Universal's Islands of Adventure

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Universal Islands of Adventure
Islands of Adventure 2023 logo.png
Universal Islands of Adventure, Orlando.jpg
Pharos Lighthouse with the park's old logo at its entrance
Location Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando, Florida, United States
Coordinates 28°28′18″N81°28′17″W / 28.47167°N 81.47139°W / 28.47167; -81.47139
OpenedMay 28, 1999;23 years ago (1999-05-28)
Owner NBCUniversal [1]
Operated by Universal Destinations & Experiences
ThemeIslands with myths, legends, dinosaurs, cartoons, superheroes, children's stories, and Universal franchises
SloganIt's More Than Magic. It's Real.
(as Universal Orlando Resort)
Operating seasonYear-round
Attractions
Total18
Roller coasters5
Water rides3
Website Official website

Universal Islands of Adventure (also known as Islands of Adventure or IOA), originally called Universal Studios Islands of Adventure and later Universal's Islands of Adventure, is a theme park located in Orlando, Florida. It opened on May 28, 1999, along with CityWalk, as part of an expansion that converted Universal Studios Florida into the Universal Orlando Resort. The resort's slogan Vacation Like You Mean It was introduced in 2013. [2]

Contents

Islands of Adventure is modeled after a journey of exploration, where guests embark on an adventure to visit a variety of themed islands. Initially, the park featured six islands. A seventh, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, was added in 2010, themed to the highly successful Harry Potter franchise. It was Universal's largest investment since the resort's founding in 1990. The expansion led to a significant increase in attendance, and in 2013, Islands of Adventure ranked seventh domestically and eleventh internationally after hosting approximately 8.1 million guests. [3] The eighth island, Skull Island, opened on July 13, 2016, and is themed to the King Kong franchise.

Licensed properties

Like Universal Studios Florida next door, Islands of Adventure has not limited itself to Universal's own library, because it licensed other characters from rival studios, many of whom did not own theme parks of their own, as attractions and lands. Some of these include:

History

Before Islands of Adventure was built, the site was originally planned as a shopping mall called Galleria Orlando. [4] Plans were first drawn up for the mall in 1985, but it was ultimately canceled in 1990, [5] the same year Universal Studios Florida opened next door.

Preview Center

During the construction of IOA, Universal opened the Islands of Adventure Preview Center at adjacent Universal Studios Florida. Opening two years before the new theme park, the Preview Center was designed to give guests a sneak peek at some of the themes and attractions for Islands of Adventure. The attraction was located in the Paradise Theater building located in the New York section of Universal Studios Florida, next to the Kongfrontation attraction. In the attraction, guests would walk through various rooms themed to the various "Islands" in the new park. The final room stated when the Islands of Adventure park would open, and showed guests Universal's future plans for the Universal Orlando Resort. The Preview Center was closed shortly after the opening of Islands of Adventure. The space that was used for the preview center is now a locker room and a year round "Tribute Store".

Opening

Islands of Adventure had a soft opening beginning March 27, 1999, [6] during which visitors could preview the park at a discounted price while the staff conducted a technical rehearsal and worked on the "finishing touches." During this soft opening, guests were informed that attractions might open and close throughout the day without notice and that some attractions might not be open at all. Initial plans were to open the park in mid-May, but this was ultimately delayed until May 28, 1999. [7] [8]

After the enormous capital expenditure required to build Islands of Adventure, CityWalk, and the resort hotels, Universal sought to overtake nearby Walt Disney World in attendance. However, with the addition of the second park, new resorts, and entertainment district, the resort was named Universal Studios Escape. Essentially, it seemed that visitors were confused by the name, assuming that Islands of Adventure was a new area added to the already-existing Universal Studios Florida theme park. For the first two years, attendance did not rise as expected. [9] By 2001, the marketing was revamped, clarifying that Islands of Adventure was indeed a second, completely separate park with new rides and attractions. Universal Studios Escape was renamed Universal Orlando Resort, and ended up being the only resort in the Orlando area to actually have an increase in attendance after the September 11 attacks on the United States.

