The Full History of Universal Islands of Adventure: Celebrating 25 Years

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thanks for tuning in, folks! It's been a blast celebrating this special park's anniversary together. ✨ I really do appreciate everyone for being here. I mean, if you're reading this, you at least clicked on the video, and even that's awesome, so thank you. But if you want to help support more content like this in the future, please drop a like and subscribe. It's definitely the easiest way to help the channel. For anyone interested, I do have some IOA bonus content coming soon on Patreon. You'll also get early access and whatnot there. But anyway, thanks so much, and WOOOO go Islands of Adventure! www.patreon.com/StorybookAmusement

[@JakeTheComicBookDude]

I wanna visit this park someday because I’ve never been there before and I heard tons of great things about Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

[@StorybookAmusement]

@@JakeTheComicBookDude It's a great time to visit! Epic Universe is opening next year, so there's a lot to experience around Universal.

[@SEJ101]

I love the commitment to only using original footage from when the park first opened when discussing the park attractions. Could have easily used modern HD footage but that detail really adds a nice touch of immersion into your narration. Excellent job on this one, loved every second of it salute emoji

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thank you! I was hoping people would notice that. I tried to use era-specific footage when possible! It's always fun talking about IOA.

[@shanehofman2949]

I second this! Great job!

[@PaddletailPhilly]

The story will continue, the adventure lives on, and the legends will never die. Goddamn, what a fantastic park.

[@StorybookAmusement]

It's an unbelievable place that holds so many memories!

[@RyanDavis-qv4ie]

@@StorybookAmusement RIP to the ride that got me into my career with engineering.. Dueling Dragons. I still own my shirt from opening day of it. Tucked away in the corner of my closet.

[@erikm8372]

The Seuss’s were neighbors of my family in San Diego… lived in La Jolla, Ca. So that was sweet to see Audrey Geisel smiling when she finally visited Universal and was impressed! A very nice lady! ♥️

[@brianorozco1074]

That's so cool!

[@WDWCentral]

This Park is so incredibly well designed

[@StorybookAmusement]

They understood the assignment and RAN with it

[@ParkTwister]

Such a love letter to the greatest theme park that ever lived.

[@StorybookAmusement]

The adventure lives on!

[@ratbones620]

Islands of Adventure is a world class theme park. I can’t wait to see how it will evolve in the future, and I’m super excited for Universal’s next park!

[@StorybookAmusement]

There are clearly some changes coming to IOA in due time, and I'm so excited for what's to come!

[@waltuhhartwellwhitte]

i watch/listen to this video almost every day at work, dreaming of my next trip to my favorite place. thank you so much for this wonderful piece of content and i’d love more videos about islands!!

[@StorybookAmusement]

I hope Gus is ok with that. 😳 But seriously, thanks so much! Glad it gets you excited for the park!

[@waltuhhartwellwhitte]

@@StorybookAmusementi always forgot i’m walter lmao. absolutley man, thanks for making great content!

[@Emma-ql2lv]

A Florida native this was the first theme park I visited, not Disney. We went there for grad bash, then I went as an adult for a weekend getaway with my boyfriend. Seeing all the rides brought back sooo many memories for me. Thank for for this masterpiece

[@StorybookAmusement]

That's amazing. There's something special about that place! Thanks so much for watching.

[@shygeist]

This will always be my favorite theme park. I can cite IOA as the place where young me truly understood magic for the first time. It helped cultivate my fascination and passion for fantasy, adventure, storytelling, mythology, and of course how immersive themed entertainment can really be. While not THE catalyst of these interests, for sure, the importance this park had to my young mind cannot be understated. I feel so privileged to have been able to experience this wonderful place time and time and time again. Thanks for this video and here's to 25 more years of living the adventure!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Nicely said! This park has that type of effect on people. Absolutely!

[@crownwreath59]

Happy 25th anniversary to Universal Islands of Adventure!

[@carmelinahernandez3224]

Great video! Poseidon's fury was my favorite! The host outside told us it was a "walk through of some old ruins" lol. We were so surprised when we went in!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Ohhhh that must've been the best surprise. You can't beat that!

[@liftinginapolo]

my parents took me to this park in 1999 and ive been so blessed to be able to be a UOAP along with my two oldest kids for the past few years. we've shared so many great memories here. cant wait for 25 more years.

[@StorybookAmusement]

Oh that's so special. I love that!

