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Universal’s Islands of Adventure opened in 1999 with many famed attractions such as The Incredible Hulk Coaster and The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, which instantly put it on the world theme park map.
The true revolution for the park, however, came with the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade in 2010.
Expansion and innovation in the park have not stopped since the Wizarding World was unveiled. In this theme park, you will not find ‘lands’ or areas, but ‘islands’ instead. Together these islands make up Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
The park hosted 10.4 million guests in 2019.
Live Entertainment at the Park:
Unlike Universal Studios Florida next door, there are no daily fireworks shows or parades at this park.
There are, however, character appearances throughout the various lands, in particular in Seuss Landing and Marvel Superhero Island. There are no Harry Potter characters in Hogsmeade, except for the Hogwarts Express Conductor.
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Perhaps the most beautiful entrance to a theme park in Orlando, Port of Entry transports you to a different time and place.
There are no attractions in this area of the park. Instead, Port of Entry acts as an entranceway to the Islands of Adventure themselves.
You will find many shops and a few places to eat in this area.
To the right of the welcome arch at Port of Entry, you will find Guest Services. Here, you can get help with accessibility, dining reservations, as well as questions, positive feedback, and complaints. Lost and Found is also located here.
Lockers, a phone card vending machine, and a payphone are all located to the left of the archway.
Strollers and wheelchair rentals can also be found here. First Aid is located inside the Open Arms Hotel building to the right of the entrance archway. There is another First Aid station in The Lost Continent by the bazaar.
Fun fact: At the wheelchair and stroller rental location, look out for a sign listing the prices of rentals along with several gag items, which have already been “rented out” including a gondola, an aero boat, and a rocket car.
Confisco Grille and Backwater Bar – Table Service. Accepts Universal Dining Plan. Serves wood-oven pizzas, sandwiches, pasta, and fajitas. Entrees are $14 to $21.
Croissant Moon Bakery – Quick Service. Accepts Universal Dining Plan. Serves continental breakfasts, sandwiches, paninis, cakes, and branded coffee. Entrees are $12.50 to $14. Pastries and baked goods are $2.50 to $5.
Starbucks – Quick Service. Drinks $3 to $6. Accepts Universal Dining Plan.
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This area is themed to the Dr. Seuss books. To make this land look unique, the theme park designers even made sure there were no straight lines anywhere.
Height Restriction: None
Attraction length: 2 minutes
Express Pass Available: Yes
Average Wait: Less than 15 minutes
This classic carousel-type ride is themed to the Seuss books.
There is usually no wait for this ride.
The Cat in the Hat
Height Restriction: 36 inches (0.92m) minimum to ride with an adult, or 48 inches (1.22m) to ride alone
Attraction length: 4 minutes
Express Pass Available: Yes
Average Wait: 15 to 45 minutes
Spin through the story of The Cat in the Hat. The ride makes more sense if you have read the books or seen the movies, but it is enjoyable for everyone.
A play area for children to run around, designed in a maze-like format. Good for big Dr. Seuss fans, with some in-jokes along the way. Part of this area is a water play zone to cool down on those hot Floridian days.
Height Restriction: Children under 48 inches (1.22m) must ride with an adult
Attraction length: 1 minute 30 seconds
Express Pass Available: Yes
Average Wait: 15 to 45 minutes
A classic spinning ride, like Dumbo in the Disney parks. This one, however, packs a bit of a twist.
The soundtrack is actually a set of instructions you should follow to stay dry. So when you hear “up, up, up” you will want to steer yourself upwards and be as high as possible to avoid a soaking. This is a fun twist on what can be a bit of an unimaginative type of ride. At colder times the water is turned off.
Children under 48” (1.22m) must ride with an adult.
Height Restriction: 40 inches (1.02m) minimum to ride (must be accompanied) or 48 inches (1.22m) to ride alone
Attraction length: 5 minutes
Express Pass Available: Yes
Average Wait: 15 to 45 minutes
This cute, slow train journey ventures across the rooftops in Seuss Landing.
