Yesterday, news broke that the popular deck-building card game Magic: The Gathering will be adding Jurassic Park/Jurassic World themed cards to its roster.
They will be a part of the new Lost Caverns of Ixalan line, the ninety-eighth expansion for Magic which is currently set to be released in November of 2023, and will most likely be found in special expansion bundles and booster packs. Typical Magic booster packs start at around $7.99, and expansions usually are $35+, depending on the size.
While there are no real specifics yet as to what we can expect the line to entail, it’s reported that the Jurassic cards will be themed around all six of the films, spanning thirty years.
There is a history of Magic the Gathering having beautifully illustrated dinosaur and prehistoric-themed cards, and the inclusion of Jurassic dinosaurs, events, and powers in this game will certainly make for interesting gameplay in the near future!
‘The major refurbishment of Jurassic Park the Ride, which begins on Monday, September 4, 2023, is expected to take until early 2025. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.’
This follows the ride being closed from June 6th to June 21st also of this year, most likely for normal yearly refurbishment and maintenance.
There is also no word as to if this is a refurbishment of the existing ride or if it means the ride will be getting the Universal Hollywood treatment and transforming into Jurassic World The Ride.
Currently, Universal Studios Orlando and Japan are the only Universal parks to still have the classic Jurassic Park The Ride/River Adventure ride. Universal Singapore has its own unique Jurassic ride called Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure that has a circular raft vehicle rather than the long multi-rowed raft (making it close to Islands of Adventure’s Popey and Bluto’s Bilge-rat Barges or Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s Kali River Rapids.) Universal Beijing has the award-winningJurassic World Adventure Ride (a dark ride in the vein of Amazing Adventures of Spider-man at Islands of Adventure,) as well as Jurassic Flyers. As previously stated, Universal Hollywood revamped Jurassic Park The Ride to Jurassic World The Ride, which opened in 2019. Sporting some new visuals, animatronics, and story, the updated ride has been well received, with many applauding the spectacular new animatronics and moments. Universal Orlando still has its original Jurassic Park River Adventure ride and opted for a brand new Jurassic World ride (instead of changing River Adventure) with VelociCoaster, which has been awarded Best Rollercoaster two years in a row. If Universal Japan is changing their Jurassic Park ride to Jurassic World though, we can theorize (“theorize, mind you”) that it’s most likely only a matter of time before Orlando sees its classic Jurassic ride go through a similar refurbishment.
While closed, guests to Universal Japan can still visit the Jurassic Park area to experience The Flying Dinosaur, a steel flying coaster where guests soar through the air like pterosaurs (which, should be stated, are not dinosaurs,) and experience various dinosaur “meet and greets” throughout the land.
Universal Parks News Video of Jurassic Park The Ride at Universal Studios Japan
This morning Universal Orlando opened their Jurassic Park 30th Anniversary Tribute Store to excited guests at their resort! Located in the Hollywood section of the park, the store acts as a sort of museum dedicated to the production, release, and impact of one of the most influential films in all of film history. Featuring several rooms crammed with rare production archives and props, exclusive merchandise, and unique foods, it is going to be a must stop-shop for the summer months at the resort for guests.
The latest tribute store is the newest Jurassic offering of the Orlando destination. In the last few years there has been the opening of Jurassic World VelociCoaster (which was awarded Best Roller Coaster two years in a row,) a Jurassic World Tribute Store (which ran the summer months of 2021 in the previous Tribute Store location in the New York section of the park,) and the Great Movie Escape which features a Jurassic World themed escape room experience.
While most of the additions to the park have been centered around the Jurassic World brand, the new tribute store transports us back to the 90’s and centers entirely around the film that started it all- Jurassic Park. Acting as a sort of museum that harkens back to the vibes of the “Dinosaurs of Jurassic Park” traveling exhibit, the store is divided into several different rooms that takes guests on a journey through the production of the film all the way through to its release and impact.
Before entering the store, the guests come face to face with the infamous sick Triceratops lying on its side, which is absolutely breathtaking (and I fully admit to tearing up upon seeing it up close.) Just before entering the store you’re surrounded by scaffolding, stage lights, and banners sporting the Jurassic Park logo and the classic sunset imagery. Many noted last week, when signage started going up, that the signage sported a “Making of Jurassic Park,” rather than just Jurassic Park. This tribute store being more of a shine to the overall production of the filmsets it in contrast to the 2021 JW Tribute Store which had more of an “in-universe” feel, and I’m sure it also offered a bit of a creative change for all of the incredibly talented Team Members of Art and Design, fabrication, carpentry, and painters who are involved on the project.
