Islands of Adventure is one of the three theme parks that make up UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT.
- Universal Studios Florida
- Islands of Adventure
- Volcano Bay
- City Walk
These are the 4 main areas that compose this Resort.
The first two are true theme parks, quite different from the Hollywood Studios, where actual movie sets are present.
I have already reviewed Universal Studios in this article.
Volcano Bay is a water park with jaw-dropping theming.
City Walk is a commercial area somewhat comparable to Disney Springs but much smaller and more focused on evening entertainment and dining experiences.
Both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure feature the two Harry Potter areas, connected to each other by the Hogwarts Express.
I’ve already explored the description of these two areas in this article.
Park Areas
Like every theme park, Islands of Adventure is divided into themed areas:
- Port of Entry
- Marvel Super Hero Island®
- Toon Lagoon
- Skull Island: Reign of Kong
- Jurassic Park
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade
- The Lost Continent
- Seuss Landing
Port of Entry
If you’ve been to Mirabilandia or Magicland, this area will feel familiar.
It’s no secret that both Italian parks were inspired by this zone to create their own Main Streets.
There are no attractions or shows here, just food stands and restaurants. It’s definitely a handy place to stop by on your way out to grab something refreshing at the end of the day.
Marvel Super Hero Island®
This is the perfect area for thrill-seekers!
- The Incredible Hulk Coaster®
- Storm Force Accelatron®
- Doctor Doom’s Fearfall®
- The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man®
These are the names of the rides that will capture the heart of every adrenaline lover who ventures into this area.
The Incredible Hulk Coaster® takes your breath away! There isn’t a single second of the track that lets you “relax”—from the initial launch to the last meter, it’s a real adrenaline rush.
Storm Force Accelatron® is the only relatively calm attraction among the four—Marvel’s version of the classic spinning “teacup” ride.
Doctor Doom’s Fearfall® features two 56-meter free-fall towers, the only real observation point in the whole resort—if you have time to admire the view 😅
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man® is an attraction that you have to experience to truly understand. Upon its opening, nothing like it had ever been done before—a perfect mix of 3D film, special effects, and real sets. A must-see!
Toon Lagoon
In this area, you’ll find the wettest attractions I’ve ever experienced:
- Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges®
- Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls®
Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges® calling it a classic “raft ride” is an understatement—everything is taken to the max. The size of the raft, the amount of water on the course, and the water that drenches you are impressive!
I highly recommend it to escape Florida’s scorching heat. Don’t worry about your backpacks or personal items; inside the raft, there’s a large compartment to store them and keep them dry, so you have no excuses not to ride.
Me Ship, The Olive® is a panoramic point where you can watch the unfortunate riders of Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges® in perfect style.
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls® again, calling it a classic “log flume” is an understatement! The number and steepness of the drops on this ride are impressive, so much so that you’re secured almost like on a coaster.
Skull Island: Reign of Kong
This land is a bit sparse as there’s only one attraction themed around King Kong.
Skull Island: Reign of Kong is a true experience; from the queue onward, you’re immersed in the story, with some surprises along the way. Worth doing but not essential during your park visit.
Jurassic Park
This land is undergoing significant changes.
On June 10, 2021, Jurassic World VelociCoaster will open—a dual-launch magnetic coaster that will give you the thrill of racing among dinosaurs. It’s likely the entire area will be renamed Jurassic World.
Currently, you’ll find:
- Camp Jurassic
- Pteranodon Flyers
- Jurassic Park River Adventure
- Jurassic Park Discovery Center
Camp Jurassic is a themed playland where the little ones can have fun exploring various areas dedicated to climbing, slides, and small interactive games.
Pteranodon Flyers offers a true flight over the surrounding area—perhaps a bit short, but if you have young children, accompany them because it’s worth it. I have a beautiful memory with Federico; we did it in 2005, and it was wonderful 😍
Jurassic Park River Adventure is the flagship attraction of this area. I hope it doesn’t undergo the restyling that its twin in California experienced because that ’90s vibe is incredibly charming.
If you don’t feel like riding, you can still take advantage of the massive water splash to cool off, but be careful—you’ll get wetter than you might think.
Jurassic Park Discovery Center resembles the one from the first film in the saga and features areas dedicated to education and archaeological discoveries. However, I think it will be completely redone, as some areas were already closed in August.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade
I’m not going to go into detail about the world’s first ever Harry Potter-themed land—if you want to know more, check out my dedicated article/video.
The Lost Continent
This is often an underrated area. It once featured a very immersive and impressive show in a theater that still exists but is no longer in use. I saw it in 2007 during my first trip to Orlando.
However, there’s still a great indoor show in the land, packed with awesome special effects.
Poseidon’s Fury will transport you into a world of archaeological discoveries, ancient myths, and gods with immense powers. Not to be missed.
Seuss Landing
Seuss Landing is entirely dedicated to family fun.
Here you’ll find five experiences where families—and even us grown-ups who never quite grow up—can have a blast.
- The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!
- Caro-Seuss-el
- One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
- The Cat in the Hat
- If I Ran the Zoo
The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride is one I never skip!
It’s beautiful to admire the park from this train, especially in the evening with the red hues of the Florida sunset. Okay, I’ll stop before I sound too romantic 😍
Restaurants
Just like at Universal Studios, dining at Islands of Adventure isn’t a separate experience, but there are still a few highlights worth noting.
Thunder Falls Terrace is located in Jurassic Park and is a true paradise for grilled meat lovers. The setting is also very well done and perfectly themed to match the land.
Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade—which we know as The Three Broomsticks—is the perfect place to soak in the magical atmosphere of the Harry Potter stories.
In Conclusion
Islands of Adventure definitely deserves a full day of exploration.
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, I recommend turning right at the entrance and passing through Seuss Landing and The Lost Continent—it’s the shortest way to reach Hogsmeade.
Plus, entering from that side lets you see the land as it was originally envisioned.
