What's Up With Marvel in Orlando??

Thanks for being patient last week, friends! We survived the weekend of St Patrick's Day rehearsals & performances, and I dropped Lilly off at spring break camp at the Zoo this morning, so I have plenty of time to chat this week! I asked Lilly what I should write about this morning, and she said, "Superhero Island!" She is so right, this really deserves its own post. Marvel in Orlando can be very confusing! Let's start with the number one detail that still trips up folks who don't do this for a living: Walt Disney World and Universal are not related, or near each other, in Orlando. Universal is owned by Comcast, and is roughly 10 miles away from Walt Disney World. The Walt Disney World Parks are Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. The Universal Orlando Parks are Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, and opening in May 2025, Epic Universe. I recommend 4-5 days for Walt Disney World and 3+ for Universal once Epic Universe opens, and you'll always benefit from a split stay (switching hotels) if you plan to do both in one trip. If you are familiar with Universal Parks, you may have noticed that they have many partnerships in addition to IP they actually own. Harry Potter is owned by WB, The Simpsons are owned my Fox (now part of Disney), Loews Hotels operates the resorts, and then there are Nintendo, DreamWorks, and Dr Seuss areas.

The Incredible Hulk Coaster

Which brings us to Marvel! Back in the late 1900s, long before Disney purchased Marvel, Universal acquired the rights to Marvel content in theme parks East of the Mississippi for their new Islands of Adventure park. (If you want the deep details, check out this blog.) This never expires, but it is limited to the characters actively used. Guardians of the Galaxy characters weren't popular in 1999, which is why Disney can use them at Epcot now.

At Universal, they go for a classic comic book look on Superhero Island at Islands of Adventure, with X-Men, Captain America, Spider-Man, Green Goblin, and Doctor Doom. The top thrill seeker attractions here are the Incredible Hulk Coaster and Doctor Doom's Fearfall, and less intense rides include The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man and Storm Force Accelatron. Lilly is a comic book fan first and foremost, and she loves that there is a REAL COMIC BOOK STORE on Superhero Island. We never get out of there without buying some comics! This is also the only place in Orlando you're going to find Marvel character dining, at Cafe 4 with Captain America, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm and Rogue.

Find Marvel Character Dinner at Cafe 4

I hope this gives you a better idea of how to get your Marvel fix on your Orlando vacation! Islands of Adventure is also the park when you'll find Jurassic Park, Seuss Landing, Toon Island (old comic strips like Blondie, Betty Boop, & Popeye), the award-winning Mythos restaurant, and the Hogsmeade side of Wizarding World of Harry Potter.