Islands - Expert Travel Info & Tips: From Islands, to Mountains, & Everything In Between

What The Most Popular Amusement Parks Have In Common (And What They Don't)

staff@islands.com (Jenna Kelley) — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 14:45:00 +0000

From dining to rides and parking, get help deciding between Disney and Universal Studios with this handy guide to the parks' differences and commonalities.

11 Islands Of Adventure Restaurants, Ranked From Hit To Miss

staff@islands.com (Rebekah Winters Barton) — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 14:30:00 +0000

As you take a break from rollercoasters and attractions, it's helpful to know where the best places are to stop for a bite at one of Orlando's best parks.

Utah's Family-Owned Amusement Park Is A Nostalgic Haven For Thrill Seekers Near Salt Lake City

staff@islands.com (Kareem Gantt) — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 16:45:00 +0000

This family-owned amusement park is a nostalgic haven that combines an old west theme with exciting rides for thrill seekers near Salt Lake City.

Texas' Newest Roller Coaster Is Set To Break Six World Records

staff@islands.com (Kareem Gantt) — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 18:45:00 +0000

In 2026, a thrilling roller coaster in Texas will be unveiled, breaking a total of six world records and making theme park history in the Lone Star state.

10 Things You Didn't Realize Could Get You Banned From Disney

staff@islands.com (Erin De Santiago) — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:30:00 +0000

Plenty of people are aware of the obvious things that can get you kicked out of the Disney Parks, but some infractions might come as a surprise.

Disney World Vs Disneyland: Which Is The Better Amusement Park?

staff@islands.com (Christine Pickering) — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 14:45:00 +0000

Everyone has an opinion, from frequent Disney visitors to those who just want to chime in online, so let's try to figure out which Disney park is really better.

Amusement Park Employees Reveal The Most Absurd Things They've Seen Visitors Do

staff@islands.com (Kristi Roe-Owen) — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 12:30:00 +0000

While most folks visit amusement parks to simply have fun, park employees reveal various bizarre things guests have done, ranging from random to rude or risky.

This North Carolina Theme Park Was A Total Bust By 1980 - Now It's A Nostalgic Must-Visit For Families

staff@islands.com (Olivia Typaldos) — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 12:45:00 +0000

The mountains of North Carolina are home to this small but family-friendly theme park that only operates for a limited number of days per year.

South Carolina's Once-Thriving Theme Park Now Has Only An Abandoned Hotel Left Of Its Legacy

staff@islands.com (Olivia Typaldos) — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Visit the site of this former South Carolina vacation spot to see its abandoned hotel tower, now a symbol of a televangelist empire's dramatic collapse.

Ohio's Nostalgic Amusement Park Is Only Open 4 Days A Year And Is Full Of Old-School Fun Near Cincinnati

staff@islands.com (Rene Bennett) — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 02:45:00 +0000

This small park is home to two hand-built wooden roller coasters and has been family-operated for over 100 years - but visiting requires a little planning.

Taking A Trip To Disney World Was So Much Cheaper In The '70s

staff@islands.com (Rebecca High) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 11:45:00 +0000

It's not only a small world but an expensive one, too. See how the cost of a modern trip to the "happiest place on Earth" stacks up against retro price tags.

Disney's Popular Hollywood Studios Ride That Just Isn't Worth The Long Lines

staff@islands.com (Rene Bennett) — Fri, 29 May 2026 16:45:00 +0000

A popular Disney World attraction keeps drawing massive crowds, but many visitors say the long waits and exhausting queue simply don't match the experience.

This Wildly Popular Universal Orlando Water Park Is Closing For Refurbishment In 2026

staff@islands.com (Christine Pickering) — Thu, 28 May 2026 18:45:00 +0000

Before planning your next trip to Universal Orlando Resort, take note of this months-long park closure that could limit your fun and impact your annual pass.

New York's Largest Water Park Is A Family-Friendly Paradise With Water Coasters And Wave Pools On Long Island

staff@islands.com (Joe Orovic) — Wed, 27 May 2026 02:45:00 +0000

For a local New York getaway, visit the largest water park in the state on Long Island, with thrilling rides and relaxing wave pools to suit the whole family.

Canada's Nostalgic Mall In Toronto Is A Gem With Shops, An Indoor Amusement Park, And '80s Vibes

staff@islands.com (Leslie Veliz) — Fri, 22 May 2026 12:45:00 +0000

In Toronto, this nostalgic Canadian shopping mall blends retro architecture, quirky shops, and old-school indoor amusement rides that feel frozen in the 1980s.

This New Themed Land At Disney's Animal Kingdom Is Opening In 2027

staff@islands.com (Rebecca High) — Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

One Walt Disney World themed area is closing to make room for a new land in Animal Kingdom, based on a popular animated movie and set to open sometime in 2027.

The Islands Of Adventure Attraction And Award-Winning Universal Restaurant That's Closing Permanently By 2027

staff@islands.com (Leslie Veliz) — Sun, 17 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Universal's Islands of Adventure is about to go through some changes, including the shuttering of one of the park's lands, and with it a popular restaurant.

Not Epcot, Not Magic Kingdom: This Is Disney World's Largest Park

staff@islands.com (Rene Bennett) — Tue, 12 May 2026 20:00:00 +0000

While Epcot and Magic Kingdom are some of the most visited parks at Orlando's Disney World, there is one that overshadows them all as the largest.

This Is The Best Restaurant In Any Disney Park For 2026 (And It's Not In EPCOT)

staff@islands.com (Christine Pickering) — Tue, 12 May 2026 17:00:00 +0000

According to one readers' choice list, this eatery in Walt Disney World is the best Disney restaurant in the world, thanks to its unique menu and interior.

Between Hartford And New Haven Is Connecticut's Once-Thriving Quarry That's Now A Haven For Outdoor Fun

staff@islands.com (Anahid Akkam) — Sat, 09 May 2026 18:25:00 +0000

In Connecticut, this transformed quarry features kayaking, wakeboarding, cliff jumping, inflatable water courses, scuba diving areas, and ziplining.