Billed as “Orlando’s next-generation theme park,” Islands of Adventure has certainly raised the competitive bar with its assortment of cutting edge attractions, thrill rides, and illusions.

Islands of Adventure is located right next door to Universal Studios Florida, just a five- or ten-minute stroll away. Despite the proximity, Islands of Adventure is not just more of Universal Studios. It has a separate identity and, with the notable exception of Jurassic Park, its attractions draw their inspiration from very different sources from those in its sister park.

Guests reach Islands of Adventure through the Port of Entry, a separate themed area that serves much the same function as the Front Lot at Universal Studios Florida. Through the Port of Entry lies a spacious lake, dubbed the Great Inland Sea. Artfully arranged around it are five decidedly different “themed areas” — Seuss Landing, The Lost Continent, Jurassic Park, Toon Lagoon, and Marvel Super Hero Island. The “islands” of Islands of Adventure are not true islands, of course; but the Great Inland Sea’s fingerlike bays set off one area from the next and the bridges you cross to move from one to another do a remarkably good job of creating the island illusion. The flow of visitors is strictly controlled by the circular layout. If you follow the line of least resistance (and it’s hard not to), you will move through the park in a circle, visiting every island in turn.

There are a number of themes, if you will, that differentiate Islands of Adventure from Universal Studios Florida (and from other Central Florida theme parks, too, for that matter):

Roller coasters. Islands of Adventure introduces to Orlando some heavy hitters in the increasingly cut-throat competition for bragging rights in the world of high-end steel coasters. Dueling Dragons in The Lost Continent features twin coaster tracks that intertwine and come within inches of collision, while the Incredible Hulk Coaster on Marvel Super Hero Island zaps you to the top of the first drop with what they say is the same thrust as an F-16 jet.

Pushing the envelope. Universal’s designers take obvious pride in “next generation” rides and attractions that will be like nothing you have experienced before. As just one example, the Spider-Man ride takes the motion simulator from Universal Studios Florida’s now-closed Back To The Future. . .The Ride, drops it into a simulated 3-D world right out of T-2, puts it on a moving track, and spins it through 360 degrees along the way.

More for the kids. While Islands of Adventure provides plenty of the kind of intense, adult-oriented thrill rides for which Universal Studios became famous, it makes a special effort to reach out to kids. Seuss Landing is almost exclusively for the entertainment and enjoyment of younger children. Toon Lagoon will appeal to slightly older kids, and Marvel Super Hero Island is the perfect place for adolescents to scare themselves to death.

More theme-ing. Although it hardly seems possible, Islands of Adventure is even more heavily “themed” than its sister park and many other parks. What that means is that the park designers have made a concerted effort to stretch the theme of each island into every restaurant, every shop, indeed into as many nooks and crannies as possible.

Music. Islands of Adventure is the first theme park to feature originally composed soundtracks — one for each island — just like a movie. Of course, music is nothing new in theme parks but what is both new and exceptional at Islands of Adventure is the way the music is integrated into the park experience. It swells as you enter each island, changes gradually as you move from one part of the island to another, and as you cross to another island, blends seamlessly into the next island’s theme. The effect is pervasive yet unobtrusive, so much so that many people may not even be aware of what a special achievement it is.

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