Florida Guide > Universal Parks
We all love IOA, but every trip? Well maybe?
We don’t tend to go to Islands Of Adventure (IOA) on each visit to Orlando , this was likely because we are real Disney fans and our daughter was still growing up!! But on our recent visit, we just didn’t fit everything thing at all (I think we take things slower these days!!) and as we now travel with a teenager, the place took on a whole new meaning for her!! Just walking through Universal City Walk to reach the parks, (Universal, the original, sits beside IOA), was enough for our child to wish we weren’t there and she had friends with her!!
Once through the gates we got ourselves a park map and worked out exactly what we knew we couldn’t miss. With so many big rides here, we didn’t think it would take too long, as normally none of us want to do these anyway, but if the park is busy it will likely take you more than one day to get round it all, even if not ALL members want to go on all the rides. Never dismiss the shows, IOA has some REALLY good ones!!
To split it up in an organised way, you have 5 different “lands” to explore, basically.
Seuss Landing The colours all around you are nothing short of dazzling, and this works especially well in the Florida sun , I have to say! There is plenty to keep youngsters occupied for hours, in here. The rides here include a sit and ride sofa in the company of the Cat in the Hat, Caro-Seuss-El and One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.
The Lost Continent This mythical land of wizards and monsters is definitely my personal favourite, and has more grown up rides and shows such as Duelling Dragons, a dual coaster where Fire and Ice battle it out to reign supreme, apparently? Now I love to watch this particular ride, but that one is for serious thrill seekers. The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad is a live action show of heroes and villains, death-defying stunts and heart-stopping feats as the Sinbad and his faithful sidekick attempt to rescue the beautiful Princess from the evil witch Miseria. Now this is of course a show, but the presentation and spectacle of it a real treat, the oldies (that’s me and the under 12’s will enjoy this!
As if all that excitement wasn’t enough next on your journey you meet Poseidon’s Fury. This leads into a myriad of tunnels and ancient temples. Can you survive and live to tell the tale? I don’t want to spoil this one, you will just HAVE to give it a go! So mysterious, not a ride, more a presentation!
Jurassic Park Come face to face with the creatures that ruled the Earth 65 million years ago.
Take to your boat to drift serenely through the Dino enclosure to view the beautiful tame beasts of history, brought back to life with modern technology…. But wait, something’s gone wrong…. You’re pushed off course straight into the T Rex enclosure…OH NO!!!!! Now that is what I am told!!! I am only aware of the “OH NO!!!!!!” bit!!! We can ALL see what happens at the end!!! I want to go on it, just NOT brave enough YET!!! But I keep looking!! One day, you never know!!
The Dinosaur Discovery Centre is a hand’s on, fun learning experience for everyone. You may even see a Raptor hatching….ummmm, for the youngsters really, but weel done!!
Camp Jurassic and the Pteranodon Flyers are perfect for kids and those not quite so brave!! Needless to say I LOVE this one!! Beware, this is OFTEN a VERY busy ride too!
Toon Lagoon On a hot day this “Land” is a must. We spent a lot of time here one Easter, us parents mainly watching and waiting, but we didn’t mind at all!!! It has some of the best water rides in Orlando according to the teenager water ride “expert” we were waiting for! Dudley Do Rights Ripsaw Falls is not a ride to attempt if you don’t want to get soaked to the skin, and if you do, go single rider and keep getting wet!!!
Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges, strangely enough is another water ride to avoid if you like your clothes/shoes/underwear dry. Lovely and refreshing on a hot day though, excellent to watch the victims too!.
Marvel Super Hero Island Dr Doom’s Fearfall is literally that. You are strapped into your seat, rocketed up the outside of a tower 150 feet into the air then, dropped. So simple and yet so thrilling!! Hang on to your lunch folks. Not for the whimps in the group mind!
The Amazing Adventure of Spiderman Could this be one of THE best rides in Orlando? I think so! Remember the single rider option it will help with those queues! This is a multi sensory ride/simulator.
Incredible Hulk Coaster OK I will lay my cards on the table here, never, ever , ever are you gonna see me on this one!! You cannot fail to miss this “hulking” great coaster as you enter the Park. .
So there you have a very brief introduction to Islands of Adventure, make time to visit and you too will either become a coaster junkie, a water maniac, or a theme park wonderer. In my opinion, ALL good!! I think we will be going MORE often in future, that is for sure!!
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