Islands of Adventure

[moviekid21]

I've heard from many people that IOA is a great park to go to, if you don't like crowds. Is it true that out of all of the parks in Orlando, that it's the least crowded?

I've never been to IOA or Universal down there, but I'm seriously considering after all I've seen on this site.

[kewlcoasterdude]

Both parks (IOA and US) are really fun. I would recommend both. The rides are unique and alot of fun!

I wouldn't waste my time at Disney unless you have children under 10.

[piers]

IOA is a really great park. I didnt meet too many crowds when I was there, although it was early December which is notoriously quiet. I can imagine in summer months it could get rammed busy.

I also wouldnt dismiss the Disney parks so hastily, I had a blast at all of them as there are so many unique things there you will always notice some thing you have never seen before.

[Canadmos]

I would also say that IOA is a great park. Crowds are seasonal, so it just depends on when you go. Just keep in mind that if there aren't any crowds when you go, you might get bored after a few hours.

 

I would also ignore any comments about Disney being for just kids. Adults can definitely have fun there too.

[socalMAN123]

IoA is my favorite park, I really like it! Lots of unique, fun rides with little crowds. But, if you go during the summer, I recommend staying onsite or buying the Express passes because you will skip some monster lines at both parks. Also, I loved Disney, it was really fun!

---Brent

[kewlcoasterdude]

The worst part about IOA is The Hulk. It was a really disappointing coaster. Most people that are unbiased towards Orlando will agree. But almost every other ride is great! Wait untill you ride Spiderman, its amazing! Universal ,which is right next door, is great as well.

As far as Disney goes, I guess some people really like it. I dont know how adults could unless they had children? I went a few years back and it was hot as hell, it was jam packed beyond belief, and to be honest I didnt really find any ride exciting. I take that back, Pirates of the Carribean was cool. Everyone is different. Watch out for the awful parade, you can barely get around the park when its going on.

[Erik Johnson]

The worst part about IOA is The Hulk. It was a really disappointing coaster. Most people that are unbiased towards Orlando will agree. But almost every other ride is great! Wait untill you ride Spiderman, its amazing! Universal ,which is right next door, is great as well.

As far as Disney goes, I guess some people really like it. I dont know how adults could unless they had children? I went a few years back and it was hot as hell, it was jam packed beyond belief, and to be honest I didnt really find any ride exciting. I take that back, Pirates of the Carribean was cool. Everyone is different. Watch out for the awful parade, you can barely get around the park when its going on.

 

I think that most people will disagree with your opinions about Disney. If you visit Florida, and if you do not have any kids, make sure you still spend a few days over at Disney. If possible, try to visit Florida during the non-peak times. Other than Thanksgiving week, Fall is a great time to visit the parks. Also, as someone else mentioned, early December is also good. While it is true that the Magic Kingdom is geared more for kids (though I still have a good time), adults will have a really good time at Epcot. If you are really into roller coasters, take the 60 minute trip over to Busch Gardens in Tampa.

[hemmy]

The worst part about IOA is The Hulk. It was a really disappointing coaster. Most people that are unbiased towards Orlando will agree. But almost every other ride is great! Wait untill you ride Spiderman, its amazing! Universal ,which is right next door, is great as well.

As far as Disney goes, I guess some people really like it. I dont know how adults could unless they had children? I went a few years back and it was hot as hell, it was jam packed beyond belief, and to be honest I didnt really find any ride exciting. I take that back, Pirates of the Carribean was cool. Everyone is different. Watch out for the awful parade, you can barely get around the park when its going on.

 

The beginning of the hulk alone is better than both dueling dragons.

 

But DD never has a long line

[JuanSe_Colombia]

Disney has great parks for everybody...I've been there like 5 times nad I still liking it so I think you can spend sometime there,many fantasy. IOA and USF are both awesome! DD is almost never crowed, Spiderman(pretty cool you don't wanna miss it) sometimes have longs lines as Hulk but not always. Waterrides Jurassic Park, Duddley's... are both great. I like Hulk, is a good B&M smooth and the launched part is great. DD is awesome personally I like more Ice dragon. I you can go to Busch Gardens that would be great so much coasters fun.

[moviekid21]

Thanks for all the responses!

