With all the excitement that had already come with Universal Studios Florida the previous day, we couldn’t wait to get started with the larger of the 2 parks; Universal's Islands of Adventure.
Taking the same journey through Universal CityWalk, we took the left hand turn and headed towards the park’s famous lighthouse tower. Strolling through the park’s entrance with ease we found ourselves in Universal’s fantastically themed Port of Entry. A beautiful area with an array of shops and restaurants fills this zone and ends with guests facing a fantastic view of the lake and the park that surrounds it. We stopped here to take a couple of snaps before heading for our first attraction of the day.
What better attraction to start with than one of our personal favourites The Incredible Hulk Coaster. This huge green B&M sit down rollercoaster has become instantly recognisable around the world. Starting with a tyre driven launch system lift hill, trains are then flung directly into a barrel roll before hurtling around its 7 massive inversions. The ride itself stands above both pathway and lake with smoke filled tunnels to really add to the experience. Everything except the lift hill itself has been completely rebuilt during 2016 with an array of new effects including new lighting and an on-board soundtrack added to the attraction, giving the ride a completely new lease of life!
Before collecting our belongings from the complimentary lockers located at the ride entrance, we decided to take a ride on the neighbouring Doctor Doom’s Fearfall. Standing at 185ft, these two tower drop attractions launch riders from inside a station before bouncing the carriages back down to the floor. They were great fun and offer plenty of airtime for riders whilst also offering some great views of the park – provided that you’re facing the right way!
After collecting our bags we headed to the other major attraction within the Marvel Super Hero Island. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is a family favourite and we couldn’t wait to ‘swing above the streets’ in this 3D adventure. A world first on its opening, guests board massive simulation vehicles that rush riders around the streets of New York, combating villains and heroes from the world of Spider Man. 3D screens and other effects such as fire and smoke lie in your path and the ride is guaranteed to entertain all that experience it, but do make sure you save the world!
With the park warming up, we thought it a good time to head towards Toon Lagoon to tackle two of the park’s major water attractions. First we headed to Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges. A rapids type ride with drops, spins, lifts and all sorts of ways of getting riders absolutely soaked – and we mean soaked! There are lockers available at a charge at the entrance of the ride however as a tip from us, the boats themselves are fitted with a sealed compartment with ample space for your bags.
Being as wet as we already were, we thought it a good idea to keep the watery theme and head over to Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls. Another massive water attraction, this log flume type ride takes guests on yet another soaking journey with a number of drops and indoor sections before plummeting down the massive double drop finale. Now completely wet through, there was nothing for it than heading onto the next attraction.
Opening in 2016, Skull Island: Reign of Kong is the park’s newest attraction. After passing under a giant sculpture of King Kong and into an immersive queue filled with skulls, bodies of the dead and natives conducting rituals, we boarded one of the enormous 4x4 themed trucks. To help get scale into context, these carriages can carry up to 72 passengers per vehicle! Taking guests on a 6 minute exploration of the jungle and into the huge temple, through clever use of 3D screens you experience a variety of special effects on the search for the legendary King Kong. It is only at the end of the attraction that you are confronted by one of the largest animatronics we have ever seen, and it looked incredible!
Time for lunch! Fortunately for us, next door to was Thunder Falls Terrace which is located in the neighbouring Jurassic Park. Serving a variety of rotisserie chicken, ribs, burgers and salads there’s certainly something for the whole family. We opted for the chicken and rib combos which were delicious.
After a much needed recharge we headed to our next attraction but not before going for an exploration around Camp Jurassic. Designed for the younger guest, we had just as much fun with the interactive water cannons so accompanying adults can join in the battles with the kids. Pteranodon Flyers is a family ride again targeted towards the younger guest (any guest over 56” must be accompanied by rider meeting the 36” height requirement). It carries passengers on a journey swooshing through and above Camp Jurassic before returning home.
Next for us, was a visit to one of the favourites that is Jurassic Park River Adventure. Large boats take guests on a journey around dinosaur enclosures on a fully immersive and narrated experience until it all goes horribly wrong. All we’ll say is look out for the T-Rex!
After riding, we opted for a calmer attraction, taking the time to visit the Jurassic Park Discovery Center. On a busier day many guests will opt to miss this attraction for the larger rides however if you do have chance we urge you to visit. Bizarre ‘dino’ exhibits transform you into the world of Jurassic Park and for those that have seen the original films you will find yourself closer than ever to the world that was brought to our screens all those years ago.
With the world of Jurassic Park behind us, we strolled through the areas exit gates and across a river to be transported into a very different world indeed. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade lay in front, to the side and seemingly behind us a fantastically themed replica of Hogsmeade village. Snow covered roofs and the smell of butter beer filled the air as guests walk from shop to shop wand in hand. Much like Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida magical interactive points line the floor where guests with purchased wands can stand to watch shop windows and units come to life.
At the ‘top’ of the area, a massive Hogwarts Castle stands proudly, with the main attraction of the area inside. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a completely unique ride experience at Universal with riders boarding what appear to be book cases on a moving platform within the great hall of Hogwarts. Before this though, a beautifully themed walkthrough from scene to scene including the moving staircases (with actual talking portraits!) to the defence against the dark arts classroom, and through Dumbledore’s office. For guests not feeling brave enough for the rides experience, a walkthrough of the castle is available so everyone can enjoy the magic of Hogwarts. Once we boarded we were transported around the world of Harry Potter whilst navigating on a moving robotic arm that travels along a track. Clever integration of high resolution screens, 3D sets and special effects really enhance the ride experience which is one of the best in the world.
Flight of the Hippogriff is homed next to Hogwarts with families being transported on the back of a Hippogriff through a journey around the forest with Hagrid’s Hut along the way. Although the queue time can be disproportionately long for the attraction, the ride itself is perfect for the younger witch or wizard!
Walking back through Hogsmeade, we passed the Hogsmeade station which we had arrived and departed from the previous day whilst riding the Hogwarts Express. As a reminder, only guests with Park-to Park admission can ride as the attraction does act as a transport service taking passengers to King’s Cross Station within Universal Studios Florida.
Heading to The Lost Continent, the next attraction on our list was Poseidon’s Fury where guests explore the ruins of Poseidon’s ancient temple within a special effects guided tour. Since our last visit, we were sure that the effects had received a revamp and we were really impressed with the attraction as a whole.
On completion we headed past The Mystic Fountain onto the park’s main show: The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad. This stunt show runs at different times throughout the day and is suitable for the whole family. That being said, some of the effects may get a little loud for the little ones. We used our Universal Express passes to secure priority seating in the arena.
We stopped off for more grub at Fire Eater’s Grill where they serve a selection of gyros, chicken fingers, hot dogs and salads, before heading towards the park’s final area - Seuss Landing. This whole area is themed around Dr Seuss, with a huge collection of well themed attractions and meet and greet experiences, this was one of the largest areas that we had come across during our Focus on Florida tour that was focussed on the younger guest.
With the whole park well and truly explored, it was time to start making our way towards the park exit. Universal's Islands of Adventure doesn’t have an evening show so there was no reason to stay behind once all the attractions had been completed. Back in the Port of Entry, we browsed many of the gift shops on offer with a huge variety of Universal’s merchandise.
Strolling back through Universal CityWalk, we had a yummy dinner at the fantastic Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and some sweet desserts at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium to finish off our second day at the Universal Orlando Resort.
