Universal's Islands of Adventure — Attraction in Orlando

Islands of Adventure is an insult to every theme park experience I've ever had. We planned this entire trip around Jurassic Park—my three-year-old, decked out head to toe in Jurassic Park gear, was beyond excited to see his beloved dinos. Instead, on the Jurassic Park River Adventure ride, a staff member had the audacity to yell at us not once, but twice, for taking a moment to remove a sweatshirt before the ride started. We were simply trying to get comfortable, but no, we were rushed. The chaos didn’t stop there—my child tripped, hit his knee, and burst into tears while I nearly twisted my ankle on a slippery surface. If only the staff had given us one extra second, that one ride might have been memorable for all the wrong reasons, but instead it was downright traumatic. And that was just day one. Our three-year-old couldn’t even ride the veloci-coaster because he was deemed too short, and the so-called “Perodon Flight” ride only allowed one adult and one child—leaving the other adult to wander off and find something to do. Universal should really consider rebranding with a slogan like, “At Universal, we bring you here to split you apart.” The ride operators and concession stand staff here are a master class in indifference. While upper management and the entertainers manage to flash a smile, the lower-tier workers—those who deal directly with guests, especially kids—are as rude and impatient as they come. Then came the King Kong ride debacle. Amid a line full of chaos—including a patron incessantly shouting at the Kong witch—when one of my family members stepped away to use the bathroom, they were reprimanded upon return. But the screaming park guest nada, King Kong himself sported litter on his animatronic, complete with a Frito-Lay chip bag stuck on him—a detail I couldn’t resist joking about, wondering if pollution had hit Kong Island. The park grounds were a mess, with maintenance staff more interested in chatting with each other than keeping the park presentable.

The nightmare continued at Harry Potter, where we waited nearly an hour in a line that moved slower than molasses. Having been to Disney and even previous Universal parks, I can say without hesitation that the Exprss Pass is a complete joke—it’s expensive and utterly ineffective. And after paying full price for tickets, it’s a slap in the face that my son, who’s just turned three, couldn’t enjoy most of the rides.

Concessions were no better. We paid for a drink cup advertised with “unlimited refills” only to later discover that each cup comes with a chip designed to curb your refills. When I confronted the concession stand, I was met with a curt “hello” with no explanation on the refills then I was having a word with my wife about it she told me I was wrong, just to be called over to the same concession stand by the worker (I honestly thought i was in trouble ) The concession lady begrudgingly explained the gimmick and refilled our drink. It’s sugar water, folks, but when you’re charging Disney-level prices, at least have the decency to be upfront about it. The park’s infrastructure is a joke too. Elevators malfunction, the moving treadmill floors are out of order (yet I’m still told to keep my stroller off them), and the so-called “amenities” are laughably subpar. The cabana resort room we received reeked of musk and puke and a parking lot view—after a complaint, we were shuffled into another room that, while odor-free, had nothing but a view of the parking lot. When you tally up the expenses—over $1K for a room, $940 for tickets, $180–$200 per day for food, sky-high merchandise prices, and $1,300 for plane tickets—the entire trip is a masterclass in pay-to-play rip-offs. For a park that promises an unforgettable experience, all my toddler got were tears and long, endless lines. If I could give negative stars, For a quality experience, do yourself a favor and stick with Disney,nat least they know how to treat their guests . This was, without a doubt, one of the worst experiences I've ever had, and I won’t...

Universal Studios: A Mixed Bag of Frustration and a Few Bright Spots

Universal was… well, something. It feels like everything is intentionally designed to annoy you unless you shell out even more money on top of the already steep ticket price for an Express Pass. Oh, and you’ll need to show your ID and have your photo taken at the gate—for what reason? Even Disney doesn’t do that.

The Prices: Outrageous. The snacks are overpriced, and half taste like they came from a discount bag. Cold Butterbeer? Absolutely not. The drink was odd, and the foam on top was the only redeeming quality—just sell me a cup of that, please. The hot Butterbeer, on the other hand, was delicious and soothed my throat after enduring the guy vaping in the line for Escape from Gringotts. Security presence? Oh, they’re there, but they somehow missed that guy.

