Amusement Parks: Universal's Islands of Adventure

Universal’s Islands of Adventure (often simply abbreviated to IOA) is an amusement park located in Orlando, Florida.

The amusement park opened in 1999 and its overall theme is one of going on a journey of exploration in which you visit 5 islands. This will be expanded in 2010, with an additional island called ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’.

In 2007, the amusement park attracted over 5.3 million visitors making it the 9th most popular amusement park in the USA that year.

The Port of Entry at the amusement park is your first port of call and is the main island where you’ll find your main services such as a restaurant, shops and the main gift shop. It is based upon the theme of an Arabian bazaar.

Marvel Super Hero Island is inspired, unsurprisingly, by the Captain Marvel comics of yesteryear and all of the rides are based upon that theme. Here, you’ll find most of the thrill rides at the amusement park and will inevitably come into contact with Marvel comic legends such as Spiderman and the Incredible Hulk.

Toon Lagoon is the island which features water based rides at the amusement park whilst there’s also the Jurassic Park Adventure and another island at the amusement park which is aimed at younger children and based around the Dr. Seuss books which most young children, in particular, have a particular attachment to.

The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad features a spectacular stunt show at the amusement park where you’ll see death defying stunts performed which will take your breath away. This island is broadly split into three different sections all with a different theme – one being mediaeval Europe, another ancient Arabia and the third in ancient Greece. The latter features a number of live action shows and can also boast of its award winning restaurant, Mythos, which has won the Theme Park Insider’s best restaurant award within amusement parks on several occasions.