Islands of Adventure, I really think this has now become one of my favorite parks - a theme park which seemed to me to have some thing for everyone of all ages. Perhaps it is because it is one of the newer ones? I am not sure. There are rides and attractions to suit the whole gang and just some different ideas!!
To begin with, if you are traveling with very small children, don't feel that they won't enjoy themselves. Often I hear friends and family say they are waiting for the children to get older before going to Orlando. This is just not needed, after all, the reason Orlando is such an amazing place to go for your holiday,is, that it truly caters for ALL ages!
In IOA(Islands of Adventure) for example, you can head over to Seuss Landing for rides such as Cat in the Hat (a big favorite among children and adults alike, 1 of my personal favs) and the Caro-seuss-el, another big crowd puller, as riders can interact with the colourful Seussian characters as they merrily go round and round. Colourful, being the WORD!! Wow!
There is also, If I Ran the Zoo, where children and adults can play along with some very strange creatures, and also One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. This is a ride everyone can join in on. As the musical rhyme plays, you need to steer your fish either up or down to avoid getting wet! The younger members of the family will just adore this, and I found Grandma rather enjoying too!!
If your young clan members are superhero crazy, you may want to rush over at Marvel Superhero Island? There you can enjoy hanging out with heroes such as Spiderman. Absolutely terrific attraction, which allows the less brave of us to feel like they are going on the scary rides too! So Clever this one! Join Spiderman on the 3-D ride that sends you on an expedition for the 'Daily Bugle', or take a breath-taking roller coaster ride with the Hulk. You can even join the evil Dr. Doom in Dr Doom's Fear fall. Well, I admit to just "wishing" I could go on those particular attarctions to be honest, for now, i just enjoying watching them! Oh! And hearing the screams of delight too!! That would be a good "ice-cream moment" for me!! Plus, if you or your children want to relax indoors for a while, then check out Kingpin's Arcade.
Another place that is a complete delight, would have to be, Toon Lagoon, where you can enjoy Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls, a watery flume ride in which you may get very soaked indeed! We certainly did!! You can also enjoy Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges, Me Ship The Olive, and Toon Trolley Beach Bash.
If dinosaurs are your thing, then head over to Jurassic Park, where you will find the Jurassic Park Discovery Center, Pteranodon Flyers, the Jurassic Park Water Adventure, and for kids who just want to explore: Camp Jurassic, where they can play and explore all they want, while parents can relax.
Lastly, but absolutely not least!!!, “The Lost Continent” is a bit of a "Magical Place" to visit. The theming is very cool, and here you will find two roller coasters: Duelling Dragons and The Flying Unicorn, Poseidon's Fury, and The Eight Voyage of Sinbad, a show full of spectacular stunts and breath-taking features. We do enjoy the shows that all the parks put on, but I think this has to top my list, what a production! And, it has something for ALL members of the family, stunts, action, and humour!!
Along the way, you will also find The Mystic Fountain. Never had an actual conversation with a water fountain? Of course you haven't, but you can with this fountain. It knows exactly what to say to you and you can talk back to it! Bit Weird, eh? But mind you, be careful not to annoy it, or you may find yourself very wet indeed! Don’t tell other members of your group, but now you know the secret, get your camera ready , stand back and CLICK!! Magical memory right there! We spent quite a bit of time here, it was SO funny, proving a day in a park doesn't have to be for the thrill seekers in the group!
There are plenty of restaurants, cafes and kiosks around in the five lands mentioned, in case you're in need of a full meal or just something to nibble on. There are also plenty of shops for you to buy souvenirs and gifts, and if you are lucky, you may find yourself posing for a photo with one or more of your favourite characters! It is not just for the younger members of your traveling party!
We found the lockers at the entrances to most rides were quite useful, especially for the wet rides!
Though we didn’t need to use it , they do operate a 'Child-Switch' facility for parents who want to ride a certain attraction but their child cannot due to height restrictions, health problems, etc. This is an excellent facility , which we did make good use of when our daughter was younger, and there were just the two of us!
Overall, I would give this Orlando theme park a definite 9 out of 10!! Would go higher, but if the Mouse found out….....