The 25-Year History of Universal Islands of Adventure

The Opening-Day Attractions of Islands of Adventure

Scroll to learn more about the opening-day attractions of Universal Islands of Adventure.

• Port of Entry
  • Island Skipper Tours (1999–2002)
• Marvel Superhero Island
  • The Incredible Hulk Coaster (1999–present)
  • Doctor Doom’s Fearfall (1999–present)
  • The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man (1999–present)
• Toon Lagoon
  • Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges (1999–present)
  • Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls (1999–present)
  • Pandemonium Cartoon Circus (1999–2000)
• Jurassic Park
  • Jurassic Park River Adventure (1999–present)
  • Camp Jurassic (1999–present)
  • Pteranodon Flyers (1999–present)
  • Triceratops Encounter (1999–2004, 2010)
  • Discovery Center (1999–present)
• The Lost Continent
  • Dueling Dragons (1999–2017)
  • The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad (1999–2018)
  • Poseidon’s Fury: Escape from the Lost City (1999–2023)
• Seuss Landing
  • The Cat in the Hat (1999–present)
  • Caro-Seuss-el (1999–present)
  • One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (1999–present)
  • If I Ran the Zoo (1999–present)

The Adventure Begins

“We are proud to unveil Universal Studios Islands of Adventure.”

– Steven Spielberg, creative consultant for Islands of Adventure

Universal Studios Islands of Adventure opened May 28, 1999: a day the Orlando Sentinel described as “smooth sailing.” Unlike the troubled opening of Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure’s opening day had thousands of happy visitors and only a few small hiccups.

The park and its innovative attractions were well-received—so much so that Disney CEO Michael Eisner checked out the competition with a visit at the beginning of 2000.

In Islands of Adventure, guests could explore five themed lands across the park’s 110 acres. The islands were all separated by waterways and bridges, each with brimming imagination, discovery, and adventure.

Let’s take a tour through the park’s original lineup from 1999.

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Port of Entry

Port of Entry is Islands of Adventure’s entrance area, like Main Street U.S.A. It’s a town with gift shops and restaurants, serving as a portal for adventurers from all corners of the world.

Thematically, Port of Entry was built by travelers near and far, melding cultures from all over into one. Improv decor like shade from the canvas sails of ships make up the land’s look—along with architecture from the Mediterranean, Black, and Baltic Seas.

At the entrance of Port of Entry stands the 130-foot-tall icon of Islands of Adventure: Pharos Lighthouse. This is a functioning lighthouse based on one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Lighthouse of Alexandria. That ancient wonder was the tallest structure on earth at the time, using a mirror to reflect sunlight during the day and a bright flame at night. Likewise, the Pharos Lighthouse at Islands of Adventure has a mirror at the top and a roof artistically stylized like flames.

Port of Entry acts as the perfect thesis statement for Islands of Adventure. The land encourages discovery as it is lush with details formed with mismatched aesthetics—just like the park itself. Port of Entry is rich with soundscapes and enveloping melodies, leading guests to the waterfront at the end of the town square.

Island Skipper Tours

The lagoon spans a gorgeous view of the park and its many themed lands. Here, an attraction called Island Skipper Tours shuttled guests across the Inland Sea, to and from a second dock in Jurassic Park. The transportation ride had three uniquely designed boats: The Boatney, Tropic Trader, and Sam Plane.