Discover everything about Universal’s Islands of Adventure Park: tips, must-see attractions, cool restaurants and much more! Here we give you several tips about the park, but if you already want to guarantee your park ticket, just click here.
After reading this article, check out our tips about how to save a lot of money on your trip to Orlando. It is the most accessed article on our blog and will help you with all the trip planning. There are several unmissable tips that will save you A LOT of cash and set up your entire trip to Orlando.
Why should I visit Islands of Adventure park?
Islands of Adventure Park in Orlando is one of two Universal parks and one of the most fun and exciting in the city. Together with Universal Studios Orlando, it forms the Universal Orlando complex, which is Disney’s biggest competitor and is well worth a visit. It has incredible attractions and full of special effects, which came out of Steven Spielberg’s imagination and even the Harry Potter films.
Islands of Adventure is a fully themed park and has very radical rides and attractions, focused on the characters that everyone knows. For those who like these movies, the park is perfect! It is packed with attractions such as the famous Hulk roller coaster, the Transformers elevator, the Jurassic Park attraction and more. In addition, it is there that the most sought after attraction in Orlando in recent times is located, which is the famous world of Harry Potter.
- How much time do I need to visit Islands of Adventure? The park is big and you will need a whole day to see all of its attractions. Therefore, it is good to plan ahead so that you can visit all the attractions and go first to the coolest ones, which are usually the most popular. A tip is to download the Universal parks app on your cell phone, which helps a lot to locate and see the queue time at each attraction.
Area division of Islands of Adventure park
The Islands Of Adventure park is divided into eight themed areas, which we will explain below, detailing the main toys of each one for you to enjoy your day at the park.
1) Marvel Super Hero Island area in Islands of Adventure
This is considered the most radical part of the Islands of Adventure Orlando park, and it is there that you will find the world of Marvel’s superheroes. The most famous attractions in this part are the Spider-Man 4D Simulator, which makes you live an adventure with impressive technology, and the Hulk roller coaster, which is considered one of the strongest and most extreme in Orlando.
In addition to them, if you have time, it is worth enjoying the Doctor Doom’s Elevator, which rises hundreds of meters and falls in free fall, offering an incredible view of the park from above. The fourth and final attraction in this area is the Storm Force Accelatron, which isn’t really worth it as it’s just a spinning toy.
And be sure to keep an eye out, because in this region there are many superheroes for you to take pictures with. The area is special for lovers of heroes and extreme toys, even having a themed snack bar.
- An important tip is about the safe lockers. Most attractions do not allow you to enter with anything in your pockets, backpacks or purses. But don’t worry, because next to these attractions there are several lockers with free electronic safes for you to leave your things and pick up when you leave the ride.
2) Seuss Landing Area at Islands of Adventure
This is the quietest area of the Islands Of Adventure park in Orlando, and the best place to take young children. The theme of this place is the books written by Dr. Seuss, and the rides there are very colorful, fun, and mellow. It has a huge carousel and a giant playground with toys, in addition to the famous attraction of Cat In The Hat, which is a train that rides inside the book.
Seuss Landing is the part where children will have the most fun, and there are toys that get wet, ideal for warmer days (but don’t forget to bring a change of clothes). There are also some options for themed and colorful restaurants, with a kids menu, to relax. But if you’re not traveling with young children, you can skip this area.
3) Wizarding World of Harry Potter Area of Islands of Adventure
The most sought after area of Islands of Adventure by tourists is a perfect replica of the city of Harry Potter. It’s in the world of Harry Potter in Orlando that you can get to know Hogwarts Castle, where the attraction Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is located, an incredible simulator that works with carts and that makes you fly along with the characters and their adventures! Other attractions in this area are the lighter coaster called Flight of the Hippogriff, and the Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike.
