Theme Park Insider

Dragon Challenge reviews

Theme Park Insider readers offer their ratings and reviews for Dragon Challenge, a roller coaster in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Islands of Adventure. (The minimum height to ride is 54 inches.)

Written by
Theme Park Insider Editor
Posted: April 15, 2010

Islands of Adventure's Dueling Dragons was rethemed to the Tri-Wizard Tournament's Dragon Challenge for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Like on Dueling Dragons, there are two interlocking coasters, renamed the Chinese Fireball and the Hungarian Horntail.

You can read more about the new section of the park on our Wizarding World of Harry Potter page.

Photo of Dragon Challenge

See all photos | Submit Photo

Readers' rating:

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
102 votes, so far

This was one of the first big roller coasters I went on as a kid (when it was dueling dragons), so it still holds a special spot in my heart. I did think it was a little silly that they toned it down a lot in the decoration for harry potter. All in all the ride itself is still the same and still a lot of fun. - Michelle Kowalski

The well themed queue makes up for the ok ride. 7/10. - David L.

8/10 - Well it's not the Hulk but it's still very good. - James Wimbury

This ride used to be so much better, but now universal has stripped it down to it's bare bones. What a shame. The theming in the queue is now minimalist, the story now being that you're traveling down into a dark cave to ride the dragons (expect a lot of bare walls and lanterns). Perhaps the worst thing, is that due to an unfortunate accident, Universal has now stripped away the dueling aspect of this coaster....FOR GOOD. What we're left with is a ride that is a shadow of it's former self. Is it still fun and thrilling? Yes, of course...but it still feels like it's missing something that really set the ride apart. My rating is 6.5/10 - Dan Huffman

Universals best roller coaster - Andrew Dougherty

Let me first say, Dueling Dragons was by far the best the best coaster I have ever been on, (when I was a kid, and more recently). Dragon Challenge was just a theming changing, but now after two accidents in 2010, the rides DO NOT DUEL ANYMORE. This is the biggest upset of all thrill rides. I think this ride is not really even that good anymore. The ride itself is smooth, but short, and the thrill level dropped really low now that they do not duel. - Ken Fiedler

I've ridden almost every coaster in Central Florida. These dragon coasters may not look like much, but there's something very intense about them. They feel very fast and give some pretty amazing forces. - Taylor Lynn

There is only one place to sit on this ride... and, that's the front seat. It only lasts for a brief second, but there is moment, just before the twin loops, when both trains charge at each other, FACE-to-FACE! I don't believe any other roller coaster on the planet can deliver the same awesome effect. - Russell Fox

Lent itself to an easy transition from Duelling Dragons to a Harry Potter themed coaster. The ride itself is thrilling, especially the loop when you come really close to the other car. The queue is dark but theming is excellent, particularly with the HP additions such as the flying car and the Triwizard Cup. The queue gets a little messy as you approach the start of the ride. - Ben Price

I love the ride, but I hate the dark claustrophobic queue. Great loops, nice height and fun for rollercoaster beginners as it's not too extreme. 9/10 - D H

More attraction and restaurant ratings:

Now in paperback! Stories from a Theme Park Insider
"Stories from a Theme Park Insider" includes 40 fun stories about life working at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, in a feel-good book any theme park fan will love. Order a copy today in paperback, or as an eBook from Amazon or Apple!


Search Theme Park Insider

News, Video and Photo Updates

Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube RSS Newsfeed E-mail Newsletter

Reader Reviews, by Theme Park

United States Top 10 *

International parks

Readers' Top Themed Rides

Top Roller Coasters

Top Theme Park Shows

Theme Park Reviews, Features, Advice

Theme Park News Archive

2012

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May

2011

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2010

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2009

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2008

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2007

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2006

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2005

Dec.

2004-2005

Staff column archive