Can Epic Universe Crack the Coaster Top 10? Let’s Ride It Out

Posted on May 31, 2025 by Lou P. Rider

🖼️ Gfgbeach - By Gfgbeach - Own work, CC0, Wikimedia Commons

Welcome to the (Coaster) Jungle

With Epic Universe officially open, coaster fans have been buzzing like they just downed five Pineapple Banana Dole Whips. Universal’s newest park in Orlando has launched a fresh fleet of roller coasters that promise everything from dueling space races to rail-jumping mine carts. But here’s the million-dollar question: can any of these shiny new rides claw their way into the roller coaster hall of fame?

We dug into our Loopr roller coaster tracking app, studied the stats, and laced up our metaphorical theme park sneakers to find out whether any of Universal’s new headliners could dethrone the kings of the coaster world. From Kingda Ka to VelociCoaster, the top ten list is a pretty exclusive club—but hey, nothing wrong with a little friendly competition.

Donkey Kong’s Mine-Cart Madness: Thematic Brilliance, Gentle Thrills

Let’s start with the ride everyone’s been bananas over: Mine-Cart Madness in Donkey Kong Country. It's a visual stunner, with lush jungles, bongo beats, and one of the most immersive queues Universal has ever built. But the real headliner here is the ride system—a track-hopping, illusion-busting “Boom Coaster” setup that makes you feel like you’re leaping from rail to rail just like Donkey Kong himself.

Theming? Absolutely elite. Innovation? Off the charts. But thrill level? Well... let’s just say if Iron Gwazi is a heavyweight boxer, Mine-Cart Madness is more like a skilled magician—charming, but not out to knock you out cold.

It's smooth enough for kids (minimum height: 40 inches), and while it might shake you around a bit due to its high-mounted track illusion system, this ride isn’t gunning for the G-force crowd. It's more of a next-gen family coaster—a brilliant tech showcase but not quite fierce enough to go toe-to-toe with the likes of VelociCoaster or X2. So for now, DK might have to settle for “best in theming” rather than best in class.

Verdict: Not quite top 10 material—unless you're ranking the most creatively themed coasters on the planet.

Stardust Racers: A Meteoric Shot at Glory

Now we’re talking. Stardust Racers, Epic Universe’s celestial speedster, has all the makings of a modern classic. It’s the park’s fastest and tallest ride, clocking in at 62.6 mph with a peak height of 133 feet. But numbers only tell part of the story. The dual-track layout, synchronized racing experience, and that jaw-dropping “Celestial Spin” element all add up to something much more than just another thrill ride.

In fact, if dueling coasters had an Oscars category, Stardust Racers would be writing its acceptance speech. The trick launch alone—a two-speed boost that slaps you back into your seat before shooting you into the stars—is worth the price of admission. And then there’s the music, which shifts from day to night, the butter-smooth track, and a layout that balances airtime, speed, and drama.

For a roller coaster app like Loopr, this ride is practically tailor-made. It’s the kind of attraction that people will be checking wait times for hours in advance. And we predict it’ll quickly become a ride wait time heavyweight in our tracking data.

Verdict: A serious contender. We’d slot Stardust Racers somewhere around the 5–8 range, possibly bumping off The Smiler or even nudging Leviathan. Time (and ride replays) will tell.

Hiccup’s Wing Gliders: The Cozy Crowd-Pleaser

What if dragon flight was less about death-defying drops and more about the joy of soaring over your favorite Viking village? That’s the vibe with Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, a family-friendly launch coaster themed to How to Train Your Dragon. It’s got heart, charm, and just enough thrill to keep adults entertained, but it’s clearly meant for a broader audience.

With smooth trackwork, sweeping views of Berk, and one of the most nostalgia-packed soundtracks around, this one’s more Slinky Dog Dash than Steel Dragon 2000. Some guests have noted lap bar discomfort for smaller riders, and the second half of the ride does lose a little magic when you glimpse the backstage areas—but these are nitpicks on what is otherwise a great ride for families.

Verdict: Not a top 10 contender, but a standout in the family coaster category. Think of it as the feel-good hit of Epic Universe.

Curse of the Werewolf: Spin, Sprint, Shriek

Somewhere between spooky and swoopy lives Curse of the Werewolf, Epic Universe’s launched spinning coaster that zips you through a dark forest while supernatural creatures howl all around. It’s immersive, chaotic, and full of surprises—including varying spin intensity depending on your group’s weight distribution (yes, your lunch choices do matter).

It’s thrilling without being overwhelming, but the ride’s brevity and spinning-centric design put it at a disadvantage against the world’s heavy hitters. Think of it as the spiritual cousin to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, minus the Marvel IP and with more “you might need ginger pills after this.”

Verdict: Fun, freaky, and fast—but not destined for the top 10. That said, it's a great mid-tier coaster and a smart addition to your ride app “must-ride” list for Halloween season visits.

The New Loopr Elite: Who Got Bumped, and Who Blasted In?

With Kingda Ka officially retired to coaster heaven (moment of silence for the 456-foot icon), the Loopr top 10 leaderboard just got a major shake-up. The remaining titans—Steel Dragon 2000, Iron Gwazi, Formula Rossa, VelociCoaster, T Express, X2, Leviathan, The Smiler, and Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure—still dominate in height, speed, innovation, and immersive storytelling. These rides are the best of the best, each pushing boundaries in their own unique way.

But Stardust Racers? It’s not just here to participate—it’s here to compete. With its clever dueling layout, slick two-speed launch, and that gravity-defying Celestial Spin, it brings a blend of intensity and originality that few coasters can match. It may not hit the raw extremes of something like Iron Gwazi or Formula Rossa, but in terms of ride experience and re-rideability, it’s absolutely in the conversation with VelociCoaster and Hagrid’s.

Bottom line? The Loopr top 10 just got a little more cosmic.

Final Ride Dispatch

Universal’s Epic Universe didn’t just bring new rides—it brought a bold new chapter in coaster innovation. With the heartbreaking retirement of Kingda Ka (RIP, sky rocket), the Loopr top 10 leaderboard has shifted, making space for new legends to rise. Whether you're a ride app regular tracking your coaster count or just diving into thrilldom for the first time with the Loopr roller coaster tracking app, Epic Universe delivers big across the board.

And yes—Stardust Racers has officially raced its way into our freshly updated Loopr Top 10. With its celestial dueling design, jaw-dropping trick launch, and the iconic Celestial Spin, it doesn't just feel like a great ride—it is one of the best in the world.

Here's how the new Loopr Top 10 shakes out:

  1. Steel Dragon 2000 – Nagashima Spa Land, Japan
  2. Iron Gwazi – Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, U.S.
  3. Formula Rossa – Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi
  4. VelociCoaster – Universal’s Islands of Adventure, U.S.
  5. Stardust Racers – Universal’s Epic Universe, U.S.
  6. Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure – Universal’s Islands of Adventure, U.S.
  7. T Express – Everland, South Korea
  8. X2 – Six Flags Magic Mountain, U.S.
  9. Leviathan – Canada’s Wonderland, Canada
  10. The Smiler – Alton Towers, U.K.

While the other three new Epic Universe coasters didn’t crack the top tier, they’ve still found a place in the hearts (and ride logs) of thrill-seekers around the globe. Because sometimes it’s not just about G-forces and top speeds—it’s about soaring over Berk, dodging werewolves in the moonlight, or hopping tracks with a mine cart full of bananas.

And honestly? That kind of ride magic is exactly what Loopr was built to track.

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