The minimum height is 40” (1.02m) to ride accompanied, or 48” (1.22m) to ride alone.
Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous – Quick Service. Accepts Universal Dining Plan. Serves pizza, pasta, salads, cheeseburgers, and chicken. Entrees are priced at $10 to $17. Whole pizzas are $35-$39.
Moose Juice, Goose Juice – Snacks. Accepts Universal Dining Plan. Serves Dippin’ Dots, cookies, churros, chips, corn dogs, and more. $2-$11 per item.
Hop On Pop Ice Cream Shop – Snacks. Accepts Universal Dining Plan. Ice creams: $4.50-$6.50.
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Themed to mythological creatures; home to acclaimed restaurant Mythos.
A witty, talking, interactive fountain in a courtyard area. You can ask the fountain questions and have a chat.
The fountain also loves to tell jokes and to get people wet if they come too close!
The fountain only operates at select times of the day.
Height Restriction: None
Attraction length: 15 minutes
Express Pass Available: Yes
Average Wait: 15 to 45 minutes
This is a combination of a live show and walk-through experience with cool fire and water effects and a unique storyline. Note that this show is standing room only.
In our opinion, this is a good watch but not worth more than a 30-minute wait. Return later in the day if the wait is long.
Mythos Restaurant – Table Service. Accepts Universal Dining Plan. Serves sandwiches, pad thai, salmon, and gnocchi bolognese. Entrees are $16 to $28. This is our favorite in-park restaurant. It is only open for lunch.
Fire Eater’s Grill – Quick Service. Accepts Universal Dining Plan. Serves hot dogs, chicken fingers, and salads. Entrees are $10 to $15. Large portions.
Fun Fact: Stand under the bridge behind Mythos Restaurant to hear a troll.
Step into the world of Harry Potter and experience a visit to Hogsmeade. Dine, shop and experience the wild rides. The area is incredibly themed and Potter fans will see authenticity unlike anywhere else.
Throughout this section, you may see The Wizarding World of Harry Potter abbreviated to WWOHP.
The Hogsmeade area of the WWOHP existed several years before Diagon Alley opened over in Universal Studios Florida.
Both the Wizarding World areas are connected by the Hogwarts Express – a real train guests can ride.
The attention to detail here is stunning. E.g., in the restrooms, you can hear Moaning Myrtle; and in the rafters of Three Broomsticks, you can see shadows of owls flying about.
Height Restriction: 48 inches (1.22m)
Attraction length: 3 minutes
Express Pass Available: No
Average Wait: 90 to 150 minutes
Lockers Required: Yes
This family-friendly roller coaster launches you at speeds of up to 50 mph as you encounter magical creatures in the Forbidden Forest. You will go forwards, backward, drop as you ride on a motorbike.
You have the option of either sitting on the bike itself or the sidecar. This ride is a great fun and thrilling addition to the park and a must-do.
Single Riders have a dedicated line available.
Very often this ride will operate with a Virtual Line only - check as soon as you are in the park.
A six-minute dance contest between two competing wizard schools: men versus women. The men’s routine involves complex sword-fighting techniques, while the ladies dazzle with their ribbons and acrobatics. It is a nice bit of entertainment, and a great photo opportunity.
A nine-minute series of songs inspired by the the Harry Potter movies performed by Hogwarts students and their frogs, all done acapella with voices and no instruments. There is an almost beat-box flair to this show and it is a great piece of live entertainment.
Height Restriction: 36 inches (0.92m)
Attraction length: 1 minute 5 seconds
Express Pass Available: Yes
Average Wait: 45 to 60 minutes
Lockers Required: No
On this small rollercoaster, you soar on a Hippogriff past Hagrid’s hut. Good family fun and a good starter coaster before putting your children on the likes of The Hulk.
Height Restriction: 48 inches (1.22m)
Attraction length: 5 minutes
Express Pass Available: Yes
Average Wait: 30 to 60 minutes
Lockers Required: Yes
This truly ground-breaking ride features projections, sets, and floating ride vehicles. The queue line is an attraction unto itself, as you wind your way through Hogwarts castle watching scenes and experiencing moments like the famous trio in the Potter universe.