I have been to Disney, last summer with my family, and I loved it . Except the crowds. It's one of the things I can't stand about DisneyLand, that park was just not built for the crowds it deals with today.

I'm wanting to go to IOA during October for their Halloween deal, but didn't know if it would be so crowded during the day at that time of the year.

[kewlcoasterdude]

I hope you have a great trip! Take some pics for us to see!

[freestylenut]

...I'm wanting to go to IOA during October for their Halloween deal, but didn't know if it would be so crowded during the day at that time of the year.

 

Recently renewed Preferred Annual Passholder here! (yay! )

 

I was just at both Universal & IOA Tuesday 8/14 & Wed 8/15...for the middle of the week, Universal was unexpectedly crowded IMO (I guess the summer crowds are still here cause school was starting the week after in FL). IOA was pretty crowded too, but being a AP, we got there in the late evening and most of the crowds have left. So there was virtually no wait for rides that usually have long waits (Jurassic Park River Adv, Flying Unicorn, Dueling Dragons, Cat In The Hat just to name a few).

 

October during the DAY?...you should have NO problems with crowds whatsoever...particularly if its a weekday. The place should be a ghost town. I sometimes take random days off of work & hit IOA & Universal (even MORESO during the fall) and usually the rides are just walk-on. Spider-man & Hulk almost ALWAYS have a longer than usual wait no matter WHAT day you go, so if U can hit those & get them outta the way early (preferably when the park 1st opens), everything else should be cake. HHN is a different story...particularly on a peak night, but again, daytime visits should be fine.

 

Hope this helps.

[resonancej]

Like any of the parks down here, IOA/USF can get busy depending on the time of year. Typicially during the summer, over christmas, and during spring break to a certain extent. Yes, DD can get VERY busy (I've seen it with an hour wait regularly during the busy seasons). Also, about Disney...I suppose if you're a CP kinda guy, i.e. only the biggest, fastest, most intense coasters will satisfy you, Disney won't do a thing for you. If you like a large variety of high quality rides and shows with amazing theming (some of the best in the world), you'll have a LOT of fun. Oh, and there are some pretty decent coasters there too. I love my annual pass to WDW and I will have one until I move away from Orlando.

[Gav]

I am actually going to be in Orlando from the 1st to the 6th of January (Already got tickets and accomodation )

But I was wondering how busy the parks are generally over that period. Obviously I'm expecting New Years Day to be busy, but other than that?

Im really looking foward to IOA, especially spiderman and DD.

Im going to try and squeeze in 8 parks in that period though (probably will only spend half a day at USF since I have already seen the one in Hollywood) and the other half of the day at SW. Im sure with Disney I can do 4 parks in 3 days if I stick to the main stuff.

[MidtownCoaster]

IOA is an interesting park. I am an avid Disney lover, so I will try to keep my personal biases for that aside.

 

I was personally disappointed with IOA, but it had been hyped up a LOT before I went. I grew up in the Midwest, so "mega coasters" had a very different meaning for me. I also am one that believes that themeing must carry through from the beginning to end of the ride. I found IOA had some great attempts at themeing that weren't carried through (ironically, very unlike USO). I honestly thought Hulk was a phenomenal first half and a terrible second half. Spiderman just doesn't do it for me (although 3D attractions never really have without a great storyline), and DD was just way to week and the themeing runs out when you board the coaster IMHO. I basically went in expecting Disney with major coasters, and that was not the case.

 

Having bashed it, it is ABSOLUTELY a place you should visit. There are great things about it, and I will freely admit I am in the minority in viewpoint. It has some good rides and some cool effects. Many people adore it, and you could easily be one of those. It really is very different than Disney, so go in with that attitude and enjoy!

[doom1001]

IOA is a great park,the problem for me is since it's basically only added a couple minor attractions from when it opened in 1999 and the first couple of years I was going like every 2-3 weeks,now the place just feels smaller now and attractions like Spiderman, while it is a great ride are not as re-rideable as a coaster.I think Hulk's launch is great but the rest of the ride just doesn't have the same smooth feeling as when it opened.Maybe when the Potter stuff gets done the park will have a different feeling for me,but for now it feels like the same park from 8 years ago.But if you've never been you need to make it out there,especially for Horror Nights,now that's an event I never miss,best Halloween event anywhere,but insanely crowded!!

