The expansion led to a significant increase in attendance, and in 2013, Islands of Adventure ranked seventh domestically and eleventh internationally after hosting approximately 8.1 million guests.

Islands of Adventure had a soft opening beginning March 27, 1999,[6] during which visitors could preview the park at a discounted price while the staff conducted a technical rehearsal and worked on the "finishing touches."

[7][8] After the enormous capital expenditure required to build Islands of Adventure, CityWalk, and the resort hotels, Universal sought to overtake nearby Walt Disney World in attendance.

Essentially, it seemed that visitors were confused by the name, assuming that Islands of Adventure was a new area added to the already-existing Universal Studios Florida theme park.

It has dining options including Croissant Moon Bakery, Backwater Bar, The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast, Confisco Grille, Starbucks, & Cinnabon.

The area features comic-book styled architecture; many of the building interiors are created in comic book perspective, with exaggerated lines and angles.

In late 2009, The Walt Disney Company (Universal's biggest competitor in the theme park market) announced that it had sought to acquire Marvel Entertainment.

[22] In March 2012, Bob Iger revealed that Disney had begun preliminary concepts of incorporating Marvel's properties into their parks, although no major negotiations with Universal were announced.

Both Hong Kong Disneyland and Disney California Adventure have opened Marvel attractions since the acquisition, with Iron Man Experience at the former and Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout!

[28][29] Toon Lagoon is based on the cartoon and comic strip characters from King Features Syndicate and Jay Ward, with the area's main focus being water-based rides (hence the name).

Set after the events of the first film, the area undertakes the guise of John Hammond's dinosaur theme park featured in the series.

On May 31, 2007, Universal announced that it had secured the licensing rights from Warner Bros. and Rowling to incorporate the Harry Potter franchise to Islands of Adventure.

[40] The 20-acre (81,000 m2) island features attractions, shops, and restaurants set inside such locations as the Forbidden Forest, Hogsmeade Village, and the iconic Hogwarts Castle.

As part of the promotion for the then-upcoming area, a behind-the-scenes documentary on production of the park section is included on the Blu-ray and DVD release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

[41] There are five main attractions in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: There is also a singing Frog Choir and a Triwizard Spirit Rally held in the town center.

Formerly, the Lost Continent included a medieval section Merlinwood, but the majority of that area was re-themed for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

The island features several Seuss-themed attractions, especially geared towards small children, as well as a Green Eggs and Ham Cafe and Circus McGurkus restaurant.

Food and beverage items can be purchased from Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous (The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!

), All the Books You Can Read, and Mulberry Street Stores Trading Co. A live action show entitled Grinchmas Wholiday Spectacular, which retells the story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas is available seasonally.