We recently returned from our Universal Orlando trip and had the best time of our life. Universal’s island of adventure is one of the theme parks located in Orlando, Florida. This is a place where super heroes, beasts, and magical creatures come to life just like in the movies.

All aged groups can enjoy this place. The resort lives up to its tagline “Vacation like you mean it”.

First, visit their Website to see the dates you want to visit different theme parks and check out the opening and closing hours.

https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/plan-your-visit/hours-information/park-hours/index.html#universals-islands-of-adventure

For Universal studios Island of Adventure, I selected September 18th, 2018. This the option I received for that day.

Opening and closing time: 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.

The Universal Orlando resort commonly known as Universal Orlando has 2 theme parks, a water park, a night-time entertainment complex and 6 Loews hotels.

2 Theme parks are:

• Universal studios Florida
• Universal’s Islands of Adventure

1 Water park is:

• Volcano Bay

https://www.universalorlando.com/webdata/k2/en/us/files/Documents/islands-of-adventure-park-map-english.pdf

Universal Studios’ Island of Adventure has 8 themed areas under it:

• Port of Entry
• Marvel Super Hero Island
• Toon Lagoon
• Skull Island
• Jurassic Park
• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• The Lost Continent
• Seuss Landing

Port of Entry

This is the first point of entry to Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

And is home to many shops and services. The park’s centerpiece, Pharos lighthouse is located within this island. It is a real functioning lighthouse. If you happen to lose your way, look for the lighthouse, you will be guided back to the Port of Entry.

This Area has rentals for strollers, wheelchairs, and electric conveyance vehicles.

Where to Eat in Port of Entry

Starbucks Coffee
Confisco Grille
Cinnabon
Croissant Moon Bakery

Where to Shop in Port of Entry

Island Market and Export Candy Shoppe.
DeFoto’s Expedition Photography: Place where you can collect your pictures clicked in the park by Universal photographer. 
Islands of Adventure Trading Company.
Port of Entry Christmas Shoppe: It is one of my favorite shop. You can shop any christmasy stuff here throughout the year.
Ocean Trader Market
Port Provisions

Marvel Super Hero Island

This section is based on the superhero characters featured in Marvel comics. And is the home to variety of dining outlets and merchandise shops. It is themed after a Marvel comic book, complete with color scheme, amplified angles, and cutouts of the most popular Marvel characters.

 

Tip:
-You will hear special messages for heroes or villains in certain places with half sphere-shaped speakers.
-Also find telephones, just pick up the phone to hear a list of options for reporting common crimes in the area.

Meteor Crash Site

This crash site is where a supernatural meteor once landed, giving once ordinary citizens the super powers that turned them into heroes and villains.

The Rides are:

The Incredible Hulk Coaster -4mins (You’ll be launched upward of 150 feet and reach a top speed of 67 mph).
Storm Force Accelatron -4mins
Doctor Doom’s Fearfall (Extreme Thrill)-2 mins
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man -7mins

Where to Eat in Marvel Super Hero Island:

Café 4
Chill Ice Cream
Captain America Diner

Where to Shop in Marvel Super Hero Island:

Marvel Alterniverse Store: There are chances of spotting Spider-man here.
Oakley
Comic Book Shop
Spider-Man Shop

 

Entertainment:

Kingpin’s Arcade: This arcade is conveniently connected to Café 4 and the tantalizing smell of pizza fills the entire play area.

Toon Lagoon

Toon Lagoon is based on the cartoon characters. The Area is more water based. Children will love this land as it has many wet rides. We skipped this as we did not want to get into water that day. However, the next time we will most definitely try the rides, they looked amazing.

 

The Rides are:

Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges: (Wet Ride) -7mins
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw falls (Wet ride) -7mins

 

Play Area:

Me Ship, the Olive: Three-story play area.

Where to Eat in Toon Lagoon:

Wimpy’s
Cathy’s Ice Cream
Blondie’s: Home of the Dagwood
Comic Strip Café

Where to Shop in Toon Lagoon:

Toon Extra
Gasoline Alley
Betty Boop Store
Secret Life of Pets

Skull Island

This place has just one ride and it is 6 min fun and intensive ride called Reign of Kong.
It has just one attraction in this ride and one dining and merchandise shop.

The Rides are:

Skull Island: Reign of Kong – 6mins

Where to Eat in Skull Island:

The Mess Tent

Where to Shop in Skull Island: Reign of Kong:

Kong Merchandise Kiosk

Jurassic Park

Are you a Dinosaur fan? Then you will love this place. Jurassic Park is themed to the film series of the same name. Unfortunately we did not have enough time to explore this land.

Tip:
-Step on the Dino footprints to hear the growl of dinosaurs.

