Universal's Islands of Adventure is a theme park located in Orlando, Florida. It opened in May 1999 as part of an expansion that, along with CityWalk, converted Universal Studios Florida into the Universal Orlando Resort. The park's overall theme is that of a journey of exploration, where guests depart from a main port on an "inland sea" to visit six "islands," each having its own distinct theme, but all emphasizing fun and adventure. A sixth island opened in 2010, which is based on the popular Harry Potter franchise. In 2007, Islands of Adventure hosted approximately 5.3 million guests, ranking it #9 among United States parks and #15 among all parks worldwide.
Islands
Islands of Adventure consists of six "islands" plus the Port of Entry, arranged around a lagoon. Various live characters interact with guests throughout the day.
Port of Entry
An ancient lighthouse marks the park's entrance.
The Port of Entry is the park's main entrance and is home to many shops and services, including Guest Relations. The theme is that of an Arabian bazaar. An attraction information board is located near the shore of the lagoon.
Marvel Super Hero Island
Marvel Super Hero Island has rides inspired by Marvel Comics, and focuses primarily on thrill rides. The island features such Marvel characters as the X-Men, Captain America, Spider-Man, Flik and Hopper, and some villains such as Doctor Doom, M.O.D.O.K., Hobgoblin, and Kingpin.
Rides and attractions
- The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man - a 3-D simulator ride set in New York.
- Doctor Doom's Fearfall - a pair of Space Shot towers from S&S Power.
- Storm Force Accelatron - a faster version of the traditional "teacup" ride manufactured by Mack Rides.
- Incredible Hulk Roller Coaster - a roller coaster themed after The Hulk.
Toon Lagoon
Toon Lagoon is based on the characters of King Features Syndicate and Jay Ward. The area focuses on water-based rides.
Rides and attractions
- Dudley Do Right's Ripsaw Falls
- Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges
Skull Island
Skull Island is based on the movie King Kong Skull Island. Skull Island is where he and many other creatures live.
Rides and Attractions
- Skull Island: Reign of Kong
Jurassic Park
Set in the time of the Jurassic Park movie, the area has some thrilling rides and has discovery-based exhibits. The character of John Hammond even puts in an appearance from time to time.
Rides and Attractions
- Jurassic Park River Adventure - a highly-themed water ride through the exhibits of Jurassic Park, culminating in an 85 ft drop away from the jaws of a menacing Tyrannosaurus Rex.
- Pteranodon Flyers - a children's low-speed, suspended roller coaster which takes 2 riders at a time around the sky above Camp Jurassic.
- Camp Jurassic - a children's play area centered around an imported 50 ft Banyan tree.
- Jurassic Park Discovery Center - a replicated version of the Jurassic Park Visitors Center from the film. Features various hands-on exhibits aimed mostly at kids, including a trivia game show in which guests compete, hatching Velociraptor eggs, and other educational, interactive exhibits.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
On May 31, 2007, Universal Orlando announced that it had secured the rights from Warner Bros. and from British author J. K. Rowling, to bring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Islands of Adventure.The twenty-acre island features attractions, shops and restaurants set inside such locations as the Forbidden Forest, Hogsmeade Village and the iconic Hogwarts castle. Some existing attractions within the Lost Continent were updated to the new theme. J. K. Rowling revealed in a television interview that one ride will be designed for young children. Ground breaking began in 2007, with completion of the expansion planned for 2010. The new island replaced a portion of the Lost Continent, near the roller coaster Dueling Dragons, while expanding the park into what was a backstage support area and employee parking. It is connected to Universal Studios' Diagon Alley.
Rides and attractions
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Flight of the Hippogriff
The Lost Continent
This island is themed to ancient myths and legends, and is roughly divided into three smaller sections. The first section is designed to resemble medieval Europe, the second section is ancient Arabia, and the last is mythological Greece. It contains several live-action shows. This land is also home to Mythos, winner of best theme park restaurant several times by Theme Park Insider, and one of two full-service restaurants in the park.
Rides and attractions
- The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad - a live-action stunt show located in the ancient Arabia section.
