Universal released more details on their upcoming park in Texas, now set to officially open in 2026!
Initially announced just over a year ago, the Texas park will be Universal’s first ever entirely children and family centered theme park. The other Universal destinations around the globe feature a mixture of attractions, shows, and events for all ages, but the all new Universal Kids Resort will have offerings specifically geared towards a younger audience.
VP and executive producer of Universal Creative Sarah Gibbon stated “At each point, we considered how we could design a place especially for kids where they could explore, imagine and adventure with their families and friends They’ll be able to do all this while being fully immersed in some of their favorite stories – ones full of curiosity, laughter and joy.”
With that in mind, many have wondered what types of attractions, and IP properties we would see In 2024 Universal released two official pieces of conceptual art of an ariel views of all the lands that would make up UKR, and both included portions that appeared to be hinting at potential Jurassic themed sections.
Well, with the announcement of UKR opening in 2026, Universal also released what lands and characters we can expect to see- with Jurassic World being among them!
‘[At Jurassic World] Discoveries abound as kids learn about and come face to face with beloved dinosaurs of Jurassic World in uniquely exciting and interactive ways. The new adventure exclusively created for young explorers will be both exhilarating and awe-inspiring.’
Along with the land synopsis is a picture of everyone’s favorite juvenile ankylosaur Bumpy, from Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous.
Along with Bumpy (and whatever other dinosaurs and characters from Jurassic World we may encounter,) guests can experience many other iconic lands and characters in this 97-acre theme park including Shrek, Puss in Boots, Trolls, SpongeBob SquarePants, Minions, and Gabby’s Dollhouse .
While there are no official details on what guests can specifically expect as far as rides and shows go for UKR, many fans will no doubt be scouring the previously released concept art for clues. And people can also sign up for news and updates on the official UKR site as well!
Tell us what you think. Are you excited for the all-new Universal Kids Resort? Will you be visiting? What kind of rides and experiences do you hope to see? Let us know in the comments!
From traveling museum exhibitions, to multiple educational books written by some of world’s leading scientists, and even donating nearly a million dollars of paleontological research through The Jurassic Foundation, Universal Pictures and Amblin have found many unique and inventive ways to utilize the Jurassic franchise to promote education through STEAM (an acronym for science, technology, engineering, art, and math.) Universal Destinations and Experiences now continues this trend with their latest student programing at Universal Orlando!
Jurassic World VelociCoaster: Breaking Down the DNA is an all new educational youth program that allows student attendees to discover the the collaborative and innovative world of ride design! Developed in partnership with Universal Pictures, students will explore how a diverse Universal team with varied backgrounds and skills aligned to collectively transform an idea into a multi-award winning ride. They’ll discover how ride design is a complex collaborative process the combines creativity and problem-solving to create an innovative, story-driven attraction.
Program Objectives include:
Exploring academic and professional interests connected to themed entertainment.
Examining how diverse perspectives drive innovative thinking.
Identifying how teamwork is fundamental in achieving a common goal.
How to describe storytelling elements and how they drive immersive experiences.
Explaining the importance of how research influences decision making.
The program is the latest in a series of STEAM centered events hosted at the parks that seek to engage students into exploring engineering, creativity, science, and teamwork. It’s also the latest way Universal has used the Jurassic franchise to promote education. Previously, in 2023, Universal Orlando hosted a STEAM Symposium themed around Jurassic Park’s 30th Anniversary, and Universal Orlando also offers a “Jurassic Paleobotany” program associated with their STEAM App Series, where students work together to describe the importance of understanding plants and environments of the past and present to create authentic, immersive, and themed environments.
Programs at Universal are intended for groups of twenty or more students, and reservations must be made ahead of time. Tours will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Programs are subject to availability. More details and resources for educators interested can be found on Universal Orlando’s Youth Programing website.