Timeline

Universal's Islands of Adventure Timeline
YearEvents
1990sThe first concepts for the Islands of Adventure park are conceived by MCA Recreation Services. Known as "Cartoon World" designed by Universal Parks & Resorts co-founder Robert Ward, the park would feature rides and attractions based on DC Comics, Dr. Seuss, Jay Ward, Popeye, and Warner Bros.' Looney Tunes cartoons. [10]
1993 Universal releases the blockbuster film Jurassic Park in June. Its success resulted in a Jurassic Park attraction opening in Hollywood followed by the second version at Islands of Adventure when that park opened. On September 16, Universal announces plans to add a second theme park and several resorts at its Florida complex. [11]
1995Construction is expected to begin on Islands of Adventure. [11]
1997Construction finally begins on Islands of Adventure. [12] Shortly after, the Islands of Adventure Preview Center opened at the adjacent Universal Studios Florida, replacing The Screen Test Home Video Adventure. It allowed guests to preview all six original islands at Islands of Adventure and their rides and attractions within. The Preview Center also included Universal's plans for an expansion into Universal Orlando Resort.
1999Islands of Adventure begins soft openings on March 27. Islands of Adventure is officially opened on May 28 with a grand opening ceremony, with the islands Port of Entry, Seuss Landing, The Lost Continent, Jurassic Park, Toon Lagoon, and Marvel Super Hero Island. The Islands of Adventure Preview Center at Universal Studios Florida is closed shortly afterwards. [13]
2000Pandemonium Cartoon Circus closed on February 29. Flying Unicorn and Storm Force Accelatron debut in the park's The Lost Continent and Marvel Super Hero Island areas, on May and June 29, respectively. The annual GrinchMas event begins in the park's Seuss Landing area and in Universal Studios Florida in December.
2002Universal's Halloween Horror Nights event is held for the first time ever at Islands of Adventure on October. Each "island" is transformed into a different twisted world: Port of Entry into Port of Evil, Seuss Landing into Boo-Ville, The Lost Continent into Island of Evil Souls, Jurassic Park into JP Extinction, Toon Lagoon into Treaks and Foons, and Marvel Super Hero Island into Island Under Siege.
2004Halloween Horror Nights is held in both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida in October.
2006Sylvester McMonkey McBean's Very Unusual Driving Machines is rebuilt into a new concept and officially opened as The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride in June.
2007 Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. officially announce on May 31, the seventh island at Islands of Adventure, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, at a joint press conference with an expected opening of late 2009 or early 2010.
2008 Flying Unicorn and the Enchanted Oak Tavern closed on July 7 to be replaced by The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
2009Universal officially reveals The Wizarding World of Harry Potter's attractions on September 16, including Zonko's, Honeydukes, Owl Post, Dervish and Banges, Ollivander's Wand Shop Experience, Frog Choir, Triwizard Spirit Rally, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods, and Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff, which will replace the Dueling Dragons and Flying Unicorn rides. Oh, The Stories You'll Hear! opens in October in the park's Seuss Landing area.
2010 Mat Hoffman's Aggro Circus debuts on March in the park's Toon Lagoon Amphitheater. Dueling Dragons is closed for its final transformation into the Dragon Challenge on May 5; Ice is renamed Hungarian Horntail and Fire is renamed Chinese Fireball. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter begins soft openings for the general public on June 1. The grand opening ceremony took place on June 16 with book series author J. K. Rowling and film series actors Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Michael Gambon, Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Matthew Lewis, James and Oliver Phelps and Bonnie Wright attending. John Williams conducted the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra into many songs of the first film's score, including the film series' prologue, which he composed. The seventh island, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, officially opened on June 18. The area is Islands of Adventure's biggest investment since the park's opening. After five years, Triceratops Discovery Trail is finally reopened to the public for a limited time on December 13, speculated to further remain seasonal during peak season.
2011One of the roofs on Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls caught fire on January 1, causing immediate evacuation of the ride. The ride resumed normal operations on March 3, 2011. Universal announces a major refurbishment of The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ride on May 19, with plans to re-master the ride film in high-definition as well as to update the ride's technical system and to replace all of the projectors with new 3-D digital projectors. [14] [15]
2012 The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man re-opens after refurbishment.
2014 A Celebration of Harry Potter , an annual three-day weekend event celebrated on the last weekend of January, debuts at both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure on January 24. The Hogwarts Express Hogsmeade station opens on July 1 as well as the King's Cross station at Universal Studios Florida, connecting park visitors to both Harry Potter-themed lands via a full-scale replica of the train that appears in the Harry Potter film series. Dr. Seuss's ABC opens on August 24 with 26 big blocks with the letters of the English alphabets in the outdoor playground.
2015 Skull Island: Reign of Kong is announced on May 6 as a new land/attraction based on the 2005 film King Kong , opening in the summer of 2016. [16] On May 7, Universal announces a partnership with Nintendo to bring their characters to either Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure park. Raptor Encounter meet & greet attraction officially debuts on May 22. [17] The Incredible Hulk roller coaster closes on September 8 to undergo refurbishment.
2016 The Incredible Hulk's refurbishment is completed early April with the placement of the final track piece, and on May 9, Universal revealed new changes to the coaster, which includes a new track, story line, ride vehicle and entrance. Without any press release, Skull Island: Reign of Kong officially opens as the eighth island of Islands of Adventure on July 13. The Incredible Hulk reopened on August 4.
2017 Dragon Challenge closed on September 5, with a new Harry Potter roller coaster experience to take its place in 2019. Permits are filed on December 28 for the new Harry Potter roller coaster under the name "Project 942" relating to "foundation designs for a future pre-engineered metal building and construction of three motor control centers." [18]
2018Construction continues on the new Harry Potter-themed coaster, described as "a new generation of thrill ride.". [19] The majority of track work has been completed as of August 2018. The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad closes on September 15, 2018.
2019Construction begins for a Jurassic Park-themed roller coaster; many areas of the themed land was walled off, moved to a temporary location or removed completely. A Celebration of Harry Potter was not celebrated as Universal focused on the construction of the Harry Potter-themed roller coaster. Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure was announced as the name of the roller coaster that will replace Dragon Challenge. The grand opening ceremony of the attraction took place on June 11 with Evanna Lynch, Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Rupert Grint and James and Oliver Phelps in attendance. Robbie Coltrane, who portrayed Rubeus Hagrid, was not in attendance, however, he recorded video messages for the occasion. Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure opened on June 13.
2020 Universal Parks & Resorts announced the closure of the resort effective March 15 due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus in Florida, initially until the end of the month, later expended to April 19, then May 31. On May 22, Universal announced the official reopening of the resort for June 5. Universal Orlando Resort reopens after almost three months since closing, due to the coronavirus, with safety guidelines implemented in order to prevent contagion. On September 28, after over a year of an extended construction phase going unacknowledged by the theme park, Universal Orlando officially announced the newest addition to Jurassic Park, the VelociCoaster, for a Summer 2021 opening.
2021On April 6, VelociCoaster was officially given a June 10 opening date.
2023On April 11, Universal's Islands of Adventure announced that Poseidon's Fury will be permanently closed in The Lost Continent, on May 9, to make way for "exciting new experiences".

