Want to stay cool at the Universal theme parks? From a small mist to a full drench, this guide to the water rides at Universal Orlando has all the details.
Universal Orlando has many rides and attractions for guests, including water rides that range from a refreshing mist to completely soaked!
Water rides and attractions can be found at the four Universal theme parks: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe (May 2025) and Volcano Bay (water park).
In my experience there is usually someone in the group that loves the water rides and someone who is pressured into riding them! I fall some-what in the middle.
In the summer months I am all in! When it is colder out I tend to avoid them but can be talked into riding with my kids!
I am not including Volcano Bay in this list because every ride there is a water ride, its a water park, but the other three parks have a variety of water attractions. Let’s dive into the Universal Orlando water rides.
List of Water Rides at Universal Orlando
This list includes any place to cool down at Universal. Play areas and splash pads are included.
Universal Studios Florida
- Panda Village Splash Area
- Shrek’s Swamp for Little Ogres
Islands of Adventure
- Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls (Minimum Height 44″)
- Jurassic Park River Adventure (Minimum Height 42″)
- Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges (Minimum Height 42″)
- One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (No Minimum Height, Must be able to independently sit-up, no hand-held infants.)
Epic Universe
- Fyre Drill (No Height Requirement): Interactive boat battle
- Astronomica (No Height Requirement): Interactive water play area
Water Rides at Universal Studios
There is not a water ride at Universal Studios but there are kid-friendly splash and play areas.
DreamWorks Land is where you will find the interactive splash playgrounds at Universal Studios. This includes Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp which will have a water bucket and splash area.
Guests can also cool off at Shrek’s Swamp with a playground that features interactive water elements.
Water Rides at Universal Islands of Adventure
The water rides at Islands of Adventure will get you soaked! If you like thrilling water attractions Islands of Adventure can’t be missed.
The Toon Lagoon area at Islands of Adventure has 2 rides and spray areas to get wet. As you walk through Toon Lagoon there are spray areas that can cool you off without waiting for an attraction.
Dudley Do-Rights Ripsaw Falls
Dudley Do-Rights Ripsaw Falls is more intense than your typical log flume ride. It has a 75 foot drop that may be too much for younger guests.
The ride itself is not very scary, except for the steep drop. The anticipation of getting drenched is what makes this ride fun! You will get soaked on this ride.
Dudley Do-Rights Ripsaw Falls has an interesting ride vehicle. It is tight to get into. There is a ride testing vehicle outside the attraction.
Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges is a raft rapid ride that you either get totally soaked or not wet at all. It is really random but plan on getting soaked!
This ride is usually the one I ride last because it will drench you through your clothes and shoes.
Jurassic Park River Adventure
Jurassic Park River Adventure is located in the Jurassic Park area of the park. This boat ride adventure takes guests through Jurassic Park and finds them escaping a T-Rex.
You will most likely get wet on this ride but not usually soaked through. If you want to stay on the dryer side try to sit in the 3rd or 4th row.
Seuss Landing
Seuss Landing has two places to cool off for younger kids.
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish is an interactive flat ride where guests have to move their fish up and down to avoid the water spraying at them. You decide how wet you will get.
If I Ran the Zoo is another play area in Seuss Landing that has a few minor water elements. You can also play in this area and not get wet, so it is great with kids!
Water Rides at Epic Universe
How to Train Your Dragon will include a Fyre Drill, a boat ride where guests compete to out-soak each other.
Celestial Park will have a small splash fountain area, Astronomica, for guests to cool off in.
Things to Know Before You Ride the Universal Water Rides
Best Time to Ride: The wait times fluctuate based on the weather. If you are visiting during the summer months or on a hot day, expect long wait times. Afternoon wait times will be longer than the early morning. On cooler days the Jurassic Park River Adventure almost always has lines while the two other water attractions are not as busy.
Plan Your Day Around the Water Rides: If you are spending a few days at Universal consider choosing a time to focus on the water rides. We will ride all the water attractions starting with Jurassic Park and ending with Popeye’s to get soaked, and then head back to our hotel to change. Learn more: 1-Day Islands of Adventure Itinerary
Bring a Poncho: If you do not want to be soaked all day consider packing ponchos and flip flops. Use a locker to store your sneakers and ride the attractions without soaking your shoes. You may feel silly wearing a poncho but we are always happy we have them. After the ride you can either toss them or put them in a bag to dry out at your hotel.
Final Thoughts
The water rides at Universal Orlando are so much fun and a great addition to your day at Islands of Adventure. On hot days in Orlando they can be even better!
Universal water rides can be a great addition to your Universal Orlando vacation. They are some of the best attractions at the parks and I love including them in our days at the Universal theme parks.
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Leah has been planning and writing about Universal trips since 2016. She loves finding the best places to eat and stay during her visits to the park. Leah enjoys the little details that make visiting the parks so immersive and special, and sharing that with her readers.