Coming off reopening Jurassic Park The Ride after an extended refurbishment, Universal Studios Japan has announced that they will be hosting a six-month long Jurassic interactive event!
From March 14, 2025, through August 31, 2025 (*dates subject to change) Universal Studios Japan will be hosting Jurassic World Journey, a special limited time event during daytime park hours with unique show offerings, special food, interactive missions, and more!
Take your family on a thrilling, new adventure to experience the dinosaurs from Jurassic World like never before! See the terrifying T. rex on a boat tour through the jungle. Meet and interact with adorable baby dinosaurs! And try not to scream during a tense encounter with a Raptor! You can also go on an all-new “”Mission Walk”” where you can explore the area while solving fun and exciting new puzzles along the way!’
So, lets break down exactly what guests can expect and experience during JW Journey!
ENTERTAINMENT OFFERINGS
There will be three “new” shows offered during the Jurassic World Journey event that will bring guests closer than ever to the park’s dinosaurs! Universal Japan has proven time and again that they love experimenting with live performance to showcase dinosaurs in their Jurassic Park area. Universal Japan has been the stage for a variety of Jurassic shows through the years since the 00’s, showcasing many different dinosaurs with each iteration (one of which even had a Spinosaurus!)
In “Dino Encounter” guests will be able to see some of the park’s herbivorous dinosaurs, like Triceratops and Stegosaurus, and will also have opportunities to pet and even feed the animals!
Complimenting the experience with the herbivores will be the “Baby Dino Adventure,” guests will experience the awe and wonder of interacting with a baby dinosaur and learn some fun new facts about the incredible species from its handler! You can even take a commemorative photo to have as a keepsake of this truly unforgettable and heartwarming moment!
Be careful though, because while the island is home to many magnificent and wonderful animals, danger also lurks around every corner! In “Raptor Alert” you find out that several raptors have escaped from their enclosures and have been spotted in the area! Be sure to take caution as you move throughout the area! Get ready to experience the thrill of a lifetime as you try to avoid being trapped by the Raptor pack!
Universal is also planning the “ultimate adventure” for the whole family to enjoy with the Jurassic World “Mission Walk!” After picking up your mission booklet at Jurassic Outfitters (each guest can obtain one mission booklet per day), guests will explore the jungles of Jurassic World and complete their exciting missions throughout the Park! As you complete the various missions you’ll also encounter various dinosaurs hidden in the jungle. Every participant who completes all of the missions will receive an exclusive sticker as a gift!
The Jurassic section highlighted on the USJ map. ①Jurassic World Raptor Alert ②Jurassic World Dino Encounter ③Jurassic World Baby Dino Adventure ④Jurassic World Mission Walk
PHOTO OP
On top of the new entertainment offerings, there will also be a special photo op location where guests can get a commemorative photo with a Jurassic World gyrosphere!
FOOD OFFERINGS
The new T, Rex Burger, volcanic Strawberry and Chocolate Cupcake, and Ancient Sea drink.
Universal never misses an opportunity to come up with unique and special foods for their parks as well, and during Jurassic World Journey the park will be offering multiple new edible dishes.
There will be five new meals offered- the massive T. rex Burger Meal, the Raptor Burger Meal, the Pteranodon Burger meal (which looks to be a crispy chicken sandwich,) the Mosasaurus Burger Meal (a breaded fish sandwich,) and the bite sized Triceratops Burger Meal for kids. To pair with the meal there will also be a unique drink, a salty lemon and lychee soda mix named the Ancient Sea.
And don’t forget desert! Offerings like a pteranodon topped chocolate and strawberry cupcake (made to look like Mt. Sibo erupting,) and the Jurassic Chocolate Lemon Churritos are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Images on Universal Japan’s website suggest that there may be even more food and treat options available as well during the event, like a delectable multi-layered dessert dish of some kind and Jurassic themed macarons.
While there has been no news of new or special merchandise (other than the sticker awarded at the end of the Mission Walk,) the Blue and Gyrosphere popcorn bucket will finally be making its way to Universal Japan!
