For years, Universal’s Adventure Islands was a newborn baby in the Orlando Theme Parks family. It spent a quarter century as the latest addition, opening with a surge in tail ending in the ’80s and ’90s, creating Epcot, Universal Studios, Disney MGM Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
But Ioa wasn’t just slipping as the new kid on the Brock, in a flashy Marvel ride dedicated to Spider-Man and the incredible Hulk. It may have attracted attention and gained a big head in Harry Potter’s first wizard world.
That led to a self-improvement project, transforming the original duel dragon roller coaster house into a space for Hagrid’s magical creature bike adventure. Then, out of nowhere, the construction of the famous Velosicostars of the High Speed Jurassic World appeared.
It was all rolling, then… a spectacular universe came, a new sister/pig of attention.
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Certainly this baby is fresh and fun, but it’s a ride that’s not just a Potter, but a forbidden Julie-style, non-fast coaster, and the islands have to think collectively.
Ah, Ioa, envy is not a good color for anyone. And Rising Tide lifts all the ships with a bundled ticket package, right?
In a magnificent month, I felt it was right for the islands to roam slowly and show the love of love. What’s more, people are hyped about sightings of dragons there.
Something like a dragon
As expected, there is a dragon that approaches the lost continent halfway through. Peering from above the archway between the abandoned Poseidon attraction and the abandoned Sinbad attraction. The structure also comes with a “How to Train a Dragon” sign.
At the terrestrial level, there is a toothless “dragon” photo shoot, which is not as interactive as the epic universe’s counterparts. There are displays with replica live-action films and costumes, with more items on sale.
You might get psychological and think that more “dragon” attractions are planned for IOA, but it feels like an epic success story. The film series has a full-scale land based on the animated film series. These islands feel like a corporate synergy, as new live-action films (starring Mason Thames, Nico Parker and Gerard Butler) have made more than $350 million at the box office worldwide.
Side note: Remember the rumor that Poseidon’s rage, which was closed in 2023, will become a Zelda attraction? I’m waiting.
Cool and unusual
The cool zone sounds good in concept. The reality of IOA is overwhelming, but the stage show, which closed in 2018, is not without entertainment value at the former theatre of “Sinbad’s Eighth Voyage.”
I always say that the number one rule for theme parking is “find your shade” and that cool zones also offer seating with that. The park held the lower corner, fenced the stage to the left, invited visitors to cool their heels.
What’s there: a water bottle, four potted plants, and two fountains to refill the six rows of benches. It is the old splash zone and the warning decals remain – use your imagination. There are no fans or music. It’s quiet. It’s very different from the setting for a bold stunt show.
On the fence, people can spy on the above scaffolding for the technical crew still in place, which causes memories. It is essentially a lost civilization of a lost continent. Team members pointed out a small fermentation meter above the fencing, which sometimes showed a breeze. We didn’t feel that.
Random, useless fact: According to a sign near the entrance to the Cool Zone, the maximum occupancy of the “Sinbad” theater was 1,852.
You can spell IOA without a T
This isn’t new, but there is a lack of islands of adventure-specific products, especially in the staple foods of T-shirts.
While we can’t blame the epic, there are more ts on the island of the Adventure Trading Company Store than Islands Gear. Heck, IOA has studio products that are more universal than those of the island brand.
Research and history must be assumed to indicate that IOA T is not selling.
Brighter note: There are items unique to Velosicostars and you may even choose between a T-shirt design that was found in multiple locations. Dinosaur rules.
Running around the city
•The large Starbucks location on Universal City Walk is closed for modifications. The sign invites Starbucks to drink coffee at Starbucks, within Universal’s amazing movie Escape Attraction. There is a Starbucks store within IOA and a Universal Studios theme park.
•Hemisphere dancer planes are not all of the pieces, but return to Lone Palm Airport, a bar along the way from Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville restaurant. A few assemblies are required, but the bar is open.
• A quick loop through the world section of Super Nintendo at the expanded Universal Studios Store. Prepare a large amount of products. I smile at the signs that specify “novelty headwear.” These unfair toad caps should not be confused with hats that wear official Sunday hats.
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