A Bookworm’s Guide to Universal Orlando Resort (but mostly Islands of Adventure)

Preface

Ever since a pair of glasses landed on my nose in the second grade, a book has been glued to my hands. And I read everywhere: at home, in the school hallways, along the sidewalk going home, back-to-back with friends. My favorite place to read? Tucked into the backseat of the car, with my parents driving to Universal Orlando Resort!

Over the years I’ve explored the unique shelf that comprises Universal Islands of Adventure and have cultivated a few ideal places to perch with a book (and a cup of coffee), reading and people watching throughout the lands.

This is what you need to know — and the books you need to add to your TBR — for your next reading session around the Universe. Let’s turn the first page!

Prologue

The Adventure Begins

Universal Orlando Resort is iconic for riding the movies — it was the theme park’s tag line for most of my teendom — but Universal Islands of Adventure flips that script with its groundbreaking theming bound to the written word; words that made up much of my childhood!

Going through the turnstiles, you’re greeted with the cheerful, lilting notes of Port of Entry’s music, setting the mood for the different stories you’ll watch unfold. This colorful market town acts as the bookends of your adventures, the lighthouse as your booklight for evening reading!

You’ll step onto the page of the whimsical worlds created by Dr. Seuss, journey through the oral narrations and written retellings from myths of old, soar over Hogsmeade Village and practice your spell-casting, explore a spine-chilling jungle as you look over your shoulder for the prowling teeth of an escaped dinosaur, laugh with your family over the antics found in the Sunday Funnies, and take center panel to fight an invasion of super villains or join them in their villainy.

Chapter One

Seuss Landing

Oh! The stories you’ll hear, and find, and read following the winding paths through this silly, fantastical island inspired by the iconic books from my favorite doctor. You can see the words and pages of these stories in every detail of this stoo-pendous Landing of Seuss-isms.

My favorite example of this is The Cat in the Hat, where you’re queueing in the center of the story, with the words on the walls for you to read while in line. Of course, you can always stop in at All The Books You Can Read to pick up your own copy of “The Cat in the Hat” — or another book by Dr. Seuss — to skim in line.

Speaking (writing) of All The Books You Can Read, a small literary selection is available for your perusal, with a reading nook for a little story time (and an AC break) with your kiddo. If you time it right, you’ll also be able to catch a musical retelling of a few best-beloved stories, with some kooky characters, in Oh! The Stories You’ll Hear!

Now that you’ve got your own Seuss-tastic book, you’ll want somewhere to enjoy it! The place I end up reading the most is right outside the exit of One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. This area has plenty of benches and shade from the (non-Truffula) trees, as your family gets wet up above the leaves!

Sneak behind Cats, Hats & Things or in front of Sneetch Beach for an out-of-way, quiet spot to pore over your latest read! Plaques of Seussian lore are tucked into these hidden spaces for you to uncover in your own adventure.

Did you know Dr. Seuss made up the word “nerd”? I think that’s pretty fitting for me!

Chapter Two

The Lost Continent

(Not so) forgotten myths and legends are made real on this island of ruins and archaic enchantments. These Mediterranean tales are told in an archetypal locale of dilapidated statues and ancient stonework, welcoming you to learn more about these recently found histories. 

Poseidon’s legendary wrath is on display in the ravaged statue of their triton across from Mythos Restaurant. This just so happens to be a glorious place to pull out your copy of “The Odyssey” to read for yourself the destructive prowess of this ruthless sea god. 

To feel the true glory of Olympus, you’ll want to be enthroned upon the seats of Mythos Restaurant. Here you’ll dine like a Grecian king, sipping on Andy’s Ambrosia. This legendary dining hall is a divine setting to embrace your inner Homer and see what words of Chaos you can capture for your own saga. 

If you can’t secure a reservation from Dionysus, walk around to the waterfront behind Mythos Restaurant for an idyllic view of the lagoon and the water features in the rock face. Even though benches are limited, this is a tranquil space to commune with Apollo for poetic inspiration.

