As Universal Orlando's world class park approaches its 25th anniversary let's look back at the park's history to unveil its secrets and its history! Join us in this adventure thru time and space!
But this park didn't start out as Island's of Adventure, no my friends! After the opening of Universal Studios Florida in 1990, Universal already had plans to expand the park into a worldwide destination resort: Universal City Florida was born.... The concept art bellow showcases the plans for this resort, many elements would evolve into the resort we all know today, while others where forgotten in the dust of time, such as; The Egyptian themed hotel and [our topic] Cartoon World. Planned as Universal's second gate in Florida this park would be the resort's answer to Magic Kingdom with family-friendly properties, the park would feature lands based on Dr.Seuss, Jay Ward ( Know for Rocky and Bullwinkle), Looney Tunes and DC Comics (not marvel!)...
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| Credit: Universal |
Unfortunately, Universal could not get rights from Warner Bros. meaning the park could not utilize the DC Comics' characters. However things would change with the opening of Jurassic Park the Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood, which was a smash hit! Now Universal Creatives had to find a way to include this attraction in the resort, as so life finds a way....
Islands of Adventure begins! With JP as the park's main anchor Universal now incorporated the other properties with DC being replaced with Marvel. A new land would come by that being the Lost Continent, Based on myths and legends from Middle Eastern, Hellenic and European Cultures this land included many original rides not themed directly to any IP, rather taking a page from Disney's book and recreating legends and folk stories in the park: Merlin would have a tavern inside a tree, Dragons would roam the land, you could join Sindbad on his 8th voyage or fight against Poseidon in an Epic Journey. However Today the Lost Continent is, frankly, LOST! With all attractions either in SBNO mode or replaced, the only remnant is Mythos, claimed to be the "Best Theme Park restaurant" it features some interesting details as it was designed by Jordan Mozer and Associates, Ltd (who also worked on some Cheesecake Factories), as so the restaurant is an art in itself, blending in elements from different cultures and legends in a Salvador Dali-esque way. Even if you are not able to get be sure to check out the exterior! Islands of Adventure would include Seuss Landing with no-straitgh-lines and 'seussin' architecture even the background music features weird twisting elements reminiscent of the author's style! IOA also includes Toon Lagoon were buildings look like newspaper pages...
At Marvel Super Heroes island guests will feel like they entered the pages of a Comic Book! Additionally Marvel fans will enjoy the the many comic book references like a Stark industries sign and a public phone revealing how the Avengers are fighting in space and how the villains plan to exploit this....The park's original "main land" was Jurassic Park with the Discovery Center as a Focal point, in fact IOA Loop and lake design allow for each land to have a different focal point...
But the reason most guests visit Islands of Adventure is because of the boy who lived: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This land changed the theme park industry forever, why? Well because it revolutionized the concept of the single ip land where even the merchandise immerse you onto this world.
As we look at the Legacy of Islands of Adventure we must understand how it truly changed the theme park industry forever when it opened back in May 28, 1999....Here is to the next 25 years of this incredible park, don't leave just yet as the Adventure Lives on!
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