It has some of the most fun and radical attractions in Orlando, but few people know Islands of Adventure by that name. Located inside Universal Orlando and next to its more famous cousin, Universal Studios, Adventure is a theme park focused on great fictional heroes, epic adventures and unforgettable stories. That’s why it’s often called “Harry Potter’s park” – the area that reproduces Hogsmeade, the wizarding town from the saga, is inside (and we have a post just about it here).
But Islands of Adventure is not just for those who like such witchcraft, no. There are attractions for fans of comic books, Jurassic Park, the Mummy, Greek mythology and even calmer toys for young children. This was without a doubt my favorite park of the ones I visited in Orlando and the one I would have repeated if I had more time in the city. All the “worlds” in the park are very well set up and make you feel like you’re actually in the fantastic lands they try to reproduce.
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Itinerary to explore Islands of Adventure
Whenever I arrive at any theme park, I run to the attraction I most want to see. I make it my starting point to explore the rest of the park, following a more or less linear route, with a map in hand, to make sure I see everything. This is because, in general, our favorite attraction or area is also the favorite of many other people.
In the case of Islands of Adventure, that area was the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. You might already imagine, but this is simply the busiest part of the park, especially the 3D roller coaster “The Forbidden Journey”, which tends to have long queues. Therefore, if you are one of those who arrive as soon as the gates open, I believe it is a good starting point to start there and enjoy everything before the latecomers make the attractions even thicker.
If you arrived late, however, a good tip that works for me is to try to visit the popular attractions close to the park’s closing time, when they tend to be emptier. I’ve never tried this tactic in peak season, but with a park with average capacity it usually works.
Universal Express Plus
This is the “queue jumper” of Universal parks. To obtain it, you must pay an extra fee when purchasing the ticket or purchase it at the ticket offices and kiosks in the park itself. Honestly, I think it’s silly to pay extra for this, unless you go in high season. By high season, we read: holidays, weekends, spring break in the USA (usually in March), and summer holidays in the northern hemisphere, which run from June to August. I went in May and the lines were quiet for most of the attractions.
Furthermore, Universal gives priority to single riders, that is, people who don’t mind sitting alone on the separate chairs that are “left over” on the rides. Therefore, breaking away from your group is a more economical way to save time on attractions. And even if you go during busy times, I suggest arriving at the park and finding out if you really need to invest in an Express Plus.
Also read: How to buy tickets to Universal parks
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Set in the magical village of Hogsmeade, the area dedicated to the world of JK Rowling is one of the most famous and popular in the park. It has three attractions, as well as two shows and several restaurants that reproduce the spaces and delicacies mentioned in the series of books and films. See what you find there:
Harry Potter and the Forbbiden Journey (✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ )
For me, the best attraction in the entire park. The 3D simulator, located inside Hogwarts castle, takes you on a broomstick flight across the school grounds in the company of Harry Potter himself. The magic begins in the queue, which passes through the castle entrance, through the herbology greenhouses, through the dark corridors. Unmissable!
Dragon Challenge (✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫)
A 2-in-1 roller coaster inspired by the first task of the Triwizard Tournament, in which Harry needs to escape a dragon. The red one is the most radical, but the blue one also gives that injection of adrenaline. When in doubt, go for both.
The Flight of the Hippogriff (✫ ✫)
For children, but adults are welcome. This attraction reminded me of those worms in parks from the past, only cooler, because in this case you will be “flying in Bicuço”.
Show: Triwizard Spirit Rally (✫✫)
Reproduces the presentation of the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang schools at the opening of the Triwizard Tournament. I don’t think it’s worth it to just plan the show. Only leave it to see if you are passing by at the time.
Show: Frog Choir (✫)
Simulate a frog choir with Hogwarts students. I repeat the words from the item above.
Extra Tips:
If you’re a fan of the series, be sure to buy a glass of Butterbeer to get in the mood (but I recommend sharing it with someone). Stop by Dedosdemel (Honeydukes) to buy Feijõezinhos de Todos os Sabores, an unmissable souvenir from this park. If you’re there when you’re hungry, a good option is to stop at Três Vassouras. In stores, take home magic wands of your favorite characters, Hogwarts uniforms, keychains and replicas of equipment from the films. And take photos, lots of photos, because everything is beautiful and incredible.
Jurassic Park
Get ready to enter the world of Steven Spielberg and the Jurassic Park franchise.
