It is coming up to a year from when we took our trip to Universal Studios Orlando. One thing I haven’t talked about is how I really don’t like rollercoasters. You might be thinking why go to Universal Florida if you don’t like thrill rides? And I would say there are loads of things to do besides the rollercoasters that make this a fun family vacation location. Sharing what to do at Universal Orlando when you don’t like rollercoasters.
What to do at Universal Orlando if you don’t like Rollercoasters
Immerse yourself
Each themed section of the parks, whether it be Diagon Alley, Hogsmead or Springfield is an amazing way to get lost in the stories that we love.
It really feels like you are walking around magical London or an old Hollywood set or could have Dinosaurs jump out at you any time. It is easy to get caught up running to the next ride to avoid the lines but just slow down and let yourself enjoy being in each of these themed areas.
Take All the Pictures
There are so many amazing photo opportunities throughout the Universal Orlando parks. Stop and take all the fun pictures. Yes everyone gets tired of posing for photos but I found that each time we entered a new themed area someone would get excited because it was their thing.
Do the Meet and Greets
Our kids might be older and understand that there are regular people paid to dress up as their favourite characters. That still didn’t stop them from wanting to pose with Spongebob and Patrick or Scooby Doo. While we didn’t book meet and greets like we did when they were smaller at Disney, we did take advantage of every time we stumbled upon characters they were interested in.
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Eat the park food
While not all the park food was amazing, I was impressed with how much of it was actually pretty good. The feast at the Hogs Head was good! Frozen Butterbeer every day was a must! The restaurants at City Walk were great and really felt like an extension of the parks because everything was themed.
Ride the Rides
So I know what your thinking. Isn’t this a post for people who don’t like thrill rides? And yes it is. But not all rides are created equal. So while my kids and myself shared a frozen butterbeer while my husband rode the Velocicoaster multiple times there were rides that we really loved. We rode the Men In Black interactive ride at least 20 times. I also challenged myself to do EVERY Harry Potter themed ride no matter what and I now know that I will never go on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike ride or Flight of the Hipogriff ever again.
Rides I would recommend are as follows:
Men In Black (our favourite!)
Popeye and Bluttos Bilge Rat Barges (we got stuck on this ride and soaked)
Amazing Adventures of Spiderman
Escape from Gringotts (first 20 – 30 seconds were a shock but afterwards ok)
Transformers
Kang and Kudos Twirl and Hurl
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Minion Mayhem
Read More: 5 ways Universal Studios is Totally Different Than Disney
The difference is most of these are either 3D type rides where you move around on an arm. My husband and I felt a bit quesy after these type of rides but they were much more doable. Men In Black is on a track and you get to shoot at the aliens but there are no high speeds, loops or drops.
I had read somewhere that Fight of the Hipogriff and Hagid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike ride were “tame” rollercoasters. Which in my mind is something akin to the Barnstromer. Whomever wrote this was WRONG. Sure there were no upside down loops or anything but there were still drops and high speeds. It is relatively less intense than the Velocicoaster. However, if you don’t like rollercoasters you should avoid these rides.
Do you run to the latest roller coaster to ride repeatedly or do you avoid thrill rides at all costs?