Here, be sure to try the Butterbeer from the movie, and some of the dishes that appear in the books of the saga and that are sold in the restaurants there. Also be sure to go to the store that sells magic wands, which is an attraction in itself, and the stores for magic chocolates and all the products from the movies you can imagine. We recommend that the Harry Potter area be the first one you visit on park day, as it is the busiest part. It’s worth going early to catch shorter lines and enjoy the park more throughout the day.
– Hogwarts Express, the train that connects the two Harry Potter parks
There are two Harry Potter areas, one in each of Universal’s two parks, and they are connected via the Hogwarts Train, an incredible experience that replicates the Hogwarts Express. You have two options for taking the Hogwarts Express from Orlando: if you are at Islands of Adventure, go to Hogsmeade station; the train will take you to Universal Studios Park, another theme park, at King’s Cross station, from where you can also catch the express.
Both seasons are pretty cool and similar to the one in the movie, full of references like suitcases and owls. It also has platform 9 3/4, and all cabins on the train can accommodate up to 8 people. There are several surprises that roll along the route of the express!
4) The Lost Continent area at Islands of Adventure
The only attraction in this area of the park is the Poseidon Fury, an interactive show where you find yourself in a battle between Zeus and Poseidon, whose weapons are 350 thousand gallons of water and 200 types of pyrotechnic effects. It is a journey through the lost city of Atlantis with a 180 degree projection of an immense waterfall. The show is interesting, but not a must-see, so only go if you have time to spare.
This area has nice photo spots, as well as a small fountain that splashes water, ideal for children to cool off on hot days. The most recommended in this area is its restaurant, Mytho’s, which has already been voted the best themed restaurant in the world a few times. It has amazing meals, with average prices, and a lovely atmosphere!
5) Toon Lagoon Area at Islands of Adventure
This is the most refreshing area of Islands Of Adventure, with water toys that are great for sunny and summer days. If you are going to travel in another season or in the cold, don’t worry: you can take extra covers and clothes and after getting out of the toys, just change and that’s it.
There’s Popeye’s Toy, which is a boat with 12 people where you go through a river full of waves and waterfalls that will leave you drenched; and Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls, a water roller coaster that gets absolutely everything wet – prepare to get soaked!
The third and final attraction of this area is a playground for children. To protect your wallet, cell phone and documents well, take a plastic bag inside your purse or backpack, or keep it in a closet, which we will explain further below on how it works.
6) Skull Island Area: King Kong
This is the smallest area on the site, and it only covers the King Kong attraction in Orlando. The so-called Skull Island is a multi-sensory experience for tourists. In it, visitors discover a threatening but very fun world, with innovative, unexpected and 3D technologies. You will pass an island with prehistoric creatures and also the research camp of the 8th Wonder Expedition Company.
Outside the camp will be the ruins of a shrine, and this is when the eerie sounds and suspense will make it all very exciting. It has huge 21 meter high gates, very similar to the ones in the movie, and the moment when Kong appears to scare everyone. There is also a labyrinth of caves, which visitors will go through being inside super cool vehicles, tall and open on the sides. The attraction is definitely not to be missed.
7) Jurassic Park area at Islands of Adventure
This is the last of the attractions-oriented areas of the Islands of Adventure park, dedicated to the classic film Jurassic Park. There you have the famous Jurassic Park ride, the Jurassic Park River Adventure, where you take a boat through the world of dinosaurs and end with a refreshing drop that also ends up getting everyone wet.
Another more recent and famous attraction is the Jurassic World VelociCoaster, which is a huge and super cool roller coaster. And don’t forget to take a picture with a Raptor, one of the dinosaurs from the movie that is next to this attraction, and that even moves! They invested well in this area, and it even has a dinosaur playground with small laboratory activities, very interesting for children; the Pteranodon Flyers attraction, where you “fly” like a dinosaur; and an educational fossil center about these animals.
8) Port of Entry area in Islands of Adventure
The eighth area is actually the entrance to the park, which doesn’t have any attractions per se, but it’s super pretty. There you’ll find five amazing restaurants and eateries, selling everything from fresh croissants to meats and the famous Starbucks coffees.