Jurassic Park River Adventure (✫ ✫ ✫ ✫)
The best attraction in this area of the park, it simulates whitewater rafting while summarizing the story of the film. It has a little excitement and a lot of water. I love water toys and I don’t mind getting out wet, but there are people who don’t like them. In that case, better to avoid it.
Jurassic Park Discovery Center (✫ ✫ ✫)
Interactive attraction that uses the film’s story to provide real information about dinosaurs through games and videos, as if it were a museum. You can see the birth of a Tyrannosaurus Rex or find fossils with an X-ray. It’s cool for children of all ages.
Pteranodon Flyers (WITHOUT CLASSIFICATION)
You can see Jurassic Park from above, but only if you are under 12 years old (or are with a child). There are usually long queues and a long wait time, go if you have time.
Camp Jurassic (WITHOUT CLASSIFICATION)
Also for children, it is a playground inspired by the film. It has weapons that shoot water, forts, iguanas, and climbing nets.
Extra Tips: After getting wet at River Adventure, you can use a “drying cabin”, but you have to pay.
Toon Lagoon
Beautiful and very colorful area, great for photos. There, you will come across classic characters from the world of comics and old cartoons. It even looks like you’ve entered a comic book page.
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls® (✫ ✫ ✫ ✫)
Another rapids ride, prepare to get wet once again. There are some heavy falls that give you butterflies in your stomach.
Aboard a raft, you need to help Popeye save Olivia Palito from the clutches of Brutos. Another attraction that gets really wet!
Me Ship, The Olive (WITHOUT CLASSIFICATION)
For children, it’s a reproduction of Popeye’s ship in the form of a playground, with three floors to explore.
Show: King’s Row™ and Comic Strip Lane (✫✫)
A live show with the most famous characters from classic cartoons. It lasts 15 minutes. Again, I don’t recommend waiting just for this show.
Extra Tips: As there are many wet toys in this area, you may want to bring a raincoat, towels or extra changes of clothes. This tip applies to the entire park, obviously.
Marvel Superhero Island
A 3D simulator of Spider-Man’s adventures. It’s very real! It really feels like you are in the scene.
The Incredible Hulk Coaster (✫ ✫ ✫ ✫)
One of the most extreme roller coasters in Orlando. It’s huge and very fast, with lots of loops, it gives you butterflies just looking at it.
Doctor Doom’s Fearfall (✫ ✫ ✫)
Typical elevator, but in the opposite direction: instead of falling, you are thrown upwards at an impressive speed and then slowly descend. It’s 46 meters high, it’s a little scary.
Storm Force Accelatron (✫)
So you go to Orlando to ride those rotating cups that they even have in Belo Horizonte’s municipal park, but that’s okay. I hate this toy (and all of its kind) because the only thing it makes me feel sick.
Seuss Landing
This area is mostly for kids, but there are some cool things for teens and adults too, and it’s great for photos.
The Cat in the Hat (✫ ✫ ✫)
You get in a stroller and stroll through the story of this classic of English-language children’s literature.
Caro-Seuss-el (✫ ✫ ✫)
A classic carousel, but beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. It’s worth walking just to take a photo.
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (UNRATED)
If I Ran The Zoo (UNRATED)
Wet and colorful playground for children.
The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride! (✫ ✫ ✫)
You hop on a little train and take a peaceful ride around the area, except the tracks are high up. I loved this one because you have a great view of the entire park and, as it is very slow, you can take great photos from up there.
Extra Tips: This area is best if you have small children. Otherwise, you can safely jump and explore the others, especially if you are short on time.
The Lost Continent
Area set in the past, features gods and mythological creatures.
Show: The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad Stunt Show (✫ ✫)
Like all other shows at Universal Parks, I think it’s unnecessary to waste time with this one. In general, I prefer Universal toys and Disney shows, which are more magical and well produced, but it’s up to you. This show is about acrobatics, dances and stunts, so it’s more interesting than the others.
Show: Poseidon’s Fury (✫ ✫)
This one is as if you were going to visit an archaeological site with a very clumsy intern who ends up doing something stupid, awakening the fury of Poseidon. It has a lot of light and sound effects, but it’s kind of silly. My tip is: if you get in line and there’s a show starting, get in. Otherwise, turn around and go find something else to do.
The Mystic Fountain (✫)
A “magical fountain where you can throw coins and such. There’s an actor nearby messing with people passing by. I don’t even know why this is listed as an attraction, honestly.
Extra Tips: You can see that this area is dispensable, right? So it is.
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