Toon Lagoon at Universal’s Islands of Adventure takes you right into your favorite comic strips and brings the normally stationary characters to life. This is the place to go for water rides, but it has some fun features you can enjoy even if you’re not into getting wet. Keep your camera handy and check out these great details.
1. The piano music in Me Ship the Olive
Me Ship the Olive is easily overlooked, but it’s a great stop in Toon Lagoon, filled with fun little extras. Best of all, this play area has no line or wait time. If you have small children, this is an essential place to go, but it can be fun for the young at heart, too.
One of the neatest things in Me Ship the Olive is the piano on the second level. You’ll notice there are three colored keys and a sheet of music propped up for you. Play the tune as it’s written out and you’re rewarded with a full version of the Popeye theme song, complete with the whistle blowing. If you’re not musically inclined, don’t worry. All you need to do is hit the keys in order. Perfect timing is not required.
2. The Aesop and Son photo op
Head to the left of the Dudley Do-Right Ripsaw Falls entrance and you’ll find a small courtyard with tables and chairs. Near the back is a forgotten photo op featuring Aesop and Son. If you perch in the middle you’ll have a pair of rabbit ears over your head. Unfortunately, this picture spot has suffered with recent changes to the seating area, and you’ll find some tables and chairs in the way of the very best shot. Still, if you have a smaller member of your party who can squeeze into the space, it’s a fine spot to visit. This is also a good place to hang out if you’re not riding Ripsaw Falls and want a comfortable place to wait for the rest of your party. It’s covered and has plenty of room to sit.
3. A free chance to spray barges
Since Toon Lagoon has two water rides (Bluto and Popeye’s Bilge Rat Barges and Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls), the area is full of water guns that let you spray passing boats for a moderate fee. If you want all the fun without the price tag, however, just head to Me Ship the Olive. Here, you’ll find the same spray guns available for free!
This is a great place to hang out with little ones who are too small for the ride while others in your party hop on. You can watch friends and family float by from this spot overlooking the river and even test your aim at them as they pass. Since you don’t have to pay for the privilege, you won’t feel as sour about it if you miss the shot.
4. Your chance to run with Marmaduke
Image: Kathryn Greenhill, Flickr (license)
Toon Lagoon is full of great photo ops, but one of the most creative is the one featuring Marmaduke. Hide your feet behind the cloud of dust, grab onto the leash, and do your best to imitate a shocked cartoon character flying along in the massive dog’s wake. Turn the finished picture 90 degrees and it will look like you’re flying through the air instead of standing on the ground.
5. Comic book bubbles
The streets of Toon Lagoon are liberally adorned with comic book bubbles. Pick your favorite ones, strike a creative pose, and stand underneath for a photo that will make it look like you’re in the comic strip. For the best results, turn your pictures to black and white and consider adding a pop art or sketch effect with a photo editing app. Look closely at these bubbles for those with rotating words. If you notice a faint rectangle outlining the phrase on the bubble, it’s probably a changing one. Hang around long enough and you’ll see the words rotate to something new.
The comic book thought and word bubbles aren’t exclusive to the hanging features found over the street. Make sure you look at the buildings’ walls as well for fun places to pose, interacting with the comic scenes and characters.
6. The sinking boat
Image: bea & txema, Flickr (license)
There are lots of water features you can splash around in on the streets of Toon Lagoon, but one of the most creative is the sinking boat from Pogo. Turtle sits on one side with Howland Owl on the other. Both sides of the boat have seats where you can join the characters and pose. A small fountain in the middle really adds to the sinking effect, making this another great choice for a photo.
If you’re looking to fill out your photo album or snap some silly pics for social media, Toon Lagoon is the perfect place to go. With features to entertain guests young and old, you must at least walk through the area and check out everything on display.
