewel of Epic Universe. Stardust Racers is a dual-launch, racing coaster with a celestial narrative, stunning lighting, and a unique “Celestial Spin” element that flings trains into a twisting inversion above the park’s central hub. It’s beautiful. It’s fast. It’s synchronized chaos. And it represents everything Epic Universe wants to be: ambitious, elegant, thrilling.
With speeds over 60 mph, two dueling tracks, and a night lighting package that rivals any fireworks show, it’s not just the best ride at Epic Universe—it’s a contender for best ride in Orlando. If you’re planning your day, this is the one you line up for first. And last.