Former attractions

As with almost any amusement park, older attractions are sometimes removed to make way for newer ones. At Islands of Adventure, some have simply been closed with no replacement like Island Skipper Tours while others like The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride were altered from their initial concept to the attraction that operates today.

Islands

Islands of Adventure consists of eight themed "islands", the majority of which are based on licensed intellectual properties, with only two lands based on original Universal Pictures works. They are, in clockwise order from entry: Port of Entry, Marvel Super Hero Island, Toon Lagoon, Skull Island, Jurassic Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, The Lost Continent, and Seuss Landing.

Port of Entry

The Pharos Lighthouse marks the park's entrance Universal-Islands-of-Adventure-Lighthouse-9068.jpg
The Pharos Lighthouse marks the park's entrance

Port of Entry is the park's main entrance and is home to many shops and services including Guest Services aptly named The Open Arms Hotel. The park's centerpiece, Pharos Lighthouse, is also located within Port of Entry. Each night, this functioning lighthouse sends out a bright beam to lead visitors to and from the park's gates. Like many theme parks using the "hub and spokes" format, this entry Island contains no rides. It has dining options including Croissant Moon Bakery™, Backwater Bar, The Grinch™ & Friends Character Breakfast, Confisco Grille™, Starbucks®, & Cinnabon®. It has shopping options such as Port Provisions™, Island Market and Export™ Candy Shoppe, DeFoto's Expedition Photography™, Port of Entry™ Christmas Shoppe, Ocean Trader Market™, and Islands of Adventure Trading Company™ [20]

Marvel Super Hero Island

The Incredible Hulk Coaster TheIncredibleHulkCoaster.jpg
The Incredible Hulk Coaster

Marvel Super Hero Island is based on the superhero characters featured in Marvel Comics. The area features comic-book styled architecture; many of the building interiors are created in comic book perspective, with exaggerated lines and angles. Many exteriors are painted in a special paint which appears to change color based on the angle from which it is viewed – sometimes purple, sometimes orange. The buildings are all labelled generically: "Store," "Shop," "Food," and "Comics", etc.

