Opening on May 28, 1999, Islands of Adventure became the second theme park to open at Universal Orlando.

Universal's Islands of Adventure is the type of theme park that thrill seekers and adventurers have been waiting for. The roller coasters are heavily-themed, top-notch rides that can compete against some of the world's greatest coasters. "The Incredible Hulk Coaster" is one of the world's most unique roller coasters and was even featured in the 1999 remake of House on Haunted Hill, and "The Dueling Dragons" is famous for having carefully timed inverted coasters narrowly miss each other three different times. The water rides don't just get you wet, but two out of three of them will most likely soak you to the bone. Even "The Cat In The Hat," a dark ride designed for children and families, manages to have moderate spinning sections throughout the ride.

Over nine years after its opening, most of the park still looks the same as when it first opened its gates. Many of the original rides are still there and unchanged, while a couple of new ones have been added to the different lands.