7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Riding Dragon Racer's Rally at Epic Universe

Dragon Racer’s Rally is one of the most unique rides at Universal’s Epic Universe, and it’s absolutely not what most people are expecting.

Tucked inside How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, this spinning, flying coaster gives you the chance to pull off actual barrel rolls mid-ride, which sounds incredible until you realize there is a learning curve, a time limit, and quite possibly some very real physical consequences if you’re not prepared. Whether you are heading to Epic Universe for the first time or already planning your repeat trip, here are seven things I genuinely wish someone had told me before I strapped in.

Take Your Earrings Out. Seriously.

I am going to lead with this one because it happened to me, and I will not let it happen to you. I wear tiny stud earrings every single day and have never once thought twice about them on a theme park ride. Dragon Racer’s Rally changed that.

To pull off a barrel roll, you have to throw your body weight hard to one side, and somewhere in the middle of that maneuver, my studs punctured the skin on my neck. I got off the ride with blood on my shirt and the slow realization that a dragon trainer had just physically defeated me. It looked worse than it was, and I was back to normal pretty quickly, but still. Take the earrings out. Put them in your bag. Not worth it.

You CAN Do Barrel Rolls, But You Have to Work For Them

Here is the thing about Dragon Racer’s Rally that sets it apart from every other ride in the park: it is both a spinning ride and a flying ride, and if you put in the effort, you can flip into a full barrel roll. Just keep in mind that it’s not automatic, and it takes work.

It takes real body weight shifting, and some determination, and it took me a few rides before I landed my first clean flip. If you are over 30, popping some ibuprofen beforehand is not a bad idea. This ride is a personal challenge, and I mean that in the best possible way.

You Only Have a Few Rotations to Make It Happen

This is the thing that catches most people off guard. The ride is shorter than you think, which means your window to attempt a barrel roll is pretty tight.

The second you lift off, you need to start working for it. Don’t spend the first half of the ride just looking around at the scenery and then try to scramble into position. Go in with a plan and commit to it immediately.

There Is an Accessible Seat, But It Comes With Trade-Offs

There is an accessible seating option on Dragon Racer’s Rally where the wing folds out to make transferring easier, which is genuinely great. That said, if barrel rolling is your goal, this seat is not the move.

It is a much more passive experience; the views of the park are decent but not spectacular, and it puts you directly in line with the sun, so you will be flying straight into a glare for a good chunk of the ride. Good to know ahead of time so you can plan accordingly.

Bags Go in Cubbies, Not Lockers

This one is a small but important logistical heads-up. Dragon Racer’s Rally uses cubbies for your bags rather than the lockers you might be used to at other attractions.

Plan accordingly and keep that in mind when deciding what to carry into the queue with you.

The Wait Times Are No Joke

Dragon Racer’s Rally has a lower capacity than most rides at Epic Universe, and the loading and unloading process takes a while. That combination means the standby line can get very long, very fast.

Try to hit it early in the day or later in the evening if you want to keep your wait manageable.

This Is the Only Ride at Epic Universe Without Express Pass

This one matters if you are planning your day around Express Pass. Dragon Racer’s Rally is currently the only attraction at Epic Universe that does not offer the option, so there is no skipping the standby line regardless of what you’ve purchased. Factor that into your game plan before you arrive.