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Top 10 Must-Do's at Universal Islands of Adventure


In 1999, Universal Islands of Adventure opened as part of an expansion that, with Universal Studios Florida, established the Universal Orlando Resort. It should be no surprise that this theme park is full of adventures around every corner! From superheroes to dinosaurs, witchcraft and wizardry, every island at Universal Islands of Adventure is sure to wow. 

There are 8 themed areas or islands to explore at Universal Islands of Adventure: Port of Entry, Marvel Super Hero Island, Toon Lagoon, Skull Island: Reign of Kong, Jurassic Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade, The Lost Continent, and Seuss Landing. With over 19 rides and attractions, 3 shows, plus several character encounters, entertainment, kids' play areas, dining and shopping options, there's a ton to see and do at Universal Islands of Adventure. 

Here's my list of the top ten Must Do's at Universal Islands of Adventure:

10. Dine at Mythos Restaurant
If you're looking for a great table service restaurant, look no further than Mythos Restaurant! This award-winning restaurant is one of only two table service restaurants located at Universal Islands of Adventure. The menu features a mix of Mediterranean, Asian and American cuisine. This is by far my favorite restaurant in all of the Universal Orlando Resort! You can read my full review of this restaurant here.

9. Shopping in Hogsmeade
Fans of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, prepare to be in awe of Hogsmeade! The attention to detail is amazing, and it can be appreciated even if you aren't familiar with the books or movies. Take some time to explore the stores in Hogsmeade. You'll find Ollivanders Wand Shop, Honeydukes, Dervish and Banges, Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods and the Owl Post.

8. Raptor Encounter
Love being scared out of your mind? Then the Raptor Encounter was made just for you! Being scared isn't my jam so that may have played a factor into the Raptor Encounter taking the number 8 spot on our list. Here you can get a great photo opp with the most recognizable member of the park's raptor pack, Blue. If you have small children or you are a scaredy cat like me but still want to enjoy this experience you're in luck. You can also meet some 6-month old Raptor hatchlings who aren't quite as vicious as Blue. 

7. Jurassic Park River Adventure
This water thrill ride is quintessential Universal magic. What starts as a peaceful ride in your raft quickly turns into terror when you come face to face with a giant T Rex right before you embark on an 85-foot drop. The attraction has a minimum height requirement of 42" but be mindful that even if your little one is tall enough, they may not be mature enough to handle the dinosaurs. 

Looking for other attraction height requirements? Check out You Must Be This Tall to Ride... Universal Orlando Resort Edition for a full list. 

6. Hogwarts™ Express: Hogsmeade™ Station
Have you ever wanted to ride the Hogwarts™ Express? Well, now's your chance! IMPORTANT: This attraction requires a Park-To-Park ticket in order to ride since it physically takes you from Hogsmeade in Universal Islands of Adventure to Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida. That is the only way to experience this attraction so if it's on your must-do list, make sure you have a Park-To-Park ticket. The ride is slightly different if you're riding from Hogsmeade to Diagon Alley and Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade so make sure you ride each direction for the full experience. 

5. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man®
You can't miss an attraction with your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man! You'll face a cast of Marvel characters and villains as you soar above the city streets on this 3-D attraction. This a motion simulator ride so if you suffer from motion sickness, you may need to skip this one. It has a 40" minimum height requirement and also offers Express Pass access. 

4. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™
Prepare to live out your witch or wizard dreams and walk through Hogwarts castle. You'll embark on an epic adventure above the castle grounds on this one of a kind ride. It's a major must-do for any Wizarding World fan! For those too young or short to ride, there is a Child Swap available. 

3. The Incredible Hulk Coaster®
Unleash your inner Hulk on this smash hit rollercoaster on Marvel Super Hero Island. This attraction is not for the faint of heart. It's an intense thrill ride with a 54" height requirement. The initial launch gets up to 67 mph! 

2. Jurassic World VelociCoaster
Are you ready to run with the raptors on the fastest and tallest launch coaster in Florida? VelociCoaster starts with a 70mph launch in just 2.4 seconds! Talk about a thrill! If you love thrill rides, then this one can not be missed. This attraction came very close to my number one must-do but fell short when comparing theming. 

1. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™
We saved the very best of the Wizarding World attractions for our top spot. Described as a "story coaster", Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure uses ground breaking coaster technology as you journey through the Forbidden Forest. Even if you've never heard of Harry Potter, you will love this attraction! No spoilers here but this attraction has so many fun surprises. There's no Universal Express Pass access for this attraction but the lengthy wait times are worth it. Trust me. It's truly a magical experience!

As you can see, Universal Islands of Adventure is made for thrill seekers young and old! It's a must-see destination filled with real thrills and real adventure. 

Ready to plan your vacation to the Universal Orlando Resort? We'd love to help you! Contact your Kingdom Konsultant travel professional or send an email to vacations@kingdomkonsultant.com for a free quote today.

We Want to Hear From You

What's your must-do at Universal Islands of Adventure? Did we leave anything off our list that you think should have been included? Let us know below in the comments. 

Ashley is a Hufflepuff who loves rollercoasters and thrill rides. You can email Ashley at ashley@kingdomkonsultant.com.
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