There’s way more fun things inside this ship than just cans full of spinach
Breaking News: There are not just one, but two attractions based on Popeye at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. No, not Popeye the fast food chain, but the sailor man who was the star of a cartoon in the 1930s and later portrayed by Robin Williams in the 1980 live-action movie.
It’s kind of mind-blowing that a franchise popular during my grandfather’s era still exists at Islands of Adventure to this day, and I’m glad that Universal is keeping it alive. It preserves the history of cartoons and gives older guests that nostalgic feeling, which is always welcome during a family vacation.
What we like about Me Ship, The Olive
The first Popeye-based ride is probably one of the most popular water rides in Islands of Adventure: Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges, a very fun raft ride that will definitely get you soaked. Me Ship, The Olive is located right next to this ride and also gives you the chance of getting soaked, but in a different way. This is a cute water playground made to look like a ship, with three different floors filled with rope bridges, water cannons, slides and secret passages.
Me Ship, The Olive isn’t very big, but it’s packed with things to do. Its three different floors make it feel compact while giving the impression that there’s always something new to discover. Kids absolutely love this attraction, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a vibrant, colorful attraction that transports you right into the world of classic cartoons. Almost everything is oversized and has that vintage cartoon charm. Kids go wild exploring the ship while listening to the classic Popeye theme song. Oh, it also gives you the chance of teaching them about the importance of eating spinach!
One of my favorite parts of the attraction is the top floor. Not only can you find rope bridges up there, but also a working piano and water cannons aimed at guests riding Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges. You know what to do, right, soldier? Take aim at everyone riding the raft below, load your cannon with the coldest water, and fire away!
All in all, this is a very fun attraction. There’s no waiting time or standard lines, just walk in, play for a few minutes, and move on to your next adventure. While it’s definitely smaller than something like Camp Jurassic, it has splash zones that are perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day. If your kids love playgrounds, this is a must-visit. It’s definitely one of the more underrated attractions at Islands of Adventure.
What we don’t like about Me Ship, The Olive
Hey, what’s not to like about a playground like this? I love it, and it always transports kids to an era where everything was simpler. Everything here looks cute and well made, with tons of stuff to see everywhere. Seriously, I could spend weeks traveling with Popeye if he indeed owns this ship.
There are, however, a few things to pay attention to. Kids love to have fun here, but keep in mind that there are splash zones and the floor might be slippery in some areas. There are stairs connecting the different floors, so make sure to always supervise your little ones.
Also, much like Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges, this attraction might be closed during winter. It’s common to visit Florida in December or January and find Toon Lagoon partially shut down, with both Popeye attractions and Ripsaw Falls closed for maintenance. That’s definitely a bummer, but if that happens, you can always head over to Camp Jurassic and have fun with dinosaurs instead of Popeye.
Me Ship, The Olive FAQ
What is Me Ship, The Olive at Islands of Adventure?
Me Ship, The Olive is a small but fun playground at Islands of Adventure featuring splash zones, water cannons, rope bridges, slides, and more.
Is there a standard line for Me Ship, The Olive?
No, there isn’t a standard line for Me Ship, The Olive. You can usually enter without any waiting time.
Will I get soaked at Me Ship, The Olive?
While there are splash zones and water features at Me Ship, The Olive, it’s entirely possible to explore the attraction and stay dry if you prefer.
Do I need to pay to use the water cannons at Me Ship, The Olive?
Not at all! The water cannons are free to use, so have fun aiming at the guests riding Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges.