- Poseidon's Fury - an indoor special-effects show located in the mythological Greece section.
- Mystic Fountain - a fountain that entertains and interacts with guests.
Seuss Landing
Seuss Landing is specially geared towards small children and is based on the works of author Dr. Seuss. It has several Seuss-themed attractions. One of the unique characteristics of this area is, like in the books, there is not a single straight line anywhere. Palm trees, curved by the winds of Hurricane Andrew, were even installed in the area to continue this theming.
Rides and attractions
- Caro-Seuss-el - a carousel
- The Cat in the Hat - a modern dark ride based on the book
- If I Ran the Zoo - an interactive play zone for kids
- One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish - a spinning ride with a musical riddle that will help riders escape water-spitting fish.
- The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride - a twin-track tour above and around Seuss Landing.
Former attractions
As with almost any amusement park, older attractions are sometimes removed to make way for newer ones. Some will simply close, not to be replaced, while others will be changed from their initial concepts, sometimes significantly.
Closed attractions
- Island Skipper Tours (1999-2002), a transportation service using one of three uniquely-themed water taxis to shuttle passengers between Port of Entry and Jurassic Park.
- Triceratops Encounter/Triceratops Discovery Trail (1999-2005)(name changed in 2003), where guests could get up close and interact with a full-scale animated replica of a Triceratops, while a "veterinary technician" performed a semi-annual exam on the Triceratop.
- Dueling Dragons (1999-2017), a "Hang Coaster" that was in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. There were 2 different tracks that were each dragon's. The ride was closed to build another Harry Potter attraction.
Revised attractions
Poseidon's Fury, Lost Continent's special effects show, originally had a different storyline. In this first version, an old tour guide known as The Keeper wove a tale about the great lost city of Atlantis and an epic battle between Zeus and Poseidon. The Keeper led guests to the Temple of Poseidon, where the evil god appeared and welcomed guests to their new permanent home. The Keeper revealed himself to be Zeus in disguise and, after an effects-laden battle, defeated Poseidon. Based on guest polling data, Universal decided to revise the attraction story. Now, guests meet Taylor, a nerdy archaeologist, who guides them through the attraction, albeit slightly differently. Upon reaching the lost city, the party is captured by Darkanon, a new evil god-like creature. Fortunately, Poseidon, a benevolent god in this version, comes to the guests' rescue thanks to Taylor's assistance and defeats Darkanon. While Poseidon's Fury's plot has changed, its arsenal of special effects has remained intact. The battles use water projection screens, fire and water effects, and high-speed set-changing technology.
In Toon Lagoon, the island's show arena has hosted numerous presentations. Originally, it featured a live show with the various cartoon characters of Toon Lagoon. It was replaced in 2002 by a Mat Hoffman-themed BMX stunt show. It was the home studio of NBC's iVillage Live television show until June 29, 2007.
Altered concepts
Originally, Universal creative consultant Steven Spielberg had wanted to make Universal Orlando's second gate entirely Jurassic Park, and would be the same size as Islands of Adventure, but instead featuring only dinosaur and Jurassic Park-themed attractions. Universal agreed to put a Jurassic Park section in the new park as they did but decided to add more themes to the park so as not to limit the second gate to fans of the film franchise only. Seuss Landing was slated to open with 'Sylvester McMonkey McBean's Very Unusual Driving Machines', a track-based aerial ride where guests would drive individual cars around the elevated track. However, it was pushed back due to contractual disputes and safety issues. The bankruptcy of the ride's original manufacturer postponed its opening indefinitely. In 2006, the track was rebuilt in a new format and finally opened as the 'High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride.'
Annual events
- Halloween Horror Nights Orlando (September-October) - The annual Halloween event was hosted by the park exclusively inHalloween Horror Nights: Islands of Fear,Halloween Horror Nights 13, and Halloween Horror Nights: Tales of Terror, and jointly with Universal Studios Florida in Halloween Horror Nights XIV.
- Grinchmas (December) - Christmas event featuring the characters of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Pictures
