Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
291
gallons of water swirl around you, barrel-roll style. (If you wear glasses, note that they
will fog up completely when passing through the vortex—take them off if you can.) In
the battle royale, the gods hurl 25-foot fireballs at each other. It's more interesting than
frightening, but it's not worth the long lines that often plague it, so if you're on a tight
schedule, skip it unless you have express-line privileges.
Note:
The fireballs, explosive
sounds, and rushing water (not to mention the dark and eerie passageways of the queue
area) may be too intense for children younger than 6.
SHOPPING AT ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE
There are more than 20 shops within the park, offering a variety of theme merchandise.
You may want to check out
Cats, Hats & Things
and
Mulberry Street
for special Seus-
sian souvenirs, books, and T-shirts.
Jurassic Outfitters
and
Dinostore
feature a variety
of stuffed and plastic dinosaurs, plus safari-themed clothing. Superhero fans should
check out the
Marvel Alterniverse Store
and the
Spider-Man Shop. Toon Extra
has the
largest selection of souvenirs in Toon Lagoon.
Islands of Adventure Trading Company
is a good stop on the way out if you're still searching for something that will help you or
the folks back home remember your visit.
Note:
Universal has a service similar to Disney's in which you can have your purchases
delivered to the front of the park. Allow 3 hours. Universal also has a shop-by-phone
service—call
&
407/224-5800,
describe the item and where you think you saw it, and
the likelihood is they'll be able to help you out and have it shipped to you.
DINING AT ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE
Islands offers some of the best theme-park dining in town, with a number of stands
where you can get a quick bite to eat, and a handful of full-service restaurants. The park's
creators have taken some extra care to tie in restaurant offerings with the theme. The
Green Eggs and Ham Cafe
may be one of the few places on earth where you'd be willing
to eat tinted huevos. (They sell as an egg-and-ham sandwich for about $7.) No matter
which Island you're on, each offers a selection of sit-down restaurants, eateries, and snack
carts. To save money, look for the kiddie menus, offering a children's meal and a small
beverage for $6 to $9. Also consider combo meals (good for sharing), which usually offer
a slight price break.
Thunder Falls Terrace
in Jurassic Park, for instance, offers a rib-and-
chicken combo as well as other options in the $10 to $15 range.
Here are some of my other favorites at Islands:
•
Best Sit-Down Restaurant
At
Mythos
(p. 162) on the Lost Continent, choose
from main courses such as cedar-planked salmon, balsamic chicken, shrimp primav-
era, or a selection of sandwiches and pastas. The atmospheric, undersea, cavelike set-
ting is pleasant. This is a grown-up dining affair, best suited to adults and children
older than age 10. Entrees cost $12 to $18, and Mythos is usually open from 11:30am
to 3:30pm and again at 5pm for dinner.
7
Fun Facts
Food for Thought
Those green eggs at the Green Eggs and Ham Cafe get their color from a variety
of spices, not food dye.
