Universal’s Islands of Adventure is one of two theme parks located at the Universal
Orlando Resort.
Fittingly, the park is located in Orlando, Florida, USA; and shouldn’t be confused
with it’s neighbouring park, Universal Studios Florida.
Interestingly, Islands of Adventure is the newer of the two parks, opening 9 years later
to form the Universal Orlando Resort complex.
As of 2017, the park is host to roughly 9 million visitors, as well as 18 attractions,
including 3 roller coasters.
Universal’s Islands of Adventure opened to the public on the 28th of May, 1999.
However, the announcement of the park, as well as the resort complex, occurred 6 years
earlier.
Construction began in 1997, with the aim of building 6 distinct islands, or regions, throughout
the park.
These went on to be named: Port of Entry, Marvel Super Hero Island, Toon Lagoon, Jurassic
Park, The Lost Continent and Seuss Landing.
The opening of the park saw the debut of multiple large scale attractions at the resort.
Firstly, as of 2017, 3 of the 4 roller coasters constructed at the park were done so for opening
year.
These included: Dragon Challenge, previously Dueling Dragons, the Incredible Hulk and Pteranodon
[Ter-an-adon] Flyers.
Unfortunately, Dragon Challenge, a pair of intertwined B&M inverted roller coasters,
have recently closed to the public.
The two rides were well known for their dueling capabilities throughout the 2000s, allowing
for a number of near miss moments with riders of the other coaster.
The attractions ceased dueling in 2011 after several incidents, and were later closed in
September of 2017.
Dragon Challenge will remain an icon of Islands of Adventure, alongside the park's other large
scale roller coaster, the Incredible Hulk.
Interestingly, the Hulk was also constructed by Bolliger and Mabillard, and was the company's
first launched roller coaster.
Riders are launched through a gamma-ray accelerator, before emerging and entering a zero-g roll.
They then navigate further inversions, above the park’s large lake, and continue their
experience.
The Incredible Hulk roller coaster was closed towards the end of 2015 as part of a major
overhaul of the ride.
During this time, the majority of the track, as well as all of the trains, were replaced.
The ride reopened 9 months later.
The park’s 3rd and final roller coaster which opened in 1999 was Pteranodon (ter-an-o-don)
Flyers, a suspended family coaster.
Guests travel, in twos, above the Jurassic section of the park, resulting in some fantastic
views of the area.
A whole range of other large scale attractions also debuted with Islands of Adventure.
These include: Jurassic Park River Adventure, a Vekoma Shoot the Chute, giving guests a
tour through the Jurassic Park world; Doctor Doom’s Fearfall, two S&S Space shot towers,
shooting riders 200ft (61m) into the air; Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls, a Mack Rides
log flume, featuring several drops; The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, a motion-based 3D
dark ride, allowing guests to experience what it’s like to be Spider-Man; and finally
Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges, a raging rapids ride located within the Toon Lagoon
area of the park.
Even with all of these attractions, Islands of Adventure continued to expand.
The park saw it’s 4th, and newest roller coaster open in 2000, under the name of Flying
Unicorn.
Now called Flight of the Hippogriff, the ride is a Vekoma Junior coaster located within
the Harry Potter section of the park.
Several years later, in 2007, it was announced that a 7th island would soon be opening at
the park.
This was quickly revealed to be The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
To make room for the expansion, part of the Lost Continent was converted into the new
section, which officially opened on the 18th of June 2010.
Dueling Dragons became Dragon Challenge, while Flying Unicorn was renamed Flight of the Hippogriff.
Both rides also gained Harry Potter related theming.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter debuted with an opening ceremony featuring many cast
members from the film series, and also became the park’s largest single investment since
opening.
The new area of the park featured the Hogwarts Castle, as well as the Wizarding village of
Hogsmeade.
The attraction, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, a motion-based dark ride, can be
found within the large castle.
On the ride, guests undergo an adventure with many of the characters from the films.
To create an immersive experience, the attraction utilises a mixture of projection screens and
physical sets.
Several years after the debut of the new Harry Potter area, and in conjunction with the Universal
Studios Florida park, Islands of Adventure opened Hogwarts Express Hogsmeade Station.
Within the station can be found a working replica of the Hogwarts Express train seen
throughout the film series.
Riders can board the train to be taken to the adjacent park, meaning guests can board
the ride at Islands of Adventure, and leave the attraction in the Florida Park.
The most recent attraction to be constructed at Universal’s Islands of Adventure also
came in the form of a new park section.
On the 13th of July 2016, Skull Island, opened to the public.
Within the new area can be found the large scale attraction, Skull Island: Reign of Kong,
a trackless 3D Dark ride in which guests board large trucks and explore the mysterious land.
Throughout the experience, guests face many of the creatures from King Kong in both the
form of screens and physical animatronics.
Roughly a year after the debut of Skull Island, Universal Studios officially stated that Dragon
Challenge would soon be closing.
Unfortunately, the pair of inverted roller coasters closed to the public on the 4th of
September 2017.
As of this video, the rides are currently in the process of being demolished.
Universal have stated that a roller coaster, which will allow guests to encounter some
of their favourite characters and creatures from the Harry Potter series, will replace
the iconic Dragon Challenge.
Throughout the year, the park is also home to several seasonal events.
Firstly, Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort, a festive themed holiday event, occurs across
both of the resort parks; allowing guests to explore the park in a christmas setting.
Islands of Adventure is also home to a second seasonal event, a Celebration of Harry Potter.
This three day event also occurs across both of the two parks, allowing visitors to experience
film talent Q&A sessions and special panel demonstrations.
Since its creation, Islands of Adventure has become an instant favorite for both the general
public, and theme park enthusiasts.
Some consider it to be one of the greatest parks in the world, resulting in it winning
TripAdvisor’s ‘Best Theme Park’ 3 years in a row.
It’s because of the large amount of theming, landscaping, and well designed attractions
that Universal’s Islands of Adventure has become a must visit attraction for Florida
tourists and residents alike.