Universal Studios is one of the world's most popular theme park chains, attracting visitors from across the globe with four parks located in Florida, California, and Japan and offering a selection of rides for guests of all ages.
Boasting many thrilling and themed rides for many years, visitors are constantly drawn back to experience the classic rides based on their favorite movies. While, sadly, some of the classic rides have been replaced, they forever live in the hearts of Universal fans.
Earthquake
Earthquake is certainly noted as one of the classics, originally opened in 1990 and Universal Studios' opening in Orlando. The ride was also rebranded as Disaster in 2008 but kept the original theme that die-hard fans loved. Sadly, the rebranded classic was closed down and replaced in 2015.
Much loved by nostalgic Universal fans, Earthquake took guests on a partly interactive journey from start to finish. Visitors would experience the ride in stages, starting with an introduction and followed by movie scene re-enactments starring willing volunteers from the crowd. Visitors would then board the underground train as though they were part of the movie and experienced a thrilling, simulated re-enactment of how it would feel to be caught in the middle of an earthquake.
Men In Black: Alien Attack
A family-friendly ride, "Men in Black," which is based on the 1997 movie of the same title, is still a huge hit with visitors. The ride is still running to this very day and remains very popular. The Men in Black recruit guests to be special agents in this fun and interactive ride.
Visitors board their cars and are taken for a ride through New York City. The ride is fast-paced and packed full of weird and wacky alien characters, but the best part of this entire ride is the interactive element. Each guest has an alien zapping gun in front of them and are expected to shoot the aliens as their car races through the city.
King Kong
One of Universal Studios classic rides, "Kongfrontation" brought the on-screen gorilla to life. The ride opened back in 1990, making it one of Universal Studios' original and classic rides. Sadly, Kongfrontation closed its doors in 2002.
The classic ride took guests onboard an aerial tram through New York City, with a live onboard guide instructing guests that they were being evacuated from Manhattan due to Kong's destruction. The tram stumbles upon King Kong himself, having to escape the giant beast twice before managing to escape Manhattan safely. The gigantic animatronic was mind-blowing for its time, and the hugely popular ride is missed by many visitors.
Revenge Of The Mummy
The Revenge Of The Mummy was an instant hit for Universal fans, based on The Mummy movie franchise. Still hugely popular to this current day, the ride combines a thrilling indoor roller coaster and impressive theming based on the movies.
From the queue experience to boarding the indoor coaster disguised as a minecart, the ride takes guests through underground tombs. The minecart eventually comes face to face with the mummy, and the ride is quickly launched into a high-speed indoor roller coaster. Guests race through the darkness, combining amazing scenes with a thrilling fast-paced ride. Riders are treated to a final word from the movie's very own actor Brendan Fraser.
Back To The Future
Appearing in all Universal Studios locations across the world, Back To The Future: The Ride was one of the classic rides, having opened in 1991. Of course, based on the movie franchise of the same name, this themed simulator took fans of the movie on a ride in their very own Delorean. While the original Back To The Future films continues to stand the test of time, the ride was eventually closed.
The ride greeted guests with the sight of a DeLorean simulator car, and they boarded the vehicle to begin the ride. The simulator itself took riders through scenes from Hill Valley before racing back to various time periods.
The Amazing Adventures Of Spider-Man
“The Amazing Adventures Of Spider-Man" attraction opened its doors in 1999 along with islands of adventure. While the ride is actually based on the marvel comics, Universal Studios in Japan opened their version of the ride just in time for the Spiderman movies starring Tobey Maguire.
Guests board the ride, complete with 3D glasses for the adventure. It combines a fast-paced moving car, 3D action, and even part simulator. Guests encounter spiderman himself, as well as various well-known villains from the comics and movies. This uniquely blended ride delights Marvel fans across the world and even features various cameos from the legend Stan Lee.
Jurassic Park: River Adventure
The Jurassic Park franchise has seen more than a few video game adaptations, but it also served as the basis for an epic Universal Studios ride. "Jurassic Park: River Adventure" is, of course, based on the '90s movie franchise Jurassic Park. Visitors board a large raft and begin their journey through Jurassic Park.
Guests are greeted with the sight of the infamous Jurassic Park entrance and gates, and riders encounter various friendly dinosaurs. Of course, this doesn't last; much like the movies, there are clear dangers ahead. Chaos can be seen from the safety of the raft before it heads inside and begins to climb higher. Before guests plunge down the climactic waterfall to get soaked, they see the infamous T-Rex make her appearance.
Harry Potter And The Forbidden Journey
The “Harry Potter And The Forbidden Journey" ride opened inside the incredible Hogwarts castle replica. While this may not be a typically classic Universal ride, it will most definitely become one and go down in history.
This ride has everything for the biggest Potter fans. The queue experience is decked out to replicate inside of the wizard school, and Universal did not hold back on a single detail. The ride itself is a combination of fast-paced movements, 3D action, and a simulator. Guests are taken through various scenes from the movies and featuring cameos from the actors themselves.
Jaws
Arguably one of the most iconic and nostalgic rides Universal Studios has seen over the years, Jaws The Ride was inspired by the movie franchise of the same name, which is a must-watch for fans of shark movies. Fans of the Orlando ride were devastated to hear of its closing in 2012, but the ride remains to this day in Japan.
Guests board their tour boat at Amity Island and begin a leisurely tour across the harbor, led by a live tour guide. Throughout the ride, guests are shocked by many appearances from a large animatronic great white shark much like in the movies. The shark makes several appearances, launching out from the water and attacking the boat.
E.T. Adventure
Based on the classic movie E.T.," this ride certainly goes down in history as the most nostalgic and classic Universal Studios ride. Not only is this ride one of Universal's originals, having opened in Orlando back in 1990, but it is the only classic Universal ride that is still open to this very day in all Universal Studios parks across the world.
A family-friendly ride for all ages, this is definitely one for fans of the movie and for kids especially. The pre-show sees Steven Spielberg greeting guests on the TV screens. Riders board their individual bikes much like in the movie and begin their adventure to help get E.T home safely. Riders face obstacles to return E.T to his home planet and journey through scenes from the movie.