The Rides are:

Pteranodon Flyers -1min -Kids
Jurassic park river adventure -9mins (Wet ride)

Play Areas in Jurassic Park:

Jurassic Park Discovery Center
Camp Jurassic

What to Eat in Jurassic Park:

Thunder Falls Terrace: You can enjoy amazing Turkey legs here.
The Watering Hole
Pizza Predattoria
The Burger Digs

What to Shop in Jurassic Park:

Jurassic Outfitters
Dinostore

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade

If you are a die-hard Harry Potter fan, like me, it is impossible to resist the wonders of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Here the magic from the book and movie comes alive.

You can cast spells with an interactive wand at many locations in the Wizarding world of Harry Potter. The interactive wand works in Diagon Alley as well.

This part of the island features several attractions, signature shops and restaurants themed to be like a scene out of Harry Potters movie.

The main attraction of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is Hogwarts Castle. And it includes many things that will be familiar to Harry Potter fans – moving portraits to Dumbledore’s office and the sorting hat.

 

 

 

Tips:
-Enter the Public Conveniences in Hogsmeade to hear the cries of Moaning Myrtle.

The Rides are:

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey -6mins
Flight of Hippogriff -3mins
Hogwarts Express -5mins

Note : A new ride will be up next year new Wizarding World coaster experience is currently under construction.

Shows:

Frog Chair-10mins
Triwizard Spirit Rally-6mins

Location: Its  near Flight of the Hippogriff , outdoor stage between Hogsmeade Village and Hogwarts Castle.

Where to Eat in Hogsmeade:

Three Broomsticks
Butterbeer Cart
Hog’s Head

Where to Shop in Hogsmeade:

Filch’s Confiscated Goods
Ollivanders
Honeydukes
Owl Post
Dervish and Banges

 

I am positive that Harry Potter fans will love to see more detail about the shops and food places. Will be publishing a separate post on this soon. So, stayed tuned.

The Lost Continent

The Lost Continent is themed to ancient myths and legends, and is divided into two sub-sections,an ancient Arabian marketplace called Sinbad’s Bazaar and Lost City.

Poseidon’s Fury is an indoor special-effects show located in the Lost City section.

The Rides are:

There aren’t any rides in Lost Continent.

Shows in Lost Continent:

Poseidon’s Fury- 25mins
Location: The show takes place in the Temple of Poseidon.

The Mystic Fountain: This interactive fountain. -8mins
Location: Near the amphitheater of the Eighth Voyage of Sindbad. It sprays water as you get close.

Where to Eat in Lost Continent:

Doc Sugrue’s Desert Kebab House
Mythos Restaurant
Fire Eater’s Grill

Where to Shop in Lost Continent:

Star Soul – Psychic Reading: In addition to offering psychic readings and henna body art.
Treasure of Poseidon
Historic Families – Heraldry
The Coin Mint
Shop of Wonders
The Pearl Factory

Seuss Landing

Seuss Landing is based on the works of author Dr. Seuss. I enjoyed walking through this area, the ambient music was quite pleasant. Its home to a variety of dining outlets and merchandise shops.

The Rides are:

The cat in the Hat-6mins
The High in the sky Seuss trolley train ride-6mins
One fish two fish Red fish Blue fish-4mins
Caro-Seuss- el –2mins

Shows in Seuss Landing:

OH, the stories you’’ hear -9mins
Location: Dance show staged in an outdoor area between One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish and The Cat In the Hat Ride.

Play Areas in Seuss Landing:

If I ran the zoo – Interactive play zone for kids

Where to Eat in Seuss Landing:

Green Eggs and Ham Café
Hop on Pop Ice Cream Shop
Moose Juice, Goose Juice
Circus McGurkus Café Stoo-pendous

Where to Shop in Seuss Landing:

Snookers & Snookers Sweet Candy Cookers
Cats, Hats, and Things
Mulberry Street Store
All the Books You Can Read

Other shows:

The Nighttime lights at Hogwarts Castle-5mins
Raptor Encounter-3mins
Star Souls – Psychic Reading.

Note: Shows and their timings keep changing so be sure to check their website before you plan.

Show Information:

https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/search-results/filtered/index.html?attraction_experience=shows&attraction_location=ioa&attraction_interest=

Show time:

https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/plan-your-visit/hours-information/show-times/index.html#show-times-ioa

https://touringplans.com/islands-of-adventure/showtimes

 

Using Express Passes on Islands of Adventure Rides

 

If you are not a fan of long lines, like us, then you should get yourself a Universal Express Pass. This is NOT a VIP pass, but is a special ticket that allows you to skip the regular lines for the various rides and shows inside the park.
If you stay at some of the select Universal Resorts, you can get this pass for free.

https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/tickets-packages/express-passes/index.html#universal-express-passes

Islands of Adventure attraction and rides that accept Express Passes

• The Incredible Hulk Coaster
• Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
• Jurassic Park River Adventure
• Hogwarts Express
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!
• One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
• Skull Island: Reign of Kong
• The Cat in the Hat
• Caro-Seuss-el
• Flight of the Hippogriff
• The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
• Storm Force Accelatron
• Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
• Doctor Doom’s Fearfall
• Poseidon’s Fury

