Universal's second theme park opened in 1999 with a vibrantly colored, cleverly themed collection of fast and sometimes furious rides. At 110 acres, it's the same size as its big brother, Universal Studios Florida, but it seems larger and it's definitely the Orlando park for thrill-ride junkies. Roller coasters roar above pedestrian walkways, and water rides slice through the park. The trade-off: Far fewer shows.
Expect total immersion in the park's various "island" sights, sounds, and surroundings. From the wobbly angles and Day-Glo colors in Seuss Landing to the lush foliage of Jurassic Park, Universal has done an amazing job of differentiating the various sections of this $1-billion park (unlike Universal Studios Florida, where you ease into the next area and all of a sudden you realize that you're in San Francisco, not New York any more). It's also done an outstanding job of differentiating Islands from Disney or any other Orlando park. The closest competitor (and that's a stretch) in Florida is Busch Gardens in Tampa, but this park clearly has the edge on the ride front -- and most definitely in the atmosphere department.
The adventure is spread across six very different islands: the Port of Entry, a pass-through zone themed to resemble an exotic open-air bazaar and lined with a collection of shops and restaurants, and five themed islands -- Seuss Landing, The Lost Continent, Jurassic Park, Toon Lagoon, and Marvel Super Hero Island. The park offers a concentration of thrill rides and coasters, but there are plenty of places to play for young kids, too.
