Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE
Universal's second theme park opened in 1999 with a vibrantly colored, cleverly themed
collection of fast and sometimes furious rides. At 110 acres, it's the same size as its big
brother, Universal Studios Florida, but it seems larger, and it's definitely
the
Orlando park
for thrill-ride junkies. Roller coasters roar above pedestrian walkways, and water rides
slice through the park. The trade-off: Far fewer shows.
Expect total immersion in the park's various “island” sights, sounds, and surroundings.
From the wobbly angles and Day-Glo colors in
Seuss Landing
to the lush foliage of
Jurassic Park,
Universal has done an amazing job of differentiating the various sections
of this $1-billion park (unlike Universal Studios Florida, where you ease into the next
area and all of a sudden you realize that you're in San Francisco, not New York anymore).
They've also done an outstanding job of differentiating Islands from Disney or any other
Orlando park. The closest competitor (and that's a stretch) in Florida is Busch Gardens
in Tampa, but this park clearly has the edge on the ride front—and most definitely in the
atmosphere department.
The adventure is spread across six very different islands: the
Port of Entry,
a pass-
through zone themed to resemble an exotic open-air bazaar and lined with a collection of
shops and restaurants, and five themed islands—
Seuss Landing,
the
Lost Continent,
Jurassic Park, Toon Lagoon,
and
Marvel Super Hero Island.
The park offers a concentra-
tion of thrill rides and coasters, but there are plenty of places to play for young kids, too.
ESSENTIALS
GETTING TO ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE BY CAR
Universal Orlando is a half-mile
north of I-4 exit 75B, Kirkman Road/Hwy. 435. There may be construction in the area,
so follow the signs directing you to the park.
PARKING
If you park in the multilevel garage, make a note of the row and theme in
your area to help you find your car later. Parking costs $12 for cars, light trucks, and vans.
Valet parking is available for $20.
TICKET PRICES
A
1-day ticket
costs $79 (plus 6.5% sales tax) for adults, $68 for
children 3 to 9. At press time, Universal was also offering a
1-day/two-park
pass for
$94.99 (adults) and $74.99 (kids ages 3-9), as well as a
2-day 2-Park Unlimited Admis-
sion ticket
good for unlimited admission to USF and IOA with park-hopping privileges
for 7 consecutive days ($124.99 for all ages—the best bargain by far), among others.
Purchasing your ticket online in advance can result in a significant discount; using the
print-at-home option, though adding $2.15 to your ticket price, can be a real time-saver.
Note that the type of tickets offered (and the various special offers associated with them)
often come and go, so be sure to check Universal's website (
www.universalorlando.com
)
when planning your vacation—and, more importantly, your budget.
All multiday passes let you move between Universal Studios Florida and Islands of
Adventure.
Multiday passes also give you free access to the CityWalk clubs at night.
Because
the parks are within walking distance of each other, you won't lose much time jockeying
back and forth, unlike the situation at Disney. Nevertheless, it's a long walk for tykes and
people with limited mobility, so consider a stroller or wheelchair.
See the beginning of this chapter for information on the
FlexTicket,
which provides
multiday admission to Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld, and
Wet 'n Wild.
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