And don’t forget to ride that ever flowing river with the newly refurbished Jurassic Park The Ride, and fly alongside pterosaurs on the rollercoaster The Flying Dinosaur.
Walt Disney World News Today reported in their article reporting on the special event that Universal Japan has said that there will be “enhancements” added to the rides for the event, but we could not find any information on Universal Japan’s website (or elsewhere) corroborating this. It is not without precedent though, as other parks like Universal Hollywood and Orlando have made minor tweaks to their respective Jurassic rides in the past for special events like Halloween Horror Nights. So perhaps we will see a few added details, props, or dinosaurs in the coming months!
Universal Destinations and Resorts around the world have had many different special Jurassic offerings over the years. For instance, for Jurassic Park‘s 30th Anniversary Universal Orlando had a special tribute store, and in 2018 Universal Singapore had the short show Jurassic World ROAR! in honor of the release of Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom. While none of the other Universal’s other resorts have announced any special events or offerings accompanying the release Jurassic World Rebirth as of yet, we can hope that perhaps Universal Japan is just leading the way and maybe some of the other destinations will soon follow suit with some dino-sized surprises for guests this year!
What would you like to see come to Universal Parks around the globe? More special Jurassic events? More unique shows with dinosaurs? New rides? Let us know in the comments below.
The InGen Spinosaurs and Tyrannosaurus facing off in the Aviary showroom of the Jurassic Park Institute Tour. Image courtesy of Rick Bluhm
Since the release of Jurassic Park in 1993, there have been multiple accompanying live shows, exhibits, and experiences across the world that have helped bridge the gap between the fictitious world of the franchise, and our real one.
In the early 00’s, one such exhibit was the Jurassic Park Institute Tour, located in Japan. Designed and produced by Thinkwell Design & Production, the Thea Award Winning exhibit brought the world and science of Jurassic Park alive unlike ever before.
The nearly hour-long experience featured twelve different exhibits, all featuring interactive displays and showcasing breathtaking encounters with dinosaurs using of state of the art technology and theatrical techniques. To bring these environments and exhibits to life, the creative team employed artists who took great great care of the loaned props, and in recreating entire environments from educational museum galleries, to an InGen laboratory, and even a jaunt through the Aviary.
JPIT’s Field Art Director, Rick Bluhm, adjusting a display in the InGen lab. Image courtesy of Rick Bluhm.
To tackle such an endeavor as one of these dino-sized projects, you need a dedicated and creative team. Enter Rick Bluhm, a Field Art Director on the Jurassic Park Institute Tour project. We were lucky enough to be able to connect with Bluhm, and asked him to reflect on his career as well as on his time with the JPIT project.
JO: What got you interested in being in entertainment and ultimately a Creative Director, and how did you make the journey to now helping create some of the most immersive theatrical and ride experiences in the world?
RB: My career began with theatrical set design in the Los Angeles area at dozens of small theatres. Through contacts there I transitioned into Art Direction for television commercials, series and ultimately films. It was while I was on hiatus between those projects that I was asked to join Universal and have been in themed immersive entertainment ever since – although I just retired from my position of Senior Director, Creative, after 12 years developing attractions for the parks in Orlando and Osaka.
I was very proud to be a part of the Thinkwell team that produced Jurassic Park Institute Tour and we had quite an adventure in Tokyo that summer! Prior to [joining JPI], I was the Art Director for several show attractions that we opened in Universal Studios Japan in 2001. Needless to say, I had experience with the culture and that helped me lead the wonderful local prop and set dressing crew for JPIT.
One of the earlier exhibits in the JPIT, showcasing the latest information and research in paleontology. Image courtesy of Rick Bluhm
JO: In the early 00’s with the release of Jurassic Park 3 there was this kind of push with the Jurassic Park Institute branding to kind of be more educational focused. There were books, games, and a website. But then of course there was the inception and creation of this live experience which looks like it bridges a lot of the fantastical elements and universe of the films with science and education. Can you tell us how the tour came to be initially?
