The Creation of Universal's Islands Of Adventure | Expedition Islands Of Adventure

Join us on the first episode of Expedition Islands Of Adventure as we look at the history of Universal Orlando's second theme park. This marked the turning point from a single day park to a full resort with one of the best themed parks in the world featuring Marvel, Dr Seuss, Jurassic Park and more.
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Sean Flaharty - • Islands of Adventure P...
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Orlando Informer - • Video
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Further reading artical with great information - themeparkuniversity.com/unive...

[@RamblinPhoenix]

I used to work at the Magic Kingdom, my Area Manager once candidly said "Islands of Adventuer is the greatest Dinsey park Disney never built." It was absolutely meant as a compliment. And when I lived and worked in Orlando, I proudly had an annual pass to Universal and always loved going to IoA.

[@LuckyMoose-oq6fs]

Islands is still my second fav Orlando park second to Epcot. Epic Universe will push Disney to Third

[@ksm13706]

I remember being in the Lost Continent area of the park, eating a huge Turkey leg and watching Dueling Dragons zoom by...good times 😌

[@RecklessFables]

I LOVED that part of the park.

[@NanoWoo]

I miss Dueling Dragons but Hagrid’s is just as good tbh

[@carminecdinoproductions]

Cherub I’d definitely like to see a Lost Kingdom section that’s themed around fantasy IPs, characters, and creatures with Dungeons and Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, She-Ra, and Spyro!

[@evoiii8]

I have this exact memory from 2004. It's one that always stick out in my mind when I reminisce about family vacations.

[@ZeroFische]

Didn’t you see that creepy Disney movie 🍗🍗 it’s an EMU leg!!!

[@SeanFlaharty]

I still can't believe the park is twenty years old. My first ever visit was twenty years ago this month, for a couple of the preview days. I have honestly never looked at a park in the same way since. Thanks again for the credit. I have more IOA footage coming out later this month, for those that didn't catch the "hidden" release of that footage on April 1st. :)

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Crazy isnt it! And thank you. Cant wait to see more footage

[@bryankriser8656]

lost continent becoming harry potter is probably the biggest theme park upgrade/reveal ever and will always will be. I wasn't even a harry potter fan and even I loved everything they did with that part of the park. can't wait for the next video

[@amroge8703]

One fantastic land, turned into another

[@julieoisawesome]

And that Spiderman Ride is still one of the BEST rides ever.

[@TheBullockFamily]

This should have been a 45 min episode 16min is just not enough (I need more) LOL great episode as always.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Will be alot more to come! Thank you

[@TheVloggerDude2018]

I was a Disney person until Harry Potter came to universal. When I went I was like: WHY DID WE NEVER COME HERE? And I was SUPER upset when I realized I missed the Bttf ride...

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

It really changed the game

[@TheVloggerDude2018]

Expedition Theme Park it did. I was under the impression Harry Potter was witchcraft and evil but it turned out to be the best movie series ever. I fell in love with butter beer (didn’t like forbidden journey so much) and it felt more of a theme park than Disney bc there was so much more room!

[@adam_p99]

I’m pretty sure the Simpsons ride is exactly the same, it’s just the images that differ

[@TheVloggerDude2018]

Adam P the concept is the same yes. But I’d rather ride in a Delorean than a clown coaster car....

[@adam_p99]

Vlogger Dude I mean the movements are identical too. If that makes sense? I know what you mean though.

[@CalebPanini]

The intro theme is somehow always sparks a nostalgic feeling 🥺

[@perrinmontenegro]

Caleb Perrine yes it really does

[@srayj]

Oh the irony of Eisner. Everything he said about ballooning costs and short cuts would come to pass...he just didn’t realize it was going to be his story, not Universal’s. He let the competition get the better of him and lost sight of the fact that in the early days it wasn’t about being better than others, it was about Disney being better than themselves and anything they had previously done. I also thought the comment about Seuss Landing and defying gravity was kind of funny because it’s like Joe Rohde and his team building Pandora heard that and saw the floating mountains and were like, hold my beer. I first visited Islands of Adventure in 2014 and I really enjoyed it. My favorite areas were Seuss Landing, Harry Potter and Jurassic Park. Toon Lagoon was cute, but since I never watched those cartoons growing up I didn’t really have a personal connection to the rides and Marvel island was cool, but felt somewhat generic and most or the rides made me nauseous so... Overall though it was an interesting park and clearly made its mark on theme park design.

