Islands of Adventure, next door, has a lock on the scariest rides at Universal Orlando, but Universal Studios park still has some goodies.
- Revenge of the Mummy: To say much about this now-classic, heavily themed indoor coaster would be to give away some of its best surprises. Let's just say it's dark, winding, alternately slow and fast, and creepy. It doesn't do a vertical loop—the dominant motion is swooping and lurching in delightful (and sometimes tongue-in-cheek) disorientation. If you have only ridden the version at Universal Studios in California, forget that one. This one is longer, more clever, and much more complex.
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts: Diagon Alley's marquee ride is part runaway cart, part 3-D screens, and wholly original. While not the scariest ride you've ever been on—it's more exhilarating than terrifying—there's a lot to look at, starting with the pitch-perfect re-creation of Gringotts Bank in the queue.
- Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit: You're the star as this high-speed, musically themed multisensory thriller has riders rocking out (while being recorded by a sophisticated on- and off-board video system) at speeds of up to 65 mph, twisting and turning, dipping and diving along the intertwining track set some 17 stories above the walkways of Universal Studios and the CityWalk lagoon. And we didn't even get to the record-breaking noninverted loop—you can't miss it. So crank up the tunes (you get to pick 'em ahead of time) and enjoy the ride; after it's over, you can pick up a copy (for a fee) of your ride.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
