Grab your special specs for our 10 best 3D rides in Orlando!

If you dream of being immersed in the worlds of your favourite films and shows then these 3D rides at the theme parks around Orlando are sure to be of interest! Below, we run down our top 10 picks from Universal, LEGOLAND and Disney in no particular order!

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (Islands of Adventure)

Universal Resort is the place to go for your fill of film-based entertainment and rides, and the 3D offerings at these parks are no exception! The world of Harry Potter features heavily in our recommendations, with not one but two rides in our top 10. First up, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey over at Hogsmeade, in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at the Islands of Adventure park.

This ride opened in 2010 making use of state-of-the art technology to transport you into the magical world of Harry Potter. You start your journey on foot, walking through the gates of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and into the queue area filled with magical items and iconic areas from the books and films, such as talking portraits and Dumbledore’s office. Board an enchanted bench in the Room of Requirement which will take you on your magical journey, as you soar above the castle and experience a Quidditch match, but watch out, there is a dragon on the loose, not to mention Aragog the spider and the fearsome Dementors!

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (Universal Studios)

The second Harry Potter themed ride you should definitely check out is Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts in Diagon Alley, which opened in 2014. This is the area’s flagship attraction and if you haven’t already seen the films make sure that you do before taking this ride, as Escape From Gringotts is set during the events of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. We’ll not give spoilers away about the book or film, but, as in the Forbidden Journey, you’ll start your experience by walking through a themed area – initially the imposing lobby of Gringotts Bank, before heading down to the vaults to board the ride as the bank goes into lockdown due to a security breach. Come face-to-face with Bellatrix Lestrange as she wreaks havoc on the ride and keep your wits about you as the snake Nagini and Lord Voldemort make an appearance, along with trolls, fire-breathing dragons not to mention our heroes Harry, Hermione and Ron!

TIP: While most attractions take your photo on the ride, Gringotts offers a creative alternative. After passing through the Gringotts Bank lobby, you’re directed to a room where you have your photo taken for a security ID.

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man (Islands of Adventure)

Spider-Man comes to the rescue in The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, which was built for the opening of Universal’s Islands of Adventure in 1999. Don your 3D glasses and feel a part of the action as Spidey faces the Sinister Syndicate, which comprises of Doctor Octopus, Hobgoblin, Electro and other iconic Spider-Man villains. These baddies have, with the help of an anti-gravity gun, stolen the Statue of Liberty and our web-slinging wonder is set on rescuing it! Soar above the streets of Manhattan in hot pursuit of the big scoop for the Daily Bugle and keep your eyes peeled for a cameo from comic book supremo Stan Lee.

FUN FACT: This 3D simulator ride includes a 400ft freefall experience.

TRANSFORMERS: The Ride 3D (Universal Studios)

With Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron as well as 13 other Autobots and Decepticons featuring in TRANSFORMERS: The Ride 3D, you’ll head into the Nonbiological Extraterrestrial Species Treaty (NEST) building, to learn that the Decepticons have arrived on Earth in search of the AllSpark – which can create new Transformer life. The ensuing battle between the Autobots and Decepticons is the background to the ride that you now find yourself on, enhanced by 3D video screens, wind and atmospheric effects! If you are a big fan of the comics and TV series see if you can spot the yellow VW Beetle that was originally Bumblebee’s disguise!

Skull Island: Reign of Kong (Islands of Adventure)

Step away from futuristic technology as you go back in time to 1931 in search of Skull Island: Reign of Kong, which opened in 2016. An animatronic driver (one of five who all have different dialogue and storylines) will take you on an expedition into the unknown as you come face-to-face with dinosaurs, huge bat-like creatures and scary bugs, not to mention the iconic giant ape, King Kong himself.

TIP: If the weather is really bad, it is worth noting that the outside part of this ride may be shut, which will lead to a slightly shorter experience.

Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon (Universal Studios)

Universal’s final 3D attraction to make our list is Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon over at Universal Studios, which is based on the comedian and TV host’s time on The Tonight Show, and takes its cues from the show’s popular race segment. Housed inside a recreation of the building where the show is filmed, the attraction starts in a lobby that displays props and exhibits from the show; which is bound to be of interest to its many fans, before you start your race through the corridors of the studio and New York City.

FUN FACT: This is the first attraction at Universal to launch a virtual line system using the Universal Orlando App or Virtual Kiosks to reserve a time to ride.

LEGO NINJAGO The Ride (LEGOLAND Florida)

Don’t forget the younger visitors to the parks also enjoy 3D rides, and over at LEGOLAND, LEGO NINJAGO The Ride caters to them perfectly, as well as those who are still young at heart. Get hands-on in LEGO NINJAGO World as you board the ride which combines 3D animation with special effects, including strobe lighting, fog and heat. You’ll be able to target a lineup of bad guys with magical animated fireballs and more using the five signature ninja hand moves: Chops of Fury, The Cobra, The Fireball Flinger, The Lightning Strike and The Shuriken Shuffle to get the best score you can! Afterwards, compare your total with your family, friends and other guests; will you be the Ninja Master?

Toy Story Mania! (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

We go over to Disney now to complete our lineup of 3D rides you might want to check out. We start in a similar vein to NINJAGO The Ride, as Toy Story Mania! also allows riders to blast away at moving targets. This ride is designed to be fun and interactive, so hop onboard a traditional carnival tram ride and put on your 3D glasses. There are five virtual carnival games that you play with the help of your Toy Story friends – why not break plates with baseballs at the ‘Green Army Men Shoot Camp’ game, or take aim at some mini targets with suction cup-tipped darts at Woody’s Rootin’ Tootin’ Shootin’ Gallery? As each game is completed your cart will move onto the next challenge. Again, your score is tallied up for you, so see who is the hot shot amongst your friends and family!

Star Tours – The Adventures Continue (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

Star Tours – The Adventures Continue in Disney’s Hollywood Studios will launch you into the Star Wars galaxy aboard a Starspeeder 1000 and is a must for every fan of the franchise. The great thing about this ride is that the sequence of events is randomised; so there are numerous different journeys that you can find yourself taking, although the main storyline remains the same. You’ll start your experience on the moon of Endor, amidst the cottages of the Ewoks, before heading inside to a spaceport where you will see R2-D2 and C-3PO working on your ship. After boarding your vehicle, put on your 3D glasses and wait for the fun to begin, as you tour the Star Wars universe that you know and love with C-3PO at the controls! You may find yourself underwater on Naboo, or flying past the busy city of Coruscant; will you see Yoda, Kylo Ren or any other of the new characters who have taken up the baton for the continuing saga in the Star Wars: The Last Jedi?

Avatar Flight of Passage (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)

Our final 3D ride, last but certainly not least, is set slightly closer to Earth, in the Alpha Centauri star system. Take a trip across space to James Cameron’s Pandora, for Avatar Flight of Passage. In the realm of Pandora – The World of Avatar over at Animal Kingdom, you will be able to experience a stunning first-person flight aboard the back of a mountain banshee, as you swoop over the breathtaking bioluminescent world filled with fantastic creatures and incredible landscapes.

Whichever park you visit on your next Florida holiday, I hope that you will get the chance to try out some of these 3D rides. Which is your favourite? Are there any other rides that we have missed that you think should make the top 10? We’d love to hear from you, so get in touch!