Islands of Adventure theme park review
Ladies and gentlemen, this is the theme park to beat in 2024
It’s hard to look at Islands of Adventure and not smile. For a park that isn’t Disney and is often seen as the younger sibling to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure has certainly grown over the years to become a juggernaut. We can safely say that this is one of the best theme parks in the world. The Golden Ticket Awards also agree with us, and often places Islands of Adventure in the top 5 of the best theme parks in this beautiful planet we call Earth.
Islands of Adventure has everything. Really. Amazing rides, great themed lands, charming locations and even some fun rides for kids. Islands only became better with time, as two of the best rides came in the last five years: the VelociCoaster and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. Add to that Marvel Island, Jurassic Park and Seuss Landing and you have the perfect combination for a park that will welcome guests of all ages.
The Good
Everything. Really.
Let's start with the rides. Among all the theme parks in Florida, including SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, I’d say Islands of Adventure has the best combination of rides. For roller coaster enthusiasts, you have the VelociCoaster. For people that want to enjoy a great family coaster with several launch pads, you have Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure. Let’s also not forget about The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, often considered one of the best dark rides in the world, and underrated attractions like Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls.
Theme parks are all about rides, and Islands of Adventure certainly delivers. While there aren’t many shows or special events - that’s more Universal Studios’ territory - if you’re looking for roller coasters, water rides, and dark rides, you can’t go wrong with the amazing offerings here.
I also really like the different areas in Islands of Adventure, like Seuss Landing, Marvel Island and Jurassic Park. Hogsmeade in particular looks amazing, with cute medieval buildings that really resemble a village straight out of the Harry Potter movies. It also helps that Hogsmeade contains three rides, like fan-favorite Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, the amazing 10/10 Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure and even a junior coaster for the kids out there called Flight of the Hippogriff. Families can certainly spend a full day just checking everything Hogsmeade has to offer, having lunch and browsing all the stores in search for their favorite robes and wands.
It's safe to say that Islands of Adventure has something for everyone. Adults can enjoy plenty of coasters and thrill rides, from Dr. Doom’s Fearfall and The Incredible Hulk Coaster to the VelociCoaster and Jurassic Park River Adventure. Young children can have fun in Seuss Landing and Camp Jurassic, one of the best playgrounds in both Universal and Disney World, offering endless opportunities for exploration.
It’s great to see how this theme park has improved over the years. The expansions and new rides have certainly made it better. It’s amazing to think that Islands of Adventure introduced Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure in 2019 and the VelociCoaster just two years later in 2021. I imagine updates will pause for a bit now, with Epic Universe launching in 2025 and Universal Studios needing some extra love.
This won’t make Islands of Adventure any less impressive. It's the theme park to beat in 2024, combining amazing lands and great rides that will captivate every guest. There’s so much to see and do here that a single day probably isn’t enough to experience it all. After all, there’s a lot of adventure to be had in these islands.
Will Kids enjoy it?
Yes! Islands of Adventure has something for everyone. There’s a small playground and a carousel in Seuss Landing for toddlers, and little kids can enjoy Camp Jurassic, playing mini-Indiana Jones as they uncover new archaeological finds and explore mysterious caves.
Teenagers will have a blast at Islands of Adventure. With thrilling rides, roller coasters, and dark rides, they’ll want to return again and again. Alongside Disney’s Hollywood Studios, this is the best theme park for teenagers.
