Opened in 1999, Islands of Adventure is a showcase for more thrill rides, more kid rides and home of the very first Harry Potter area (in 2010). IOA contains big coasters that can be very intense, but there are some great rides for the younger set as well. There are eight “islands” in IOA, including Port of Entry, Marvel Super Hero Island, Toon Lagoon, Skull Island, Jurassic Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade, The Lost Continent, and Seuss Landing.
Storm Force Accelatron… Sort of like the tea-cups, but you’ll be spinning in a car which will spin on a larger car which will spin overall. There are flashing lights and crazy music to enhance the ride and somewhere along the way, you’ll see X-Men’s Storm causing thundercloud chaos. This is the traditional teacup ride in overdrive.
Me Ship, The Olive… An interactive Popeye themed playground full of slides, stairs and climbing platforms.
Camp Jurassic… An interactive play area with lava pits, mines, and a rain forest to explore and climb through.
Jurassic Park Discovery Center… An interactive educational exhibit that has Jurassic Park fiction with real fossils and real facts. Plus, there is a chance to see an (animatronic) raptor being hatched.
Pteranodon Flyers… This ride has you riding a swing high in the air over a small part of Jurassic Park, but is known for being slow to load and at only 1:15 ride time, possibly not worth the wait. Adults and older children must be accompanied by a child 36″ to 56″ tall. Universal Express Pass doesn’t work at this attraction.
Raptor Encounter… Wanna meet a raptor? This meet n greet is your chance.
Hogwarts Express at Hogsmeade Station… take a ride on the Express that will transport you from Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure over to King’s Cross Station at Universal Studios, with incredible countryside videos on the windows (which are actually screens).
The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad Stunt Show… A 17 minute theater stunt show following Sindbad and Kabob, his sidekick, looking for treasure in a mysterious cave.
Poseidon’s Fury… A 17 minute high tech theater show with Poseidon and Lord Darkenon battling it out with fire, water, lasers and smoke machines.
Caro-Seuss-el… A merry go round with nothing but Dr. Seuss characters, each with its own effect.
Oh! The Stories You’ll Hear!… A storytelling show with lots of character. Or Characters.
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish… A spinning ride on the same scale as Dumbo or Aladdin’s Magic Carpet, but with fish shaped cars to ride in. Oh, and water squirts all around, over and on you.