AttractionYear openedManufacturerDescriptionHeight requirements
Doctor Doom's Fearfall 1999 S&S Power A space shot ride based on the Fantastic Four archenemy Doctor Doom.52 in (132 cm)
Storm Force Accelatron 2000 Mack Rides A teacups ride based on the X-Men. Where guests use their ride vehicles to help Storm harness enough forces of thunder and lightning to defeat Magneto. [21] Supervision is required for riders under 48 in (121 cm)
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man 1999 Oceaneering International A 3D dark ride based on Marvel Comics Spider-Man. The ride is set in New York as Spider-Man prevents The Sinister Syndicate from taking the Statue of Liberty.40 in (102 cm)
The Incredible Hulk Coaster 1999 Bolliger & Mabillard A launched roller coaster based on the Hulk comics. The island's signature coaster with a top speed of 67 miles per hour (108 km/h).54 in (137 cm)

The area is also home to a variety of dining outlets and merchandise shops. Food and beverage items can be purchased from Cafe 4 and Captain America Diner. Merchandise items can be bought from a variety of themed stores including Spider-Man Shop (The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man), Marvel Alterniverse Store, Comic Book Shop, and Oakley .

There's also "Meet Spider-Man and the Marvel Super Heroes", a meet-and-greet attraction, where guests can meet superheroes including Wolverine, Storm, Cyclops and Rogue, Spider-Man, and Captain America.

In late 2009, The Walt Disney Company (Universal's biggest competitor in the theme park market) announced that it had sought to acquire Marvel Entertainment. Universal announced that Marvel's new ownership would not affect Marvel Super Hero Island, and Disney CEO Bob Iger acknowledged that Disney would continue to honor any contracts that Marvel currently has with Disney competitors. [22] In March 2012, Bob Iger revealed that Disney had begun preliminary concepts of incorporating Marvel's properties into their parks, although no major negotiations with Universal were announced. [23] [24] Hong Kong Disneyland has since announced an expansion to its park featuring characters from the Marvel Universe. [25] Disney California Adventure Park at the Disneyland Resort in California has also since incorporated meet-and-greet Marvel characters, as well as an Avengers Super Hero Half Marathon Weekend at the resort. Both Hong Kong Disneyland and Disney California Adventure have opened Marvel attractions since the acquisition, with Iron Man Experience at the former and Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! at the latter. Both attractions officially opened in 2017. Only Walt Disney World Resort and Tokyo Disney Resort are barred from having Marvel characters in its parks, due to contractual obligations to Universal and Universal's use of Marvel characters in the region. [26] However, this only includes characters Universal is currently using, other characters in their "families" (Spider-Man, X-Men, Avengers, Fantastic Four, etc.), the villains associated with said characters, and the Marvel name. [27] This clause has allowed Walt Disney World to have meet and greets, merchandise, attractions, and more with other Marvel characters not associated with the characters at Islands of Adventure, such as Star-Lord and Gamora from Guardians of the Galaxy . [28] [29]

Toon Lagoon

Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls Ripsaw Falls at Islands of Adventure.jpg
Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls

Toon Lagoon is based on the cartoon and comic strip characters from King Features Syndicate and Jay Ward. With the area's main focus being water-based rides (hence the name).

AttractionYear openedManufacturerDescriptionHeight requirements
Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls 1999 Mack Rides A log flume ride where guests witness the adventures of Dudley Do-Right, leading to a 75 ft drop towards the end.44 in (112 cm)
Me Ship, the Olive1999A kids' playground built in and around Popeye's ship featuring interactive elements.
Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges1999Barr EngineeringA river rafting water ride where Popeye must save Olive Oyl from Bluto whilst careening through the unpredictably rapid waters.42 in (106 cm)

The area is also home to a variety of dining outlets and merchandise shops. Food and beverage items can be purchased from Blondie's, Cathy's Ice Cream, Comic Strip Cafe and Wimpy's. Merchandise items can be bought from a variety of themed stores including the Betty Boop store, Gasoline Alley, Toon Extra and Wossamotta U.

