Universal Studios Orlando was the first of those parks. It opened in 1990, with rides themed to such movies as Jaws, E.T., and Kongfrontation. Movie-themed shows included Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Film Making Movies and Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show. Islands of Adventure opened next door nearly ten years later, in 1999, as more of a traditional theme park. Its thrill rides included the Incredible Hulk and Dueling Dragons roller coasters, a Jurassic Park section, an area devoted to the Marvel Super Heroes, and Seuss Landing for young children.

Volcano Bay is a resort-like paradise of a waterpark. It opened in 2017 with slides, drops, an aqua coaster, a wave pool, rapids, and a beach. It is different from other water parks, however. It has the Tapu Tapu wearable that helps hold your place in line while you play in the wave pool or other attractions. The park also has conveyer systems to bring rafts and tubes up for guests so they don’t have to scale the steps with them.

Universal Studios OrlandoandIslands of Adventurehave changed a lot over the years. Most of the original rides have closed. Currently rides and shows themed to the Simpsons, Despicable Me, Men in Black, the Mummy, Jason Bourne, and The Tonight Show sprang up in their place.

Although the three parks are near to each other, they require separate admission tickets or you may also buy a two or three-park ticket that lets you move between them all day.