At the end of the queue, it is time for an incredible adventure - this is a simulator-style attraction that blurs the lines between physical sets and on-screen projections. Plus, the moment your enchanted bench first takes off is breathtaking.
Expect to encounter dementors, take part in a quidditch match, come face to face with dragons, and much more.
There is a Single Rider queue line available, which can cut down wait times significantly; waits are usually about 50-75% shorter than the standard wait time in our experience, but this will vary.
Warning: We feel this ride creates mental strain due to the simulated sensations and the screens in front of you. This means that if you ride it more than once back-to-back, you are likely to feel unwell.
Hidden Secret: When you are in Dumbledore’s office hearing his speech, look at the books on the wall to the right of him. One of the books may do something very magical.
Height Restriction: None
Capacity: 250 people per hour
Attraction length: 3 to 4 minutes
Express Pass Available: No
Average Wait: 15 to 45 minutes
This is very similar to the Ollivanders attraction at Diagon Alley. This version is older, though. There is only a single show room meaning that wait times be long. The same experience is available at Diagon Alley but with shorter waits.
Note: This is not listed as an attraction on the park map; and there is no wait time sign. The entrance is the railings to the left-hand side of door to Ollivanders. To estimate how long the wait is, do a quick headcount of the people in line ahead of you. The wait is about 6 minutes for every 25 people.
Height Restriction: None
Attraction length: 5 minutes in each direction.
Express Pass Available: Yes
Lockers required: No
Average Waits: 15 to 45 minutes (A park-to-park ticket is required)
Catch the Hogwarts Express, and be transported through the countryside to Kings Cross Station (at Universal Studios Florida).
As you look out of the windows, you will see stories unfold.
Once you hop off the train at Kings Cross, you will be by the London waterfront.
There, you can enter Diagon Alley for its attractions, including Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.
Important: Guests must have a Park-to-Park ticket to ride. Single Park tickets do not allow entry.
The restaurants in Hogsmeade are well-themed, and the Quick Service food is some of the best in the park. We recommend you take a look inside these, even if you do not eat there.
• Hog’s Head – Quick Service. No Universal Dining Plan. This pub is located in the same building as Three Broomsticks. Serves alcoholic beer, non-alcoholic Butterbeer, and juices. Drinks are $4 to $9.50.
• Three Broomsticks – Quick Service. Accepts Universal Dining Plan. Serves breakfast meals. At lunch and dinner, you will find Cornish pasties, fish & chips, shepherd’s pie, smoked turkey legs, rotisserie chicken, and spareribs. EntrÈes are $11 to $18. Family platters for 4 people are available for $61.
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At The Wizarding World, the shops are as much of the experience as the rides.
• Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods – The exit shop of Forbidden Journey. Sells apparel, mugs, photo frames, dark magic items, and trinkets.
• Honeydukes – Those with a sweet tooth will find love potion sweets, chocolate frogs (with collectible trading cards), and more.
• The Owlery and Dervish & Banges – Sells wands, Horcrux replicas, clothing, stationery, and even a model of the Hogwarts Express.
• The Owl Post – A real post office where you can send letters or postcards with a Hogsmeade postmark and stamp. Stationery on sale.
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This play area is themed to the Jurassic Park movies. We definitely recommend exploring the area, as the detail is just incredible.
This play area isn’t only reserved for children. Anyone can explore the area, from the caves to the water jets and the treetop platforms to the slides.
Fun Fact: Step on the dinosaur footprints for a roaring sound.
Height Restriction: The minimum height is 36 inches (0.92m). Guests over 56 inches (1.43m) must be accompanied by someone under 36 inches (0.92m) to ride.
Attraction length: 1 minute
Express Pass Available: Yes
Average Wait: 45 to 75 minutes
Lockers Required: No
Soar above Jurassic Park on a winged dinosaur glider.
Guests over 56” must be accompanied by someone under 36” tall to ride.
