On most coasters, you slowly climb the first hill, building up speed and courage; on the Incredible Hulk Coaster (height requirement: 54 inches), you're propelled out and immediately flip over and go weightless. That's the first of seven inversions, and at times the ride plunges into a trench filled with mist and fog.

Next door, at Dr. Doom's Fear Fall (height requirement: 52 inches), riders are lifted 180 feet, left to dangle and then dropped.

But these attractions aren't even the centerpiece of Marvel Super Hero Island. That distinction goes to The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man (height requirement: 40 inches), the most advanced state-of-the-art ride at Islands of Adventure. Housed in a 1.5-acre set, Spider-Man combines the best parts of three types of rides in one single attraction.

If you've visited Universal Studios, picture a ride like Jaws accompanied with the in-your-face visuals of Terminator II 3-D and the motion-simulation effects of Back to the Future. The final result is certainly exciting, but since the most dramatic effects, like the final 400-foot drop, are simulated, younger kids and queasy parents who would never survive a major coaster might want to give it a go.



Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Updated July 2005.