Skull Island

Construction of Skull Island: Reign of Kong (July 2015) Reign of Kong construction.JPG
Construction of Skull Island: Reign of Kong (July 2015)

Skull Island is the newest island at the park, having been opened in the summer of 2016. The area's sole attraction, Skull Island: Reign of Kong , opened on July 13, 2016. The attraction and island mark the return of the King Kong character to the Universal Orlando Resort, after the Kongfrontation attraction closed at Universal Studios Florida in 2002 to make way for the Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride.

AttractionYear openedManufacturerDescriptionHeight requirements
Skull Island: Reign of Kong 2016 Oceaneering International A trackless dark ride based on the King Kong franchise 36 in (91 cm)

Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park Jurassic Park Entrance Arch at the Universal Islands of Adventure.JPG
Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park is themed to the film series of the same name. Set after the events of the first film, the area undertakes the guise of John Hammond's dinosaur theme park featured in the series. As such, the area is filled with the attractions and exhibits one would find in the "real" Jurassic Park, including thrill rides and discovery-based exhibits.

AttractionYear openedManufacturerDescriptionHeight requirements
Camp Jurassic1999A children's play area centered around an imported 50-foot (15 m) tall Banyan tree. The area features a variety of play elements including slides, nets, water cannons and fountains. [30]
Jurassic Park River Adventure 1999Superior Rigging & Erection [31] A water-based amusement ride based on Steven Spielberg's 1993 film Jurassic Park and Michael Crichton's novel of the same name.42 in (107 cm)
Pteranodon Flyers1999Setpoint USAA steel suspended roller coaster based on the animal of the same name, where guests travel a small circuit around Camp Jurassic. [32] [33] [34] [35] Between 36 and 56 in (91–142 cm)
VelociCoaster 2021 Intamin A launched roller coaster based on the Velociraptor from Jurassic World .51 in (130 cm)
Jurassic Park Discovery Center1999An interactive play area in which guests can learn about dinosaurs and how they lived. [36] [37] [38]

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade

Entrance to Hogsmeade at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Wizarding World Entrance.jpg
Entrance to Hogsmeade at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade is themed around the Harry Potter universe, authored by J. K. Rowling. It officially opened to the public on June 18, 2010. On May 31, 2007, Universal announced that it had secured the licensing rights from Warner Bros. and Rowling to incorporate the Harry Potter franchise to Islands of Adventure. [39] The 20-acre (81,000 m2) island features attractions, shops, and restaurants set inside such locations as the Forbidden Forest, Hogsmeade Village, and the iconic Hogwarts Castle. Ground breaking began in 2007, with the official opening scheduled for June 18, 2010, as announced on March 25, 2010. As part of the promotion for the then-upcoming area, a behind-the-scenes documentary on production of the park section is included on the Blu-ray and DVD release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince . [40]

There are five main attractions in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter:

AttractionYear openedManufacturerDescriptionHeight requirements
Flight of the Hippogriff 2010 Vekoma A junior roller coaster based on the creature featured in the books. [41] Originally known as The Flying Unicorn from 2000 to 2008.36 in (91 cm)
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey 2010 Dynamic Structures, RoboCoaster Ltd, KUKA, UAOA motion-based dark ride that takes guests through scenes based on the Harry Potter books and films. [41] 48 in (122 cm)
Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure 2019 Intamin A multiple-launch steel motorbike roller coaster that takes guests through the Forbidden Forest and encounter various Wizarding World creatures. The spot was previously occupied by Dragon Challenge , which closed on September 4, 2017. [42] 48 in (122 cm)
Hogwarts Express 2014 Doppelmayr Garaventa Group A broad gauge cable railway, people mover, that transports visitors between Hogsmeade and King's Cross Station.Supervision required if under 48 inches (120 cm)
Ollivanders 2010A shop selling "magic" wands.

There is also a singing Frog Choir and a Triwizard Spirit Rally held in the town center. These events feature Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang students.

An expansion of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, based on the Diagon Alley and London settings from the series, opened on July 8, 2014, at the adjacent Universal Studios Florida park in the former site of the park's Jaws attraction. The Hogwarts Express attraction connects the two areas of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in each park.

