Universal Studio Escape's Islands of Adventure is where Hollywood, movies, and television come alive and create exhilarating and exciting experiences for everyone--for a measly $45 or so. Quite honestly, screw Disney's junk and push off Sea World until tomorrow.
Here's a boiled down synopsis of the place (with tips):
Open year 'round, from about 9 am to 7 pm or so. (Go in November or December when the weather's nicest and the crowds the smallest. If you go any other time, get there early and go to the Marvel stuff first to avoid typical Orlando stand arounds.)
There're six areas or "islands" surrounding a little inland sea. (You can easily spend an entire day here, which I'd recommend. Since you've already scrapped the Disney and Epcot drivvle, this shouldn't be a problem.)
Here's the layout plan: at six o'clock is the entrance (Port of Entry); at 8 o'clock is Marvel Super Hero Island; at 10 o'clock is Toon Lagoon; at noon is Jurassic Park; at 3 o'clock is The Lost Continent; and at 5 o'clock (actually 4:35) is Seuss Landing. (The designers were aware that most people lead to the right in the circulation (start at six o'clock and go to 5 o'clock), so the Marvel stuff was placed left to permit the adults to skip the kiddie loop and get to the good stuff. Unfortunately, all the adults seem to know this, so just get there early.)
Let's see some pics, please, and feel free to continue on with the fantastic commentary...