Height Restriction: 42 inches (1.07m)
Attraction length: 5 minutes 30 seconds
Express Pass Available: Yes
Average Wait: 45 to 90 minutes
Lockers Required: No
On a boat, glide past enormous dinosaurs. However, this calm river adventure soon changes course. Watch out for the T-Rex before your 85-foot drop! A Single Rider line is available at this attraction.
Top Tip: The back row typically gets you less wet.
Note: Lockers are optional and cost $4 for 90 minutes of locker time.
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An exploration area where you can see model dinosaurs, play dinosaur-themed carnival-style games, learn about DNA sequencing, and witness a dinosaur birth.
Meet and take photos with a raptor. Be careful! They are unpredictable and loud, but Universal Team Members are around if anything gets out of hand.
The raptors don’t walk around the land; you’ll find them in their paddocks where they stick their heads through a gap in the fence for photos.
You can take your own photos, but there is also a ‘My Universal Photos’ photographer present. At the time of writing, appearance times are not posted on the park map but the raptors can usually be met between 11:00am and 4:30pm.
The park’s newest extreme coaster opens in Summer 2021. Here you will enter the paddocks where the velociraptors live and must escape. Universal has not revealed too much detail at the moment, but we know that the ride will have a 51” height requirement (one of the tallest at all the parks), 2 launches - the second of which launches to 70 mph in 2.4 seconds, a high-point of 155 feet, 12 seconds of air time (the ‘out of your seat’ feeling) and 360-degree roll over the Islands of Adventure lagoon. Expect huge queues for this when it opens this summer.
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The Burger Digs – Quick Service. Accepts Universal Dining Plan. Serves burgers, chicken tenders and chicken sandwiches. Entrees are $10 to $17.50.
Thunder Falls Terrace – Quick Service. Accepts Universal Dining Plan. Serves cheeseburgers, ribs, smoked turkey legs, wraps, and rotisserie chicken. Entrees are $14 to $21.50. The portion sizes are large.
Skull Island
Height Restriction: 34 inches (0.87m)
Attraction length: 6 minutes
Express Pass Available: Yes
Average Wait: 30 to 60 minutes
Lockers Required: No
Step aboard one of the huge 72-seat 4x4 vehicles. Once onboard, each ride promises to be unique as one of five different drivers takes you on an adventure.
Universal puts it best: “You’ll navigate perilous jungles, explore ancient temple structures, and encounter hostile natives – and that’s only the beginning.”
“Throughout the rest of your excursion, you’ll brave foreboding caves crawling with prehistoric creatures, fend off unspeakable terrors – and even come face-to-face with the colossal Kong himself.”
The animatronics, music, and atmosphere created here are second to none.
This ride features a Single Rider line - wait times here are usually about half of the regular queue line.
Top Tip: If you want to see Kong up close, sit on the right side of the vehicle - each side provides a different and unique experience. The drivers also change up the experience too.
Warning: The queue line for this ride is dark and there are actors in the queue line (“the natives”) who scare guests as they wait. The ride may also be too intense for young children.
Height Restriction: 44 inches (1.12m)
Attraction length: 7 minutes
Express Pass Available: Yes
Average Wait: 45 to 75 minutes
Lockers Required: No
Want a water ride that gets you absolutely soaked? Give this one a try.
The ride contains a well-themed interior and features several drops with a final rollercoaster-style splashdown making sure you leave thoroughly drenched. The ride reaches a top speed of 45mph (over 70 km/h), so you get a great thrill!
This ride features a Single Rider queue line.
Optional lockers are available for a fee of $4 for 90 minutes.
This is a kids’ play area and a great place for a break from the crowds.
For those who like causing chaos, there are free water cannons on the top level of the ship to spray guests on the Popeye ride below.
Top Tip: The top level of this attraction gives you some great views of the park and is a good place for photos.
Fun Fact: On the right side of this attraction there is a trail. Follow it for some hilarious gags, such as a "school" of fish.