The Crowds: Chaos. People seem magnetically drawn to stand in doorways and block walkways. It’s like no one understands how to move to the side. The noise in those endless concrete queues is maddening, and the lack of music or distractions makes every wait feel twice as long. Parents? Good luck. Some of them treat the park like a free-range daycare. A kid nearly stomped on my $200 wand while his mother just stood there, unbothered.

The Lines: Endless. Mind-numbing. Concrete hallways with no ambiance, no distractions, and a whole lot of body odor. And after all that waiting, you’ll often find yourself on rides that rely heavily on projection screens. At these prices, why am I watching glorified TV screens while being jerked around in a chair?

The Rides: The Forbidden Journey ride in the castle was the highlight—fun, immersive, and magical. But it’s over way too fast. The Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure was also decent, but by then, I was so mentally fried I couldn’t fully enjoy it.

The Missing Magic: What would’ve truly enriched the experience? Seeing characters in person. Imagine Dumbledore striding around Hogwarts with purpose, Hagrid chatting with guests, or even a Snape-like figure gliding through the shadows with a billowing cape. Something. But no—the only characters you see are trapped on TV screens, frozen in scripted loops. For a park so focused on immersion, this felt like a huge missed opportunity.

The Train: The Hogwarts Express conductor was an absolute gem—funny, charming, and happy to pose for photos. But whose idea was it to run only one train? The wait was ridiculous, and I later found out I could’ve just walked back to the other park in 15 minutes.

The Shops: Surprisingly enjoyable. Despite the doorway-cloggers and general crowd chaos, popping into the shops was fun. I picked up some souvenirs, though I’m still salty about having to pay extra for a wand bag after dropping $200 on a wand. Also, avoid the Liquid Luck drink—it’s thick, overly sweet, and nearly impossible to drink without messing up your inner ear pressure.

By the end of the day, I was done. Tired, irritated, and ready to leave. Honestly, the best part of the day was spending time with my husband, who kept me calm and laughing through the chaos.

Final Thoughts: Universal has its moments—the Forbidden Journey ride, hot Butterbeer, and some lovely staff interactions—but overall, it was underwhelming. The park feels like it’s running on minimum effort while charging maximum prices. When I leave Disney or Busch Gardens, I feel like I spent my money well. Here? Not so much.

If you decide to visit, go during the off-season, skip the cold Butterbeer, and maybe lower your expectations a bit. And Universal? Next time, give me Dumbledore, Hagrid, or even a moody Snape gliding by. Something more than just faces...

Rides and Atmosphere Ride Variety: IOA offers a fantastic mix of experiences. You get the thrill of classic roller coasters like The Incredible Hulk Coaster and Jurassic Park River Adventure, alongside immersive experiences like Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. The variety means there's something for everyone, whether you're a thrill-seeker or prefer a more gentle ride. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade: Even though it's been around for a while, this land is still a huge draw and a major reason people visit IOA. The attention to detail in the theming is incredible, making you feel like you've stepped right into the books and movies. The Hogwarts Express is a must-do, connecting you directly to Diagon Alley over in Universal Studios Florida. Water Rides: IOA is known for its water rides. On a hot day, there's nothing better than cooling off on Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls or getting soaked on Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges. They're not the newest rides, but they're a ton of fun. The "Outdated" Feel Classic Charm: While some areas might not have the high-tech bells and whistles of newer rides at other parks, many people appreciate this classic theme park feel. It's less about screens and simulators and more about physical sets, impressive animatronics, and clever ride mechanics. This can be a refreshing change of pace from newer attractions that rely heavily on digital effects. Maintenance and Refurbishments: Universal does a good job of keeping the park well-maintained. Even though some of the theming might feel dated, the rides themselves are generally in great working order. The "outdated" vibe is more about the original design aesthetic of certain lands rather than a lack of care. The "Better Chance of Riding" Experience Lower Crowds: As you mentioned, IOA often has more manageable crowds than other theme parks, especially in some of the older lands. This means you can often walk onto rides that would have long waits elsewhere. Strategic Planning: Even with its popularity, you can often knock out the major rides in IOA more efficiently than at other parks. By using the Universal Orlando App to monitor wait times, you can easily prioritize the most popular attractions and save time. Single Rider Lines: IOA is great for using single rider lines, which can drastically cut down on your wait time for popular rides like The Incredible Hulk Coaster and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. If you don't mind riding separately from your group, this is an...