 

Now Disney might not have all the big coasters and as a 30 year old dude with no kids,I never get tired of the place.I stay far away from it in the summer months when it gets mobbed by insane crowds and daily heat,but the rest of the year I'm there once or twice a month,the place is so big so there's just so much to see and do that you never get bored like I did with IOA.

 

I also suggest going to Busch Gardens in Tampa if you like coasters and check out their Howl-o-Scream Halloween event,the park is much bigger and doesn't feel as crowded as Horror Night s and they also have some very good houses!!

[thrillrideseeker]

The worst part about IOA is The Hulk. It was a really disappointing coaster. Most people that are unbiased towards Orlando will agree. But almost every other ride is great! Wait untill you ride Spiderman, its amazing! Universal ,which is right next door, is great as well.

As far as Disney goes, I guess some people really like it. I dont know how adults could unless they had children? I went a few years back and it was hot as hell, it was jam packed beyond belief, and to be honest I didnt really find any ride exciting. I take that back, Pirates of the Carribean was cool. Everyone is different. Watch out for the awful parade, you can barely get around the park when its going on.

 

Ok... I agree with you and I disagree with you. I agree because Disney does suck. Not any of their rides are any good except Rockin' Roller Coaster, and Tower Of Terror. All of the other ones are boring, and kid orentated. Now I disagree with you on when you said that "Hulk was really disappointing." ARE YOU INSANE? Hulk is great! It is one of the must do Orlando attractions. I have been on Hulk over 100 times and it never gets old. Hulk is great! You are crazy if you think is disappointing.

 

Well moviekid21! Here is a little information about the parks for you!!

 

As for Islands Of Adventure! I am there every single day and it never gets old. "Dueling Dragons" are amazing! They are always exciting because the feeling you get when you look like you are about to slam into the other train never goes away. It always scares me even though I know I am not going to hit them. "Hulk" is great!! Like I said before. It never gets old, and the view from the front row is amazing!! "Doctor Dooms Fear Fall" is OK... if you ride on the correct tower, otherwise it sucks. "Spiderman" is great!! It is really a must do attraction! "Dudley Do-right Ripsaw Falls" is the best log ride ever! The drop is so amazing, and then the little hill after the big drop acutally gives me airtime! Which is a plus on any log ride! "Jurassic Park" is the most amazing boat ride ever! The drop is like no drop I have ever experinced on a boat ride! Plus the scenery is great!! "Popeye's River Barges" is amazing!! You will get so soaked! Plus it is exciting!! Even "Cat In The Hat" is a fun ride!!

 

Universal Stuidos is not as great as Islands Of Adventure, just because they do not have as many roller coasters. "Jaws" is a great ride! It scared me so freaking bad the first time I rode it. "E.T." SUCKS... It is so boring and only goes like 3 mph. "Shrek" is acutally pretty fun, but since I see the movie like 30 times a day it is really boring. "Jimmy Neutron" IS EVIL. That ride is so painful. "Revenge Of The Mummy" Is amazing!! It never gets old! Oh and it has a great layout!! "Earthquake" sucks... dont even waste your time with it. "Fear Factor Live" is a great show!! Expically if you are a contestant! "Twister... Ride It Out" SUCKS. You have to stand up during the entire thing. "Men In Black Alien Attack" is really fun, but not an attraction that you want to do over and over.

 

Well moviekid21. I sure hope my infromation helped. I really think that you should go to Universal Orlando!! You will have a really great time! You should really go during Halloween Horror Nights! Islands Of Adventure is really not a very busy park, but there usually is rather long lines for Hulk. Usually about 45 minutes. Dueling Dragons line is never over 20 minutes except for the day that they were running one train and the wait was 90 minutes. Anyways... I really think that you should go! I hope my information helped!! If you have any questions about the parks feel free to ask! I am sure I will have an answer! If not I can get the answer for you!!

~Matthew

[kewlcoasterdude]

The worst part about IOA is The Hulk. It was a really disappointing coaster. Most people that are unbiased towards Orlando will agree. But almost every other ride is great! Wait untill you ride Spiderman, its amazing! Universal ,which is right next door, is great as well.