Covered street tables laid between Fire Eaters Grill and Doc Sugrue’s Kebab House will transport you into the heart of that fantasy book you’re telling all your friends about. You can even stop in at Historic Families – Heraldry to discover your coat of arms, and then mark it inside each book in your ever-growing library. 

Did you know it only takes 1000 books to have your own library? Now you can start working on your own Library of Alexandria! 

Chapter Three

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade

Probably the most well known book-to-movie-to-theme-park adaptation, Hogsmeade Village will unveil references to this series as soon as you enter the spell limits.

It’s pretty obvious that THE place to sit and read is inside The Three Broomsticks, but I actually recommend going on the back patio to unfurl your quill and ink to brush up on your studies (i.e. reading your fav book). You’ll get to take in an enchanting view of Hogwarts castle.

Last-minute school supplies can be found at Dervish and Banges. They have everything from wands to notebooks and quills. I think this visit to see the Monster Book of Monsters is perfectly complemented by “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” as that’s the first time we see that beast of a book after all!

Once you’ve gotten your fill on shopping, sit for a spell under the Owlery outside Dervish and Banges. Write a quick letter or read a chapter or two or three or…you get it. Keep one eye up for the owls overhead!

Did you know there’s a floating book in the headmaster’s office up at the castle? It can’t seem to decide which shelf to be on. Take a peek for yourself as you prepare for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey!

Chapter Four

Jurassic Park

I’ve seen these movies countless times since before I should have been able to, but it wasn’t until this year that I finally picked up this novel. Let me tell you: chills. Which absolutely tracks, because this has always been the island that’s scared me the most as a tiny human. The dense foliage. The interspersed roars. The intense humidity — honestly my frizzy hair revolts. This was one terrifying land, and it still didn’t prepare me for the creeps, the crawlies, and the heebie-jeebies as I ripped like a Raptor through this book. 

From the page to the screen to The Burger Digs, it’s like a Raptor’s stalking you just outside the corner of your eye. But the only Raptors you’ll find here are the ones in their paddocks outside. Bring your novel to the back patio and you’ll get a tooth-filled view of others running with Raptors on Jurassic World VelociCoaster.

If you’re not brave enough for your own turn in the Raptor Paddock, or maybe the Costa Rican inspired Casado Burger filled you up better than goat for a T. rex, allow me to offer the dinomite atmosphere of the Discovery Center. Whether you’re ready to read about the habits of Hadrosaurus or the traits of Pteranodons, you’ll find a cozy perch on which to open your book – unless you get distracted by all the fun games!

Camp Jurassic has my heart, so it absolutely needed more than a footnote in this reading guide. Grab the first bolder you see or brave the caves for a view the Brachiosaurus would be jealous of; either way, you’ll be transported right onto the page. Plus, your kiddos, siblings, cousins, or friends can occupy themselves as they live through a Jurassic tale of their own making — leaving you to devour your stories. Be on the lookout for spitting Dilophosaurus!

Did you know the Velociraptors and Compsognathus (Compys) made it off Isla Nublar in the book and the fictious Costa Rican government tried to cover it up? That’s one Jurassic World I don’t want to be a part of!

Chapter Five

Toon Lagoon

What I believe to be the original originator of dad jokes — or maybe just jokes my dad finds funny — this island takes weekly, technicolor comic strips and pushes the characters right out of their panels. They’re sailing off buildings, falling out of bed, and serenading you from their piano; these comics take up every single inch of these living pages.

Book in hand, you’ll want to avoid rides of the aqua persuasion, and the deluge you’ll find there, so I recommend floating around to the sitting area at the exit for Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges. You can laugh along to the antics of “The Family Circus” and “Marmaduke,” watching as those less fortunately dry return from their scrub through Bluto’s Boat Wash.

