{"id":276,"date":"2009-05-13T23:53:47","date_gmt":"2009-05-14T03:53:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/snapshotchronicles.com\/roadtrip\/?p=276"},"modified":"2009-05-13T23:56:24","modified_gmt":"2009-05-14T03:56:24","slug":"on-an-island-of-adventure-universal-orlando","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/snapshotchronicles.com\/roadtrip\/2009\/05\/13\/on-an-island-of-adventure-universal-orlando\/","title":{"rendered":"On an Island of Adventure (Universal Orlando)"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Universal’s Islands of Adventure is much more like a traditional amusement park. Each Island has a distinct personality, but many rides are pretty straightforward amusement park rides, with the Universal theme cleverly grafted on. Exceptions include Spider-Man<\/strong> and most of the rides in Seuss Landing but especially the Cat in the Hat.<\/strong> Which never gets old.<\/p>\n

And I’m old.<\/p>\n

Here’s a quick rundown on our favorites. In some case, I am reporting second-hand. As discussed, certain types of roller coasters I do not ride.<\/p>\n

Marvel Super-Hero Island<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hulk<\/strong>. This is a serious roller coaster. Upside down doesn’t begin to cover it. I’ve never ridden it, because NOT my thing, but it gets rave reviews from the rest of the family.<\/p>\n

Spider-Man.<\/strong> I enjoy this 3-D ride. It’s fun, not too jarring and full of story. Be warned that\u00a0 younger kids may find the story too intense.<\/p>\n

If you are lucky, while you are in the Marvel area, the Heroes may come out, although Spider-Man seems to be there nearly all the time. This summer, though I bet Wolverine will be even more popular.<\/p>\n

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Toon Lagoon<\/strong><\/p>\n

Toon Lagoon is all about water. The core rides are Pop-Eye’s Bilge Rat Barges<\/strong> and Dudley Do Right’s Ripsaw Falls<\/strong>. Be warned: the Barges seem to be dumping more water than they did in previous years.<\/p>\n

DO leave your packs and personal belongings with a non-rider or in a locker. And put your shoes in the center waterproof sections on the Barges.<\/p>\n

You will get wet!<\/p>\n

Jurassic Park<\/strong><\/p>\n

Douglas, David and I love the Jurassic Park River Adventure<\/strong> ride, but our nieces were a bit freaked out by the storyline. Be sensitive to people’s fears on this ride.<\/p>\n

The Lost Continent<\/strong><\/p>\n

This area has always seemed a bit like a fish out of water, and in fact, has lost one of its rides to the Harry Potter area under construction. The males in our party liked the Dueling Dragons<\/strong> roller coaster but my older niece did not. In previous years, we’ve done Poseidon’s Fury<\/strong>; it was okay, but I wouldn’t wait in line for it.<\/p>\n

Seuss Landing<\/strong><\/p>\n

Everything is improved with a little Dr. Seuss. That said, here are the highlights.<\/p>\n

Don’t miss:<\/p>\n