Florida Guide > Universal Parks
All about Universal’s Islands of Adventure Florida
Universal’s Islands of Adventure opened in May 1999 as part of a large expansion to the existing Studios. This was part of a large plan to turn the whole facility into a resort complex with hotels, restaurants and shops. The theme of the park is portrayed as an exploration from the main port (Entrance) to visit 5 islands of fun and adventure.
The Port of Entry is the main entrance to the park with shops, restaurants and also the Guest relations office. This is a good area to view the information boards and check on queue times before deciding in which direction to navigate the park, i. e. clockwise or ant-clockwise.
The 5 islands consist of Marvel Super Hero Island, Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park, The Lost Continent and Seuss Landing.
Marvel Super Hero Island is based upon the super hero characters of the Marvel Comics and consists predominantly of thrill rides. These include 2 of my all time favourites, the Incredible Hulk Roller Coaster and the 3-D ‘ride-on’ Amazing Adventures of Spider Man. Both rides are worth any waiting time that may be incurred.
Toon Lagoon is based largely on characters such as Popeye and Dudley Do-Right with the rides focused on water and getting wet. The 2 rides that we tried here were Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges and the Dudley Do-Right Ripsaw Falls. It is impossible to remain dry after riding either of these 2 rides.
Jurassic Park is exactly as you would expect and the whole area is themed imaginatively on the film content. Our favourite attraction here is the Jurassic Park River Adventure which on your first ride is full of ‘anticipation’. An excellent ride that finishes with an 85 foot water chute.
The Lost Continent is designed around myths and legends covering 3 areas, namely medieval Europe, ancient Arabia and mythological Greece. The Flying Unicorn is a smaller roller coaster which my kids loved when they were younger. Nowadays our favourite ride in this part of the park is the Dueling Dragons roller coaster consisting of two dragons, Ice and Fire that battle in the air.
Last but not least is Seuss Landing, based of course on the Dr. Seuss books. The entire area is much like a cartoon drawing through which you can walk and of course visit the Cat in the Hat ride which our whole family enjoys regardless of age.
By the time we visit Universal Islands of Adventure again we are seriously hoping that the 6th island (20acres) will be open. This is the much awaited Wizarding World of Harry Potter complete with the Forbidden Forest, Hogsmeade Village and Hogwarts Castle.
Tickets for Universal’s Islands of Adventure can be purchased via this website at http://www.park-tickets.com/IslandsOfAdventure.aspx
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