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 Bazzaar, and a Grecian-Atlantis-esque Lost City. Formerly, the Lost Continent included a medieval section Merlinwood, but the majority of that area was re-themed for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This land is also home to Mythos, which is one of two full-service restaurants in the park and was voted winner of best theme park restaurant by Theme Park Insider for six successive years between 2003 and 2008. [43] [44] [45]

AttractionYear openedManufacturerDescriptionHeight requirements
The Mystic Fountain1999An interactive fountain attraction that communicates with guests, plays music, and features water spouts.

Seuss Landing

Seuss Landing Seuss Landing.jpg
Seuss Landing

Seuss Landing is based on the works of author Dr. Seuss. The island features several Seuss-themed attractions, especially geared towards small children, as well as a Green Eggs and Ham Cafe and Circus McGurkus restaurant. As in the books, one of the unique characteristics of this area is that there is almost no straight lines anywhere. [46] Palm trees bent by the winds of Hurricane Andrew were even planted in the area to continue this theme.

AttractionsYear openedRide manufacturerDescriptionHeight requirements
The Cat in the Hat1999 MTS Systems Corporation A dark ride based on the Dr. Seuss book of the same name. [47] 36 in (91 cm)
The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride2006 Mack Rides A twin-tracked monorail themed around Dr. Seuss’ 1961 story The Sneetches that tours Seuss Landing and references other Dr. Seuss books.40 in (101 cm)
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish1999 Zamperla A spinning ride, based on the Dr. Seuss book of the same name, that lets riders control their own fish in tandem to the ride audio.Supervision is required for riders under 48 in (121 cm)
Caro-Seuss-el1999A themed carousel with Seuss inspired creatures.Supervision is required for riders under 48 in (121 cm)
Oh, The Stories You'll Hear1999A musical show based on the popular Dr. Seuss characters The Cat in the Hat, Thing 1 and Thing 2, Sam-I-Am, The Grinch, and The Lorax
If I Ran the Zoo1999An interactive children's play area based on the Dr. Seuss book of the same name.

The area is also home to a variety of dining outlets and merchandise shops. Food and beverage items can be purchased from Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous (The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride), Green Eggs and Ham Cafe (opened seasonally), Hop on Pop Ice Cream Shop, and Moose Juice, Goose Juice. Merchandise items can be bought from a variety of themed stores including Cats, Hats & Things (The Cat in the Hat), All The Books You Can Read (The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride), Snookers & Snookers Sweet Candy Cookers, and Mulberry Street Stores Trading Co. A live action show entitled Grinchmas Wholiday Spectacular, which retells the story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas is available seasonally.

Character appearances

Like the neighboring Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure has a number of famous characters: [48]

Current characters

Universal Express Pass

Several attractions in Islands of Adventure allow guests to utilize Express Pass. This pass admits users to a separate line for the attraction, which is given priority status when boarding. Express Pass is not a virtual queuing service. Instead, passholders may enter the "Universal Express" line whenever they wish. The price of this pass is not included in the charge for park admission.

Attendance

YearAttendance in Millions
20085,290,000 [49]
20094,627,000 [50]
20105,949,000 [51]
20117,674,000 [52]
20127,981,000 [3]
20138,141,000 [3]
20148,141,000 [53]
20158,792,000 [54]
20169,362,000 [55]
20179,549,000 [56]
20189,788,000 [57]
201910,375,000 [58]
20204,005,000 [59]
20219,077,000 [60]

See also

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Flight of the Hippogriff is a junior roller coaster at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter section of the many Universal theme parks. It is present at Islands of Adventure in Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Japan, Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Beijing. Designed by Universal Creative, the first installation opened at Islands of Adventure on June 18, 2010. The new ride was a redesign of an existing roller coaster known as Flying Unicorn, which the park closed in 2008 to begin its transformation. The design change was implemented to fit the new Harry Potter-themed area that was being constructed at the park. Flight of the Hippogriff is a mild alternative to the area's more extreme rides such as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Following a successful launch, identical versions of the roller coaster were installed at Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Hollywood over the next several years, with the Beijing version opening with the park in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey</span> Attraction at Universal theme parks

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a motion-based dark ride located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-themed areas of Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida; Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City, California; Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, Japan; and Universal Studios Beijing in Beijing, China. The ride takes guests through scenes and environments in and around Hogwarts Castle from the Harry Potter series of books and films. Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative, described the ride as an in-depth look at the world of Harry Potter, which utilizes never-before-seen technology which transforms "the theme park experience as you know it". The ride first opened at Islands of Adventure with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter on June 18, 2010; subsequent versions opened at Universal Studios Japan on July 15, 2014, at Universal Studios Hollywood on April 7, 2016, and at Universal Studios Beijing on September 20, 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Universal Orlando Resort)</span> Area in Universal Orlando theme parks

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a themed area spanning two theme parks—Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida—at the Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida. The area is themed to the Harry Potter media franchise, adapting elements from the film series and novels by J. K. Rowling. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was designed by Universal Creative from an exclusive license with Warner Bros. Entertainment.

