Key:
Intensity metre:
0= Fine for everyone.
1-3= All healthy guests should have no problem experiencing this attraction.
4-6= Most people will be fine with this, but the elderly and very young might find it a little intense.7-9= One of the more intense attractions; most white knuckle rides fall into this category.
10= Only for seasoned adrenaline junkies.
Quality metre:
0-2= Avoid it like the plague.
3-4= Poor quality, but with some redeeming features.
5-6= Decent quality, but not essential.
7-9= Highly entertaining, something you won't want to miss.
10= Top class attraction.
This describes how much the target audience will enjoy each ride; hence Hulk for example has 10/10 even though many people wouldn't want to ride something so intense.
Wait time metre:
Short= 0-10 minutes (no need for a fast/express pass).
Moderate= 11-30 minutes
Long= 31-60 minutes (consider getting a fast/express pass)
Very long= 61-90 minutes (fast/express pass recommended).
Extremely long= Over 90 minutes (you will definitely want a fast/express pass).
Of course the wait time will depend upon what time of year you visit a park; so all line estimates found in the article relate to the average wait during mid-season for the appropriate park. As a general rule double each time for a rough estimate of how long you'll be waiting in high-season, or halve it for low-season, unless specified otherwise.
All height requirements are taken from the Universal Orlando webpage.
Islands of Adventure: Orlando
I'll start with my favourite park of all; Islands of Adventure. Here you can experience a wide array of thrills and laughs, and clichéd as it may sound there really is something for everyone. I'm going to review each area of the park separately before explaining how it all fits together so well.
Marvel Superhero Island:
The first "island" on your left as you make your way through the parks entrance is Marvel Superhero Island, and it is here that the thrill seekers will want to head first. This part offers two of the four major white knuckle rides; the Incredible Hulk Coaster, and Doctor Doom's Fearfall. That said, these are far from the only thrills available here, so without further ado, here's a list of the main attractions and why they warrant at least five laps each (with one exception):
The incredible Hulk Coaster: The first thing you will hear as you approach the park is this roaring green behemoth, which accelerates riders from 0-40 mph in just two seconds, shooting you straight into an inversion following up with a 105 foot plunge. Riders will experience an incredible 4G's of force and 7 inversions (including a 110 foot cobra roll) over 3700 feet of track before this 2 and a quarter minute beast is through. The speed of the acceleration alone is enough to shoot you full of adrenalin and this is a must for any coaster aficionado. Lines can range anywhere between 5-60 minutes, so it's best to get an express pass if you want to do this more than once.
Intensity: 8/10
Quality: 10/10
Wait time: Moderate to long
Minimum height requirement: 54 inches
Storm Force Acceleration: This is one for the kids. The basic premise is a battle between the X-men's Storm and the sinister Magneto, and only your help can guarantee victory against the master of magnetism. It is in effect a jazzed up waltzer ride, but it will provide family entertainment nonetheless.
Intensity: 4/10
Quality: 5/10
Wait time: Short
Doctor Doom's Fearfall: Along with the Hulk this is a necessary experience for any adrenaline junkie. The ride itself consists of two towers that rocket 16 people at a time 150 feet into the air before bouncing them down at what feels like a gentle pace. Just waiting in line can be quite a daunting experience, as the diabolical Dr Doom bombards you with images of an evil masterpiece created to suck the terror from your very being. I shall not go into anymore detail so as not to spoil the intrigue, however I will suggest that you use the standby entrance at least once to get the full experience.
Intensity: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Wait time: Moderate
Minimum height requirement: 52 inches
The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman: One of the most unique and entertaining 3D thrill rides I've ever ridden Spiderman is an absolute must for basically anyone who meets the height restriction (and doesn't have any of the conditions specified on the warning sign). Riders take the role of a team of amateur photographers sent by the amusingly obnoxious J. Jonah Jameson to report on sinister goings on throughout New York city. Dr Octopus has recruited some of the best known Spidey villains and your job is to catch all of the action from your scoop-mobile. The ride is for the most part quite tame, and although it has been known to break down in all of my seven visits to Florida I've witnessed this happen only once. Fantastic 3D fun, now in HD.
Intensity: 4/10
Quality: 10/10
Wait time: Long
Minimum height requirement: 40 inches (children between 40-48 inches must be accompanied by an adult)
Summary and additional information:
Marvel Superhero Island was undoubtedly the most exciting area of the park until the arrival of Harry Potter World in 2011. It still stands above all other areas as far as thrills are concerned, and its only real weak point is the length of the lines. Dining options consists of Café 4, located next to the Hulk, and a couple of stands- so this is not the place for a sophisticated dining experience, but the food is cheap and cheerful and will keep you going for the day. Besides the main attractions there are a number of fairground style competitions where you can win cuddly Captain America toys and similar oddities.
