Anyone who has visited Orlando knows that the city is home to thousands of attractions. However, most are hidden away. If you’re looking for a less-known theme park experience in Orlando, Universal’s Islands of Adventure is the perfect choice. Islands of Adventure is part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter franchise, which means you won’t find every attraction at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Florida. There are four different parks—Adventure Island, Jurassic Park, Seuss Landing and The Lost Continent—and each one has its own unique charms and adventures for visitors. With that in mind, here are some tips for visiting Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Florida :
Before You Visit
Unlike other theme parks in Orlando, Islands of Adventure doesn’t operate as a day trip. You’ll need to stay for at least one night in Orlando and spend a second night in the city. If you’re staying in Orlando, be sure to visit the pop-up park at Downtown Disney. It’s a great way to spend a day in the city without spending a dime.
Stay at Universal’s Islands of Adventure Hotel
The hotels at Islands of Adventure aren’t cheap, but they’re worth it. The Cabana Bay Beach Resort—the only hotel at Islands of Adventure that’s on the water—has millions of Swarovski crystals stitched into its walls. There’s also a swimming pool with a submerged ice bar, a wave pool with a 70-foot waterfall, a lazy river and a water coaster. It has a range of standard rooms and a slightly higher price point. If you’d like to save some money, you can stay at the All-Star Movies Resort. It has standard rooms, an all-new dining experience called Loews Hollywood Hotel, an all-new water park and a Loews Pointe Orlando hotel. Whatever hotel you choose, make sure to arrive early in the day.
Check the Weather Before You Go
Traveling to Florida during the summer season comes with its own perils. It’s impossible to predict whether there will be a hurricane or severe thunderstorms. However, you can make sure that you’re prepared for the weather before you go. Learn as much as possible about the climate in Orlando. You can do this by speaking to locals or reading online sources such as TripAdvisor.
Consider Buy-Inclusive Tickets
There are two ways to visit Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Florida. One is to purchase tickets to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park. If you’re happy with the Wizarding World, this option is perfect. The other way is to purchase an all-day pass to Universal Orlando and visit Islands of Adventure as well as Volcano Bay. You can save a bit of money by purchasing the pass to Islands of Adventure. However, the decision is up to you. Islands of Adventure is a beautiful theme park. The only problem is that it’s all the way at Universal, meaning that you’ll want to book tickets in advance. The only other issue is that Islands of Adventure is vast and sprawling. It’s not a bad thing to get lost in the park, but it is something to consider.
