Sometimes I visit theme parks with no ride or reason in mind. Recently, I made a loop of Islands of Adventure, a place I’ve been hundreds of times since 1999, and it was a mix of sentimentality and discovery.

Strolling through the park’s Port of Entry, I notice five pieces of colorful glass embedded into the walkway. I imagine they’ve always been there — why would Universal add them later, after all — but I don’t remember them. Are they symbolic, like for the five original lands of IOA?

Or are they just pretty and scene setters? The designs of Central Florida parks are so layered that you can literally walk right past/over them.

It reminded me of another Port of Entry discovery in the early COVID-19 pandemic days. It was so quiet, and that enabled me to first hear the prerecorded jailbreak banter over by the Christmas store. (It’s still rolling.)

Other recent entries in my mental IOA notebook:

• The construction walls were gone again from the former Poseidon’s Fury attraction. Although Universal Orlando filed construction permits recently for that area, no announcement has been made, and I couldn’t spy any action. Visitors can now walk almost up to the front door, and most of the water features were working. The vegetation is under control, too. I took more pictures because one day that view will be gone. (Crumbling big feet with Marvel Super Hero Island in the background is an unusual sight.)

I bumped into an exploring family who were distracted by lizards. “Look, there’s another one.” I let them have their fun, but in my head I said, “Y’all aren’t from around here, are you?”

• From some angles, Lost Continent is exactly the same as opening day. But it’s also completely different, even if you mentally lop off the Wizarding World of Harry Potter takeover.

The buildings for Poseidon and the “The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad” theater still stand, but are empty. The ground-level shops are rearranged, some selling “How to Train Your Dragon” merchandise. The rocky archway to nowhere still stands and is an oddly tempting resting spot.

There since the beginning: Mythos restaurant and Fire-Eaters Grill.

Also still standing: the Mystic Fountain. In the Sentinel’s IOA preview of 1999, it’s reported there’s a 1,000-year-old soul trapped inside.” Also in that report, we say the trains of the Dueling Dragons pass “within 12 inches of each other.” Ah, memories.

• A final Lost Continent tidbit, I saw online and double-checked: Sure enough, the merman figure that’s above the entrance to the Treasures of Poseidon store has a tail that continues along in the ceiling inside.

•  Jurassic Park River Adventure seemed extra splashy and reminded me to remind you that the attraction will be closed for maintenance from Jan. 5 through Nov. 19. Again, Universal isn’t talking much, but that might seem like a long stint for just a regular scrub down, no?

• Remember the purple wall craze based out of Magic Kingdom? I yearned a little for those days as I wandered into the Dr. Doom Fearfall area, as the walls there would make an … interesting … red and green splotchy backdrop. When that trend circles back, I’m ready.

Attractions news and nuggets

• The Zoo Boo Bash returns at Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens on Saturday. It includes a trick-or-treating path, animal enrichments, holiday decor and eats. Details: centralfloridazoo.org

• The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has remained open during the government shutdown. Details: kennedyspacecenter.com

• Discovery Cove, SeaWorld Orlando’s day resort, is offering 40% off reservations through the end of 2026, but you must book by Oct. 19, 2025. Details: discoverycove.com

• Museum of Illusions Orlando has several Dia de los Muertos activities set, including a Family Fun Day on Nov. 1, which morphs into an adults-only evening celebration. Details: moiorlando.com

• Walt Disney World reports that sales for its special license plate across Florida have raised more than $5 million for Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida. The design was introduced in 2021.

• Disney World is rolling out themed cold brew coffee options at all four theme parks. An eye-catcher: The Epic Cold Brew Spectacular at Hollywood Studios, topped with a wee Indiana Jones-style fedora and cookie butter cold foam. Details: disneyparksblog.com

Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. BlueSky: @themeparksdb. Threads account: @dbevil. 0. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.