 

Please read the height requirements for each ride:

• Skull Island: Reign of Kong™
  Must be at least 36″ (91cm). Children between 36″–48″ (91cm-122cm) must be accompanied by a supervising companion.
• The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man®
  Must be at least 40″ (102cm). Children between 40″–48″ (102cm-122cm) must be accompanied by a supervising companion.
• The Incredible Hulk Coaster®
  Must be at least 54″ (137cm).
• Doctor Doom’s Fearfall®*
  Must be at least 52″ (132cm).
• Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls®*
  Must be at least 44″ (112cm). Children between 44″–48″ (112cm-122cm) must be accompanied by a supervising companion.
• Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges®
  Must be at least 42″ (107cm). Children between 42″–48″ (107cm-122cm) must be accompanied by a supervising companion.
• Jurassic Park River Adventure™
  Must be at least 42″ (107cm). Children between 42″–48″ (107cm-122cm) must be accompanied by a supervising companion.
• Pteranodon Flyers™
  Please note that Pteranodon Flyers™ is designed for children 36″–56″ (91cm-142cm) tall. A child meeting this requirement must accompany guests over 56″ (142cm) tall. Children between 36″–48″ (91cm-122cm) must be accompanied by a supervising companion.
• Flight of the Hippogriff™
  Must be at least 36″ (91cm). Children between 36″–48″ (91cm-122cm) must be accompanied by a supervising companion.
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™*
  Must be 48″ (122cm).
• Cat in the Hat™
  Must be at least 36″ (91cm). Children between 36″–48″ (91cm-122cm) must be accompanied by a supervising companion.
• The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!™
  Must be at least 36″ (91cm). Children between 36″–48″ (91cm-122cm) must be accompanied by a supervising companion.

Note: These rides have test seats available so that guests can determine comfort and fit for themselves before riding.

Since We had just 1 day to cover here is how we did it:

Like I mentioned earlier in posts of earlier parks, you may/ may not be able to cover everything in the theme park. But it will all be good at the end of the day.

You need to do a bit of homework before going to these theme parks, especially if you are going with your little ones.

Here are the details to make it easier for you:

1>I maintained a small print out of the rides, shows, and dining places for each day.

2>We kept the park opening and close timings at the top of my mind.

3>At 9 am on Day 2 our Universal Orlando journey started with exploring the remaining areas of Universal Studio Florida. At around 12 pm we took Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade which is in Island of Adventure.

4> Covered the Hogsmeade first and then continued to see the other places one by one.

5>We had to rush everything as the day was ending, We had so much to cover and very little time. However, since we have already planned our rides it was easy to go from one place to other.

6>Thankfully, we had covered the night show at the Hogwarts Castle on the Day 1, so did not have to do this again.

 

Islands of Adventure Touring Tips

Use these Islands of Adventure touring tips to save money and tour the park with ease.

• Buy your Universal Orlando park admission tickets in advance; the line to buy park tickets at the gates can be quite long, especially in the morning.
• Download the Official Universal Orlando Resort app before you visit for all Universal Orlando’s parks. This free mobile app will tell you wait times for rides, show times, and restaurant hours.
• There are free park brochures near the entrance of park; be sure to grab one when you get in the park. The brochure includes a park map, show times, and other important park announcements.
• Make sure to collect a hard copy of Ticket and other additional copies from Guest services. It is easy to carry around in Lanyard.
• Some rides have locker facilities. Take a picture of your lockers just in case you forget.
• Refillable cups have an RFID chip in the bottom of the cup (hidden away)
  One of the standard Universal cup is $15.99 + tax. This includes one day of refills (running from midnight to midnight). 
• Remember, if you’re an annual pass holder then you’ll get a discount on Universal Orlando food, drink and merchandise. While one cup will set you back $15.99 + tax you can get;2 cups for $14.99 plus tax,3 – 6 cups for $12.99 plus tax.
• And yes, you can use this cup on different days too you simply pay a reactivation fee + tax which will cover the cup being reactivated and used for that entire day (until midnight).
• American Express is an official card of Universal. It has 10% discount on merchandise over $75.
• Island of Adventure has designated smoking sections in every area of the park except The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade.
• You can find ATM’s and first aid counters inside the park.
• Staying at an on-site hotel in Universal Orlando Resort gets your early entry to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (depending on the time of year). 
• Most of the full-service and quick-service restaurants in Islands of Adventure close one hour before the rest of the park. 

Liked our post? Found this informative? Then please do share with your loved ones. Thank you 😊.

The Harry Potter tips and tricks post is currently in the works, keep a watch out for this spot. I’m sure you will love it.

Be sure to read our other posts.

Things You Need to Know About Universal Studios Florida.
Tips and Tricks for Universal Orlando – The Ultimate List.
How We Planned Our Trip to Orlando.