Universal’s Islands of Adventure: Step By Step Guide

01. What is Universal’s Islands of Adventure?

The Universal’s Islands of Adventure is a theme park inspired by a journey and life of exploration. It consists of eight islands and entices park-goers to embark on an adventure throughout all of it. These eight islands are 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. Overall, the park has 30 rides and attractions and 24 places to eat.

02. Transportation

For park-goers staying at on-site and official hotels

Park-goers staying at on-site and official hotels near Islands of Adventure are entitled to free bus transportation to the park.

The drop-off point of these shuttle services, for example, is near Universal CityWalk. This shopping street connects Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios, Florida. Thus, it’s a short walk away from the park if you take the complimentary shuttle.

For park-goers not staying at on-site and official hotels

Non-hotel park-goers who wish to visit the park will have to pay parking fees if they do not stay at the park’s on-site or official hotels. Standard parking costs $27, while bus parking costs $32.

Universal CityWalk is one of the typical parking structures at Universal Orlando Resort.

Take note that the parking is free after 6 PM. From the parking, it’s only a short walk through the CityWalk going to the Islands of Adventure’s main entrance.

Alternatively, you can rent an uber and ask the driver to drop you off at Universal CityWalk. From there, you can take a walk to the main entrance.

03. Entrance

The entrance to Islands of Adventure is a short walk away from Universal CityWalk. From the parking lot of Universal CityWalk, you can stroll to the park’s main entrance.

Park-goers must pass through security checks upon arriving at Islands of Adventure. Thus, it would be helpful if you had everything at hand.

Prohibited items may need to be removed and placed somewhere else as part of this security check. Then, after leaving the park, you will be able to take them with you again.

You can read the Islands of Adventure Policies here to learn more about prohibited items and other issues. Taking this step allows you to be prepared ahead of time and enter the park without a hitch.

04. Accessibility 

Universal’s Islands of Adventure provides an accessible environment and an accessible experience for park-goers.

For instance, all of the rides and attractions at the park offer Virtual Lines. Park-goers only need to tap their wristbands on the ride to use this service. As soon as your time is up, you’ll receive an alert via your wristband.

Thanks to this feature, you don’t need to wait around. While you wait for a ride, you can do other activities.

Park-goers can rent strollers, wheelchairs, and electric convenience vehicles (ECVs) upon entering the park. These rentals are located at the park’s entrance on the left. In addition, at the Rotunda section of the parking structure, you can also find wheelchairs.

Island of Adventure employees are available for assistance, so you can ask for help when needed.

05. Navigating The Park & Maps

The first time you visit Universal’s Islands of Adventure, you will need a map or a guide to help you navigate the park. Therefore, a park map would help plan your visit and know where you should go from one spot to another.

This park is divided into seven islands. These islands are 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. There are several ways to get a map of the park and navigate it.

The first and probably best option is to check out the map on the park’s website or download the Universal Orlando Resort App. You can find all the information you need about visiting the park in this app, including the park map. Additionally, this app provides real-time updates about the park.

This app lets you maximize your time at the park with accurate updates, so you always know what’s happening around you.

Here is a downloadable pdf map of Universal’s Islands of Adventure if you like to plan. For your convenience, I’ve uploaded it so that you can download it and use it to help you plan.

06. Attractions & Rides

Universal’s Islands of Adventure has 30 rides and attractions to engage your senses. Park-goers can find the pros and cons of all the Islands of Adventure rides in this separate article if you would like to list them down. My rating is also included to help you decide which ones to ride first when you visit the park.

You should read my article containing all the height requirements for the rides at Islands of Adventure if you plan to bring your kids to the park.

For easier access to Islands of Adventure rides when visiting with a wheelchair user, look at my article for a list of wheelchair-accessible rides.

07. Restaurants & Places To Eat

During your visit to Universal’s Islands of Adventure, you will find 24 dining options. However, if you want to plan for your meal at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, you can find a list of the restaurants I recommend.

For this article, I considered both the pros and cons of each restaurant. As a result, I was able to give each a fair rating. To get an idea of what each place will be like, you can check each one out.

08. Tours

Universal’s Islands of Adventure offers VIP tours that you can enjoy with unique perks. This experience comes with a guide who will escort you throughout the park and the other park if you choose to visit both.

During this tour, you can enjoy all the rides and attractions with the assurance that it won’t be crowded. Further, you’ll receive insights from your guide, and there’s no waiting in line before the ride.

Park-goers can choose between a one-day two-park experience or a one-day, one-park experience. For instance, the first one will allow you to enjoy at least ten rides and attractions in seven hours. The second one will allow you to enjoy at least eight main rides and attractions in your chosen park for five hours.

Besides these inclusions, you’ll also enjoy other perks for the entire tour.

09. Park Hours

Universal’s Islands of Adventure opens for 12 hours during weekdays, 9 hours during Saturdays, and 13 hours during Sundays.

The park opens every day at 10 AM. From Mondays to Fridays, the park closes at 9 PM. On Saturdays, the park closes an hour earlier, at 8 PM. On Sundays, the park closes at 10 PM.

Please note that these hours are subject to change, especially during peak season. Thus, you need to check the park’s website on the day of your visit to know the exact operating hours.

10. Storage

Islands of Adventure offers lockers for those who have brought a lot of items with them and need storage space to unload them while strolling.

Throughout the day, park-goers can access these lockers at any time. There are, however, a limited number of them available, so if you need one, make sure to get it as soon as possible.

Park-goers in Islands of Adventure can find lockers inside the turnstiles. They can see them on the far left side of the rental stations for wheelchairs. In addition, they can choose between large or family-sized lockers.

The prices of the lockers are as follows:

• Large (12 in. X 13 in. X 16.9 in.) – $10 per day
• Family (12 in. X 16.25 in. X 16.9 in.) – $15 per day

11. Tickets

You must have your tickets before visiting Universal’s Islands of Adventure. However, you can see the prices below if you want to know more about them.

One Park per Day Ticket

With this kind of ticket, park-goers can spend the entire day in one park. Therefore, this ticket is ideal for those who wish to enjoy Islands of Adventure for the whole day and explore other parks the next day. Tickets start at $80 for ages ten and up and $75 for ages 3-9.

Park-to-Park Ticket

Ticket types of this kind allow park-goers to visit two parks on the same day. Thus, this very ticket will give you the flexibility to explore not only Islands of Adventure but any other park you want for the day. This ticket costs $164 for ages ten and up and $159 for ages 3 to 9.

12. Hotels

If you would like to stay near Islands of Adventure, there are seven on-site hotels that you can consider. These are:

• Universal’s Endless Summer Resort
• Universal’s Aventura Hotel
• Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
• Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
• Loews Royal Pacific Resort
• Hard Rock Hotel
• Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

Staying at one of these resorts will give you some perks and help you maximize your time at Islands of Adventure. These resorts offer free shuttle rides to all the theme parks for their guests staying at these resorts.

The stay is also more enjoyable because you can enter the park an hour earlier than regular opening hours. As a result, you have an advantage over other park visitors.

Additionally, you don’t have to carry all of your shopping with you, as it can be delivered directly to your room. 

13. Customer Service

Customer service is available throughout the park if you need assistance at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. In addition, you can find customer service locations near most major attractions and by the entrance to the park.

There are other ways to contact Islands of Adventure guest relations services.

Guest Services Phone Number: +1 407-224-4233