[@berzerkbankie1342]

The marvel rides all do make you sick. As far as a regular roller coaster goes though (I can tolerate them to an extent) the Hulk really is a masterpiece, especially when it was first created.

[@GwydionAE]

My family was there during that soft opening. It was amazing. I love the Disney parks, and I love my home park, Cedar Point, but Islands of Adventure really struck me as special. The theming was just gorgeous - I have hundreds of photos of just scenery from that trip. And it continued with the addition/change to Harry Potter (though I admit I especially loved The Lost Continent and was very sad at it's removal). Can't wait to visit with my nephews someday!

[@redfive1300]

You’ve taken your research with respect. I salute to you!

[@SrumsProductions]

I remember going to Orlando for Halloween horror nights and seeing islands of adventure with my dad, not even knowing it had been built. I had no clue what was even in it, but the experience was one of the best things I've ever done. It's still today one of my favorite parks, wish I still had the broacher but I got my opening pin that doesn't light up anymore so theres that.

[@ryanahr2267]

I grew up super poor, most particularly because I'm the oldest of five kids, so watching commercials for Disney and Universal as a kid always killed me. I did get to go to Disney World once when I was five but I have no memory of it. Then, in 2017, my brother had planned a trip to Universal with some friends, mostly to see Harry Potter world. However, he ran into some financial difficulties and had to bail, but he didn't want to leave the trip hanging and so asked me to take his spot. Islands of Adventure really is something special. The old school cartoons just evoke so much nostalgia, not only for my relatively young 31 year old self, but also for my dad, who was 56 at the time. The big ones, though...man they knocked it out of the park for me. Jurassic Park made me feel like a kid watching the movie for the first time again. Also the Raptor Encounter photo op created one of my most cherished memories. Harry Potter world is so beautifully and expertly designed that it really feels like you're on the movie set. Seuss Landing was also beautiful and really caught the eye in a lot of ways but honestly we were all still reeling from the previous worlds too much to really appreciate this one. The Marvel world was really fun, and brought back to all those great 90s Marvel cartoons. I've mentioned on these kinds of videos before that I honestly really don't care for rides all that much but I actually loved the Spider-Man ride right up until the end. The sensation of being tossed high in the air was unexpected and unpleasant for me but it didn't hurt the whole day in the least. I've not exactly watched your videos in order, so I already saw some of your Lost Continent content. I definitely would have liked to have seen that area :)

[@lexiesmychynsky1313]

This has literally made me the happiest in the world. No one does enough universal for my liking and it’s such a great park with great history and detail. Your videos always dive deep and give the most info so I’m glad you’re the one to do this series! Truly the highlight of my week, month, and year.

[@weston407]

I grew up in Orlando and was there during the soft opening and let me tell you, riding The Incredible Hulk for the first time and having absolutely ZERO idea that you were going to be launched at the beginning absolutely blew me away!

[@sleepink.]

Another top quality video as always from you

[@dfall3n1]

10:00 Fast forward to 2005 with the release of Hong Kong Disneyland... Oh the irony, Eisner

[@E69apeTheMatrix420]

The once in a lifetime 2017 trip to Orlando was life changing! So we went back in 2018 and it rained for 2 weeks:( It was still incredible but you can only go somewhere new once. The first time is always the best. Great video.

[@TylerRakstis]

RIP to both Stan Lee and Audrey Giesel.

[@SirBlackReeds]

Do you think that Universal can pretty much do what they want with the Seuss IPs or does the Seuss estate now hold the power?

[@TylerRakstis]

@@SirBlackReeds Not sure on that part.

[@annieskywalker9290]

@@TylerRakstis the Seuss Company owns the rights for the Dr seuss IPs but Universal has the distribution rights to Some animated features produced by ted geissel and also the rights of the early 2000s live action adaptions of the grinch and the cat in the hat as well as the Illumination adaptations of the lorax and the grinch

[@TylerRakstis]

@@annieskywalker9290 So why are you telling me this?

[@annieskywalker9290]

@@TylerRakstis @Hanskah asked for it

[@dennissmith5807]

Those early IOA years bring back a lot of memories.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Good times Dennis!