The first room has a focus on the “Pre-Production” (and a bit of “Post-Prod”) of Jurassic Park. It is filled to the brim with concept art of the dinosaurs and characters, film props, maquettes, and footage. It also has sections where they showcase and explain how Go-Motion was going to be the way they brought the dinosaurs to life in the film and how, as we all know now, it was abandoned in favor of computer-generated dinosaurs which revolutionized the film industry forever.
Moving on to the second room, we are now in the “Production” stage of the film. There are several photo-ops where guests can stop and put themselves into key moments of the film. Guests can either get down and hide behind kitchen counters from a stalking Velociraptor, try to appease an agitated Dilophosaurus, or quake in terror while sitting on a toilet in the middle of a rainstorm beneath Rexy herself. There are also lots of production documents and images as well for guests to gaze at and read as they make their way through, including a part that discusses Hurricane Iniki. Just before heading into the next room, guests can come face to face with another Velociraptor in the shed while they can attempt to return power to the island!
Rounding a corner, the guests are able to pass through the legendary Jurassic Park main gates and snag some unique and delicious treats before heading into the final room which illuminates the legacy and impact of the film upon its release. This, personally, had to be one of my favorite rooms in the whole store as it was just like walking into a sanctuary of classic Jurassic Park memorabilia. In display cabinets sits many different Kenner Jurassic toys, posters, magazines, buttons, bookbags, and loads more of vintage Jurassic Park merchandise. For fans of this franchise, whether you were able to experience the Jurassic craze in the 90’s or only wished you were able to, you can relive it here. If the first three-quarters of the store were the “Making of Jurassic Park” documentary come to life, this room perfectly embodies the “Dinosaur Dream Team” Marketing Video, tying the whole experience together.
The Jurassic Park 30th Anniversary Tribute Store proves to be an amazingly well executed, and immersive experience that is filled with fun easter eggs and beautiful set pieces sure to awe everyone who steps through the entrance. As soon as you enter it’s impossible not to feel the love put into this experience by everyone involved, and for fans it will be even harder not to be overwhelmed by it. The exclusive merchandise and collectables lining the walls harkens back to the feeling of shopping in the 90’s and seeing endless shelves and racks dedicated to Jurassic, and a lot of the new offerings are sure to be “must haves” for many. Some of the merch can be found throughout the entire resort at different stores (like Jurassic Outfitters and the Dino Store in the Jurassic Park section at Islands of Adventure,) the store sports of a wider variety of the 30th Anniversary merch as well as the special snacks.
The limited time JP30 Tribute Store is now open at Universal Orlando, during park hours. While there is no word on exactly how long the store will be there, in the past the “summer” tribute store typically runs until the first few weeks of August, at which time it will be closed and construction on the Halloween Horror Nights tribute store will begin. The store is just one of the few ways the Orlando resort is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the film. Guests can also get exclusive food, treats, and drinks at the Thunder Falls Terrace Restaurant at Islands of Adventure (again, no official word on how long the offerings will last,) and June 9th, 10th, and 11th the Cinemark at City Walk will have screenings of Jurassic Park (tickets are not up yet, but keep checking Cinemark/Fandango,) along with possibly some other potential surprises along the way!
Concept art for the new park proposed for Frisco, TX
Universal Studios Parks and Resorts announced today that they are developing a new park in Frisco, Texas.
The entertainment conglomerate has purchased nearly a hundred acres of land to establish a new park and resort destination for families with children that will include rides, character interactions, and a hotel.
While there is no official word on what specific brands and characters guests will be able to encounter at the new Universal destination, based on the official concept artwork released it seems like there is a heavy emphasis on Dreamworks properties. Among them also looks to be a whole area themed to Jurassic.
Many are already speculating, especially if the park focuses on Dreamworks properties, perhaps the Jurassic section will be heavily inspired or centered around the hit Netflix show Camp Cretaceous.
Tell us, what do you hope to see from Universal Parks and Resorts’ newest park? What would you like to see in the existing parks? Let us know in the comments!
The popular ride VelociCoaster at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure was awarded “Best Roller Coaster” for the second year in a row, by Theme Park Insider.
