Although it’s been open for a few weeks now, the JURASSIC WORLD–THE RIDE attraction was officially welcomed to Universal Studios Hollywood with a splashy grand opening ceremony that included actors Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard and director Colin Trevorrow as special guests.
This was also our first opportunity to take a look at the newly redone area which includes not just the refreshed attraction but also updated Raptor Encounter, Jurassic Cafe, and Jurassic Outfitters! Plus, there’s new dinosaurs that you can meet up-close and personal! Ready to dive in? ENJOY!
Jurassic World—The Ride
The attraction borrows a whole lot of its DNA from the original incarnation of the attraction utilizing the same track and a large majority of the same infrastructure. A splashy (literally and figuratively) encounter with a Mosasaurus in her water tank is the first new addition before our boat takes us on a river adventure through familiar sights with Stegosaurus, the Velociaptor pen, and a playful Parasaurolophus before heading into a re-imagined lift experience that is now set at the entrance for the holding pen of the Indominus Rex — which has escaped!
Heading up into the main show building, we find that the former “backstage” facilities for Jurassic Park are now instead being used as an official pathway up towards the Tyrannosaurus Rex enclosure. We find familiar encounters once more with a Velociraptor and the T-rex before making our way through a new jungle interior that will reveal dangerous venom-spewing Dilophosaurus and a cameo appearance by a very angry Blue! Rounding the final turn in the attraction we find the escaped Indominus Rex has been waiting for us this entire time, ready to attack. Before she does though, the T-Rex once again comes to our rescue before we plummet back down the waterfall to the attraction’s watery finale. Unfortunately, the surprise Dilophosaurus at the very end has been removed.
Bryce Dallas Howard and Chris Pratt reprise their roles as Claire and Owen in both the pre-show queue videos and the attraction itself. You might also spot video featuring Dr. Wu portrayed once again by BD Wong.
The queue is filled with facts and details about the park’s dinosaurs.
Dino Play Area
Kids can play in a dino excavation site!
Face to Face with the Dinosaurs
Guests have the opportunity to interact with several dinosaurs. You may have already had an audience with Blue at the Raptor Encounter but the park also just welcomed to the family a new baby Raptor, Tango! She’s only a couple of months old and is still being acclimated to large groups of guests. The Jurassic World handlers who bring her out are happy to help you coordinate a photo-op or teach you more about the species.
Perhaps the biggest surprise — literally and figuratively — is that Jurassic World handlers are also bringing out Juliet to meet guests. Weighing in at more than 10,000, pounds, this beautiful triceratops is as gorgeous as she potentially is dangerous thanks to her large horns.
You can get up close and personal with all three dinosaurs in and around the Jurassic World area.
The Drinks – Isla Nu-bar
The Food – Jurassic Cafe
Menu Items Include
Starters
- Chorizo and Potato Empanadas
- Crispy Lettuce Leaf Roll with Shrimp
- Tropical Fruit Salad
- Pomegranate Guacamole with plantain chips
Entrée
- Sweet Corn Cakes with Slow Roasted Mojo Pork or Spicy Mojo Jackfruit
- Citrus Glazed Chicken
- Fresh Roasted Red Snapper
- Isla Burger
All entrees are accompanied by fresh green papaya salad and Costa Rica’s national dish, Gallo Pinto – traditional rice and beans.
The beautiful painterly murals that used to be in the restaurant have unfortunately been replaced with more contemporary digital designs.
The Merch – Jurassic Outfitters
Grand Opening Ceremony
Actors Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard and director Colin Trevorrow were special guests at the opening ceremony along with Karen Irwin (President and COO, Universal Studios Hollywood) and Ron Meyer (Vice Chairman and NBCUniversal) which was concluded with an appearance by Blue and a dazzling pyrotechnic welcome.
See it for Yourself
Jurassic World—The Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood is now open!