I’m sharing everything you need to know about Universal Studios’ Islands of Adventure in Orlando, based on our December 2023 trip. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or just looking for something a little more chill, I’m here to guide you through everything this park has to offer, including some mistakes we made so you don’t have to.
Intro to Thrills and Chills
In case you missed it, let me quickly fill you in: I have motion sickness, which means I tend to skip the thrill rides. But my husband, John, loves them! So, we divide and conquer—he tackles the big rides, and I go for the more relaxed activities. My goal is to show you how Universal’s Islands of Adventure has something for both thrill-seekers and those of us who prefer a slower pace.
A Little History of Islands of Adventure
Islands of Adventure opened its doors in 1999 as part of the Universal Orlando Resort expansion. The park was designed to take you on a journey through different “islands,” each with its own theme and adventure. A major milestone for the park came in 2010 with the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which became a fan-favorite and a huge draw for the park.
This was my first time visiting Islands of Adventure, and I loved the idea of eight unique islands. The theming in each one is fun, but some areas felt a bit outdated and could use a refresh, especially with Universal adding a third park to the mix.
While there are a ton of thrill rides, I found that there wasn’t a lot for me to ride (thanks to my motion sickness). But honestly, I didn’t mind! I had plenty to explore, and I think I need to get one of those Relief Bands to help me enjoy some of the more thrilling rides next time. For now, I made the most of what I could experience. Let’s take a walk around the park and check out each island.
Port of Entry
As the name suggests, this is the main entrance to the park. It’s filled with shops and restaurants, and you’ll also find Starbucks here, which is important because I made the rookie mistake of not grabbing my coffee here before heading into the park. (Trust me—learn from my mistake!) The coffee at Seuss Landing was way too strong. So, make sure to stop by Starbucks for your caffeine fix!
Seuss Landing
Seuss Landing is exactly what you’d expect—a whimsical, colorful area straight out of Dr. Seuss’ books. While the rides here are mostly geared toward kids, adults will have a blast exploring the island. The rides include:
- Cat in the Hat Ride: A fun, dark ride based on the beloved story.
- High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train: A slow-moving elevated train that lets you look over Seuss Landing.
- Caro-Seuss-El: A carousel with Seuss characters.
- One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish: A Dumbo-style ride where you can control how high or low you go.
The Lost Continent
This island has beautiful stonework and fountains that honor ancient myths, but it currently has no rides, just food and shopping. If you’re hungry, Mythos, the award-winning sit-down restaurant, is here. Definitely check out the menu—it’s a great spot for a more relaxed meal in the park.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade
As the busiest part of the park, Hogsmeade is packed with Potterheads in robes, wands in hand, and is an absolute must-see. The theming here is incredible—Universal really knocked it out of the park. My first Butterbeer was amazing—definitely my favorite of the beverages offered in the park. The rides here are:
- Flight of the Hippogriff: A family-friendly coaster that’s perfect for younger guests.
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure: A thrilling coaster that lets you ride as if you’re on Hagrid’s motorbike.
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey: A motion-simulated ride that is a must for any Potter fan.
- Hogwarts Express: A train ride between the two Universal parks, but unfortunately, it was closed during our visit.
Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park looks just like the iconic entrance from the movies. The theming is fun, though I wish it had a bit more to make you feel like you’re actually surrounded by dinosaurs. My favorite part was the humorous churro cart that Universal added after the hype around the construction of VelociCoaster—such a cheeky move! The rides in Jurassic Park include:
- Pteranodon Flyers: A swing-type ride that requires a kid to accompany you.
- Jurassic Park River Adventure: A log flume ride with dinosaurs.
- Jurassic World VelociCoaster: A fast, twisting, turning roller coaster that’s a favorite for coaster enthusiasts.
Skull Island: Reign of Kong
Honestly, I’m still not sure what to think about this island. It feels like more of a pass-through area dedicated to just one ride. It’s fun to look at, but it’s not much of an “island” on its own. Still, Skull Island – Reign of Kong is an exciting ride that’s worth a go if you’re in the area.
Toon Lagoon
This area feels a bit outdated and could use a refresh. It’s full of classic cartoon characters like Popeye and Betty Boop. If you’re nostalgic for these old-school comics, it’s a fun area to explore. The rides include:
- Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges: A wet raft ride.
- Dudley Do-Right Ripsaw Falls: A log-flume ride that guarantees you’ll get drenched.
Marvel Super Hero Island
This area is dedicated to comic-based Marvel characters (not MCU), and while it feels like a bit of a time capsule, it’s still a fun place for comic book fans to visit. The rides here include:
- Doom’s Fearfall: A thrilling ride that shoots you up before dropping you.
- The Incredible Hulk Coaster: A coaster with twists, turns, and intense moments.
- Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man: A 3D motion simulator that’s a sleeper hit.
- Storm Force Accelatron: A spinning teacup-style ride.
Top Thrills
For John, the top thrills were:
- VelociCoaster
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
- The Incredible Hulk Coaster
Top Chills
For me, I found plenty of chill activities, like wandering through the shops in Hogsmeade and Marvel Super Hero Island.
Is Universal’s Islands of Adventure on your must-visit list, or are you giving it a pass? For those who love thrills, this park is a blast, but there’s plenty of immersive theming and chill activities for those who prefer a slower pace.
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