Tips to Visit Islands of Adventure in Orlando Florida

 

We were overdue for a little vacation, so over the long weekend 

we took a trip to Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida.

                     Butterbeer or Gilly Water, that was the question...                               

Go ahead and pick up a Butterbeer or a Gilly Water because the waits for the adventure rides are probably going to be long. It’s always a good idea to stay hydrated out in the sun, and what better way to do so than with a Harry Potter drink? I chose the water because even though the Butterbeer is something I wanted to try, I did not want to wait half an hour to get one. The lines to get one (and there were two of them) were lengthy, to be sure.

Incredible Hulk Rollercoaster

Avoid Long Lines

There are options to avoid long waits, but we opted not to take advantage of them (maybe next time we will). We also went on a long weekend, so the crowds were likely a lot bigger than they might have been on a week day.

• There is a single rider option you can take advantage of to get on the rides a lot faster, but your party will be split up. We didn’t take advantage of this because we wanted to stay together.
• There’s also a Universal Express Pass option you can purchase but the rides we wanted to be on primarily, were excluded from the pass (be sure to check before purchasing).
• You can participate in the Ride Swap option where everyone goes through the line together and then splits to a riders/non-riders platform where the non-riders get to enjoy some Harry Potter themed adventures of their own before swapping with the other parent when it is their turn.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

If you’re a fan of the Harry Potter books or movies, then you won’t want to miss a visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida. This themed area immerses you in the world of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, with breathtaking rides, interactive experiences, and authentic recreations of iconic locations from the series. This area looks a lot like Edinburgh, Scotland, which is where J.K. Rowling wrote a large part of these novels.

One of the standout attractions of the Wizarding World is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, a thrilling ride that takes you on a journey through Hogwarts Castle. Along the way, you’ll encounter characters from the series, including Harry, Ron, and Hermione, as well as many magical creatures. The ride is a combination of a roller coaster and a simulator, which makes for an unforgettable experience. However, be aware that the ride can be quite intense and may not be suitable for those with a fear of heights or motion sickness.

If you’re looking for something a little less intense, you can take a leisurely stroll through the village of Hogsmeade, which features a wide variety of shops and restaurants. Here, you can sample traditional British fare, such as fish and chips or shepherd’s pie, and browse the stores for Harry Potter-themed merchandise, such as wands, robes, and Hogwarts house merchandise.

Hogwarts Express at Islands of Adventure

Hogwarts Express at Islands of Adventure

Of course the Hogwarts Express train that takes you on a journey from King’s Cross Station in the London area of Universal Studios to Hogsmeade smack dab in the middle of Islands of Adventure is a main attraction in and of itself. The train is an authentic recreation of the iconic locomotive from the series, with photo opps in the train station and some magical surprises along the way.

Flight of the Hippogriff Rollercoaster

Other Harry Potter Attractions

In addition to these main attractions, there are plenty of other experiences to enjoy in the Wizarding World, such as the Flight of the Hippogriff, a family-friendly roller coaster, and Ollivanders, where you can witness a wand-choosing ceremony. You can also explore Hogwarts Castle on foot and take in the many details and interactive elements that bring the world of Harry Potter to life.

Overall, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure is a must-see destination for any fan of the series. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or simply looking for a fun and immersive theme park experience, this magical world is sure to delight and enchant visitors of all ages.

Free Lockers

One thing that Islands of Adventures has that I appreciated very much was free use of the lockers. The lockers are small and you have to have your park pass to access them (so if it’s a paper ticket keep it in your pocket, if it’s electronic, don’t lock up your phone). You only get use of the locker temporarily, but it’s plenty long enough to ride the rides. Some of the more adventurous rides do not allow bags, cameras, etc.

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

I grew up riding rollercoasters so while they’ve always been fun to me, I’ve kind of outgrown riding them in my older age. My teen talked me into getting on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and it was really so much fun. Took me right back to my youth and I was hootin’ and hollering with the best of ’em.

One person rides on a motorcyle and the other in the sidecar (I was on the side). It’s the best kind of thrill ride because it’s a super smooth (not jerky or bumpy) and it has some big surprises along the way, such as going backwards midway through, and dropping to a lower track at the end. We really had such a good time on it. The line was loooong, but after riding it, we decided it was definitely worth the wait. My advice? Get to the park early and ride the thrill rides right away before too many people arrive.

Spider-Man Ride at Islands of Adventure

Beyond Harry Potter

Beyond the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, there are a plethora of other fascinating themes and areas to explore at the park. For instance, you can embark on thrilling simulated rides like Spiderman, or get your adrenaline pumping on rollercoasters such as The Incredible Hulk Coaster and the Jurassic World VelociCoaster.

There are plenty of places to eat, and for the older crowd, a walk down memory lane is in order as you see the comic-stripped eateries and displays from days gone by. Beetle Bailey, Hagar the Horrible, Kathy, Family Circus and more. Does anyone besides me remember the joy of picking up a Sunday newspaper and finding these strips in color (they were in black & white every other day of the week)?

To my teenager’s delight, Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges was practically empty and you get on and off of it without any wait at all. He rode this water ride twice, and didn’t get wet once, which was good since it was dark and a little chilly. No worries if he had gotten soaked though because there were big heaters you could step into if you felt like it (I’m sure those come in handy during the daytime hours too).

Seuss Landing

Seuss Landing is a blast for the little kids in your party, but it was fun for me too!! I loved walking through the Lorax Trees (How baaaaaa-aaad can I be? I’m just doing what comes naturally).

Caro-Seuss-el

The merry-go-round was made up of all Dr. Seuss characters, and it was vibrant and colorful to say the least. There are other rides as well and this is a great place to spend a good chunk of time if you have brought toddlers or small children along.

Islands of Adventure is a Trip Worth Taking

You can spend the whole day in Islands of Adventure and have a great time. It is definitely a trip worth taking. You can also get a 2-park, 1-day ticket and share the adventure with Universal Studios. We did the latter, but I think next time we may make it a 2-day trip just because there was so much more to do at Islands than we had time for on a busy long weekend. One thing we missed out on that we had hoped to get to was the Jurassic World Velocicoaster! We’ll go there first next time. We’ll also be staying at a Universal Studios hotel so we can gain early admission.

Tips for visiting Islands of Adventure

• If you are a thrill seeker, you can easily spend the whole day in this park and still have more to experience.
• Download the app to have access to the park map (or pick up a hard copy map).
• You can bring in bottled water (plastic only) and snacks.
• Wear comfortable shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking.
• Arrive early to gain access to the shortest lines of the day.
• Visit the children’s area later in the evening and there may be little to no wait lines for the rides.
• Stay in a Universal Studios Hotel and gain early access to the parks.
• You can purchase an Express Pass to avoid long waits in lines (be sure to check ride exclusions).
• Free lockers are available for rides that do not allow carry-ons (keep your tickets or phone handy to open/scan lockers).
• Lockers are free but small. Mine fit a small purse and a camera case. Take a picture of your locker so you remember which one you used.
• If choosing one park, this is the one for Harry Potter lovers!
• Parking is in a garage nearby and is safe and easy to access after the park closes.

Fun for Every Age Group.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Islands of Adventure in Orlando is a truly unforgettable theme park experience. From the exciting rides to the immersive themed lands, this park offers an unparalleled adventure for all ages. Whether you’re a fan of superheroes, dinosaurs, or magical creatures, you’ll find plenty to enjoy here. We had a fabulous time, and are already looking forward to a return visit.