IOA history question....................

[bubba's mom]

A friend asked me last night.....what year did Islands of Adventure open?? I wasn't sure, so, I figured I'd ask you! TIA

 

[ely3857]

Hiya

I think it was in the late 90's - Perhaps 1999?



Jodie

 

[momof3disneyholics]

1999

 

[Blizzrock13]

IOA opened in 1999, and at that time had rides like no other parks had. And now, 6 years later, the rides are still considered some of the most technologically advanced rides in the world. There was a small expansion in 2001 or 2002 that brought Storm Force and the Flying Unicorn.

 

[bubba's mom]

Thanks everyone!!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

There was a small expansion in 2001 or 2002 that brought Storm Force and the Flying Unicorn.

Summer 2000.

 

[Patch'sD]

IOA opened in the Spring of 1999. On hand for the opening were the likes of Stephen Speilberg, a consultant who worked on the design of the park. I believe at the opening, Ron Howard was also present. Our first trip was the Summer of 1999, and we are still amazed to this day.

 

[cdpa4d]

Spring of 1999 is correct. I was there the first week it opened. I actually got to attend the Rosie O'Donnel show. Guests included Emeril Lagasse, Ricky Martin, and a quick appearence by Stephen Spielberg. I was amazed at the park itself, it was just beautiful. The rides blew me away. It was nothing like I had ever seen.

On the way out of the park I got interviewed by an IOA employee who asked me what I thought of the park. My response was simply amazing; however, I did feel that the park did not have enough attractions. I did tell her this. I told her that lines would be lengthy without the addition of more attractions. Of course, this was before FOTL and Express Access was added. I kind of still feel this way today. IOA has not done much to add to it's attractions portfolio. I think Storm Force and Flying Unicorn are the only attractions which have been added since the park opened. However, the park is still amazing.

 

[phamton]

May 28, 1999--Memorial day weekend.

 

[muffyn]

IOA opened in the Spring of 1999. Our first trip was the Summer of 1999, and we are still amazed to this day.

what also amazes me,,,,,,,
is the previous trip we made to US,, IOA was a parking lot! very eerie to see the changes they made...

 

[Patch'sD]

Yes, I remember the Original Hard Rock Over by the Current Curious George Area and the Psycho House by it self on a Hill. Yes both IOA and Citywalk were parking lots back in 90 when the park opened.

Here is a press release I found on the net.

March 23, 1999

Universal To Offer Soft-Opening For Islands Of Adventure

Orlando, FL - Universal will begin a preview period of their new $1 billion theme park, Islands of Adventure on March 27. The official grand opening will not be until May, but tickets are now being sold through local Florida companies for the special preview period from March 27 to May 12.

The special preview also known as a soft opening, will give park officials the chance to test the rides and attractions. Park officials want to ensure that the attractions will operate smoothly without incident prior to the park's official opening day. The soft-opening is like a large scale test of the parks attractions and operations. During this period there are no guarantees to the guest in attendance. Rides and attractions may open and close as necessary and not all attractions may be operating on any given day.

In addition the soft opening allows management and supervisors the opportunity to continue to train the parks more than 5,000 employees without the stress of a normal days crowds.

Tickets to the soft-opening period may go on sale to the public in the upcoming weeks. But for now they are being offered only to employees of local Florida companies, Universal annual passholders and to local students.

The official opening date of the park has yet to be announced, but it is expected that the park will officially open in May.

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

How many people remember Universal Studios with ONE GIANT parking lot....and that's it! I was very young, but I remember walking/taking the tram to the front entrance! Then I come back quite a few years later and now there's this mini-city 'ala Walt Disney World (sort of). It's amazing and the Portofino Bay Hotel is AMAZING!

 

[ChrisFL]

Yep, I remember seeing the animal kennel right beside the parking admission area and the trams.

I actually went once in 1998 where they had all of CityWalk blocked off, we walked behind the theater/NASCAR Cafe area to USF, and the old Globe was sitting there with construction walls all around it, kinda funny.

 

[kellymonaghan]

IOA opened in the Spring of 1999. On hand for the opening were the likes of Stephen Speilberg, a consultant who worked on the design of the park. I believe at the opening, Ron Howard was also present.

And Stan lee, too! I got to see them all when I joined a line of people heading into the VIP lounge above Confiscos. Whatta hoot!