[@gabrielsantana8199]

You've done justice to share the history of this brilliant park

[@StorybookAmusement]

I appreciate it!

[@AdventuresWithParker]

Beautiful tribute to the world’s best theme park 🤩 I’m always so fascinating by how this park was developed and conceived, and you covered it exceptionally well.

[@StorybookAmusement]

Why thank you! It's such an interesting place through and through.

[@regionalearth301]

Best history I've seen of the best park in the US!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thanks! You said it

[@RicardoGonzalez-zf7ts]

This video was great, I loved the vintage footage used. It reminds me of visiting my cousins in Florida and living through these lands. I went last year as an adult and yeah some things might seem a tad bigger as a child, but the magic is still definetly there. Thanks!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thanks! A lot of great memories there

[@BobbyHealy]

Beautiful video of my favourite place on earth. You put it together and told the story so well. Loved every minute of this!

[@StorybookAmusement]

You're a legend. Thank you!

[@averyeml]

I never get tired hearing about the building of Universal, but you’ve got a really hefty amount of things I’d never heard about or seen! Great work as always 💙

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thank you! Ah the random IOA tidbits never ever end. There's so much!

[@doc2w534]

The entrance plaza and Port of Entry area music is my fav theme park music. I frequently play it on KZbin when I’m working at home.

[@StorybookAmusement]

That Port of Entry loop is is probably the peak of theme park sound design

[@marybethborylo918]

Can you post the link to the music video

[@Talesoftheokefenokeefan09]

Toon Lagoon and Harry Potter are my favorite islands there!

[@Inklander]

Great video! John Rust actually talks about the Zax in his interview with us! They were the first theming placed, but were placed to do a stop motion video of them wandering the construction site until they met in their final places

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thank you! Ah I see. That's still such a fun detail though! It's been a busy busy day, but I'm looking forward to all the episodes soon!

[@robertbarga3694]

I love videos like this. I've been to Islands of Adventure several times throughout the years and as recently as last October and it was nice to take this trip down memory lane.

[@StorybookAmusement]

Oh nice! Glad you enjoyed

[@WorldofThrills]

Oh wow what a fantastic celebration of this park! I remember cutting out pictures of IoA from travel brochures when I was a youngen to make my own collages hahah Congratulations on this masterpiece Matt, you can tell IoA has a special place in your heart. Hopefully I can visit someday!

[@StorybookAmusement]

You are a legend for that. Hopefully I'm there when you visit!

[@k1tkat-kate]

43:02 heeyyyyyyyy shout-out Tim Tracker!!! I'd know that iconic mustache anywhere!

[@StorybookAmusement]

I knew it was a matter of time before someone commented this 😅 Thanks for watching!

[@jamichaelgaskins3681]

I was just going to say this lol

[@davidgonsalves9491]

Great video!!! I love seeing how far Universal has come and can’t wait to see what the future holds.

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thanks! This is such an exciting time to be a theme park fan

[@scottin360]

Fantastic video! Loved the segments on Marvel Superhero Island and especially the Hulk coaster. Really well done, Matt! 👏👏

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thank you! I knew you'd like that part 😅

[@rileymet9393]

love this video 🥹 subscribed and excited for the future of this channel!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thanks so much!

[@nicolecook392]

My insides giggle with joy every time he says ‘Sylvester McMonkey McBeans Very Unusual Driving Machines’

[@StorybookAmusement]

Sylvester McMonkey McBean's Very Unusual Driving Machines

[@brianorozco1074]

I've always been a huge fan of Universal Orlando Resort and especially a huge fan of Islands of Adventure. I remember seeing a photo from the early 2000s with me in front of the Spinosaurus statue at the Jurassic Park area. Watching this video definitely helped me gain more appreciation for Islands of Adventure and is definitely helping to make me super excited for Epic Universe.

[@StorybookAmusement]

Oh those are great memories. Here's to Epic Universe and new adventures!

[@DTM1337]

Great video, nice to see the history, many thanks

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thanks! It's always fun to revisit its wonderful history

[@benl8413]

Fantastic video. Still the best theme park in North America

[@StorybookAmusement]

Y'know what, who am I to disagree? That's right

[@parksandprotein]

Great video of my favorite theme park. Thank you!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Mine too! Thanks for watching

[@NickMatzkeMusic]

Awesome work as always Matt!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thank you!