Events at Islands of Adventure: Mardi Gras, Racing and Halloween
There are some events promoted by this park throughout the year that are the biggest success! The first of them is Mardi Gras, a kind of Carnival inside the Universal Studios parks, full of floats, parades and concerts by celebrities, which spread joy to all visitors. There is no need to purchase any additional tickets to attend this attraction, just the normal park ticket.
Another event is the character race, which takes place at the beginning of the year and is called the Running Universal Epic Character Race. In it, runners will be surrounded at all times by some of Universal’s most remembered characters and pop culture, and get to know Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure parks from a different point of view.
Entries are made through Universal’s official website and, at the end of the experience, runners are awarded a medal and can take unique photos with their favorite characters, in an exclusive way.
Universal’s most remembered event, however, is its Halloween nights. Unlike Disney, Universal promotes a scary Halloween every year, with actors and horror houses. It’s all very realistic and well done, perfect for those who like the theme. Each year, new attractions are added to the program, such as themed houses and scare zones.
Where to eat at Islands of Adventure: best restaurants
One of the most important parts of your day at Islands of Adventure in Orlando is where you will have lunch, a snack or a rest stop. There are several dining options at Islands of Adventure, and each area mentioned above has several of them.
- Mythos: It is the most famous restaurant in the park, which is located on The Lost Continent and serves a variety of meals, from pasta to salads and meats.
- Pizza Predatoria: located in Jurassic Park, this is a very good pizzeria, with nice pizza options of different flavors.
- Three Broomsticks: It is the most famous restaurant in the Harry Potter area, which sells quick meals in a creative environment, reminiscent of the cafeteria from the Harry Potter films. In this area, you can also find snacks from the movie and the famous Butterbeer.
- Cafe 4SM: In the Marvel area, it serves pizzas, sandwiches and salads.
- Captain America Diner: Captain America’s restaurant, where you can eat cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches and nuggets.
Extra tip: Free refills on drinks throughout the park
Did you know that you can have free refillable drinks at Universal Orlando’s parks? Few people know, but it is possible to have water, soft drinks and even a variety of refreshments by paying only once for a classic refill glass, which still serves as a souvenir of the parks.
The cups are beautiful, and can be entirely red or with themed designs, like the one from the movie “Despicable Me”; and can be filled at beverage kiosks, quick-service restaurants and full-service restaurants. There are machines all over the park for this supply, which you use self-service style.
That is, the cup cannot be refilled in beverage carts! Refilling water in this glass is always free, but different drinks can have symbolic prices (like 1 dollar, for example). The Universal themed cup costs around $10 and can be taken to all your Universal parks visits, on different days, and you only pay the refill.
Tips to avoid queues and use of Single Riders
- The park has many attractions, and a tip is to arrive early and go to the most popular rides, because the parks start to fill up after 10 am.
- Wear sneakers and comfortable clothes and drink plenty of fluids to last the whole day under the sun, without wasting time with a bad mood.
- Leave to buy souvenirs at the end of the park tour, as much as the temptation to visit the stores is great!
- If you can, use and abuse the Single Riders, which are separate lines for those who are alone and don’t want to go with someone they know in a toy car. In Orlando, both at Disney parks and at Universal parks, there is the normal line and, next to it, the Single Riders. You save a lot of time when using them, as these lines move much faster and fill holes in groups of friends and families, who need a partner for the toy. At Islands of Adventure, there are single rider lines for attractions: The Amazing Adventure of Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk Coaster, Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls, Dr. Doom’s Fearfall, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Jurassic Park River Adventure – and they’re all worth it.
