9 Best Universal Orlando Rides for Kids

Height requirement: None
Thrill scale: 1
Location: Travels between Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida

Young kids (and adults for that matter) will be thoroughly enchanted as they travel between Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, the two Wizarding Worlds at Universal Orlando. It's a note-perfect facsimile of the train in the Potter films and includes some nifty special effects to immerse passengers in J.K. Rowling's beloved world.

Height requirement: 40 inches
Thrill scale: 3.5
Location: Universal Studios Florida

Between The Simpsons, Shrek, and Despicable Me, Universal has a lot of really funny attractions. No matter how many times you've been on the ride, it's likely that you would still laugh out loud at the slapstick antics of the Minions and the supremely silly humor on display—even during the two pre-shows. The motion simulator action could be a bit unnerving for the uninitiated, but passengers can close their eyes to stop the illusion.

Height requirement: 34 inches. Between 34 and 48 inches must ride with an adult
Thrill scale: 1.5
Location: Universal Studios Florida

The charming attraction is based on Steven Spielberg's classic movie. Passengers ride aboard bicycle vehicles with E.T. hidden in the front basket. The beginning of the attraction, with officials in pursuit of the alien, can be a tad frightening for impressionable children. But the finale, which takes place on E.T.'s colorful home planet will delight everyone.

Height requirement: None
Thrill scale: 2.5
Location: Universal Studios Florida

It's not really a ride, but more of a 4-D theater presentation (although the tricked-out seats move quite a bit). Like the films on which it is based, the jokes are rapid-fire and generally a riot. Most kids will appreciate the irreverent, often sophomoric humor. The thrill scale corresponds to the many gotchas that are embedded in the attraction. One note of warning: When Donkey sneezes, duck for cover.

Height requirement: 36 inches.
Thrill scale: 1.5
Location: Islands of Adventure

Kids who have read the classic Dr. Seuss book (and who hasn't?) will love the adorable ride. It retells the story with all of the silliness intact—including Thing One and Thing Two. The thrill scale is slightly elevated to account for the vehicles' (which are made to resemble couches) spinning action.

Height requirement: 36 inches. Between 36 and 48 inches must ride with an adult
Thrill scale: 3.5
Location: Islands of Adventure

Located at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade, passengers board the Flight of the Hippogriff near Hagrid's hut. At 43 feet tall and 28.5 mph, the coaster is a bit more aggressive than Woody Woodpecker's (see below), but it is still relatively tame. It is more charming than the Nuthouse Coaster.

Height requirement: 36 inches. Between 36 and 48 inches must ride with an adult
Thrill scale: 3
Location: Universal Studios Florida

Most kids may not know Woody Woodpecker (to which I say, "Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha"), but that shouldn't stop them from enjoying this modest junior coaster. It climbs a mere 28 feet, reaches a top speed of 22 mph, and is over in 45 seconds.

Height requirement: 48 inches to ride without an adult
Thrill scale: 1
Location: Islands of Adventure

Instead of a traditional carousel populated by majestic horses, this ride is filled with silly Seuss creatures. Go round and round and up and down (on crooked poles; there isn't a straight line to be found at Seuss Landing). Among the charming features of the Caro-Seuss-el is that when it starts up and slows down to stop, the band music revs up and slows down to match the speed.

Height requirement: 48 inches to ride without an adult
Thrill scale: 2
Location: Universal Studios Florida

It is essentially a Dumbo-style spinning ride, but it features the demented spirit of "The Simpsons." Like nearly everything throughout the Springfield area, Kang & Kodos' Twirl 'n' Hurl is loaded with puns and gags. When passengers pilot their vehicles up to the highest level, they can hear the aliens spout jokes and ridiculous sayings. At Islands of Adventure, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish is a similar spinning ride, but with a Dr. Seuss theme.