The Best Water Rides at Universal Orlando Resort
Orlando is a hot, hot place in the summer. A water ride is one way to cool off. It’s not the best way. That would be air conditioning. Still, though, it’s a solid option with the bonus of sloshy shoes. What are the best water rides at Universal Orlando Resort?
What Are the Best Water Rides at Universal Orlando Resort?
4. Attractions That Aren’t Water Rides But Will Get You Wet
3. Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
2. Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
1. Jurassic Park River Adventure
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The Best Water Rides at Universal Orlando Resort
Disney World has a lot of slow-moving boat rides during which you do not get wet at all. That is not Universal’s jam. Prepare to be soaked.
Universal Orlando Resort doesn’t have much in the way of water rides at its theme parks. If you want to spend the entire day wet, consider visiting its water park, Volcano Bay.
Pro tip: Be sure your sunscreen is waterproof.
Bonus pro tip: Pack ponchos and waterproof cell phone cases.
4. Attractions That Aren’t Water Rides But Will Get You Wet
How many water rides are at Universal Orlando? Not many. Specifically, three. However, there are several other attractions with water features.
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man – A ride that bounces between 3-D screens that has a squirt of water.
Camp Jurassic – A Jurassic Park-themed play area that includes water cannons.
Diagon Alley – Interactive wands in this area of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter can cause water to squirt on unsuspecting guests.
Me Ship, The Olive – A Popeye-themed play area with a ship and water cannons.
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish – A ride for young kids wherein they fly slowly in a circle in a Dr. Seuss fish. Kids move the fish up and down while a song with directions plays. If the fish doesn’t follow the song’s directions, the occupants are squirted.
3. Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges is a ride in a circular raft through rapid waters. Occasional animatronics appear throughout the ride. If we’re being honest, kids don’t know much about Popeye these days. This ride could use a retheming. If your kid can tolerate getting buckets of water dumped on his or her head, it will be fun for them.
Pro tip: Keep your feet off the ground to avoid drenched shoes. It’s a great ab workout.
Height requirement: 42″ to ride with a supervising companion, 48″ to ride alone
Location: Islands of Adventure (Toon Lagoon)
Universal Express accepted: Yes
Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor
How wet will you get?: Extremely
2. Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls is a flume ride. You pass through rooms with slow-moving animatronic characters from Dudley Do-Right. During some points on the ride, you are on a roller coaster track rather than in water. The ride ends with a steep, wet drop. Plan to get wet.
This ride is enjoyable for little kids who can handle the drop, despite the fact that kids born with a 2 in front of their birth year have no idea who these characters are.
Height requirement: 44″ to ride with a supervising companion, 48″ to ride alone
Location: Islands of Adventure (Toon Lagoon)
Universal Express accepted: Yes
Indoor or outdoor: Both
How wet will you get?: Very
1. Jurassic Park River Adventure
Jurassic Park River Adventure is a slow-moving boat ride through happy dinosaurs, and then angry dinosaurs. Velociraptors escape, which is bad. Panicked voices and loud beeping emergency signals fill the space. At the end of the ride, you enter a building, go up a long ramp, and narrowly avoid a Tyrannosaurus Rex’s mouth on the way down a steep drop. This ride is not for young kids.
You will get extremely wet, particularly if you sit in the front or sides of the boat.
Height requirement: 42″ to ride with a supervising companion, 48″ to ride alone
Location: Islands of Adventure (Jurassic Park)
Universal Express accepted: Yes
Indoor or outdoor: Both
How wet will you get?: Very
Final Thoughts – The Best Water Rides at Universal Orlando Resort
The parks don’t have many water rides. Universal Studios Florida has none. However, the few offerings go all in. Plan to get extremely wet on all of them.
Visit the water rides at Universal Orlando Resort with a poncho, a waterproof cell phone case, and an acceptance that your hairdo and makeup won’t make it out alive. No need to waste a lot of time in the morning getting ready.
Visit Universal Orlando Resort with your kids. You will not regret it.
