Islands of Adventure trip report – May 2013 (tour around the park and some incredible photos of Hogsmeade station)

|

A few days ago my family and I went to Islands of Adventure and had a delightful time for our May trip report. Crowds were moderate and the weather was sunny and warm.

As we arrived in the Port of Entry, we took note of the colorful pedicab prop available for photo opportunities. Do you have a pic here?

Islands of Adventure trip report - May 2013.
Islands of Adventure trip report – May 2013.

[wptouch target=”non-mobile”]Remember, you can click any image to view it full-screen. And don’t miss the complete photo gallery with 35 images at the bottom of the post!
[/wptouch]
Walking into Seuss Landing, my son led us to The Cat in the Hat ride. This fun ride always makes me laugh and catches me off-guard because I’m not sure which direction our vehicle will spin next. We tried the Caro-Seuss-el this trip since there was only a give minute wait and enjoyed the ride. The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride is always fun and a favorite for my son. Exiting the ride through the Snookers and Snookers Sweet Candy Cookers shop enables us to bask in the aroma of all the delicious items available for purchase. My husband remarked at how everything in Seuss Landing looked like it had received a fresh coat of paint since he had last visited this section of the park a few months ago.

As we transitioned onto the Lost Continent, I’ve always wondered what was behind this door on the rock wall next to the bridge:

Islands of Adventure trip report - May 2013.
Islands of Adventure trip report – May 2013.

Do you know? I’m thinking it’s a mechanical panel.

Near the Mystic Fountain, Oasis Coolers is now Doc Sugrue’s Desert Kebab House, and it was busy.

Islands of Adventure trip report - May 2013.
Islands of Adventure trip report – May 2013.

The posted menu offered some unique foods including three types of kebabs, hummus and Greek yogurt.

In the Wizarding World of Harry Potter section of IOA, the crowds were moderate and the wait times were fantastic compared to recent visits. Dragon’s Challenge and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey both had posted wait times of only 15 minutes for the standby line. Flight of the Hippogriff’s posted wait time for the standby line was only 10 minutes. The most surprising wait time of all was the lack of people in line for butterbeer. I counted about five people on each side at the main cart across from Three Broomsticks. This is the shortest line for butterbeer that I can remember seeing.

While in WWoHP, I was able to see a performance of the Frog Choir. During a ride on Dragon’s Challenge, my husband was able to get these incredible photos of the new Hogsmeade station under construction behind The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad Stunt Show theater and the Hogwarts Express tracks:

Islands of Adventure trip report - May 2013.
Islands of Adventure trip report – May 2013.
Islands of Adventure trip report - May 2013.
Islands of Adventure trip report – May 2013.

It’s very exciting seeing the progress and anticipating the thrill of riding the Hogwarts Express like Harry, Ron and Hermoine experienced in the books and movies.

While eating our snack and taking a break in our usual spot at the picnic tables next to The Watering Hole snack shop in Jurassic Park, we came across a mama duck and her ducklings crossing the walkway. They created quite a show with the park guests stopping to look, take pictures and video. Jurassic Park River Adventure was closed for refurbishment (reopening May 23), and we could see scaffolding in the splash zone area.

Islands of Adventure trip report - May 2013.
Islands of Adventure trip report – May 2013.

We decided to enjoy the wet rides in Toon Lagoon this trip and rode Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls and Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges. It was a lot of fun and we got soaked on both rides. Ripsaw Falls had a posted wait time of 30 minutes for the standby line and the Barges had a posted wait time of five minutes for its standby line. We prefer to ride these wet rides near the end of the day because we don’t like to walk around in wet clothing or shoes.

Islands of Adventure trip report - May 2013.
Islands of Adventure trip report – May 2013.

Also in Toon Lagoon, Betty Boop was meeting and greeting guests outside her store.

In Marvel Super Hero Island the wait times were great. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk Coaster both had a posted wait time for the standby lines of only five minutes. These wait times enable guests to ride the attractions many times, enhancing the thrilling experience of the rides. We also saw Dr. Doom walking the streets of Super Hero Island. He was awfully scary looking and conspicuous in the crowd of guests.

Islands of Adventure trip report - May 2013.
Islands of Adventure trip report – May 2013.

It was a great day spent with my family at Islands of Adventure and I look forward to visiting again next month, or hopefully sooner.

Thanks for reading this trip report. Please leave your questions and comments below! Or, if you’d like to catch up on all our trip reports, click here.


Islands of Adventure trip report – photo gallery

Click any image to view it full-screen. When the full-screen image is open, click to the right or use the right arrow on your keyboard to advance through the gallery.

 

[sws_author_bio user=”MaureenDeal” size=”105″ authorposts=”More OI posts by Maureen” name_format=”About the author”] [/sws_author_bio]

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Previous

Universal Studios Florida trip report – May 2013 (Transformers, Wizarding World & Simpsons updates)

Walt Disney World kicks off a ‘Monstrous Summer’ with an all-nighter Friday; has a bursting lineup of new thrills & happenings all season

Next
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
DiNap44
DiNap44
May 21, 2013 9:28 pm

Great pics Maureen.

Christopher Lewis
Christopher Lewis
May 22, 2013 6:25 am

Great trip report Maureen. Your snaps are quality

About Maureen

Maureen is married with a teenage son who has autism. Since she and her family moved to Orlando in 2007, they have visited Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, or SeaWorld almost every weekend. Maureen recently created AutismAtTheParks.com to help vacationers who have a family member with a developmental disability to better navigate and enjoy the theme parks.

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x