Orlando news: Universal Islands of Adventure’s top seven attractions

Universal’s Islands of Adventure averages 10 million annual visitors per year and is located in Orlando, Florida, widely regarded as the ‘theme park capital of the world’.

The park opened its doors on May 28, 1999, developing into one of Florida’s best places to visit with incredible fun for all ages.

Universal’s ability to combine perfect theming with top-tier attractions makes each ride on this list a must-do when visiting, with a few very enjoyable rides unlucky to miss out.

This is Florida News Blitz writer Joseph Hannen’s top seven from personal experience, from seventh to first.

Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges

Universal’s only river rapid just makes the list, located in the Toon Lagoon section; make sure to look out as it is quite easy to miss whilst passing.

When the weather is humid and you need to cool off, look no further than to help Popeye save Olive Oyl from Bluto.

I would certainly advise the use of spare clothing or a poncho, because the ride takes no prisoners; you are guaranteed a drenching, something I found out very early in the day and paid the price.

The spinning raft packs a punch through choppy waters and guarantees a thrilling ride; just be prepared for all the twists and turns this seven-minute ride takes you on.

Jurassic Park River Adventure

Universal’s best water ride and theme park classic sits sixth. Jurassic Park River Adventure blends calmness and intensity with an unpredictable amount of soaking at the end.

The beginning takes you on a relaxing tour of Jurassic Park’s finest dinosaurs before a sudden change.

Entering a water treatment facility full of hungry and dangerous dinosaurs awaits; the dynamic features build you up for an exhilarating 85-foot drop after carrying you up the building.

Riders go face-to-face with a huge, animated velociraptor before plunging back down into the daylight at high speed with a big splash to end.

Queues can often be very low compared to other rides, meaning you can re-ride frequently or prioritize other attractions first.

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Dr Doom’s Fearfall

Sucker for the best views? Look no further than Dr Doom’s Fearfall, two towers standing at 185 feet tall each.

The ride is short but sweet and builds up anticipation more than any other. Once seated, you endure a nervy wait before an immediate shoot to the summit.

If seated in the right place, you can get a perfect view of both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios; Dr Doom’s best sell in my eyes.

I think you should aim to ride twice per visit, during the day and evening, as the night-time view is equally as good, if not better, with the whole area perfectly lit up.

Similar to Jurassic Park’s boat ride, queues are often very low; walk-ons are possible at many times throughout the day.

The Incredible Hulk Coaster

A staple of Universal’s legacy, this rollercoaster is flawless with scenery to match.

The unique launch, shooting riders out into the sun, met with a punchy zero-gravity roll before riding over the park’s pond, makes this ride a must-do for all thrill-seekers.

The ride features seven inversions and reaches speeds of 67 mph; its location being close to the entrance makes this a perfect way to kickstart your day.

Even the queue is impressive, with videos and science experiments all around you to help pass the time.

Queue times vary throughout the day, so make sure to keep an eye on the changing wait times.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

For me, the most underrated attraction Islands of Adventure has to offer.

Visitors are mesmerized before they can get on the ride, as the ride is situated inside the stunning walls of Hogwarts with a queue around the halls.

Classed as a scenic dark ride, the intense simulation takes you on a magical journey with Harry Potter, swinging passengers in every way possible, and includes real jumpscares from moving dementors.

As a huge fan of the films, the experience created is all the more unforgettable.

I wouldn't advise multiple runs if you often feel motion sickness despite it not being as intense as other rides.

However, I would certainly recommend finding the time to experience such a fascinating attraction.

Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure

It feels highly controversial these days, but Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure doesn't quite make the top spot for me, despite it being a world-class attraction.

Full of twists and surprises, the ride hits speeds of 50mph with seven different launches.

Riders get the option of a seat in Hagrid's bike with handlebars or a sidecar; both have their pros, although personally, my front-row experience on the bike was incredible.

The immersive theming, including turns through the Forbidden Forest and encounters with creatures, adds even more enjoyment to an already exhilarating ride.

The ride is suitable for all visitors, from kids seeking their first thrill rides to parents who can't quite hack high intensity and inversions.

The only issue with this ride is the queue times; from experience, I rarely saw the queue time below an hour. However, it's still worth such a wait, I promise.

It’s no coincidence that it remains so high almost six years after its opening.

Velocicoaster

Arguably the best ride that Florida has to offer - yes that's how highly I rate it - Velocicoaster is a truly fantastic experience that must be prioritized.

The Jurassic Park theming is highly impressive and builds up for a wild ride that never disappoints.

Featuring speeds of 70mph, two intense launches, and a beautiful and scenic corkscrew just meters above the lake, Velocicoaster takes the number one spot for this park, narrowly edging out Hagrid’s fan-favourite bikes.

Opening in 2021, this ride is guaranteed to take your breath away as you soar through the raptor paddock and away from danger.

The ride also includes a top height of 155 feet, a zero-gravity inverted stall, and 12 seconds of airtime; it really is one of a kind.

Queue times tend to remain above 30 minutes, so always be sure to keep checking for ideal opportunities, as you simply can’t afford to miss out.

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