Tag Archives: Jurassic World

• 4 Comments

•

P1040811With the blockbuster film Jurassic World stomping all over box office records, Universal Orlando is wasting no time slapping the film's logo all over the parks, especially in the Jurassic Park area at Islands of Adventure. So far you'll find Jurassic World banners and logos plastered all over the Thunder Falls Terrace restaurant and Jurassic Outfitters gift shop. There's signage for all the different attractions you can experience at Jurassic World, such as the Gyrosphere ride seen in the film. Unfortunately though, there isn't (yet) an actual Gyrosphere ride here in Orlando. Maybe one day. There's also a few new pieces of merchandise for Jurassic World at the parks, including some exclusive items. Jurassic World theming has not yet made its way to the Discovery Center or River Adventure, perhaps to keep those attractions in line with the original film, but who knows how far they'll take the theming in the future. See the entire photo report below and stay tuned for more Jurassic sized updates!

P1040853

...continue reading →

•

jprideadWith Jurassic World now reaching one billion dollars worldwide, the Universal Parks are jumping on the opportunity to promote their existing Jurassic Park attraction. They have released a commercial for 'Jurassic Park: The Ride' at both Hollywood and Orlando, invoking the ideas of Jurassic World with the text, See The Movie, Then Dare to Ride It, mixed with images from the Jurassic World film and scenes from the Jurassic Park ride. In addition to the new ad, which we might start seeing on television immediately, there's also a new website open, devoted entirely to the Jurassic Park ride. The new website, www.jurassicparktheride.com, is currently just a portal to take you to the ride info page from either the Hollywood or Orlando version's website. While many are hoping to see new rides directly themed to Jurassic World at the parks, it's nice to at least see Universal reminding us of the great ride they already have. Check out my video of the entire Jurassic Park River Adventure ride in Orlando below.

•

BxbDx6jCYAIYGmlAs I have previously reported a new attraction is under construction at Universal Studios Japan in the Jurassic Park area. Rumors are starting to spread that this will in fact be a B&M flying coaster, similar to Manta at SeaWorld Orlando. The ride will open in 2016, but an official announcement has not yet been made. No word yet on whether or not the ride will take place within the aviary, but given the fact that pteranodons are pictured on the construction walls, there's a good chance that the ride will at least be themed after them, if not actually taking place in an aviary. Not only would a ride that creates the sensation of flying be a perfect fit for a pteranodon themed ride, but this will be a great tie-in to the smash hit film, Jurassic World. A key scene featured in the film depicts a large aviary where these flying reptiles escape and cause havoc. ...continue reading →

•

P1040691Jurassic World shirts, hats, toys, candy, and cups & mugs have arrived at Universal Studios Florida in The Film Vault store and the main Studios Store near the park entrance. You can find the most merchandise at the Film Vault store, located near the entrance for Transformers. They have just about all the same items you'll find in Jurassic Park at Islands of Adventure. Also, after months of tearing it down and building it back up, the Blues Brothers stage is finally reopened in the New York area of USF. Let's hope that since they've taken the time to revamp their stage that the brothers won't be going away any time soon. The Hollywood park removed the Blues Brothers show earlier this year, but there's no plans as of yet to close it down in Orlando. Check out the entire photo update below!

P1040693 ...continue reading →

• 1 Comment

•

fj_orig1_croppedA couple months ago Screamscape reported that Universal Studios Japan will open a new coaster style ride in the Jurassic Park section of the park. Now Instagram user has posted a photo from Universal Japan of construction walls with the words "The Greatest Dinosaur Ride in the World, Coming in 2016!" I'm not sure if this will be the roller coaster Screamscape mentioned or something else entirely. They already have the River Adventure, so it can't be that. And I do notice there is a pteranodon pictured on the wall in question. Read more below.

