| |
| Location |  |
| Status | Operating |
| Opened | May 28, 1999 |
| Owner | NBCUniversal |
| Operating season | All year-round |
| Website | www.universalorlando.com |
Universal Islands of Adventure is a theme park located in Orlando, Florida, USA. It opened on May 28, 1999 and is located adjacent to Universal Studios Florida, which can be accessed from the park by foot or by the Hogwarts Express ride. The Hogwarts Express requires a Park-to-Park Ticket for both ways.
History
In 1991, Universal was planning to build a second theme park called Cartoon World. The park would feature attractions themed to Popeye, Dr. Seuss, Looney Tunes and DC Comics characters. However, the plans were cancelled.
By the mid 1990s, Universal planned to build the proposed theme park. The new park would be called Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. It would still feature Popeye and Dr. Seuss characters, but Universal failed to secure the rights for Time Warner. Universal decided to make an agreement with DC's competitor Marvel instead. The Marvel characters would replace the cancelled DC Super Hero Land. In addition, The Lost Continent and Jurassic Park would be added to the park. The park would be themed to literature. It would feature lands themed to fairy tales, dinosaurs, animated shorts, children's books and comics.
Construction on Universal's Islands of Adventure began in 1997 with a preview center opening that year. The park officially opened to the public on May 28, 1999. The next year, the park would add two more rides, which were Flying Unicorn and Storm Force Accelatron.
On September 11, 2001, Universal's Islands of Adventure was closed due to the terrorist attacks.[1]
The park closed on March 15, 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.[2] However, it reopened during the summer of that year.[3]
The park's name was changed from Universal's Islands of Adventure to Universal Islands of Adventure in 2023.[4]
Themed Areas
The park has eight themed areas, also known as 'islands'. These are Port of Entry, Marvel Superhero Island, Toon Lagoon, Seuss Landing, The Lost Continent, Jurassic Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade and Skull Island: Reign of Kong.
Roller coasters
Present
| Class | Name | Manufacturer | Type | Opened | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roller | Flight of the Hippogriff | Vekoma | Family | June 29, 2000 | Operating |
| Roller | Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure | Intamin | Launched Motorbike |
June 13, 2019 | Operating |
| Roller | The Incredible Hulk Coaster | Bolliger & Mabillard | Launched | May 28, 1999 | Operating |
| Roller | Pteranodon Flyers | Setpoint | Suspended Family Single rail |
May 28, 1999 | Operating |
| Roller | Jurassic World VelociCoaster | Intamin | Launched | June 10, 2021 | Operating |
| Powered | High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride | Mack Rides | Family | June 22, 2006 | Operating |
Past
| Class | Name | Manufacturer | Type | Opened | Closed | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roller | Dragon Challenge | Bolliger & Mabillard | Inverted Twin |
May 28, 1999 | September 4, 2017 | Scrapped |
Attractions
- This list is incomplete, please expand it if you can.
Operating
| Name | Manufacturer | Type | Opened |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man | Oceaneering | Tracked Dark Ride | May 28, 1999 |
| Doctor Doom's Fearfall | S&S Worldwide | Drop Tower | May 28, 1999 |
| Caro-Seuss-El | Morgan | Carousel | May 28, 1999 |
| Cat in the Hat | MTS Systems Corporation | Tracked Dark Ride | May 28, 1999 |
| Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls | Mack Rides | Log Flume | May 28, 1999 |
| Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey | Dynamic Attractions | Tracked Dark Ride | June 18, 2010 |
| Hogwarts Express | Doppelmayr | Ropeway | July 8, 2014 |
| Jurassic Park River Adventure | Vekoma | Shoot the Chute | May 28, 1999 |
| Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges | Barr Engineering | River Rapids | May 28, 1999 |
Closed
| Name | Manufacturer | Type | Opened | Closed | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Island Skipper Tours | Unknown | Boat Ride | 1999 | 2002 | Scrapped |
References
- ↑ "Theme parks shut down as precaution". The Star Press. September 11, 2001. p. 34. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ↑ "Universal pauses construction on new Epic Universe theme park amid coronavirus pandemi". Click Orlando.
- ↑ "Universal Orlando to reopen its parks starting in June".
- ↑ Stella, Alicia (2023-04-05). "Epic Universe Update: Possible Name Changes, New Construction, and Harry Potter Ride Permits". Orlando Park Stop. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
External links
- Universal Islands of Adventure on the Roller Coaster DataBase.
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