[@payotimeRamsYT]

Fantastic video!! Thank you for this! You have a new sub with bells 🔔 on! I went to IOA for the first time last week and really enjoyed it! One of my favorite theme park experiences

[@StorybookAmusement]

IOA is the best. Thank you!

[@felixrivera3698]

Great video! Really enjoyed it. My favorite Universal park, at least for now.

[@StorybookAmusement]

Same! We'll have to wait and see 👀

[@suemommie]

My husband and I went there back in the early to mid 1990’s and I remember being able to get into the park through the Hard Rock Cafe. King Kong ride…. Jaws…. The old ode to Hitchcock….. yup Universal has changed a lot.

[@StorybookAmusement]

Wow! Sounds like a good time to visit the park!

[@justincarlson2219]

Great video - thanks for your meticulous research and work on it!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thanks for watching!

[@SunshineThemeParks]

Absolutely incredible video!! Well done!!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thanks so much!

[@brianodell5797]

I know kind of ab obscure question, but the clip at approximately 15:56....is that a video of someone making the music for the soundtrack? Source?

[@StorybookAmusement]

Yes. That is for the Seuss Landing music specifically. It is from the Total Immersion TV special: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2TaqpqJrp2afbssi=hFzIMZ0omfHbtUQO&t=2207 (timestamped link)

[@nickt9676]

This was the first theme park I ever visited and cemented my lifelong love of them. RIP Dueling Dragons and Poseidon's Fury.

[@StorybookAmusement]

Gone but never forgotten!

[@yourexperienceguide]

Great video, enjoyed this

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thanks for watching!

[@rachelhimes7715]

Happy 25th islands of adventure 🎉

[@dellamantle355]

Brilliant video. Do you have one like this for Universal Studios? I'd like to watch a video like this by you for all the universal and Disney Parks on both coasts!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Not yet, but thank you!

[@kylebicker7649]

Islands of Adventure is defiently my favourite Theme Park in the world as of now

[@StorybookAmusement]

You have great taste

[@StatBoiRichie]

You did a fantastic job with this

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thank you!

[@curtismiller-robus486]

This was so great! We just went for the first time last Jamuary and we can't stop talking about when we'll go back one day!! I'm looking at you Epic Universe 2026!! 😉

[@StorybookAmusement]

Ooooh yes it's going to be Epic!

[@Jimmietruck28]

_I went there just last week (friday to monday) andi loved it. This place is a great park in a great area._

[@StorybookAmusement]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@adventureswithclidesrevange]

43:01 is that the tim tracker

[@StorybookAmusement]

It certainly is

[@ItsAVolcano]

The Marvel deal with Universal has an in-perpetuity clause, i.e. Universal can keep Marvel island open for as long as they want. So basically as long as there's interest in the 90's style Marvel characters, and thanks to X-Men 97' that's likely gonna be a long while from now if ever.

[@baileynutting1826]

Considering that, well, Universal really wants to bank on the Marvel of the 90’s, when it was still defined in pop culture by the comics, and those who grew up. All while, despite the 2009 acquisition, Disney can’t really cash in on the popularity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Walt Disney World due to terms within the Universal-Marvel agreement barring all competitors from having any Marvel characters that were licensed in the agreement appear in their parks. On top of that, Disney just won’t let Universal do major updates to Marvel Super Hero Island with what the latter already has in terms of characters and theming which is why the land feels like it’s still 1999 despite modern day refurbishments for its big rides. As a result, Universal is allowing to bank off one of Disney’s biggest brands and the nostalgia for its 90’s comics theme. All while the MCU has grown massively over the past decade and now defines Marvel in pop culture these days. Kind of an odd scenario for two theme park giants over one brand

[@TheToyRoom]

Phenomenal video!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thanks!

[@ToonyKid]

The fact that Islands of Adventure was supposedly going to have Tiny Toon Adventures stuff in it reminds me… In March 2023, I had this idea of a Tiny Toons 4D ride where they go to space.

[@StorybookAmusement]

I like it!

[@michaelgreenslade7260]

It was not Cineplex Odeon corporation that partnered with MCA. It was the Rank organization. The Rank organization owned England’s famed Pinewood Studios, Cineplex Odeon Hard Rock Cafe, Rank-Xerox, and Color by Deluxe film processing.

[@StorybookAmusement]

You're right. Thank you. In fairness, they were partners when the park was announced, which is when they were mentioned in the video. Cineplex was a part of the project in 1986 but dropped out by 1989.

