Jurassic Park at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure: A Good Time of Gargantuan Size!
Jurassic Park: a place where people can watch real dinosaurs roam the earth once again!
In theory, amazing. In practice…well, there are two novels and two entire movie trilogies about why dinosaur theme parks are a terrible idea.
And yet Universal Studios has gone and made – wait for it – a dinosaur theme park. *sigh* If you, too, wish to ignore the warnings of Michael Crichton and Jeff Goldblum, then here’s your guide on how to get through the park. Assuming the T-Rex doesn’t get out of his enclosure again… in which case, you’ll need more than a well-written article to help you.
Jurassic Park: A Dino-Mite Day
The dangers behind bringing dinosaurs back to life aside, Universal’s Jurassic Park is incredibly cool! I mean, getting to see a baby raptor is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
And in addition to raptor sightings, this Jurassic Park offers fast-paced rides, carnival games, a kids play area, a discovery center, shopping, and dino-licious delicacies! It’s everything you need for a truly amazing afternoon at Islands of Adventure. (Not to be confused with Isla Nublar.)
“Raptorously” Wild Rides
When it comes to these thrill-filled attractions, Samuel L. Jackson’s line from Jurassic Park fits best: “Hold on to your butts!”1
Jurassic World VelociCoaster
The Jurassic World VelociCoaster is, perhaps, Universal’s most daring coaster to date. Climb aboard and zoom through the raptor paddock, feeling the thrill of the hunt as you race alongside these apex predators. (Seriously, doesn’t Jurassic Park have some dinosaur safety codes?? If the coaster stops, you’re raptor food! Oh, well, just try not to think about it, I guess.)
In addition to seeing live raptors in their somewhat-natural habit, the VelociCoaster also provides physics-defying thrills with twisting corkscrews, stomach-churning inversions, and scream-inducing drops, all performed at top speed. Being upside-down is almost a constant state on the VelociCoaster, and for a few heart-pounding moments (well, even more heart-pounding than the rest), you’re upside down while flying over a body of water.
It’s pretty intense and best enjoyed by raptor-whispers and thrill-seeking enthusiasts.
Jurassic Park River Adventure
Raptors are cool and all, but don’t let them steal all of the limelight! Be sure to make time for a leisurely cruise with the Jurassic Park River Adventure and meet some other dino pals. In a ride reminiscent of the old Jaws Amity Island tour, you’ll float down the river that snakes through Islands of Adventure and see harmless – but gigantic – herbivores grazing along the riverbank, or wading in the water right next to you.
Wait for a second…do you hear those alarms blaring??
The T-Rex may have broken loose? What do they mean “MAY?” I can see him right there, and that raft is heading straight for him!! If those folks don’t want to end up as mincemeat, they’ll have to take the 85-foot plunge over the falls! I don’t think I can bear to watch…
Pteranodon Flyers
If you need to escape a rampaging T-Rex, taking to the skies might be your best bet. Unfortunately, the safe and gentle Pteranodon Flyers are meant for kiddos, so you’re tough out of luck if you’re taller than 56 inches. Better try hiding in a bathroom or inside a Jeep! (Note: adults can accompany their children, and need to ride along if a child is shorter than 48 inches.)
Other (Theoretically) Safe Activities with Dinosaurs
Jurassic Park has more to offer than just rides! Explore the process behind bringing our favorite reptiles back to life or load up on Indominus Rex merch, all while enjoying a slice of pizza!
Dino-Bites with Dimetrodon
There are plenty of places to grab some grub in Jurassic Park, with everything from classic cheeseburgers to juicy turkey legs. Just know that anyone holding food is bound to be a raptor’s first target.
You can check out The Burger Digs for 1/2 pound burgers served with fries, or upgrade your side to onion rings or chili-cheese fries. A platter here might even be enough to satiate the hunger of that T-Rex…
If you’re feeling more adventurous, check out Thunder Falls Terrace for smoked turkey legs, rotisserie chicken platters, and delicious rice bowls. Not to mention milkshakes!
Pizza Predattoria is your stop if you want some good old-fashioned pizza – cheese, pepperoni, meat lovers – you got it! There’s also Italian sandwiches and, best of all, breadsticks.
Lastly, if you’re not really hungry but need something to wet your whistle, head on over to The Watering Hole – “home of the original lounge lizard.” (Lounge lizard? They must be talking about my lazy bearded dragon, Mushu, LOL.) Take a seat and cool off with an ice-cold beer, specialty drink, or frozen cocktail. You can never go wrong with a piña colada!
Shopping with Stegosaurus
If you want to sneak in some shopping, head on over to Jurassic Outfitters, “for the fashionable fossil hunter.” Here you’ll find an array of snazzy shirts, ballcaps, keychains, and tumblers. And, of course, the best souvenirs of all time: dinosaur plushies!
All perfect reminders of the day you almost got eaten by a Tyrannosaur.
Discovery with Dilophosaurus
See the science behind the park at the Discovery Center! You’ll be fascinated by the fossilized T. Rex that towers above it all like an ancient sentinel. The coolest part of the Discovery Center is the incubator with ready-to-hatch raptor eggs! If you’re lucky, you might just witness the birth of a baby raptor! (Awww. Look at those adorable razor-sharp fangs!)
Additional exploration can be carried out at Camp Jurassic, a place especially enjoyed by the kiddos. Here, you can pick your way through dimly lit caves, darkened amber mines, and dash across rickety suspension bridges! It’s all in a day’s work for the truly dedicated paleontologist.
Carnival Games with Carnotaurus
Play Jurassic-style carnival games to win great prizes (aka MORE dinosaur plushies!!!).
There’s the water-racer Dinosaur Dash, a DNA Sequencing balloon-popping palooza, Hammond’s Hot Shots basketball hoops, and many more! The InGen Egg Nursery game is a really fun spin on the classic “fishing” games – you scoop up a dino egg, then have it scanned by a computer. All the details of the dino inside pop up on the screen, like you’re at a real science lab! The bigger the species incubating within, the bigger the prize you receive!
Raptor Encounter!
Last but not least, if the VelociCoaster wasn’t already too close for comfort, you can get even closer to your favorite scaly buddy, Blue the raptor. Step right up to her enclosure to snap a quick selfie – before she snaps at you! Additionally, a raptor-trainer may be present with one of Universal’s raptor hatchlings, Sierra or Tango, for another amazing (and adorable) encounter!
Oh, and you can also get a snap with that pesky T. Rex and iconic Jeep by The Burger Digs!2
You definitely don’t want to miss interacting with these dinos…if you dare!
So, what do you think? Is Universal’s Jurassic Park finally going to pull off John Hammond’s dream? I sure hope so – I’m kind of getting too attached to these raptors.
What’s your favorite dinosaur? Let us know, and tell us about your Jurassic Park experiences, in the comments below!
Cover Image
Photo: Michael Sheehan via Flickr
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