In Orlando, Islands of Adventure of Universal also recognized as Islands of Adventure of Universal Studios is a theme based park. Along with City Walk this park was inaugurated on May 28, 1999 as an extended part of Florida’s Universal Studios to change it into the Universal Resort in Orlando. Vacation Like You Mean It’ was introduced as a motto for this park in 2013 along with Florida’s Universal Studios after its conversion into Universal Resort in Orlando.
The main purpose of this theme park was to entertain its guests with a journey of investigation where they visit themed islands after being departed from main port. Initially it had six islands including Port Entry, Marvel Super-Hero Island, Toon Lagoon, The Lost+Continent, Seuss Landing and Jurassic Park. But in 2010 The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was included as its seventh island and Skull Island as its eighth island in 2016.
Most of the themed islands included in Universal’s Islands of Great Adventure are intellectual properties whereas Universal Studios originally worked only on two islands. In clockwise direction, from the entry of this theme park, includes islands Port Entry, Marvel Super-Hero Island, Jurassic Park, Skull Island, The Wizarding World of Harry-Potter, Lost Continent, and The Seuss Landing. Brief information about these islands, provided in this write-up, will help you to know them more closely.
Port of Entry Lighthouse
Port of Entry
The entrance of this theme park is marked with Pharos Lighthouse, the centerpiece of this theme park, which is situated in the Port Of Entry Island. This island offers a number of services and shops to keep its visitors engaged. In order to lead people from and to the gates of the park this really functioning lighthouse emits a bright beam every night. This entry island is mainly famous for its shops and restaurants as it does not have any ride like other theme parks. People come here for the shops and restaurants and enjoy them a lot.
Marvel’s Super Hero Island Strip
Marvel’s Super Hero Island
The theme of this island is dependent on the characters of superheroes found in the comics of Marvel. The architecture of this island is like a comic book as the interiors of many buildings in it are created with embellished angles and lines with a viewpoint of a comic book. Similarly the exteriors of many buildings are painted with special paint that changes color with the change of the angle of the viewer. Shop, Store, Comics and Food etc. are the generic names of some of the buildings found on this island.
Ripsaw Falls Entrance
Toon Lagoon
This island from Universal’s Islands of Great Adventure is based on certain cartoon characters including Jay Ward and King Features Syndicate. The main focus of this locale is mainly on water rides along with three restaurants offering counter service. Main attractions of this island may include Ripsaw Falls of Dudley Do-Right along with the track of roller coaster with its characters. It has Bluto’s Bilge-Rat and Popeye Barges as a rafting ride on river water based on the characters of a Sailor, Popeye who saves Olive Oyl of Bluto. It also has a three level ship which contains various interactive elements like hoses and cannons to soak the riders of Barge. Toon Lagoon Theatre also shows live seasonal stunts of Aggro Circus of Mat Hoffman during summer and spring breaks.
Skull Island
It has been included in this theme park very recently i.e. 2015. The sole attraction of this island is Reign of Kong, which was opened to public in 2016. It was included in Universal Orlando Resort as the character of King Kong which was earlier used in 2001 in Florida’s Universal Studios as Kongfrontation.
Jurassic Park Entrance
Jurassic Park
The theme of this island depends on the characters of the movie with same name. This area was developed on the basis of dinosaurs shown in the film of John Hammond. It also includes various types of exhibits and attractions to attract viewers. In addition, there are exhibits based on discoveries and thrilling rides like found in real Jurassic park. Triceratops Discovery Trail, River Adventure in Jurassic Park, Spar Aerospace or MD Robotics, Pteranodon Flyers and camp Jurassic are the five main attractions on this island. Each of these attractions has its own characteristics and features to attract visitors of all age groups. Some offer water rides whereas some offer animated environment to walk through. Some even offer water cannons and slides for children whereas some offer roller coaster rides or experiences with robots.
Hogwarts Castle
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
The theme of this island of Universal’s island of adventure revolves around the universe of Harry Potter penned by Rowling. Its official inauguration was done in 2010 whereas its licensing rights were secured from Rowling along with Warner Bros in 2007. This island is spread over 20 acres. It contains various restaurants and shops located on various locations like Hogsmeade Village, Hogwarts Castle and Forbidden Forest along with other attractions.
The Lost Continent
The Lost Continent
The theme of this island of adventure is based on ancient legends and myths. It has two sub-sections – a Lost City like a Grecian-Atlantis city and Sinbad’s Bazzaar, a marketplace of ancient Arab. Earlier it also included Merlinwood, a medieval section, but most of its area was later on used in the World of the great Harry Potter. Two live action shows are performed in this area. It also contains a full service restaurant, Mythos, which is considered as one of the best restaurants by the insiders of this theme park.
Seuss Landing
Seuss Landing
The works of Dr. Seuss are the theme of this island. Circus McGurkus restaurant is among the Seuss themed attractions featured in this island especially for small children. The absence of any single straight line in this area is one of its unique characteristics as found in Seuss’s books. In continuation to its theme palm trees bowed by the strong winds of Andrew Hurricane were also planted in this area.
On the basis of strange characters and features found on all the eight islands most of the visitors of Universal’s Islands of adventure have reviewed it as the best place to visit in vacations with their families and children. It satisfies the adventurous instincts of almost all the visitors regardless of their age and gender.