Toon Lagoon:
Toon Lagoon is a fun family area more concerned with getting you soaked than terrifying you. The theme of the island is cartoons, especially classic Western characters such as the beloved Popeye. To say that the place is eccentric is an understatement, and kids will find it especially amusing. It's also full of water rides, and mini-fountains, so if you want to cool off then this is the place to go.
Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls: This unusual log flume/water coaster offers guests an opportunity to engage Snidely Whiplash as he plots to steal Dudley Do-Right's beloved Nell. There are a number of surprises throughout the ride, and the climactic drop from 60 feet up straight into the dynamite shack is deceptively intense. Good family fun ride that will get you soaked.
Intensity: 6/10
Quality: 7/10
Wait time: Long
Minimum height requirement: 44 inches (children between 44-48 inches must be accompanied by an adult)
Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges: A wild rapids ride, this one will have you absolutely drenched from head to toe as you take a watery spin through the world of Popeye. There are no big drops, and no especially fast parts, but that won't stop you from getting INCREDIBLY WET! A great one to cool off on in during the hottest part of the day; good fun, but not going to get your heart pounding.
Intensity: 5/10
Quality: 6/10
Wait time: Moderate
Minimum height requirement: 42 inches (children between 42-48 inches must be accompanied by an adult)
Summary and additional information:
Toon Lagoon isn't one of the most enthralling places in the park, however it is certainly worth visiting. The general ethos of the area is more family orientated than Marvel, and there is nothing here that is unsuitable for children of 8 and up. There are several stands serving cold drinks, and one serving ice cream as well as the Comic Strip Café which offers; burgers, fried chicken and other convenience food.
Jurassic Park:
The furthermost area from the entrance is the elaborate Jurassic Park, don't let the walk put you off though, it's well worth the effort. From a huge water flume to the Jurassic Park Discovery Center, there are hours of fun and discovery to be found here. The overall theme is of course dinosaurs and there is no shortage of dinosaur toys and paraphernalia available at the gift shop for the Jurassic Park River Adventure. The main pull of this island is it's ability to appeal to a plethora of age groups, so allow me to outline what's hot and what's not.
Jurassic Park River Adventure: The main attraction here is an enormous raft ride, which both informs and exhilarates you, whilst also getting you soaked for good measure. Guests board a 16 passenger raft boat for a tour of the herbivore section of the Jurassic Park compound; everything goes perfectly until your boat is suddenly and unexpectedly (not for you now) knocked off course by the tail of a large dino and you are sent directly into the raptor containment area. After braving a number of close encounters with carnivorous dinosaurs and environmental hazards you eventually come face to face with a hungry T-Rex, only narrowly escaping down an 85 foot water shoot at an absurd angle. The drop on this one is genuinely disconcerting, and I feel confident in saying that this is a must do for any water ride fan.
Intensity: 7/10
Quality: 8/10
Wait time: Moderate to Long.
Minimum height requirement: 42 inches (children between 42-48 inches must be accompanied by an adult)
Jurassic Park Discovery Center: A small museum with information concerning the dinosaurs and an interactive create your own dinosaur experience, where you can even mix your own DNA with that of a computer simulated dinosaur. Not a major pulling point, but an interesting attraction nevertheless- also it's air-conditioned!
Intensity: 0/10
Quality: 5/10
Wait time: N/A
Camp Jurassic: A children's play area where kids can slide down an "active volcano", and be sprayed with mock dinosaur spit. I have not experienced this attraction myself (as I'm an adult) but I have heard that it will keep youngsters entertained for a fair time.
Intensity: 0/10
Quality: 6/10 (educated guess based on hearsay)
Wait time: N/A
Pteradon Flyers: Another attraction I have been unable to try is the Pteradon Flyers. This gentle birds eye ride around Jurassic Park dangles riders from the track about 40 feet up and takes them on a slow tour. It looks relaxing, but at least one of your riders (two at a time) must be under 56 inches (4 foot 8)- hence I was unable to ride.
Intensity: 4/10 (estimate)
Quality: 6/10 (estimate)
Wait time: Moderate
Height requirements: 36-56 inches (anyone over 56 inches tall must be accompanied by someone in this height range)
Summery and additional information:
Jurassic Park is one of the more intriguing sections of the park, there is an air of mystery to the place not found elsewhere (except of course for The Lost Continent). The sheer diversity found here is enough to keep you satisfied for a few hours, and the River Adventure demands at least one re-ride. I can't say that this is one of the most exciting places you'll find, but it's undoubtedly worth a visit. Dining options are also more varied here; with numerous stands, including the amusingly named Natural Selections, a pizzeria, a burger bar and the Thunder Falls Terrace- which serves a variety of food including BBQ ribs and wraps. All in all not un-missable but definitely highly recommended.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter:
Ok, this is the one you've been waiting for. Harry Potter World is truly breath-taking and will appeal to literally all ages from five upwards.There is such a huge range of stuff to do that I recommend spending at least three to four hours here to enjoy all that's on offer. From high speed rollercoasters to 3D rides, Harry Potter World has it all. If you want to get the full experience I suggest coming here first, as The Forbidden Journey draws huge lines from about 10 o'clock onwards- even in low-season!