RB: Ken Nakashima was the man who brought the idea for the tour to Thinkwell. He was studying paleontology at a university in the L.A. area and was keenly interested in dinosaur DNA. His father, Sam Nakashima brought investors together to create this tour, which would package the education Ken was passionate about into a wonderfully immersive entertainment experience.
An InGen lab showroom. Image courtesy of Rick Bluhm.
RB: The details about developing the concept happened all before I was brought on to the project. Joe Cashman was the Production Designer who oversaw creative and he hired me as a Field Art Director to procure all the set dressing and props, plants etc. and stage them all when we arrived in Tokyo. Before the “Mr. DNA” film pre-show, we had a huge exhibit of dinosaur skeletons with informational graphic panels to anchor the experience with a strong scientific foundation.
The Brachiosaur canopy scene, where guests would come face to face with some of the largest animals InGen created. Image courtesy of Rick Bluhm.
JO: What was one of the hardest aspects of bringing this experience to life?
RB: The biggest challenge was the scene which featured Brachiosaurs feeding. Guests felt as if they were on a bridge, overlooking the canopy of trees through which the long necks of the dinosaurs were grazing. We had limited depth there, so I had a firm in Singapore fabricate trunks with bases and armatures so we could create huge diameters of gingko trees that sat a few feet above the floor and masked it.
This EX-STINKS. Image courtesy of Rick Bluhm.
RB: One particularly silly moment was when we received delivery of the dung pile for the Triceratops yard. It didn’t seem quite real enough, so I asked the prop team to coat it in clear gloss. It worked so well that it elicited big laughs from the crew and guests.
A section of the JPIT that showcased scenic props and models from Jurassic Park 3, including the unused infamous “RED” Velociraptor from early pre-production. Image courtesy of Rick Bluhm.
JO: Did you all have any movie props or pieces that were a part of the tour?
RB: Although we moulded a few props (eggs, for example) from originals from the films, we wanted a special way to feature actual props and wardrobe from the latest film (JP3).
Costumes used by the main cast of Jurassic Park 3 on display at the JPTI. Image courtesy of Rick Bluhm.
RB: We created a post-show before the exit which displayed incubators and other equipment from the scene where they stumble on the dilapidated Ingen lab – plus a couple of full size Raptors and wardrobe from the key characters. I also created an Art Directors’ Studio area to feature blueprints and renderings of the sets from that film.
Concept art, models, and other preproduction and production material from the first three Jurassic films on display. Image courtesy of Rick Bluhm.
RB: I took great care in the authenticity of our props – particularly the genetics lab and medical bay – researching details from the films. Also, the artificial foliage had to have proper scale and species that would be found in the regions from the films.
Rick Bluhm adjusting and adding foliage to one of the various scenes in JPTI. A small compy pops up to keep the creative company. Image courtesy of Rick Bluhm.
JO: What do you think captivates people about Jurassic or dinosaurs in general?
RB: Dinosaurs will always be a source of fascination to us humans. The strength and majesty of those exotic creatures in an ancient world, so different from what it is now. I was obsessed as a boy and have seen my nephews and others continue with that curiosity.
One of the many animal containment areas apart of JPTI, featuring Triceratops and a fully animatronic Jurassic Park 3 style Ankylosaurus. Image courtesy of Rick Bluhm.
While the Tour is no longer, an other interactive Jurassic experiences have now taken its place, you can watch a promotional reel for the Jurassic Park Institute Tour below thanks to archival efforts of The Jurassic Park Collection.
Have you ever experienced a Jurassic exhibit? If so, which one, and what kind of affect did it have on you? Would you like to see more edutainment style experiences and material from the Jurassic brand like with Jurassic Park Institute? Let us know in the comments below!
