Things To Do in Islands of Adventure

IOA’s 101 acres are laid out in a loop around a lagoon. Individually themed areas (here called “islands,” although they’re not) arranged around a pond (obscurely called the Great Inland Sea). To see everything, you simply follow a great circle.

The only corridor into the park, Port of Entry, borrows from the Magic Kingdom’s Main Street, U.S.A., in that it’s a narrow introductory area where guests are submerged into a theme. In this case, you’re gathering munitions for a “great odyssey,” so, in theme park logic, it’s where you do things like rent strollers and lockers and grab free maps. Most guests beeline through Port of Entry. Because attraction lines are shortest after opening, explore this area later.

Lines peak in late morning, and the Wizarding World and Jurassic Park areas are usually busiest during the lunch hours.

If the typical Florida forecast calls for afternoon storms (in summer, 2pm seems to be a usual time) and you have a two-park pass, do IOA in the morning because so many of its rides close when lightning is detected. Or wait until rides close to eat lunch.

At Islands of Adventure, you can have your souvenirs sent to Port Provisions, at the Port of Entry, for collection as you leave the park at the end of the day. The deadline for purchases changes, but it’s usually about 2 hours before closing. To the right as you exit the park, there’s a small stand selling marked-down items (the inventory changes, but I’ve seen $8 Marvel action figures, two-for-ones on plush Curious George dolls, and $40 sweatshirts for $22). It opens later in the day

There are more than 25 shops within the park, offering a variety of theme merchandise. You may want to check out Cats, Hats & Things and Mulberry Street for special Seussian souvenirs (including those now-famous Thing 1 and Thing 2 tees). Jurassic Outfitters and Dinostore feature a variety of stuffed and plastic dinosaurs, plus safari-themed clothing. Superhero fans should check out the Marvel Alterniverse Store for collectible comics and maquettes and the Spider-Man Shop. Stop by Toon Extra for the largest selection of souvenirs in Toon Lagoon. Islands of Adventure Trading Company is a good stop on the way out if you're still searching for something that will help you or the folks back home remember your visit.

Over in the Wizarding World, options include Honeydukes, with an array of candy treats from Chocolate Frogs to Bertie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans. At the Owlery, roosting owls await their next delivery (high above in the rafters) while weary muggles rest in the shade of the grand Owlery roof. The Owl Post is an actual working post office where you can mail letters to the muggle world with a certified Hogsmeade postmark. Wands are available at Ollivander's , but Dervish and Banges is the place to pick up the latest Quidditch gear, Triwizard apparel, and Spectrespecs (space here is limited, but the shop is worth a look). Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods (located in Hogwarts Castle at the exit to the Forbidden Journey, but shoppers can enter from the outside door as well) stocks the largest array of magical merchandise in the Wizarding World: journals, T-shirts, pins, sweatshirts, scarves, Golden Snitches, and more. Warning: Most of the shops are excruciatingly small, making them difficult to maneuver when crowds are at their worst. 

The park will send your souvenirs to the Islands of Adventure Trading Company, at the Port of Entry, for collection as you leave the park at the end of the day. The deadline for purchases changes, but it’s usually about 2 hours before closing.

To the right as you exit the park, there’s a small stand selling marked-down items (the inventory changes, but I’ve seen $8 Marvel action figures, two-for-ones on plush Curious George dolls, and $40 sweatshirts for $22). It opens later in the day.

Great Buys at Islands of Adventure

Here's a sampling of some of the more unusual wares available at Islands of Adventure. It represents a cross-section of tastes.

Jurassic Outfitters: There are plenty of T-shirts with slogans such as "I Survived the [whatever ride]."

Spider-Man Shop: This stop specializes in its namesake's paraphernalia, including red Spidey caps covered with black webs and denim jackets with logos.

Toon Extra: Where else can you buy a miniature stuffed Mr. Peanut beanbag, an Olive Oyl and Popeye frame, or a stuffed Beetle Bailey? Life doesn't get any better for some of us. There's also a shop dedicated exclusively to official Betty Boop merch.

For those who prefer to shop from home (or haven't found the perfect souvenir while at the park -- especially because larger-than-average crowds have left store shelves sparsely stocked at times), Universal has launched an online store that includes a slew of Wizarding World merchandise. Simply head to www.universalorlando.com and click on the "shop" link at the top of the page. For additional Wizarding World merchandise, please see above.

Located between the Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida theme parks, this nightclub, restaurant, and shopping district had its coming-out party in 1999 and competes head-to-head with Disney's Pleasure Island (soon to be Hyperion Wharf). It opens daily at 11am, but the hours of many clubs and restaurants vary, so call in advance if you're interested in a specific venue. Most clubs stay open until 2am.

At 30 acres, CityWalk (tel. 407/363-8000; www.citywalk.com) may be four times smaller than Downtown Disney, but it's the only remaining nightclub district now that Pleasure Island is in the midst of being "re-imagined," with its clubs closed for good. Alcohol is prominently featured here, as it's geared to an adult crowd; younger members of the family should always be accompanied by an adult if allowed to tag along. The nights can get pretty wild here. (Note: Some clubs won't allow anyone younger than 21 inside after a certain hour.)

You can walk this district for free at night or visit individual clubs and pay a cover. CityWalk also offers two party passes. A pass to all clubs costs $11.99 plus tax. For $15 plus tax, you get a club pass and a movie at Universal Cineplex (tel. 407/354-5998). Universal also offers free club access to those who buy select multiday theme-park tickets. There's also a Meal & Movie Deal option; for $21.95, you get entrance to a movie at the Cineplex and dinner at one of the CityWalk restaurants (select menu items apply); visit www.universalorlando.com for complete details.

Daytime parking in the Universal Orlando garages costs $14, but after 6pm self-parking is only $3. To get to CityWalk, take I-4 exit 74B (westbound) or 75A (eastbound) and follow the signs to the parks.

Taking Center Stage -- With a live band and backup singers, guests are invited to take to the stage and show off their talents (or, in some cases, the lack thereof) at Rising Star (tel. 407/224-3663), CityWalk's latest addition to its lineup of clubs. Replacing CityJazz a few years back, this karaoke club features a live band, backup singers, and a host to get things going every Tuesday through Saturday. On Sunday and Monday the music's recorded, but the backup singers and host are live. There's a cover of $7 (no charge to sing) and a full bar if you need to loosen up before taking the stage.