The 11 Most Thrilling Rides at Universal Orlando

Unlike the more restrained Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando lets it ride when it comes to thrills. (That's not to say that there aren't any thrills to be had at the nearby Mouse House.) Nearly all attractions at the park, even ones intended for general audiences, include amped-up, in-your-face moments.

Visitors on the extreme low end of the thrill-tolerance spectrum may find themselves a tad challenged at Universal. But coaster-loving tweens and teens, as well as adults, who want to get their adrenaline pumping will find plenty of opportunities to test their mettle. (If you will be visiting the theme park resort with younger children in tow, check out the 10 best Universal Orlando rides for kids.)

The following are the 11 most thrilling attractions at the resort's two parks. As you might expect, roller coasters figure prominently. They can't match the world's fastest coasters for sheer terror, but the two Universal rides at the top of the list are truly world-class and don't skimp on the thrills.

Most of the rest of the attractions offer a combination of physical and psychological thrills. Using innovative ride design and an impressive array of special effects, Universal is masterful at creating suspense, rattling nerves, and keeping guests on the edge of their seats—even if, despite appearances, the ride vehicles aren't really moving all that much. (Case in point: Although passengers are supposed to be revving over 100 mph on Fast & Furious – Supercharged, the “party buses” don’t move forward an inch during the chase scene.)

The rides are listed in order of the thrills they deliver, starting with the most thrilling. Each attraction includes a 10-pont thrill scale with a maximum score of 10 equaling a solid "yikes!" down to the wimpiest rating of 0. You can read full reviews of most of the rides by clicking on their names.

By the way, if thrills just aren’t your thing (or the thing of someone with whom you will be visiting the parks), you might want to check out how to survive Universal Orlando if you are a wimp. Hint: Stay the heck away from the coasters!