To ring in the New Year, the popular theme park information site released their list of 2023 winners of different attractions and parks across the globe, and the Jurassic World-themed thrill ride staked its claim as the apex predator of rollercoasters again.
“With outstanding coaster elements, engaging theming, and wonderful decoration from the queue through the ride itself, VelociCoaster wins raves both from devoted roller coaster enthusiasts and casual theme park fans, making a winning combination for everyone, including our readers.”
VelociCoaster brings guests closer than ever before to one of Jurassic World’s most popular dinosaurs – the Velociraptors! Be a part of the “squad” as you race through a raptor paddock alongside four cunning predators at high speed before being launched 155 ft straight up.
What’s next for Jurassic at Universal Theme Parks? Be sure to check back at Jurassic Outpost for all the latest news! And comment below with what you hope to see next at Universal Parks around the world.
Universal Studios Orlando Resort has officially announced the opening day of their newest attraction, The Great Movie Escape! Opening December 9th, 2022, and located in the City Walk portion of the resort, The Great Movie Escape offers Universal guests a chance to become a part of their favorite films like never before! One of the two escape rooms offered is centered around Universal’s biggest franchise- Jurassic World.
In Jurassic World: Escape, you find yourself with a team of new geneticists on Isla Nublar on training day. While it may all begin with some “ooo’s” and “ahh’s” as you learn to work with the park’s star attractions and learning what it takes to make dinosaurs, it quickly devolves into “running and screaming” as one of the park’s apex predators escapes and starts heading your way. You must work together as a team to figure out how to survive. The new experience mixes an engaging story with state of the art effects, highly detailed and immersive sets, and ‘more teeth (and claws) than anything you’ve experienced before.’
This new Jurassic adventure is sure to please casual and die-hard fans of the franchise alike. The escape room experience is randomized, so the solution can vary with each visit and offers rare replay-ability that many normal escape rooms do not. The experience is also customizable depending on party size to ensuring everyone in the group gets to participate, and is also designed to adjust based on skill level (so Jurassic fans thinking this will be a piece of cake are in for a surprise- Chaos Theory in action!)
This latest foray into the Jurassic franchise by the creative teams at Universal Orlando is sure to be another hit for the resort. It follows several dino-sized wins for Universal parks and the Jurassic franchise across the world, on the tails of VelociCoaster at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure being awarded Best Roller Coaster and Best New Attraction of 2021, Jurassic World: Dominion grossing over $1 billion at the box office, and Jurassic World Adventure at Universal Studios Beijing being awarded the Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement for an Attraction just last month. We can only hope to see this trend for Jurassic continuing to grow and expand at the parks!
Tickets for Universal’s Great Movie Escape start at $49.99 (plus tax) for individuals, or guests can reserve a private escape room experience for $300 (plus tax) for groups of up to 8 people. You can order your tickets by visiting the Universal Orlando website , or by calling (407)224-8463. Besides Jurassic World: Escape there will also be Back to the Future: OUTTATIME, a Back to the Future themed escape room experience where guests have to stop Biff from stealing Doc Brown’s latest invention (featuring the return of Christopher Lloyd as Doc Brown!)
Many Jurassic fans and cinephiles alike woke up Wednesday with the sad news that prolific film actor Irrfan Khan had passed away. It’s always hard when someone beloved leaves this world, and it only makes it all the more devastating when they are taken away too soon.
I wanted to take a moment to say goodbye, and thank this incredibly talented actor for his passion, and dedication.
I remember watching the moment Irrfan Khan is introduced as Simon Masrani for the first time on the big screen. You can’t help but smile. Filling the shoes of a John Hammond-like role is no easy task, but Khan did it with such ease in his first few moments on screen, that I was sold. Khan portrays Masrani as a kind-hearted, adventurous soul who wants people to appreciate life and the mystery, and grandness of it all.
Anybody who has watched interviews with Khan, or watched his other work, can see that was the kind of actor and creative person Irrfan Khan was. He valued every little moment and choice. That spirit is forever captured in film.
For Jurassic fans specifically, we have been gifted with a memorable performance by Khan, that solidified his place in the world created, and also in our hearts. His excitement and love for the dinosaurs and the park that he owned was palpable, and made it all the more fun for us, as viewers, to finally experience a functioning park. His energy, and enthusiasm are infectious and leap off the screen.
Ultimately, that’s what we need right now. In this time where so much is happening around us, and after loosing such a talented person, we can find strength and reassurance in the characters Khan left behind for us to treasure forever.
