The Most Popular Universal Studios Japan Rides: A Teenager’s Experience
Visiting a theme park and experiencing thrilling rides is a highlight for any teenager, especially when it’s at Universal Studios Japan. As a teenager from a country without theme parks like Disney and Universal, this trip was even more exciting and important. My brother and I had to choose between Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea, and Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, and we chose the latter primarily because of Harry Potter World and the abundance of roller coasters.
However, our visit to Universal Studios Japan was met with a rainy day, which limited the operation of many rides and attractions. Despite the challenges, we made the most of our visit by focusing on the popular Universal Studios Japan rides that were open. Here are my reviews of five of these rides:
Mario Kart – Koopa’s Challenge
Koopa’s Challenge is undoubtedly the highlight of Universal Studios Japan for most visitors. It’s a fun ride that the whole family can enjoy. The waiting time for this ride was long, but the indoor-themed staging area kept us entertained with various Mario-themed decorations. The ride itself was thrilling, with an immersive experience using Augmented Reality (AR) glasses and projection mapping. It was a race where we felt like Mario characters, making it a memorable experience.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
As a huge Harry Potter fan, I was extremely excited to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The Forbidden Journey ride exceeded my expectations. Despite the long queue, the staging area inside Hogwarts Castle where we walked through iconic locations from the movies made it worthwhile. The ride itself was a trackless dark attraction that took us on a 360° journey through the world of Harry Potter. The detailed sets, special effects, and realistic graphics created an authentic Hogwarts experience.
Hollywood Dream – The Ride
Hollywood Dream is one of the best roller coasters at Universal Studios Japan. I was fortunate to get on this ride despite the rain, and it did not disappoint. With a smooth and exhilarating experience, Hollywood Dream starts with a thrilling drop and includes various twists and turns. The option to choose songs for the ride added another fun element. I highly recommend this roller coaster for all adrenaline junkies.
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man – The Ride 4K3D
This ride was a hit among my father and brother, even though some other attractions were closed. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is an interactive dark ride that showcases impressive 4D technology. We were taken on a thrilling journey through New York City with Spider-Man fighting off villains. The special effects and steep plunges added to the excitement of this award-winning ride.
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
Although I had high expectations for Minion Mayhem, it fell short for me. The ride’s long waiting time and short duration made the anticipation seem disproportionate. It is more suitable for younger kids who are fans of the Despicable Me franchise. Nonetheless, the ride had its comedic moments.
Overall, despite the challenges of a rainy day and limited operations, Universal Studios Japan offered thrilling experiences for visitors. I recommend planning a visit to this theme park, especially if you enjoy roller coasters, fast rides, and being immersed in the worlds of popular franchises like Harry Potter and Super Mario. Make sure to check the attraction’s availability and prepare for long queues during peak times.