[@dennissmith5807]

Expedition Theme Park I might have the ioa preview center somewhere on video. That will have to take some digging.

[@roycebracket]

Glad you're deciding to do a full episode on Lost Continent. It deserves full respect, it's definitely the best themed area of any park I've been to.

[@patrickn8355]

Used to go every year as a kid. Haven’t been in 9 years and man has it changed. Can’t wait to get back soon!

[@JoshKenfield]

Thank you for making these videos! You have really done some great research. I had the privilege of painting some sets and props for this theme park before it opened. It was my favorite theme park and not just because I worked on it. That's saying a lot, since I am a big fan of the Disney parks. Lost Continent became my favorite section of the park, because it was wholly original, beautifully executed and not based on any preexisting IP.

[@GregBatte]

My home park in high school and college...thank you for getting this right . You do a GREAT job on all of your projects

[@LilithVWinter]

I really miss lost continent. I use to work at studios and would got to lost continent some days after work and just sit around, maybe ride a ride or have a meal. I just loved soaking up the atmosphere there.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

It was an amazing land

[@kelseycotton1498]

As an avid lover of all things Universal, I loved this episode! Can’t wait for the next one

[@PhilTheHappyWanderer]

I am always amazed by the quality of these videos. I can't wait for the next episode!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you

[@pepsiaddictgaming]

Whenever another series slowly wraps up you come out of the gate with a brand new one. Fantastic as ever.

[@starberrycupcake]

I'm looking forward to your next video, in part for The Lost Continent and its evolution and in part because I'm always on the lookout for Beastly Kingdom mentions and content, it would have been such an amazing park, I'll be forever bitter about it not happening. Thanks for another amazing video!

[@Sdanwolf]

Yes! You covered this awesome like always.Keep up the good work buddy!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you

[@marcussheen]

Great video. The story of the Lost Continent is fascinating; I love how Disney was the reason it came to Universal (budget cuts by Eisner at Animal Kingdom, ironic, considering his comments in this video), but also the reason most of it has gone (because Disney passed up Harry Potter)

[@SirBlackReeds]

@@jevinday The loss of Harry Potter isn't on him alone. The Imagineers themselves really made JK Rowling uninterested in Disney acquiring HP.

[@SirBlackReeds]

Yep, no one wants to admit to taking shortcuts until they have to.

[@GrumpsTheMovie]

How about the creation of Universal Studios Japan or the history of Westcot

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Great ideas

[@deannaw]

Great vid! Really enjoyed it. Look forward to the next episode ⚡️

[@williamcarter8725]

Thanks for the great videos. We are passholder at Universal and it's great seeing its history.

[@SirBlackReeds]

Interestingly enough, Universal's "Dream Park" project may very well be a land based off of their Dreamworks properties. Personally, I have to side with anyone that says even The Lost Continent didn't live up to Beastly Kingdom.

[@carminecdinoproductions]

jacoblgames I want Universal Orlando Resort to have more than its usual three theme parks and one water park with more theme parks like a Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park at Universal Orlando Resort next door to the Studios Park and a Hard Rock Park at Universal Orlando Resort adjacent to Universal Orlando Resort’s Hard Rock Hotel and I might want Universal Orlando Resort to have its own separate theme park for DreamWorks movies and franchises like Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, etc.!

[@annieskywalker9290]

I feel like Epic Universe could be the closest to that Idea

[@John-Boy-lw5hw]

Great video, brings back memories . I was one of the first to open the parks for food services. Enchanted oak was my main working area, can’t wait for your next video.... you did a great job!

[@SuperEnthused]

Ok I need to go and give this park a full chance! You’re the best. Excellent work as always!!! I didn’t realize all the name changes, amazing what a difference a strong name and clear branding can make.

[@stevewatson1982]

Loved the video. This is my favorite theme park in the world. Can't wait to go back in 2021!

[@mfchimichanga]

"GIMMIE A SECOND" - Orlando.

[@KC-Mitch]

I love these type of videos. I hope to see more videos that stray from rides specifically and analyze parks or decisions by CEOs that shape the industry, etc. Great job! BTW, I too work at Hollywood Studios like you mentioned you did once. Cheers!