As far as Disney goes, I guess some people really like it. I dont know how adults could unless they had children? I went a few years back and it was hot as hell, it was jam packed beyond belief, and to be honest I didnt really find any ride exciting. I take that back, Pirates of the Carribean was cool. Everyone is different. Watch out for the awful parade, you can barely get around the park when its going on.

 

Ok... I agree with you and I disagree with you. I agree because Disney does suck. Not any of their rides are any good except Rockin' Roller Coaster, and Tower Of Terror. All of the other ones are boring, and kid orentated. Now I disagree with you on when you said that "Hulk was really disappointing." ARE YOU INSANE? Hulk is great! It is one of the must do Orlando attractions. I have been on Hulk over 100 times and it never gets old. Hulk is great! You are crazy if you think is disappointing.

 

Well moviekid21! Here is a little information about the parks for you!!

 

As for Islands Of Adventure! I am there every single day and it never gets old. "Dueling Dragons" are amazing! They are always exciting because the feeling you get when you look like you are about to slam into the other train never goes away. It always scares me even though I know I am not going to hit them. "Hulk" is great!! Like I said before. It never gets old, and the view from the front row is amazing!! "Doctor Dooms Fear Fall" is OK... if you ride on the correct tower, otherwise it sucks. "Spiderman" is great!! It is really a must do attraction! "Dudley Do-right Ripsaw Falls" is the best log ride ever! The drop is so amazing, and then the little hill after the big drop acutally gives me airtime! Which is a plus on any log ride! "Jurassic Park" is the most amazing boat ride ever! The drop is like no drop I have ever experinced on a boat ride! Plus the scenery is great!! "Popeye's River Barges" is amazing!! You will get so soaked! Plus it is exciting!! Even "Cat In The Hat" is a fun ride!!

 

Universal Stuidos is not as great as Islands Of Adventure, just because they do not have as many roller coasters. "Jaws" is a great ride! It scared me so freaking bad the first time I rode it. "E.T." SUCKS... It is so boring and only goes like 3 mph. "Shrek" is acutally pretty fun, but since I see the movie like 30 times a day it is really boring. "Jimmy Neutron" IS EVIL. That ride is so painful. "Revenge Of The Mummy" Is amazing!! It never gets old! Oh and it has a great layout!! "Earthquake" sucks... dont even waste your time with it. "Fear Factor Live" is a great show!! Expically if you are a contestant! "Twister... Ride It Out" SUCKS. You have to stand up during the entire thing. "Men In Black Alien Attack" is really fun, but not an attraction that you want to do over and over.

 

Well moviekid21. I sure hope my infromation helped. I really think that you should go to Universal Orlando!! You will have a really great time! You should really go during Halloween Horror Nights! Islands Of Adventure is really not a very busy park, but there usually is rather long lines for Hulk. Usually about 45 minutes. Dueling Dragons line is never over 20 minutes except for the day that they were running one train and the wait was 90 minutes. Anyways... I really think that you should go! I hope my information helped!! If you have any questions about the parks feel free to ask! I am sure I will have an answer! If not I can get the answer for you!!

~Matthew

 

I just did not find Hulk to be that fun. After that launch, the trains seemed to move slow through the rest of the ride and it also feeled rough. The coaster itself is really pleasing to the eye, but that is about as much as it pleases! I cannot think of another coaster that disappointed me as much as The Hulk. Maybe I have ridden too many other great coasters to find this one to be exciting. I don't believe in any way I am in the minority here. I love IOA, I just don't care for the Hulk. OVERRATED!!!!!

[resonancej]

OK, to be fair the Hulk does have a fantastic start (the launch is awesome) and kind of fizzles out after the second loop. It's a good coaster, not a great one. Kumba at BGA is far superior. That being said DD is awesome, there's nothing quite like it anywhere. I highly reccomend IOA and USF, you'll love both of them.

[kewlcoasterdude]

I couldn't agree more.

[coastercrazed49]

DD is one of the best coaster in Florida, the only problem is how you have to walk like a mile just to get to where you get on.

 

IOA was empty when I went, and at about 3:00 pm the line for the Hulk was only 20 minutes.