Height Restriction: 42 inches (1.07m)
Attraction Length: 6 minutes
Express Pass Available: Yes
Average Wait: 45 to 90 minutes
Lockers Required: No
Popeye’s will make sure you come out drenched from head to toe. This is by far the wettest water ride at Universal, and it is a whole lot of fun! Universal has come up with creative ways to wet you.
Optional lockers are available costing $4 for 90 minutes; the center of the raft has a covered section for basic water protection too.
Blondie’s – Quick Service. Accepts Universal Dining Plan. Serves sandwiches, made to order subs and hot dogs. EntrÈes are $10.50 to $16.
Comic Strip Cafe – Quick Service. Accepts Universal Dining Plan. Serves Chinese beef and broccoli, chilidogs, sandwiches, fish & chips, pizza, and spaghetti and meatballs. EntrÈes are $11 to $19.50.
Wimpy’s - Quick Service. Accepts Universal Dining Plan. Serves burgers at $11 to $16.
Marvel Super Hero Island
This island contains two of our favorite attractions in all of Universal Orlando – Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk. There is also fun comic book theming, places to eat and shop, and other attractions. You will often find Marvel characters meeting guests in this area of the park.
Height Restriction: 40 inches (1.02m)
Attraction length: 5 minutes
Express Pass Available: Yes
Average Wait: 45 to 75 minutes
Lockers Required: No
One of the most ground-breaking rides in the world, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is a world-class attraction that incorporates projection screens with real-world elements like never seen before.
More than 20 years after opening, the attraction has not aged a single bit, as it has been updated with 4K and 3D technology, creating higher resolution images. The storyline works as well as it ever has.
The ride is a fun experience swinging around New York City with Spider-Man. It is an absolute must-do.
This ride operates a Single Rider line, which can often save you a lot of time.
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Height Restriction: 52 inches (1.32m)
Attraction length: Less than 45 seconds
Express Pass Available: Yes
Average Wait: 45 to 60 minutes
Lockers Required: No
Love drop towers? Then you will adore this ride.
Doctor Doom needs your screams for power; to get them, he shoots you up in the air – and he will definitely get more than enough power.
The ride consists of one high-speed launch up, followed by a free-fall back down (and then up and down until you stop).
This attraction operates a Single Rider queue line – ask for it at the entrance.
Fun Fact: Look on the ground outside the attraction for chalk outlines of the Fantastic Four. They, too, went on the ride and came plummeting to the ground, landing where the outlines are. A subtle detail, but really cool once you notice it.
Height Restriction: 54 inches (1.37m)
Attraction length: 2 minutes 15 seconds
Express Pass Available: Yes
Average Wait: 30 to 90 minutes
Lockers Required: Yes
Winner of numerous awards, The Incredible Hulk Coaster is our favorite roller coaster in all of Orlando.
It is a truly outstanding thrill with huge loops, an underground section, and non-stop fun from the moment you are launched out of the tunnel until you are back at the station.
There is a Single Rider line at this attraction; just ask the ride attendant at the front to use it – the waits are often short as it is not well signposted.
Height Restriction: An adult must accompany those under 48 inches (1.22m)
Attraction length: 2 minutes
Express Pass Available: Yes
Average Wait: Less than 10 minutes
Lockers Required: No
A standard teacup-style ride themed to Marvel super hero, Storm - and it’s fast!
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Captain America Diner – Quick Service. Accepts Universal Dining Plan. Serves burgers, chicken sandwiches, chicken fingers, and salads. Entrees are $11 to $20.
Cafe 4 – Quick Service. Accepts Universal Dining Plan. Serves pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and salads. Entrees are $10 to $18. Whole pizza pies are $35 to $40. A Marvel Character Dinner runs here Thursday to Sunday from 5:00 pm to 7:00pm and is priced at $50 per adult and $25 per child [The character dinner is temporarily suspended due to COVID-19].
There are no daily fireworks shows or parades at this park. You will often find characters throughout the various lands, in particular in Seuss Landing and Marvel Superhero Island. There are no Harry Potter characters in Hogsmeade.
Chapter 7