11376005_921321024573776_1210597076_n

...continue reading →

•

P1030900The Raptor Encounter at Universal's Islands of Adventure opened to long lines over Memorial Day weekend. Guests are lining up in the hot Florida sun for the chance to come face to face with one of the two "trained" raptors in the park: Lucy and Ethel. This new meet and greet is certainly a hit. The loud raptor noises ensure everyone walking by take notice. The photos and video you'll see do not do it justice as it is very impressive in person. It may be a guy in a suit, but for a few minutes it really has you questioning how they're pulling it off. There's a "trainer" there to help make the experience feel more authentic, and her interactions with the animal really sold it for me. It's a lot of fun and I'm glad I was able to get some video and photos to share with you. Check them out below!


In addition to the Raptor Encounter I was happy to see that many new Jurassic World shirts have arrived to the park as well! They're available at both gift shops in Jurassic Park, as well as the main gift shop in Port of Entry. Check them out, along with some more new Jurassic World merchandise below. ...continue reading →

•

11375874_1076057145742127_1924295786_nRumor has it that the first couple "shows" for the new Raptor Encounter meet and greet at Universal's Islands of Adventure will be today! There's no guarantee that they'll go on as planned, but there has been talk of trying to get this open by Memorial Day weekend. Some images and videos have surfaced on the web as well! The puppet looks more like a full-size raptor suit, worn by a performer, and is very impressive. The suit is said to be created by Michael Curry Design, known for his work on the Transformers meet and greet costumes as well as many other theme park characters and puppets from around the world.

Check out the video and pictures below! Given that these folks have used the hashtag #raptorencounter, I'm guessing that's what the park will be calling the experience. I'll get some video and photos myself when I visit in a few days!

Photo posted by Patrick Braillard on Facebook with the caption "Today, the gates open on a new entertainment experience 6 years in the making. I am very proud of everyone who has worked so hard to put actual DINOSAURS IN OUR DINOSAUR PARK!!!"
Photo posted by Patrick Braillard on Facebook with the caption "Today, the gates open on a new entertainment experience 6 years in the making. I am very proud of everyone who has worked so hard to put actual DINOSAURS IN OUR DINOSAUR PARK!!!"
...continue reading →

•

P1030821As I've been reporting since it was just a small hole in the ground, a Velociraptor Meet & Greet is coming soon to the Jurassic Park area in Islands of Adventure, and it has been officially confirmed by Universal! Well, sort of. In the Annual Passholder newsletter there's a short paragraph about the Jurassic World movie opening next month and to look for photo opportunities with a raptor in IOA. So, we should expect the area to open within the next few weeks, just in time for the film's release! The previously filed permits did show that they had until the end of June to finish their work, but it sounds like they'll be ready before that. Rumors have it opening as soon as Memorial Day later this month!

Short blurb in the Annual Passholder newsletter
Short blurb in the Annual Passholder newsletter

While visiting the parks today I noticed the DinoStore gift shop in the Discovery Center has gotten lots of Jurassic World toys. You can also find some select Jurassic World candies in various gift shops throughout both parks. Check out the images below to see how construction is going and check out the merchandise pics as well! ...continue reading →

•

P1030731I'm going to go out on a limb and say I'm 99% sure they're building a Raptor Show/Meet and Greet near the entrance to the old Triceratops Encounter at Islands of Adventure. Construction is picking up pace, and with only 41 days until Jurassic World opens in theaters, they better hurry up to be ready. During my last visit I was able to grab some snapshots of what looks like a semi-circle of supports, done in a Jurassic Park style. They could be marking off what will become a stage-like viewing area, or maybe even a small set of bleachers for guests to view the animals. Either way, it's looking much more like a permanent viewing area (with scheduled appearances throughout the day perhaps) rather than just a staging area for street events. Check out the images of construction below as well as some more information and rumors! ...continue reading →

•

00005.MTS.Still002The hole in the ground behind the entrance to the old Triceratops Encounter at Islands of Adventure has gotten a lot bigger since my last update. And they've put up some bigger barricades to block it from guests. I'm still not entirely sure what could be going on here but rumors around the web are still pointing at some type of Raptor Meet & Greet, which could be very awesome indeed. Check out the video, plus snapshots of the area and further speculation below!


...continue reading →