[@thebluetarp]

So happy to see your subscriber count going up rapidly!! Keep up the awesome work

[@bignibbabiopatrick8467]

Another amazing video from an amazing person.

[@dompne33]

Absolutely fantastic video

[@emmablanco378]

I remember going to islands as a kid the first year it opened and riding hulk over and over again. Good job Sam!

[@patrickcrews3977]

Ahhh such the cliffhanger sir. Another well put together episode.

[@ItsMeMonkeyDLuffy]

Really wanna go back with my kid, loved this place back in the 90’s

[@a_cowwithlegs]

I love this place! Keep up the good work.

[@LozzyPanda]

Really enjoyed this =) looking forward to more!

[@brerkris]

I used to work there in like 2003. Miss that place so much!

[@0116scooter]

Great video! I remember getting to go to this park before it was officially open when I was I high school. Everything was done except Toon Lagoon. It was so amazing because there were so few people there.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you

[@sleepink.]

Can’t wait to see future vids from you on this park

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

We got some good ones coming!

[@justinchild8439]

You are so incredible with the amount of information I've seen! I'm excited for someone to finally look at Posideon's Fury. It's INCREDIBLY well themed, but has such a mediocre attraction inside. I've always been interested in it. Thanks for all your incredible work!

[@jaymemak8389]

My favourite rides ever are here, spiderman, hulk, this is emotional.

[@klownpng]

I’ve been to nearly all the theme parks in Orlando many times but all the main memories from my childhood came from islands of adventure it’s a truly iconic park

[@213dreamingstar]

Great video! I remember going to the IOA preview center in studios when I was younger. I can't wait for the rest of this series! Especially the wwohp ones :D

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you

[@danielneil237]

Amazing video highly love your channel because of some of your great videos. I am learning about rides l never even knew existed like the Smiler.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you so much i really appreciate it

[@jaymemak8389]

Love islands of adventure so many memories.

[@ciropannell7]

Keep up the great work!

[@JustOutnAbout]

Great info!! Will definitely look forward to the rest! You already know this without me saying lol... But I love this place!! Port of Entry IMO is just the best feeling of entering into a park! 🤗 ~Dawn

[@yotsubafanfan]

I loved Toon Lagoon! Everywhere I looked there was a fond memory of when I was a kid. Whether it be staying up till dusk watching Late Night Black and White's Popeye cartoons, watching Rocky and Bullwinkle with my dad, or reading the Sunday funnies with him before church.

[@J_Symbiote247]

That was awesome the way you teased Harry Potter for the next video, Great Video as always!!

[@sebastianhernandez4588]

Sucks to be watching this during quarantine, it just gives you that vibe of wanting to go so badly.

[@stephensworldofadventure]

I loved Islands of Adventure, Got some great rides like Spiderman, Hulk and Jurassic Park. Plus having Harry Potter there has certainly made it a must see place. Thoroughly enjoyed it all

[@jonathaneaton6960]

Was in the park during an early soft open (not all rides were available). My next visit was shortly after when Hogsmeade opened. So many good memories at this park.

[@Predatornc1]

Yet another amazing video.o

[@jesseA6588]

One of my favorite theme parks in the world!

[@conjuredisease]

When i was a little kid i got to ride BTTF before it was closed as well as Disaster, Twister, Terminator & Jimmy Neutron. And then going to Islands of Adventure and where do i even start? it was the best childhood memory for me to be there and listen to the unforgettable music and look at the scenery while eating a churro.

[@AS-ds5zm]

Great video! This is my favourite park in the whole world

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Me too

[@Chunks76]

Sam, this is a great intro. Just a wonderful job. I was there at the soft opening it is crazy to see where the park is today.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you Adam!

[@VasKing23]

My favorite theme park in Orlando. Can’t wait for the third theme park.

[@JeffHutchh]

Can't wait to see the rest of this series! I think that Islands of Adventure is the only other park that rivals Disney and I look forward to learning more!

[@1upgamer959]

You do quality and quantity and it boggles my mind. How can you be so good at this?

[@MzRainbowExplosion]

I love this series. So hyped for the Harry Potter world episode! I got chills when the music started playing.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Me too and i made it! Ha

[@edvaira6891]

Aww Yeah, son! First you start up a series on one of my favorite West Coast parks, Knotts, and now my favorite East Coast park, IOA! Thanks SO much!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Haha thank you!