[@michaelgreenslade7260]

This explains the Legacy Hard Rock Cafes and Hard Rock Hotel at Universal parks.

[@colby2213]

Amazing Video!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thanks!

[@Mr_Autismo]

Great program.

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thanks!

[@Cyber_Chriis]

That’s for telling that story!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thanks for watching!

[@StorybookAmusement]

What's your favorite opening-day Islands of Adventure attraction?

[@Jace-qp8ej]

The amazing adventure of spider man

[@jaedonogaming9565]

Hulk definitely! Wish I experienced the Dragons though.

[@StorybookAmusement]

@@Jace-qp8ej So ahead of its time!

[@StorybookAmusement]

@@jaedonogaming9565 RAAAHHHHHH! ☢

[@jaedonogaming9565]

🤣

[@lippyandkittymsp6449]

i can’t imagine harry potter world at disney im so glad it’s at universal

[@StorybookAmusement]

Disney has enough 😅 I'm glad Universal has it too!

[@187Melvin]

Island of Adventure is my favorite theme park, its roller coasters are the best, Velocicoaster, Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure but the attraction that I enjoy the most is Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges, I love how you get completely wet, bathed, It's very funny. Greetings from Puerto Rico 🇵🇷.

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thanks for watching! You never know what'll happen on Bilge-Rat Barges, for sure. Hagrid's is my favorite ride on property!

[@Oliverdabossboy]

I went there in 1998 it was so cool 😮🎉❤

[@AkiDave]

Great video!

[@StorybookAmusement]

I appreciate ya!

[@AkiDave]

@@StorybookAmusement likewise!

[@hermanpesina6328]

What usa network show was that footage from ?!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Total Immersion kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2TaqpqJrp2afbs

[@keltrax018]

Sorry, I HAVE to point this out, as me being a SUPER FAN of this theme park CANNOT let this annoying detail pass.😅 Fastforwarding to 47:08, that is NOT part of Islands of Adventure. 😅😅😅😅😅 That belongs to Animal Kingdom's world of Pandora. Loved the narration, though, and how you put everything together to make this video. Fantastic job!!!🎉🎉🎉

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thanks! And I know; I filmed that myself. That shot and the mention of the "theme park industry" imply that Pandora - The World of Avatar was built in response to the Wizarding World.

[@Anynom]

Have to respect so much change in a park that can't expand in size.

[@StorybookAmusement]

Great point!

[@Universal_soundtrack]

A bit to late but I have some unreleased concept art for the original "Cartoon World" park I can share it with ya if you'd like

[@StorybookAmusement]

Oh awesome! I'm always open to it! My email is in the description.

[@Universal_soundtrack]

@@StorybookAmusement Hiya! I just checked and there doesn't appear to be an email. I see your socials and websites though

[@StorybookAmusement]

@@Universal_soundtrack It's listed under my website, above the logo credit. But it's just the name of the channel @gmail.com! Sorry for any confusion. Just trying to avoid spam by dropping it in the comments too.

[@Universal_soundtrack]

@@StorybookAmusement Alrighty! Thanks I'll hit ya up as soon as I can

[@kirkvandewalker3574]

It's weird that The Mummy (1999) wasn't represented or expanded at Islands of Adventure despite a reference was on early promotional art (but then I remember that the Revenge of the Mummy coaster was built over in USF 😂) It makes me wonder if the Mummy land at (I think) Universal Studios Singapore being a land segment for Islands of Adventure that ultimately wasn't built. I do hope whatever land is planned to replace the Lost Continent, be it an iteration of Hyrule from the Legend of Zelda franchise or something else, I hope the new land succeeds. Happy 25th Birthday, Islands of Adventure!

[@StorybookAmusement]

That's a great point! It would've fit well in the park. I know they wanted to boost the Studios park after IOA opened, so it would make sense to save that investment for USF.

[@cyclicmusings2661]

They made the right decision to open the Florida version of Revenge of the Mummy at USF instead of IOA as USF desperately needed thrill rides, and arguably still does to this day. Also the museum facade to the entrance thematically fits with the "New York" area of that park. I also hope that Legend of Zelda replaces the largely abandoned Lost Continent/Sinbad area of IOA, it's a worthy fantasy-themed replacement that can make nods to its predecessor: the Merlinwood tree could be symbolically resurrected as The Great Deku Tree, Sinbad's Bazaar could easily be rethemed into Gerudo Town, and the water theming of the Lost Continent could be reimagined as Zora's Domain. Mythos could be changed to a Goron-themed area. Not sure if they could squeeze in a little area for the Rito too (maybe in the transition from Seuss Landing?) And of course, a Hyrule Castle would have to fit somewhere in the middle of it all too!

