The rides at the Universal Orlando Resort are more restrictive than those at many other theme parks. While you should still find plenty to enjoy, it’s important to take note of those you can and cannot ride, as well as the actions you’ll need to take to board them safely. Make sure you do these four things before every attraction.
1. Check your height
Height signs are a standard inclusion at all theme parks, but they’re more prevalent at the Universal Orlando Resort than they are at parks within the Walt Disney World Resort. If you’re used to the leniency that’s typical of many restriction-free Disney rides, you might be surprised at what you’re restricted from in Universal’s parks. In addition to having minimum height restrictions for many of its rides, Universal Studios Florida even has a maximum height requirement on the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.
Another height consideration beyond the standard minimum is the height range for required supervision. Children who are tall enough to ride, but under 48 inches tall cannot ride attractions alone at Universal Studios Florida or Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
There’s one unique case where this is reversed. Pteranodon Flyers at Universal’s Islands of Adventure is designed for children between 36 and 56 inches in height. Riders who are taller than 56 inches must be accompanied by a child who falls within this height range. Children under 48 inches in height are still required to ride with a companion who is 48 inches or taller.
2. Try out the restraint system
Image: Jeremy Thompson, Flickr (license)
Many of the seats at the Universal Orlando Resort are extremely restrictive. These cannot accommodate guests with larger body dimensions. Even something like broad muscular shoulders could keep you off an attraction, depending on the style of the restraints. The Universal Orlando Resort advises all guests with a waistline of 40” or larger to use the test seats.
Attractions with potentially troublesome restraints have test seats out front so you can see if you’ll fit before you get in line. If you reach the attraction and don’t fit in the restraint system, you’re out all the time you spent in the queue, so it’s worth the effort to try out a seat first. Most seating systems have green, yellow, and red lights on them. If it’s green, you’re good to go. Red means that you won’t be able to ride under any conditions.
Yellow lights indicate that you’ll fit in a modified restraint system. This means that you’ll need a specific seat to fit on the attraction. You may need to wait for the modified seat to become available, or wait for a particular ride vehicle to reach the dock. Let the team member at load know that you need a modified seat so they can direct you accordingly.
Rides with restrictive seating systems include:
Universal’s Islands of Adventure
- Doctor Doom’s Fearfall
- Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Dragon Challenge
Universal Studios Florida
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
- Revenge of the Mummy
- Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
3. Read the safety sign
The signage outside attractions at the Universal Orlando Resort tells you a lot about the ride when you slow down to read it. There are icons that will tell you what you can and cannot ride with a variety of health conditions. You should pay particularly close attention to these if you:
- Have abnormal blood pressure
- Have a history of heart conditions
- Have back or neck problems
- Are susceptible to dizziness or motion sickness
- Have a hear of heights
- Have a fear of enclosed spaces
- Are pregnant
- Are sensitive to strobe effects
- Are sensitive to fog effects
- Have had a recent surgery
- Are wearing a cast
- Have prosthetic limbs
If one of more of these situations applies to you, familiarize yourself with the symbols early so you can tell at a glance whether an attraction is safe for you. In most cases, the signage will simply let you know whether you should or should not ride. However, others simply prepare you for restrictions on the ride. If you have a prosthetic limb, the associated symbols indicate whether you have to secure prosthetics before riding or remove them entirely.
If you’re in a wheelchair, you’ll have additional considerations to think about. Some attractions allow you to remain in your wheelchair while others require you to transfer into the ride vehicle. If you’re transferring, you must be able to do so on your own or with assistance from someone else in your party. Team members are not allowed to assist.
Parents should also note the parental discretion symbol. This indicates an attraction with frightening images or mature themes. Many families assume that everything in a theme park is suitable for children as long as they’re tall enough to ride. However, the Universal Orlando Resort does cater to a slightly older audience and has some attractions that parents of small children might want to steer clear of.
Parental discretion is recommended for:
Universal Studios Florida
- Fear Factor Live
- Terminator 2: 3-D
- Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-up Show
Universal’s Islands of Adventure
- Skull Island: Reign of Kong
4. Stash your bags
Image: Dave Walker, Flickr (license)
Though many Walt Disney World rides have pockets for your purses, bags, and other loose items, this isn’t the case at the Universal Orlando Resort. You must leave loose articles with a non-riding member of your party or place them in a locker before you ride. Complimentary lockers are available outside these attractions where you can leave your items free of charge for the duration of the ride.
Ride lockers are available at:
Universal Studios Florida
- Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
- Revenge of the Mummy
- MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
Universal’s Islands of Adventure
- The Incredible Hulk Coaster
- Dragon Challenge
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Metal detectors are present at Dragon Challenge, The Incredible Hulk Coaster, and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit as an added precaution against loose articles, so be prepared for this extra step to getting on the ride.
You may also be asked to take precautions with flowing clothing, accessories, or even long hair. Wear more fitted clothing if possible for your comfort and safety on these attractions. Keep a hair tie handy if you have long hair so you can pull it back on those wild rides.
If you’re gearing up for a visit to the Universal Orlando Resort, check out their Rider’s Guide before you arrive for all the details you need to prep for your most anticipated attractions.
