E.T. Adventure™
Universal Studios Florida · Hollywood
Overview
E.T. Adventure is a slow-moving dark ride in the Hollywood area that follows the story of Steven Spielberg's 1982 film, placing guests on flying bicycles to help E.T. escape government agents and return to his dying home planet. The indoor ride passes through forest scenery before ascending into E.T.'s colorful alien homeworld populated with fantastical creatures. At low intensity, it is one of the most family-accessible rides at Universal Studios Florida. The personalized ending — where E.T. calls each guest by name — remains one of its most distinctive touches.
ParksLog Verdict
A living artifact of theme park history — one of the last original 1990 Universal Studios Florida attractions still running. The gentle dark ride retains genuine warmth, and E.T.'s alien homeworld is genuinely charming. Adults who rode it as children will feel the nostalgia acutely. Families with young children will appreciate the low-intensity accessibility. Not thrilling, but warmly human in a way few theme park attractions manage. Don't miss the personalized goodbye at the end.
About this experience
E.T.'s home planet is dying and he needs your help to save it. Board your flying bike and take off on a thrilling (but gentle) ride through the sky. You'll dodge bad guys and soar into the stars where his magical home awaits, filled with wondrous otherworldly creatures.
Best For
- E.T. and Spielberg film fans
- Families with young children (34" minimum)
- Guests who appreciate classic theme park dark rides
- Nostalgic adult visitors returning with children
Tips
- The personalized goodbye at the end — where E.T. calls each rider's name — requires name entry at queue kiosks; complete this step on entry for your whole group.
- As one of Universal's oldest original rides, its gentle pace and nostalgic charm make it a particularly resonant experience for adults who rode it as children.
- Lines move relatively quickly; visiting during peak afternoon periods when it tends to be shorter is a reasonable strategy.
Details
History
E.T. Adventure opened with Universal Studios Florida on June 7, 1990, making it a park founding-day attraction. Steven Spielberg served as a creative consultant on the ride's development. It is now the only E.T. Adventure ride operating anywhere in the world — the Universal Hollywood version closed in 2003 and the Universal Japan version closed in 2009.
Fun Facts
- E.T. Adventure is now the only E.T.-themed ride operating anywhere in the world — versions at Universal Hollywood (closed 2003) and Universal Japan (closed 2009) no longer exist.
- Steven Spielberg served as a creative consultant on the ride's development — making it one of a small number of theme park attractions with direct involvement from the original film's director.
- The ride opened on June 7, 1990 — Universal Studios Florida's opening day — and remains one of the last original 1990 attractions still operating at the park.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does E.T. Adventure™ take?
- The experience runs about 5 minutes. Budget extra time for the queue, any pre-show, and boarding — on busy days the full process can take considerably longer.
- Is E.T. Adventure™ good for young children?
- Yes — E.T. Adventure™ is listed as kid-friendly on ParksLog. The experience is gentle enough for most young guests, though always consider a child's individual comfort with the ride type before queuing.
- How intense is E.T. Adventure™?
- ParksLog rates this as low intensity — calm pacing with light movement. Suitable for most guests including young children. Use your own judgement based on personal comfort and any health advisories posted at the entrance.
- Does E.T. Adventure™ cause motion sickness?
- Motion sickness risk is low. The motion is mild — most guests, including those with slight sensitivity, ride comfortably.
- Does E.T. Adventure™ operate in the rain?
- E.T. Adventure™ is an indoor attraction. It runs in a climate-controlled environment, making it a good choice on hot or rainy days.
- Should I prioritize E.T. Adventure™ at Universal Studios Florida?
- ParksLog recommends E.T. Adventure™ if your schedule allows. It's a worthwhile experience that most guests enjoy, but not critical — a mid-day or standby visit works fine.
- Does E.T. Adventure™ have Universal Express?
- Yes — E.T. Adventure™ is included with Universal Express Pass. Guests with an Express Pass can use the dedicated Express queue for this attraction.
- When did E.T. Adventure™ open?
- E.T. Adventure™ opened at Universal Studios Florida in 1990.
- Does E.T. Adventure™ have a single rider line?
- E.T. Adventure™ does not have a single rider line. All guests join the standby queue or use Universal Express.