We usually combine a visit to Islands of Adventure with a visit to Universal Studios and we find we often split up with older children and adults going on the scarier rides whilst the younger ones do the kiddy things with their Grandparents.
You can get Universal Express Passes for certain rides which I believe costs about $15 but we have never bought them. Perhaps we have been lucky and not encountered large queues but we are fortunate not to go in the peak summer months of July and August.
Toon Lagoon takes you into the “Sunday Funnies”. This is a great place for younger members of the family as well as adults. This crazy wacky island is full of characters most of us know such as Broomhilda, Cathy, Beetle Bailey, Popeye and many more. There are many photo opportunities in this fun and colourful island. Remember it is called “Toon” Lagoon so do watch out for the water!
Go to Dudley Do-right’ s Ripsaw Falls where you can ride along with Mountie Dudley as he sets out to save his true love Nell from the Dastardly Snidely Whiplash. Trouble is Dudley does not save you from going over the falls in your log. This is one of the steepest and fastest drops, which ends with you going 15 feet under the water. Just in case you do not get wet enough guests have a chance to blast you with water after the drop! There is Universal Express Pass available for this ride.
At Popeye & Bluto’ s Bilge-Rat Barges you really will not stay dry as Popeye tries to save Olive Oil from the clutches of Bluto on this cartoon themed white-water rapids ride. Again a Universal Express Pass is available.
To allow the girls to let off a steam, and the adults to have a rest, they usually go to Me Ship, The Olive. This is a lovely interactive three-level play ship for younger ones. Here you will find slides, free water cannons and a working piano. This ship gives you a great view of the park and if you do not want to go up the stairs there is a lift.
The Grandparents usually take the girls from the play ship to a trail nearby with benches where they can all rest and try to dry out a little whilst they enjoy an Ice-Cream. These they get from Cathy’ s Ice Cream which although it is located inside the Comic Strip Café has a window service available outside as well
Onto Mat Hoffman’ s Crazy Freakin’ s Stunt Show where 10-time World Champion Vert Ryder, presents an exciting stunt show of champion bikers and skateboarders. Just before you enter the show you can meet Beetle Bailey, Popeye, Olive Oil, Bluto, Woody Woodpecker, be sure to check your Park Guide for the times they will appear.
Mostly for boys there is also XTRA Fun & Games. This is just outside the Mat Hoffman show. Here they can test their skill and strength with rope climbing, fishing and a weight guessing game for prizes.
Finally the girls like to visit Betty Boop Store where they have everything Betty Boop and Toon Extra where there are lots of cartoon character clothes and souvenirs.
You can get Universal Express Passes for certain rides which I believe costs about $15 but we have never bought them. Perhaps we have been lucky and not encountered large queues but we are fortunate not to go in the peak summer months of July and August.
Toon Lagoon takes you into the “Sunday Funnies”. This is a great place for younger members of the family as well as adults. This crazy wacky island is full of characters most of us know such as Broomhilda, Cathy, Beetle Bailey, Popeye and many more. There are many photo opportunities in this fun and colourful island. Remember it is called “Toon” Lagoon so do watch out for the water!
Go to Dudley Do-right’ s Ripsaw Falls where you can ride along with Mountie Dudley as he sets out to save his true love Nell from the Dastardly Snidely Whiplash. Trouble is Dudley does not save you from going over the falls in your log. This is one of the steepest and fastest drops, which ends with you going 15 feet under the water. Just in case you do not get wet enough guests have a chance to blast you with water after the drop! There is Universal Express Pass available for this ride.
At Popeye & Bluto’ s Bilge-Rat Barges you really will not stay dry as Popeye tries to save Olive Oil from the clutches of Bluto on this cartoon themed white-water rapids ride. Again a Universal Express Pass is available.
To allow the girls to let off a steam, and the adults to have a rest, they usually go to Me Ship, The Olive. This is a lovely interactive three-level play ship for younger ones. Here you will find slides, free water cannons and a working piano. This ship gives you a great view of the park and if you do not want to go up the stairs there is a lift.
The Grandparents usually take the girls from the play ship to a trail nearby with benches where they can all rest and try to dry out a little whilst they enjoy an Ice-Cream. These they get from Cathy’ s Ice Cream which although it is located inside the Comic Strip Café has a window service available outside as well
Onto Mat Hoffman’ s Crazy Freakin’ s Stunt Show where 10-time World Champion Vert Ryder, presents an exciting stunt show of champion bikers and skateboarders. Just before you enter the show you can meet Beetle Bailey, Popeye, Olive Oil, Bluto, Woody Woodpecker, be sure to check your Park Guide for the times they will appear.
Mostly for boys there is also XTRA Fun & Games. This is just outside the Mat Hoffman show. Here they can test their skill and strength with rope climbing, fishing and a weight guessing game for prizes.
Finally the girls like to visit Betty Boop Store where they have everything Betty Boop and Toon Extra where there are lots of cartoon character clothes and souvenirs.