Rides at Epic Universe

What we experienced at Epic Universe.

Hiccups Wing Gliders - This was our favorite ride at Epic. We may or may not have ridden it four times. It's a family friendly ride in How to Train Your Dragon, Isle of Berk. This suspended roller coaster gives you the thrill of flight on a "wingless" dragon glider. We are Disney fans but would rate this like Slinky Dog and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train but smoother and more thrilling.

Curse of the Werewolf - This is a dark coaster tucked away in the moody, gothic world of Dark Universe. The atmosphere of the foggy, condemned village is spooky without being intense. The coaster doesn't just race along the track - it spins as it moves along the track, so no two rides feel the same. One moment you are facing forward, the next you're spinning sideways into the dark. It adds a new layer of excitement at every drop and turn.

Fyre Drill: The Ultimate Viking Water Battle - If you're wandering through the Isle of Berk and hear laughter and splashing, follow the sounds - they'll lead you straight to Fyre Drill, one of the most fun and wettest rides in Epic Universe. This interactive water ride puts you in the middle of a Viking training session gone wrong. Plan on getting wet, even in the line, as boats passing by shoot at targets, other boats, and unsuspecting people waiting in the queue. Thankfully, they do sell ponchos close by (or you can bring your own). There are also people dryers nearby if you need a quick dry after the ride. Seriously - this isn't just another "water ride" where you barely get wet. Chances are - you will get soaked.

Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge - We wanted to love this ride. On paper, Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge sounds like a dream for fans of the games - AR visors, interactive steering, and a race through some of the most iconic tracks in the Mushroom Kingdom. But in reality, it just didn't land for us. The gameplay was confusing, with little explanation on how to actually aim or win, and the action flew by so fast that it was hard to keep up. The visuals were cool, and the set pieces are impressive, but it reminded us a lot of Men in Black: Alien Attack and Illumination's Villian Con Minion Blast, two other shooter style games at Universal Studios Florida where half the time you're not even sure if you are doing it correctly. It felt more like a high-tech arcade game than a theme park ride.

Mine-Cart Madness - This is one of the more unique coaster experiences we've had. Set in the vibrant world of Donkey Kong Country, this ride takes the classic mine cart levels from the games and brings them to life with fast-paced jumps, sharp turns, and an illusion that makes your cart feel like it is leaping over broken tracks. For game lovers, this ride was part nostalgia and part mayhem. It's not the most intense coaster, but it's fun with great theming. If you grew up dodging obstacles with Donkey and Diddy, this is a must-ride.

Monsters Unchained - This isn't just another monster-themed coaster - It's an immersive, story-driven thrill ride that uses the same ride mechanism as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. That means your seat is mounted to a robotic arm, giving it the ability to tilt, swing, and move with cinematic precision as you are whipped through a world of escaped monster-villians from movies past. From waiting line to the end of the ride, this one was fun and well themed.

Star Dust Racers (pictured above) - This is pure coaster adrenaline, located in the heart of Celestial Park. You are boarding a comet-inspired ride vehicle and racing through the cosmos on a dual-track roller coaster that's all about speed, airtime, and jaw dropping visuals. And did we mention, it's a racing coaster. Two trains launch side by side and weave around, above, and past each other on a celestial racetrack. Smoothish, fast, and filled with hills and unexpected turns, this is a must do for intense coaster fans.

Yoshi's Adventure - Need a break from the high-speed thrills. This is the perfect cooldown ride. Set high above Super Nintendo World, you will board your own Yoshi and take a gentle journey through colorful hills, caves, clouds, and classic Mario-style scenery. It's slow moving and easy going. No drops, no speed, no drama. This one is definitely geared toward younger riders or more die-hard Nintendo fans. If you love Disney, think PeopleMover, but with cooler, Mario-themed scenery all the way through.

Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry - This is one we were excited about but unfortunately never got to ride. This ride is virtual queue only for now. Since these were preview tickets, they were only letting 15% of people in the park get in the queue. We tried valiantly but unsuccessfully throughout both days we were in the park. That said, we did get far enough into the line to appreciate how insanely well-themed this attraction is. From the moment you step into the glowing green chimney and step through the Floo Network, it was clever, immersive, and awe-inspiring. Although we didn't get to ride this one, just getting that peek made it clear that this one will be worth the ride should you score it on your visit. It looks like another job well themed by Universal.