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey: What can I say about this ride? An utterly amazing experience, The Forbidden Journey is a masterpiece from start to finish. Riders board four person enchanted benches charmed to take you on a tour of Hogwarts and it's grounds, but beware there's a dragon on the loose! All in all the ride lasts only four minutes although it feels more like seven or eight. Wait times for this attraction are something to behold, so try and ride it as early as possible. Even the waiting area is awe inspiring and guests will traverse; the greenhouse, the great hall, the corridors and the Gryffindor Common Room before even boarding! Surprisingly intense, this ride will have you enthralled from start to finish.
Warning: If you have arachnophobia take note there are a LOT of giant spiders and they surround you for at least 40 seconds. There are also a few eerie parts which may be unsuitable for younger children.
Intensity: 6/10
Quality: 10/10
Wait time: Long to very long
Minimum height requirement: 48 inches
Dragon Challenge: The last two white knuckle rides at Islands are the Hungarian Horntail and Chinese Fireball of the Dragon Challenge. These two floorless coasters are very different, so I'll review each one separately.
Hungarian Horntail: The blue dragon to your right at the end of the waiting area is the Hungarian Horntail. This exhilarating coaster tops out at 55mph and takes you through 5 inversions and a 95 foot drop. A twisty head-scrambler the Horntail is a little less intense than the Fireball, unless you ride it at the back- the rear of the Horntail is the most extreme experience available on either ride.
Intensity: 8/10 (9/10 at the back)
Quality: 8.5/10
Wait time: Short to moderate
Minimum height requirement: 54 inches
Chinese Fireball: The red dragon to your left on entry is the Chinese Fireball and it is in my opinion the more extreme ride by a considerable margin. Reaching the same height of 135 feet and also containing five inversions the Fireball boasts a 115 foot drop, but what really separates it from the Horntail is the disorientating nature of the track. You will go round hairpin turns at 60mph (5mph faster than the Horntail) and the opening plunge feels as if you're going to slam into the road. The better of two great rides.
Intensity: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Wait time: Short to moderate
Minimum height requirement: 54 inches
Flight of the Hippogriff: A comparatively small and gentle coaster, Flight of the Hippogriff is, most likely, there for guests who either don't meet the height restrictions of the Dragon Challenge, or just want a less intense ride. After a short wander through the forbidden forest, the ride begins, taking riders up a small hill before a few modest drops and turns at a relaxed pace. This coaster is worth doing if you've got time on your hands, but don't make it your priority.
Intensity: 6/10
Quality: 6/10
Wait time: Short
Minimum height requirement: 36 inches (children between 36-48 inches must be accompanied by an adult)
Ollivander's: Ollivander's wand shop is a surprisingly intricate experience which will thrill younger guests, and even impress older park goers. The shops décor and aura are true to the book, as you take part in an interactive experience to find out which of the 13 available wands is right for you. After the selection has been made, a short ceremony will inform you which wand you are destined to wield. Worth doing even for adults, simply for it's uniqueness.
Intensity: 0/10
Quality: 9/10
Wait time: Moderate
Summary and additional information:
An absolute must for everyone, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will keep everyone in your party entertained for hours. From the before mentioned attractions to Zonko's jokeshop, and The Leaky Cauldron, the roster is very impressive. The Leaky Cauldron is the place to eat, with well priced and high quality meals, but if you'd rather just have a snack then Honeydukes offers an enormous range of sweets, chocolate and drinks (although at fairly steep prices). The sheer technological wonder and awe inspiring intricacy of this island sets it above the others, and Harry Potter fans will agree that it doesn't deviate much from the books and films. Overall this is my second favourite island, only narrowly beaten by Marvel.
The Lost Continent:
A once impressive area, this one has gone downhill since the old Duelling Dragons ride was taken from it and changed into the Dragon Challenge for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. There are still a couple of attractions here, but neither of them approach the finesse found elsewhere in the park. Nonetheless I will cover them in case anyone is curious.
