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 Islands
of Adventure beefed up the thrill
aspect of the Universal parks, and
therefore is popular with ‘tweens,
teens and adults. Nonetheless, it
provides for all ages with comic-book
motifs, a good selection of rides
and blockbuster shows the way only
movie studios can do ‘em.
Pre-Schooler
Favorites
The best
place for small children is “Seuss
Landing,” where they can take
a ride aboard whimsical couches through
the pages of the book Cat in the Hat,
ride the “Caro-Seuss-el”
merry-go-round and another squirt-cooled
ride called “One Fish, Two Fish,
Red Fish, Blue Fish,” watch
a
street show and get wet in the interactive
playground. You can meet the Cat himself
at the All the Books You Can Read
bookstore. Stop for a bite at Circus
McGufkus Café Stoopendous,
complete with costumed characters,
or Green Eggs and Ham Café,
where, besides a green eggs and ham
sandwich, they can order burgers and
“frings” (a fries and
onion rings combo). |
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Dinosaur
fascination begins at an early age
and although the “Jurassic Park
River Adventure” ride is too
much for small kids, they can ride
on “Pterandon Flyers (must be
at least 36 inches; no guests over
56 inches unaccompanied by a child),”
pet a robotic triceratops, learn hands-on
at “Jurassic Park Discovery
Center” and check in to “Camp
Jurassic” playground. “Flying
Unicorns” (height restriction:
36 inches or taller) provides another
smooth ride.
“Me
Ship, the Olive” is a Popeye-themed
play yard. To get an eyeful of park
characters, stroll down King’s
Row and Comic Strip Lane in Toon Lagoon.
Restaurants and shops here follow
the theme with Blondie’s, where
you can order a Dagwood sandwich,
Wimpy’s for a hamburger today,
Betty Boop Store and WossaMottaU for
Rocky and Bullwinkle souvenirs.
Grade-School
Winners
When your
kids are ready for rides with more
wallop, take them on the top pop “The
Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man”
(40-inch height requirement); the
“Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw
Falls” flume ride (height requirement:
44 inches or taller); “Popeye
& Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges”
(must be 42 inches or taller to ride);
“Storm Force Accelatron,”
and – the ultimate – wet,
wild and hair-raising “Jurassic
Park River Adventure” (height
requirement: 42 inches).
At
this age, kids might enjoy stimulating
shows such as “The Eighth Voyage
of Sinbad” and “Poseidon’s
Fury: Escape from the Lost City.”
“The Lost Continent” may
be a little dark – dungeons
and dragons – for young grade-schoolers.
Stay
for the nighttime pyrotechnic presentation
usually held in summer and during
major holiday seasons.
Terrific
for ‘Tweens, Teens and Upward
Around age
10 the dare factor enters in, so it’s
time for Island of Adventure’s
top guns: “Incredible Hulk Coaster”
(must be 54 inches or taller), “Dr.
Doom’s FearFall” (52-inch
height requirement) and “Dueling
Dragons” (height requirement
is 54 inches).
Adults
traveling without kids will want to
explore adjacent CityWalk, with its
live entertainment, nightclubs and
celebrity chef restaurants. Within
Islands of Adventure, Backwater Bar
provides a pleasant al fresco area
for watching and sipping. Enchanted
Oak Tavern serves gnawing fare such
as ribs and turkey legs and next door,
Alchemy Bar brews its trademark Dragon
Scale Ale. For fine dining within
the park, try Mythos, set in a plushy
cave with a menu of new American specialties.
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