This article details the appearance of Harry Potter theming in amusement parks. In the late 1990s, Universal Parks & Resorts began discussing the possibility of purchasing the license for Harry Potter to create and theme amusement park rides. As Time Warner owns the license, a small walkthrough attraction was constructed at Warner Bros. Movie World called the Harry Potter Movie Magic Experience in 2001. This attraction was removed two years later. In 2010, Universal's Islands of Adventure park opened The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Similar attractions have also opened in Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Japan and are planned for Universal Studios Beijing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Universal Studios Hollywood)</span> Area at Universal Studios Hollywood

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a themed area at Universal Studios Hollywood theme park near Los Angeles. The area is themed to the Harry Potter media franchise, adapting elements from the film series and novels by J.K. Rowling. The attraction—the second Harry Potter-themed area to exist at a Universal resort—was designed by Universal Creative from an exclusive license with Warner Bros. Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Wizarding World of Harry Potter</span> Harry Potter-themed land at Universal theme parks

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a chain of themed areas at Universal Destinations & Experiences based on the Harry Potter media franchise, adapting elements from the Warner Bros.' film series and original novels by J. K. Rowling. The areas were designed by Universal Creative from an exclusive license with Warner Bros. Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts</span> Ride at Universal Studios Florida

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts is an indoor steel roller coaster designed by Universal Creative and built by Intamin at Universal Studios Florida, a theme park located within the Universal Orlando Resort. Similar to dark rides, the roller coaster utilizes special effects in a controlled-lighting environment and also employs motion-based 3-D projection of both animation and live-action sequences to enhance the experience. The ride, which is themed to the Gringotts Wizarding Bank, became the flagship attraction for the expanded Wizarding World of Harry Potter when it opened on July 8, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thierry Coup</span>

Thierry Jean-Andre Coup is the current senior vice president, chief creative officer of Universal Creative, Universal Destinations & Experiences' research and development division. Coup began his career working in the film industry, performing set design and visual effects. He moved into theme park design in the early 1990s when Walt Disney Parks and Resorts offered him a position with Walt Disney Imagineering. In the late 1990s, he transferred over to Universal Creative and worked on projects such as The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Transformers: The Ride and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hogwarts Express (Universal Orlando Resort)</span> Railway, people mover and attraction

The Hogwarts Express is an 1,800 mm broad gauge cable railway, people mover, and attraction within the Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida, United States. The route runs 676 meters (2,218 ft) between Hogsmeade station in the Islands of Adventure theme park and King's Cross station in the London area of the Universal Studios Florida theme park. It provides a connection between the Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade areas which, together, form The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, based on the Harry Potter film series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marvel Super Hero Island</span> Themed area at Islands of Adventure

Marvel Super Hero Island is an area at Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure park in Orlando, Florida that is themed after popular Marvel Comics superheroes. The area opened in 1999, ten years prior to Universal competitor The Walt Disney Company acquiring Marvel Entertainment in 2009. The island is home to four attractions, including The Incredible Hulk and The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. Marvel Super Hero Island's architecture and theming is modeled after a Marvel comic book, with a comic book color scheme, amplified angles, and cutouts of many of the most popular Marvel characters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure</span> Roller coaster at Islands of Adventure

Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is a multiple-launch steel motorbike roller coaster located at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade section of Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure theme park. The attraction opened on June 13, 2019, and was manufactured by Intamin, and features both indoor and outdoor characteristics. It is the sixth Harry Potter-themed attraction created for the resort, with Universal describing it as "a highly-themed roller coaster that will take us into a different corner of the wizarding world, where guests will encounter some of their favorite characters and creatures". The attraction replaced the Dragon Challenge roller coasters, which closed on September 4, 2017. At $300 million, it held the record for the most expensive roller coaster ever built from 2019 to 2022, surpassing the previous record of $100 million by Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is the longest roller coaster in Florida at 5,053 feet (1,540 m) and features a record-breaking seven launches.

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