Orlando 2026 May 8–17
Day 2 Sat, May 9
🦖 Islands of Adventure

Islands of Adventure

Highest-intensity Universal park. Hagrid's first — it does not take Express.

Weather

97° /73°
Overcast
20% · 0.0" ·6:39 AM/8:05 PM

Park hours

Open
9:00 AM
Close
8:00 PM
  • Early entry: 8:30 AM for Universal hotel guests — rotates daily between parks. Off-property crowds will pile up at 9 sharp.
  • Confirm in Universal app day-of.

Source: AllEars Universal May 2026

Rope drop

At the gate 45 min before open. Straight to Hagrid's through Marvel and Toon Lagoon — don't stop. Then Velocicoaster (riders) or Jurassic Park River (everyone else). Regroup at Three Broomsticks for late breakfast.

Must do

  • Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (rope drop, no Express)
  • Velocicoaster (Lucy + adults; single rider)
  • Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
  • Jurassic Park River Adventure (Briggs + Louie OK at 42")
  • Skull Island: Reign of Kong
  • Flight of the Hippogriff (36")

Express / Lightning Lane

Skip Express — Hagrid's and Velocicoaster don't accept it. Rope drop + single rider.

Rain backup

Hagrid's runs in light rain, closes for lightning. Pivot to indoor: Forbidden Journey, Spider-Man, Skull Island. Loop back when storms clear.

Meals

Height blocks

  • Bowen (46”): out at Hagrid’s (48”), Forbidden Journey (48”)
  • Briggs/Louie (42–43”): out at Hagrid’s, Forbidden Journey, Velocicoaster (51”)
  • Charlotte: out at Velocicoaster (51”, confirm)

Single rider: Velocicoaster line is fast. Adults swap and cycle.