Universal Islands of Adventure, commonly known as Islands of Adventure, is a theme park in Orlando, Florida, United States. Owned by NBCUniversal and operated by Universal Destinations & Experiences, the park officially opened as Universal Studios Islands of Adventure on May 28, 1999. Its opening marked Universal's largest investment and expansion in the Orlando area since the debut of Universal Studios Florida in 1990. The expansion included the development of Universal CityWalk, together establishing what became Universal Orlando Resort. The park was renamed Universal's Islands of Adventure in 2001, a name that remained in use through 2023. It was the second of four parks to open at the resort and was later followed by Universal Volcano Bay in 2017 and Universal Epic Universe in 2025.
Islands of Adventure is designed around the concept of exploration, with each section of the park representing a different themed island. Initially, the park featured six themed areas. A seventh area called The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, based on the Harry Potter franchise, was introduced in 2010 and contributed to a notable increase in attendance. In 2024, the park had an attendance of 9.4 million visitors, ranking fourteenth worldwide among amusement parks.
History
The site selected for Islands of Adventure was initially allocated for a future shopping mall to be named Galleria Orlando, which was part of a larger complex that included condominiums and office buildings. Planning had begun in 1985, but the project was eventually cancelled in 1990. Universal Studios Florida opened the same year on an adjacent site.
During construction of Islands of Adventure, Universal opened a preview center showcasing a sneak peek of upcoming themes and attractions. It was housed in the Paradise Theater building located in the New York section of Universal Studios Florida, next to the Kongfrontation attraction. In the attraction, guests walked through various rooms themed to the different "Islands" in the upcoming park. The final room revealed the opening date and future plans for the Universal Orlando Resort.
Opening Islands of Adventure held a soft opening preview beginning March 27, 1999, in which visitors could enter the park at a discounted price while the park conducted a technical rehearsal and made final adjustments. Attractions could open and close throughout the day without notice or not open at all. The park's grand opening was initially scheduled for mid-May, but it was later delayed, opening officially to the public on May 28, 1999.
Universal sought to better compete and eventually surpass Walt Disney World in attendance with its massive investment on Islands of Adventure, CityWalk, and the resort hotels. However, attendance in the first few years after the expansion did not rise to expected levels. The new resort in 1999 was named Universal Studios Escape, which initially confused guests. Marketing also misled many to believe Islands of Adventure was an expansion or collection of rides inside Universal Studios Florida. The marketing campaign was completely revamped in 2001 to clarify that the new park was a standalone theme park, and the resort was renamed Universal Orlando Resort.
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