[@jacksmith427]

Another great video!! You should do one on volcano bay as well!

[@joevinski1]

Fantastic video Sam !!!!

[@SueRiotGraphics]

The Hulk rollercoaster is immense. It is my favourite ride ever. We went to IoA not long after it opened.

[@VioletEntropy04]

Seuss Landing was my favourite bit!

[@scottcolwill1582]

Was just at Universal Orlando. Even tho we are a Disney family but I tell you what, we had a great time! IOA is terrific!

[@Rydonattelo]

I remember going here from Scotland not long after 911 , in October and the parks were totally empty. I'd been to Orlando before so knew how long Qs could be. I remember being able to effectively walk straight on rides like Splash Mountain in the Magic Kingdom which felt crazy and I remember going to Islands of Adventure for the first time and the whole line space for dueling dragons was empty. You had to walk through miles and miles of themed Q space, through a castle to the ride and it was all empty.

[@SeeShaunVlog]

Top job once again Sam!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thanks shaun

[@bradleyjohnson1702]

My first trip to islands was for Horror Nights 13 in 2003 and it's been my favorite orlando park ever since.

[@jamskatelake]

Bradley Johnson me too. They had a guy on an elevated platform with a flamethrower. I remember it well.

[@FHTV19]

Went a month after it open , one of the best times I had, I make it yearly pilgrimage

[@bigboy8998]

Awesome!

[@Saltalotl]

Everything I get from watching these expeditions has definitely keyed me into something. Generally speaking, an own IP or original IP for ride themeing works better than using a different IP. I think that might be why I liked the style of Alton Towers' themeing so much (I don't have another example of it, personally).

[@michaelmize1155]

Got my HHN's Tee, keep up the "Good Work" and thank you.

[@aegisofhonor]

I was just there this summer though I was suprised to learn later that large sections of the park remain almost entirely unchanged nearly a quarter century later. I hope they plan on making some changes and upgrades to Toon Lagoon and Seuss's Landing in the next few years after they are done with Epic Universe.

[@sacredpanda3055]

I came back from the Orlando resort, it was fun(mainly went on the 3D rides)

[@seany1539]

You just earned a new sub

[@alexjayne_]

Please make a part 2!!!

[@user-dg5nj1ez8c]

Man living in Florida Universal was always my favorite park

[@falchionofeternity433]

Unironically, Theme Park History just did a segment on Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls in Islands of Adventure. Great to see more about the whole section of the park from you.

[@Maniac536]

I actually visited the park in its first year. I enjoyed it, loved the Hulk, Jurassic Park was great and it was cool to hang out in the discovery center from the film after going on the ride. The log ride was a great way to cool off, and my cousin and I would alternate dueling dragons coasters all morning.

[@marcussheen]

Same here, particularly Duelling Dragons; rode the hell out of it in the morning while everyone else was on Hulk. The baby swap queue was a lifesaver to cut out walking through the entire queue everytime

[@AdroitJake]

I watched IOA bring built evrey day from raging rapids wet-n-wild! It was neat! I miss Wet-n-wild...best job ever! We got to ride the park before it opened! I had no clue Hulk launched you till it happened!!!! No lines, we used side entrances!

[@citizenofcorona8783]

Hey, that's my regular hangout spot where Michael Eisner is sitting at 1:36!

[@hiibob2618]

I miss this ride. It was my first Inverted coaster and I loved it. I was hoping I was able to ride it again but then I heard it was closing and I wasn’t happy because I wouldn’t be able to ride it one last time

[@BostonWhite]

Loved this ! xo

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thanks Amanda. See you at HHN again aha

[@BostonWhite]

Expedition Theme Park for sure 🖤

[@daveotuwa5596]

I've been to Islands of Adventure! 'Twas so thrillingly awesome! 'Twas where I rode inverting roller coasters for the first time ever in my life to conquer my fear.

[@daveotuwa5596]

Roller coasters are my favourite conquerable fear!

[@Emike-nc9ew]

My favorite theme park of all time Shame im from the other coast Great video like always

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you

[@disneygurl054]

I'm a Disney girl but I love Islands of Adventure. I've left the Disney resort just to go there while on vacation. Love that they have thrills. The Incredible Hulk coaster is one of my favorite rides in Orlando :)