During our visit to Orlando at Easter 1999 we visited Universal Studios. On a previous visit to Universal Studios in 1996 we were aware of considerable construction work which was underway building a new theme park and hotels in this area of Orlando. On our return in 1999 we were amazed at the transformation which had occurred. In place of a bland concrete car park (you now park on the opposite side of the freeway in a multi-storey themed car park and cross to the Universal Studios complex via a moving walkway), a vast shopping and leisure complex had arisen (called City Walk), a river had been constructed and in the distance the loops of various rollercoasters were clearly visible within the new theme park called Islands of Adventure.		The Incredible Hulk Rollercoaster
Imagine our excitement when we discovered that we could obtain "sneak preview" tickets to explore the new theme park prior to its official opening. A few days after visiting Universal Studios we returned with our preview tickets and were warmly welcomed to "Islands of Adventure". "Islands of Adventure" comprises 5 themed lands. From the "Port of Entry" walking clockwise round the central lagoon you encounter "Marvel Super Hero Island"; "Toon Lagoon"; Jurassic Park"; "The Lost Continent" and finally "Seuss Landing" before returning to Port of Entry.

Marvel Super Hero Island

Dr Doom's Fearfall rockets you 150 feet in the air before leaving you to bounce up and down again on your return to earth.

The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman is an incredible 3-D thrill ride. This is a very popular ride so head for this area first. Donning 3-D glasses you ride through an adventure with Spiderman who performs death defying leaps from buildings (at one point landing on the bonnet of your futuristic car) while you follow along in a fast and furious interactive ride.

TIP: DO NOT MISS THIS RIDE.

The Incredible Hulk Coaster lauches you onto an exhilerating, though torturous, track with numerous twists, turns and loops. (I was conscious for most of it!) At one point the track dives below a public access bridge - a great vantage point for photographs but make sure you use a fast shutter speed to freeze the high speed action. Terrific fun.

Toon Lagoon

Home to Popeye and various other cartoon characters. Kids can have fun on "The Olive" - a ship shaped play area then catch a stage show at the Pandemonium Cartoon Circus. Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges (raft ride) and Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls (flume ride) complete this enjoyable island.

Jurassic Park

Here you enter the world of genetic engineering. The Jurassic Park Visitor Centre offers the opportunity to scan newly fertilised dinosaur eggs which hatch before your eyes every 30-40 minutes. You might even be asked to name the new dinosaur. Kids can then let off steam in a prehistoric adventure playground - Camp Jurassic - before riding the Jurassic Park River Adventure.

During our excursion an over enthusiastic dinosaur knocked our river boat off course and into the high security Raptor containment compound. The next few heart stopping moments found us ascending to the top of the enormous Adventure pavilion before escaping down a sheer drop to safety. Funnily enough the same thing happened on our two subsequent rides.
They'd better get this area sorted out soon before they lose some guests.

The Lost Continent

Zeus, Poseidon and Sinbad await your presence to do battle in the Lost Continent. Or, you may wish to do battle yourself on board one of two duelling dragons - the world's first inverted duelling roller coasters. The Lost Continent also offers the finest in cuisine served in The Mythos Restaurant and the greatest selection of beers (over 45 at the last count) served in The Enchanted Oak Tavern (and Alchemy Bar).

Seuss Landing

A firm favourite with the younger members of the family. Here you can meet and greet the Cat in the Hat or ride your couch through the pages of his book. Lots of fun can also be enjoyed on "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish" and the "Caro-Seuss-el" merry-go-round. Kids can let off steam in the "If I ran the Zoo" interactive play area. This area is also a great place to enjoy an ice-cream or experience the delights of the "Green Eggs and Ham Cafe".

City Walk

Entertainment of all shapes and sizes, restaurants, cinemas all await the visitor to Universal Studios, Florida. You may wish to devote some time here at the end of your day.