Poseidon's Fury: An unremarkable special effects show, Poseidon's Fury has you walking through a few areas watching a battle unfold between Greek sea god Poseidon and a mythical demon. You begin in an empty room with nothing but a ladder below a small opening in the wall before your host emerges and initiates your tour. From there you'll witness pathetic fireballs and walk through a bizarre tunnel with water spinning around you before the final showdown. You'll also have to arrive 20 minutes before the show starts. Poor in every way, a wasted journey.
Intensity: 1/10 (a bit dark and some slightly loud noises)
Quality: 2/10
Wait time Short
The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad: A mediocre attraction, this one is a stunt show featuring hero Sindbad facing off against a malevolent sorceress. There are a number of loud bangs, and some fireballs here but nothing too spectacular. However unlike Poseidon's fury it is not so much to be avoided, just not actively sought out. If you find yourself with some time on your hands do it, you'll enjoy it, it's just not up there with some of the others.
Intensity: 2/10 (Loud noises and perhaps a little sinister for very young children)
Quality: 5/10
Wait time: N/A
Summary and additional information:
This used to be one of the finest areas in the park, but the loss of Duelling Dragons and general encroachment of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has really taken its toll on The Lost Continent. There is almost a mournful tone to this once grand area, and it wouldn't surprise me if it was fazed out completely within the next few years. With that said it is home to the best restaurant in the park- Mythos Restaurant. Whilst it is only open for lunch, this is by far and away the best place to eat at Islands, and although it isn't as cheap as some of the other venues it's worth the cost. Mythos won the Best Theme Park Restaurant award every year from 2003-2009, coming third in 2010. Despite the impressive restaurant though The Lost Continent is now more or less just a thoroughfare between Seuss Landing and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter- by all means stop for a bite on the way though.
Seuss Landing:
The colourful and darn right insane world of Dr Seuss is to your right as you enter the park, or can be accessed through The Lost Continent from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. An obvious stop for anyone with young kids, this place will also entertain adults simply because of its sheer eccentricity. There are a number of rides and attractions to be found, but most of them will be somewhat boring for grown ups (with one exception which I'll discuss later). That said this district is just all round amusing, and whilst the rides are obviously very tame there is fun to be had for all ages.
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish: Themed around the Dr Seuss book of the same name, here is a straightforward ride that kids will love. Everyone boards two person fishes for a quick spin around, with a lever to control the height at which you go- but if you don't want to get wet listen carefully to the instructions. Not particularly interesting for over 12's but anyone younger will enjoy it.
Intensity: 2/10
Quality: 4/10
Wait time: Short to moderate
The Cat in the Hat: Ok, so remember earlier I mentioned a ride that both kids and adults will like? This is it. The Cat in the Hat is simply so utterly bizarre that it's hard not to find it amusing. You'll spin round the house of a boy and girl, who've received an unexpected visit from The Cat in the Hat. and witness the trouble they all get into, especially when Thing 1 and Thing 2 join the mayhem. Humorous and crazy family fun.
Intensity: 4/10
Quality: 7/10
Wait time: Short
The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride: This monorail with a twist offers you a (very brief!) tour of Seuss Landing, similar to how the Pteradon Flyers do for Jurassic Park. Riders experience different sounds accompanied by strange animatronic devices from the world of Seuss. There isn't much more to say about this one really, apart from it's only worth doing if you have children in your party.
Intensity: 2/10
Quality: 5/10
Wait time Short
Minimum height requirement: 40 inches (children between 40-48 inches must be accompanied by an adult)
The Carouseussel: A basic carousel, however instead of horses kids get to ride some of Dr Seuss' most creative characters.
Summary and additional information:
Seuss Landing is one of those places that you will want to visit, however you'll probably only want to do it once. There is a unique charm and innocence exuding from the area, and it genuinely does feel almost as if you're in one of the Dr's stories as you pass by Honk Honkers or Snookers & Snookers Sweet Candy Cookers- the latter is a great store for fudge, candy apples, and other sweet goodies. The Circus McGurkus Café Stoo-pendous serves quick, easy, yet tasty food, and there is also a stand at which you can buy food and drink. The catering options here are fairly good, so if you get hungry there's no need to worry.
Park Summary:
Islands of Adventure is by far and away the best theme park I've ever visited, simply due to its diverse nature and technological wizadry. It's one of the only parks I've been to that you can visit and feel genuinely inspired by what is going on around you, not just the attractions but the general vibe of the place just screams awesome. If you're only visiting for a day then try and get here crack of dawn and not leave until the evening, although I highly recommend visiting this park at least three times.
Park Rating: 10/10
Map of the Park:
Check out Islands of Adventure on the Universal Orlando website: https://www.universalorlando.com/
PS
I'm hoping to add a new park every week, until I run out, and more will be added to the roster thereafter :).
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