Islands of Adventure Rope Drop Guide

Chart a course towards Islands of Adventure, one of Orlando’s top rated theme parks and the only place to find Spider-Man in Orlando. This article will tackle the rope drop touring advice to help you make the most of your day, even if you don’t have Early Park Admission.

Getting to Islands of Adventure

Islands of Adventure is located off I-4 at 6000 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32819. When driving on I-4 East going North/East from Walt Disney World take exit 75A; when driving from downtown Orlando on I-4 West going South/West take exit 75B-A. Parking is in the North Campus parking garages; before you leave your car make sure to note your section, floor, and row.

Guests staying at all Universal hotels have several ways of reaching IOA. Guests at all Universal Orlando hotels have bus transportation to the transportation hub for quick access to the parks. Boat transportation to the middle of CityWalk is available at Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel, Royal Pacific, and Sapphire Falls. Walking paths are also available for Portofino Bay, Hard Rock, Royal Pacific, Sapphire Falls, Aventura, and Cabana Bay.

Parking Garages & CityWalk

Unlike the Walt Disney World parks and Epic Universe, IOA shares a parking structure with guests going to CityWalk, Volcano Bay, and USF. Due to this parking set up it takes longer to reach IOA than it does to reach other parks. Expect parking and walking to the front gates to take an additional 20 to 30 minutes after you pass the toll booth. CityWalk has operating hours separate from the parks, usually 7:00 am to midnight, and the parking garages open approximately an hour before that.

Once past security and inside CityWalk guests will pass by the Cinemark Theaters on the right and head towards the CityWalk lagoon. From here guests can swing to the right as they past the Universal Studios Store to head to Universal Studios Florida (look for the Fast & Furious coaster) or head towards Bigfire for Islands of Adventure (look for the Islands lighthouse).

Security, Entry, & Pre-Opening Operations

Security is located in the Transportation Rotunda between the parking garages and CityWalk. Universal uses metal detection and bag scanners in their security set-up, and all items in pockets must go through the scanners. While the security station in the Rotunda might seem intimidating and busy, we generally find it’s quick and can process guests efficiently.

Turnstiles for IOA are located at the front of each park and both use Photo Validation for entry into the park. When working correctly we find this entry system is as fast as Disney’s tap turnstiles for MagicBand.

Early Park Admission Rope Drop

Early Park Admission starts an hour prior to the official park opening. For the past year IOA has been opening at 9:00 am with an 8:00 am Early Park Admission start time. Most guests start arriving 15 minutes to half an hour prior to Early Park Admission and see long lines. First, do not be dismayed, the lines quickly move once the turnstiles open. Second, be at the park 45 minutes prior to the EPA start to be at the front and be among the first people in the park at open.

Once the park opens follow directional signage to the Early Park Admission checkpoint on the bridge to Seuss Landing. At the checkpoint are several team members are checking for hotel keys or Annual Passes for EPA status.

Islands of Adventure opens the Wizarding World plus VelociCoaster for EPA:

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
• Flight of the Hippogriff
• Ollivanders Wand Shop
• Jurassic World VelociCoaster

Attractions to Prioritize

The hottest ticket on the list is Hagrid, with most guests heading there in the morning. If you are among the very first people into the park and do not have bags, then head to Hagrid during Early Park Admission then head to VelociCoaster. But if you are farther back in line and have to wait ten minutes or more to enter once the gates open, then head to VelociCoaster first and then get in line for Hagrid right before the end of EPA. Families with small children will appreciate riding Flight of the Hippogriff and doing Ollivander’s Wand Shop with short lines.

Regular Rope Drop

Guests entering the park during Early Park Admission will be directed to the left side of the Port of Entry near the Marvel Super Hero Island bridge. Sometimes Universal allows guests to wait on the Seuss Landing bridge, but we do not recommend going to Potter at regular park opening – focus on the super heroes instead.

Attractions to Prioritize

Instead hit up the popular Marvel attractions that see long waits in the mid-day. Start at The Incredible Hulk Coaster then ride The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Doctor Doom Fear-Fall, and then Skull Island: Reign of Kong.

Meeting the Grinch & Grinch Brunch

Holidays at Universal Orlando throws a wrench into touring plans with two incredibly popular offerings. The first is the Grinch Character Brunch.

Second is the Grinch meet-and-greet. This meet and greet is highly popular but has low capacity, and as such sees the longest waits of any attraction at the resort. Many guests use their whole Early Park Admission time waiting for this meet and greet, and then still wait an additional half hour or more to meet him! This is one of those “throw money at it” problems – we suggest booking at Holiday Tour or Grinch Brunch to meet the green guy. But if you must insist on meeting him without paying extra, then arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the EPA start at the turnstiles and immediately head to the meet and greet. Do not stop, do not collect $200. Then wait it out. You’d much rather be doing this in the cooler weather than in the blazing sun.

TouringPlans Touring Tips

• Factor in the time it takes for parking, navigating the garage, security, and walking through CityWalk – add an additional 20 to 45 minutes onto your arrival time.
• Arrive 45 minutes prior to park opening, and up to 90 minutes on busy days, to be among the first in the park.
• Be among the first in the park for Early Park Admission and ride Hagrid’s then VelociCoaster.
• Not among the first in the park for EPA? Save Hagrid till later in the EPA or in the early afternoon and ride VelociCoaster.
• Regular day guests rope-dropping should focus on the Marvel Super Hero Island attractions like The Incredible Hulk Coaster and The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.

What are your rope drop strategies? Leave them in the comments below!