- Another tip to get along at all the parks is to use the Universal Orlando app, which works for both Universal Studios Orlando and Islands of Adventure. The app is free and available for Apple and Android phones and tablets, and as the parks have free Wi-Fi, you can even download it at the time of your visit! It is very useful, as it has features such as: the park map, the waiting time in the queue for each toy for you to plan and not waste time, the time of each show, how much time is left to start a parade, where the characters, what is the nearest restaurant or bathroom, etc.
Universal Citywalk: Extend Your Tour of This Entertainment Center
After spending the day at Islands Of Adventure Park, enjoy the night at Universal CityWalk, which is Universal’s entertainment center, full of restaurants, shops, bars, clubs, shows and attractions for you to enjoy the night. At Universal CityWalk, fun is guaranteed for all ages, especially for young people and adults. Opening hours are from 11 am to 2 am daily, with the busiest time being after 8 pm, when tourists have already left the theme parks.
CityWalk has a little bit of everything and is the right place to have fun and rest, whether to enjoy a movie, a romantic dinner for two, have a beer, dance or even go shopping. See the full story about Universal CityWalk in Orlando.
Buy your tickets to Orlando!
The cheapest and most practical place to buy your tickets is before you travel, with an accredited company. There are companies that have great prices, and you already travel with tickets in your hands. Because many people came to us to find out about the best tickets prices, we have partnered with one of Orlando’s largest ticket operators. They even sell tickets to travel agencies and major travel sites. We were able to negotiate direct sales with them and at the best GUARANTEED price.
Clicking here on Orlando Tickets you can search for prices. It is one of the largest tour companies, one of the only officially accredited ones, and it has all tickets and combos from all Orlando’s amusement parks.
Tips to make the most of your trip to Orlando
Now that you’ve seen everything about Universal’s Islands of Adventure Park, a great tip that makes the difference on your trip is to choose the location of your hotel. Orlando is a big city, and it’s so much better to stay in a region close to the main tourist spots.
See our article best areas to stay in your trip to Orlando to learn about the best regions to stay there and how to get a great hotel for an excellent price (and find good deals). You will stay in the best region, close to the parks and outlets, and enjoy even more your trip!
Orlando’s parks, outlets and tourist spots are very far apart, which is why the tourists always choose to rent a car in the city. With a car, you will be able to enjoy your trip even more, visiting everywhere and shopping with peace of mind.
If you want, see our article how to rent a great and cheap car in Orlando, where we give you every information that you need to know about this subject, with tips about how to find unique prices using comparators. It ‘s much cheaper than people think, and it is worth it because Orlando is definitively a city to explore by car.
How can I use my phone in Orlando?
Being able to use your cell phone on your trip is something extremely useful. With it working, you can search about all the spots, access the discount coupons and park apps, check the weather and even use the GPS, saving the rent of this equipment for the car. Besides, of course, being connected to the various social networks!
We have selected the best tips about how to use your phone in Orlando, in which we indicate the cheapest way to use it all day long and anywhere in the entire country. With the mobile internet, you can search everything about Universal’s Islands of Adventure Park!
Where is the cheapest place to buy Orlando tickets?
Many people don’t know where (and even when) to buy Disney and Orlando tickets. We’ve done a lot of research and find out where is the cheapest place to buy Orlando parks tickets. We always buy our tickets there! It’s where you’ll find the best prices and where you can buy all the tickets, for all the parks and attractions at once, in the same place.
Don’t forget about the Travel Insurance for Orlando!
A very important tip is to have an International Travel Insurance before traveling to Orlando. No one should travel without it, so you can avoid major problems abroad! It ends up being cheaper than people think, and in our article of International Travel Insurance for Orlando you check everything you need to know about it: which are the best insurance companies, and tips for hiring excellent coverage for a lower price, saving a lot.
Must-see articles from Orlando:
- Best things to do in Orlando: must-see places and sights in Orlando.
- Best places to go shopping in Orlando: a complete guide to shopping in Orlando.
- Orlando’s Best Parks: all the main parks in Orlando.
- Walt Disney World Parks in Orlando: the incredible parks of Disney World.
