Orlando, Universal's Islands of Adventure Review

Overall Rating

On our 14 day holiday to Florida we visited Islands of Adventure twice, the second day was equally as good as the first as there are lots to see and do for all ages. Our party consisted of 3 adults and 4 children ranging from 9-14.

The park is set out over 5 lands with different themes which I've listed below.
Throughout the park there is lots of things to see from characters like Spiderman, X-men, Popeye for photos and autographs, there's water fountains, paddling water areas, squirting Toons and a much needed water spray which you can stand under for a refreshing mist of water to cool you down.

food
The park had restaurants, fast food, snack bars of all kind as well as cold drinks readily available from vending machines and stands; they were reasonably priced, good food quality and very large portions.

Shops
Islands of Adventure was great for gift shops. Whole shops were themed to action figures, toons and Disney gifts. Prices were very reasonable for gifts and soft toys but I think sweets and chocolate is slightly overpriced. The shops offer a service of having your goods ready for when you leave the park or delivered to your hotel.

Tips
1. Water sprays with attached fans are sold in the parks for around $14 - my advise is buy one they are worth the money as it can be really humid.
2. Get to the park early and you may get to beat the queues to the most popular rides like the Hulk and Dueling dragons. If you have less than a 30 minute wait for most of the rides you have done well, as afternoons queues can be around 90 minutes for the popular stuff. Fast passes can be used for some of the rides, you simply get a fast pass ticket generated from your entrance ticket at a booth and are allocated a time to ride later. You will be able to get another fast pass around an hour later; with planning this can work quite well saving waiting times as it's too hot to queue.
3. Use the return entry for the evening if you are staying close by - this is ideal for evening firework shows.
4. Wear waterproof ponchos if you don't want to get soaked - though you will still get wet!

other Info
Wheelchairs and pushchairs with sun covers are available for rental.
Smoking - allowed only in designated areas of the park.
Express plus - this is a ticket you can buy inside the park that will all you an all day fast pass to all the rides.
Car park - around $8 per car. The park is around 10 minutes walk away with a mixture of flat moving escalators and walk ways. Valet parking is also available.

The Park.
Toon Lagoon
Dudley Do-right's Ripsaw Falls - 10/10 log flume type of ride, although it looks like a ride for younger aged children it has around 3 really steep drops and you will get absolutely soaked wet through!! It was also very entertaining with toon characters and loud bleeps and bangs through out the whole ride
Popeye & Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges -Group white water raft ride. Didn't get to ride on this as it was closed.
Me Ship, the Olive - interactive plays inside a small Popeye ship.
Mat Hoffman's Crazy Freakin' Stunt Show - 6/10 Skateboard and stunt bike show. 4-5 guys did many stunts on high ramps, didn't mean that much to me but our lads enjoyed the show. Located in a covered arena so it was nice to get out of the sun for a while.

Marvel Super Hero Island
Incredible Hulk Coaster - 10/10 Amazingly fast roller coaster with loops and fast turns. Had to ride this one twice! A must for coaster lovers
The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman - 6/10 3D roller coaster ride. The ride its self may be a let down for Coaster fanatics but great for a Spiderman experience.
Dr Doom's Fear Fall - 7/10 Shoots you up in the air for a stomach churning fall, after the first drop it's nothing exciting.
Storm Force Accelatron - 5/10 Something like a "tea cups" ride - the faster you turn the wheel inside the car faster the car spins. Probably a safe bet for younger children.

Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park River Adventure - 10/10 raft river ride. Entertaining moving dinosaur through out the ride and a great ending with a plunge into the water soaking you through.
Pterandon Flyers - Pterandon looking cars fly slowly along a suspended track like a type of ski lift. Didn't ride this one.
Jurassic Park Discovery center - Educational play area learning about dinosaurs, a good break from the sun for younger children.
Camp Jurassic - Dinosaur themed playground with climbing nets.

The Lost Continent
Posidon's Fury - A watery tunnel with great effects.
Dueling Dragons - 10/10 - 2 rollercoaster racing around separate tracks, very fast and full of loops and twists as the dragons cross paths for extra thrill. Had to ride this twice - front seat is recommended, you will have to queue longer but well worth the wait.
The Flying Unicorn - 6/10 smaller rollercoaster ideal for slightly younger children. It does actually go quite fast but not many dips or twists.
The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad - Stunt show, didn't get to see the show.
The Mystic Fountain - wishing fountain

Seuss landing
If I Ran The Zoo - interactive play area
The cat in the Hat -
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish -
Merry-go-round with obstacles and water.
Caro-seuss-el - Merry-go-round

Single Day Admission Price at the gate:
Adult: $51.95 plus tax
Child: $42.95 plus (3-9 yrs)