The Comic Strip Cafe is the ultimate stop along any literary journey! Here you’ll dine next to Rocky and Bullwinkle and explore the cafe with Mr. Peabody and Sherman; check in on the dimensionality of their latest cartoon chef or say “Hi!” to the friendly Nurse Shark; wonder to their outside seating and take in the fables told by Aesop and Son. With so many panels to read, you won’t even need to bring a book – but we both know you will!

Look out for Heathcliff fishing for Spike with a juicy bone and you’ll find covered seating ideal to enjoy a scoop from Cathy’s Ice Cream as you leaf through a few pages.

Did you know it’s always Sunday in Toon Lagoon? The Sunday strip is most identifiable by its full page spread of colored comic panels; since all the comics around the lagoon are full of pigment, and shenanigans, it’s always Sunday!

Chapter Six

Marvel Super Hero Island

Fight crime next to your favorite heroes or cause mayhem with your favorite villains. Either way, you’re in for an action-packed read!

The very first place you must explore — whether you brought your own comics or not — is the Comic Book Shop; keep an eye out for Storm blasting Magneto to the ground. With an ever-changing assortment of comics to choose from, along with some marvelous figurines and collectables, you’ll stay up to date on everything happening in the Marvel omniverse!

Newest issue in-hand, head over to Captain America Diner, where heroes eternal keep vigil overhead as you enjoy star-spangled treats and flip through their tales of defending cities, worlds, and entire universes. You already know to sit along back patio! Fantastic for your comic musings or plotting the doom of your greatest enemies.

All the rides in this comic-verse are incredible portrayals of the pages they’re pulled from, but none do it better than The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. As soon as you enter The Daily Bugle, you’ll find yourself transported to Peter Parker’s day job. Walk through the subdued, comic-inspired coloring of the journalists’ desks or see the photos of Spider-Man’s villains hanging in the dark room, you’ll be inspired to get the “Scoop” on the next headlining article for Mr. Jameson — just don’t mess it up or, well, good luck!

Did you know all the stores and food carts on this island have full names, but are displayed as CANDY, STORE, or ARCADE along the streets? It’s just another way for you to feel like a hero, living in the world of the comics!

The End…but

The Adventure Lives On

Epilogue

The Movie Studio

A screenplay is just another kind of book. Here are my quick notes on places to read in Universal Studios Florida, and a few of the books that inspired them!

Hollywood Boulevard

Pull out your newspaper and get caught up on the latest happenings while sipping coffee at TODAY Cafe.

Why not decipher the clues laid out in “The Bourne Identity” by Robert Ludlum, then find Jason Bourne in The Bourne Stuntacular?

You don’t need to sink your teeth into “Frankenstein” or “Dracula” to enjoy Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt!

DreamWorks Land

Did you know “Shrek” was based on a book of the same name? “Shrek!” by William Steig was the preliminary basis for the beloved movie and all the sequels and spin-offs that came after it.

World Expo

“The Men in Black” is an original comic written by Lowell Cunningham, illustrated by Sandy Carruthers, and published by Aircel Comics. The series was eventually purchased by Marvel Comics and turned into the classic film still quoted today.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley

Pack your copy of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” or “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” and sit for a spell in Carkitt Market, taking in the magic of this wizarding shopping district.

San Francisco

After getting the iconic Shark Attack from Chez Alcatraz, snap a pic with Bruce and your copy of “Jaws” by Peter Benchley — the book that started the shark craze!

New York

If you had to choose a single New York-based book, go with “King Kong” by Delos W. Lovelace. Unlike others on this list, the movie came first! This novelization was published at the request of the movie’s director, Merian C. Cooper.

But you wouldn’t be remiss to open “The Mummy! A Tale of the Twenty-Second Century” by Jane Webb-Loudon; considered the first English-language book featuring an awakened mummy and a cursed tomb!

What are your Universal must-reads? Let us know in the comments below!