[@kirkvandewalker3574]

@@cyclicmusings2661 Oh I know about the exterior theming for the Mummy coaster being better suited at USF and USF still needing thrill rides to attract visitors when Islands of Adventure opened. It's just a hypothetical what if scenario of a mummy land at IOA which has easily have seen with Universal Studios Singapore's Mummy land. If Universal if wanted to duplicate Islands of Adventure instead of another studios park in some other country, I could easily see them building the Mummy land from Universal Studios Singapore. As for Legend of Zelda, there's several different iterations of Hyrule from the games to choose from. The world of Wind Waker would definitely work as a transition to Seuss Landing. Castle Town replacing Sinbad's market with either the Garudo Valley or Zora temple replacing Poseidon's Fury. Mythos' replacement could easily any number of restaurant establishments from the games (heck, even the horse stalls from Breath of the Wild.)

[@christinedaae7323]

Geez! Disney and Universal really are at each other’s throats, aren’t they?

[@StorybookAmusement]

When the competition is this good, the fans always win!

[@erikm8372]

Yeah, with MGM versus Universal Studios, it’s as if Michael Eisner was literally like, "Who can open the more boring theme park, and quicker?! We can!" Meh. Islands of Adventure all the way.

[@lutherheggs451]

@@erikm8372 You do realize that Islands of Adventure didn't open until 1999 right? Disney MGM Studio opened in 1989 a decade before

[@MISSYMORGAN4624]

​@lutherheggs451 That is correct. However, the competition was not between Disney/MGM and IOA. It was between Disney/MGM and Universal Studios Florida, which opened on June 7, 1990.

[@danielward4868]

This is my favourite theme park. I would have loved the dragons because B&M inverts are my favourite coasters but I visited in 2019.

[@StorybookAmusement]

Oh nooooo! So close

[@thomastracey7677]

cool vid😎

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thanks for watching!

[@Afineaddition]

Islands is the best theme park in the world!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Truer words have never been spoken!

[@molizano]

Islands of Adventure is my n 1 park in the whole World

[@StorybookAmusement]

You have great taste, pal

[@sunnygirl523]

thanks so much universal for adding Harry Potter world to ur parks can’t wait for the ministry of magic at epic universe ❤

[@StorybookAmusement]

Potter changed everything! Thanks for watching!

[@sunnygirl523]

@@StorybookAmusement ur welcome ☺️

[@michaeljabronis7271]

I really miss the shows in the lost continent. I hope they do something with that area. Im sure most of their focus is on epic right now, but I really feel like it was fantastic theming. My favorite kind of rides are immersive dark rides. And when I rode spider man 25 years ago, i was absolutely thinking to myself this ride is the best ride ive ever been on. Here we are 25 years later and my feelings are the same as with rise of the resistance at disney hollywood studios. Its just too damn immersive. That being said im super excited about epic universe with what they do with the new wizards of magic ride. Look for another amazing immersive experience.

[@StorybookAmusement]

Lost Continent is such a sad case because they put so much effort into it, but it wasn't future-proof. The parks are so IP heavy nowadays, and I'm sure that land is earmarked for a new project. I agree about Spidey and Rise. Thanks for watching!

[@bradleydavisson]

I still hold the opinion that their biggest blunder was not placing lost continent next to port of entry. Would have saved them a ton of headache with all the retheming they've done and are to do.

[@StorybookAmusement]

Interesting. Don’t you think it’s possible they would’ve rethemed Lost Continent regardless of location? Hindsight is 20/20!

[@bradleydavisson]

@@StorybookAmusement ah, yes, but my reasoning is that the architecture lends itself to port of entry already as there's quite a bit of overlap.

[@StorybookAmusement]

I see! If and when the land is fully rethemed, The Mystic Fountain would fit nicely in Port of Entry. I know that’s unrealistic, but the two blend together nicely as you said.

[@Jace-qp8ej]

33:44 but on opening day nothing works

[@Jace-qp8ej]

Wait I thought cat in the hat reduced spinning because company who made it shut down

[@StorybookAmusement]

@@Jace-qp8ej MIB uses the same ride system and still spins pretty generously. I don't think anything is official, but it seems safety and a more accommodating experience are the most likely reasons.

[@Hirotoro4692]

you didn't mention there was a fatality due to the simultaneous launch on duelling dragons. how could you overlook that?

[@StorybookAmusement]

The ride's incidents resulted in injuries, not a fatality. I mentioned it indirectly in the section about its closure. I go into more detail about it in my Dueling Dragons video from a few years ago. I chose not to go into too much detail as I don't like sensationalizing such accidents. It's very sad.

[@joshmaier18]

Ioa was so much more back then. Now you have 3 abandoned show rooms and basically the lost continent is exactly its namesake. Universal we know you can do better.

[@StorybookAmusement]

There's a lot of potential still to come

[@thejongshow8821]

Never knew islands of adventure had a back story in theme

[@StorybookAmusement]

It's an odd one!

[@dimetime35c]

I wish they had given some nod to dueling dragons in the new starfall racers at epic universe. At the very least a hidden dragon in a star consolation in the que.

[@StorybookAmusement]

They might 👀 are we sure they haven't? There's always the raptor statues at VelociCoaster and the Dueling Club in Hagrid's.

[@samplautz5586]

Adjusted for inflation, MGM studios cost only slightly more than the Cowboys stadium

[@StorybookAmusement]

Such a randomly specific stat, but that's pretty interesting

[@FatimaMiller-we2ce]

They should just bring all the old stuff back the old stuff look better than the stuff that we have now😊

[@StorybookAmusement]

VelociCoaster and Hagrid's ain't so shabby!

[@Unique2U05]

Disney trying to sabotage and cheat is why I'm glad they are getting their just desserts with Universal Studio opening the world of Harry Potter and Verlocicoaster

[@lutherheggs451]

One would have to be quite delusional to not get that its literally how business works. Literally everyone tries to see what everyone is doing its literally called competition. Being as Disney also now owns Marvel, Universal is paying Disney

[@Unique2U05]

@@lutherheggs451 You took my comment and used it as a way to insult my intelligence.I know what competition is.Please kindly F off.

[@JAYZ-47465]

I feel like the scrapped Cartoon World and DC Land went to making Warner Bros Movie World here down under 🇦🇺….

[@StorybookAmusement]

Could be!

[@slapshotgaming1525]

Flood from halo would be sick.

[@erikm8372]

$300m over budget on MGM Studios… and still they created a park that is just as bland as Universal Studios, who they were trying to outdo! 😆 I mean, bland, as far as rides & interesting attractions. At least to me. Shows, food, shopping and immersive "experiences" don’t quite justify the high admission. Or even spending an entire day, at either park. Islands of Adventure is far more worth the price!

[@milkinamug3357]

I wish we got all that batman

[@StorybookAmusement]

There's always Six Flags 😅

[@jonathanwilliams9359]

You didn’t mention why they had to stop “dueling” the dragons. Some idiot kids would intentionally throw things at the other coaster and a girl was hit in the face and lost her eye. They stopped dueling after that and later closed for Hagrid.

[@StorybookAmusement]

I mentioned it was for safety, but I made a video a few years ago about Dueling Dragons/Dragon Challenge going into more detail!

[@dragontiger840]

You didn’t talk about minion land or transformers or epic universe

[@StorybookAmusement]

Epic Universe was mentioned briefly at the very beginning and end. This video was about Islands of Adventure's 25th anniversary, so I didn't get too much into Universal Studios Florida.

[@Finantheagile3]

Truly disappointing to see some truly great rides done away with over time

[@StorybookAmusement]

RIP Lost Continent 😔

[@supercook49]

and now half has been replaced with harry potter

[@StorybookAmusement]

👀

[@bartsimpson83]

And now Universal is saddled with Rowling being a horrible human being. No matter how financially successful the parks are, they can't escape the stain of her bigotry. I'd like to think they wouldn't have made the deal with her if they knew who she really was, but we'll never know for sure because we didn't know until after the park was built.

[@Mer.Saloon]

Maybe if enough people dont visit the Harry potter sections those will cost Universal more money to stay open.

[@strugl3snugle245]

God Dueling dragons was sooo god. I hate that its gone =( I wish they rebuilt it in the new Park.

[@StorybookAmusement]

We're getting a spiritual successor in Stardust Racers, but losing the dragons still hurts

[@QMGSaint]

Amazing video!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thank you!