Theme Park Insider released their lists of top attractions across the world for the past year, and for the fourth consecutive year Universal’s VelociCoaster remains the apex of coasters.
Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure puts you right in the middle of a training session with Owen’s IBRIS Raptors. You’ll come face to face with Echo, Charlie, Delta, and Blue as you are launched at 50 miles per hour (80 kilometers per hour) into a paddock. After you careen around tight corners, barely missing sharp rocks and snapping teeth as you roll through multiple inversions, you’ll be launched a final time at 70 miles per hour (113 kilometers per hour) and up a 155 foot hill (47.2 meters) to just narrowly avoid becoming dino-chow!
The thrilling ride is accompanied by an breathtakingly immersive queue, where you will see and encounter the raptors several times before even boarding the ride train (as well as other neat Jurassic Park and World easter eggs!)
Have you survived VelociCoaster? What other types of Jurassic rides or offerings would you like to see come to Universal Destinations and Resorts around the world? Lets us know in the comments below!
Frontier Developments released their latest portfolio strategy and financial reports, which included information about the ongoing development of their third Jurassic World game.
The report states:
‘Development is on track for a third Jurassic World game coming in FY26, in collaboration with Universal Products & Experiences, alongside the promotional support of Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s all-new film, Jurassic World Rebirth, currently scheduled for release on 2 July 2025.’
News broke back in June of Frontier developing a third Jurassic Park Evolution game. The news was met with mixed reactions. While it is exciting to see Frontier continuing to delve into the world of Jurassic, the question of “is another Evolution needed?” hovers.
The announcement of the third game came only weeks after the Park Manager’s DLC Pack release for Jurassic World Evolution 2. So, with JWE2 still getting new content, what is the need for a whole new game? Furthermore, the overall release of JWE2 felt muddled. The game’s initial release felt incomplete and was rife with bugs. Then DLCs and content that felt like it should’ve been included to begin with were sold separately over months at varying prices. While a beautiful and masterful game, it’s been hard to not feel the constant twist of the capitalistic knife during the entirety of JWE2’s existence. And, if I’m being honest, that’s exactly what a Jurassic World Evolution 3 feels like.
While JWE2 certainly expanded (and in some cases perfected) what JWE1 started, it perhaps doesn’t feel as if there has been enough growth or change to warrant yet another entry in the series. In fact, some gamers and Jurassic fans have pointed to that being a reason why they weren’t interested in JWE2 even.
So, what are some things that Frontier could change or include that would turn Jurassic World Evolution 3 into an instant MUST? We have some thoughts.
1.) More “Scientifically Accurate” skins (ala Rex 65 MYA, Utahraptor, Deinocheirus,) and skins we don’t have yet
On top of expecting every species of animal and their skins that we’ve had thus far in the JWE canon, we’d LOVE to see skins that we haven’t had yet for certain animals (*cough* TLW Ptera *cough*).
We would also love if a lot more of them got the “realistic” makeover. Come on, gimme a small feathered Velociraptor. A fluffy compy. A seven-meter-long Dilophosaurus.
2.) Dinosaurs from the Universe and Juveniles
While there are a great many species included in JWE, there are still several dinosaurs from the Jurassic canon missing. Fans love to try and recreate scenes from the books, games, and more- we want to see some of our favorite dinosaurs from different parts of the series brought to life. Psittacosaur. Coelurus. Mussaurus. Ornitholestes. We can go on. Call us Frontier, we got a list on standby.
Also, it would be amazing if we could finally get juveniles, or even eggs and nests. Juveniles alone would be a great addition, for being able to make a Gentle Giants Petting Zoo, a proper Tyrant family on Isla Sorna, or hidden raptor tribes in the jungles of your park. The Jurassic franchise shows off so many amazing juvenile dinosaurs, yet we’ve never had a Jurassic game that lets us have them in our park. It’s a shame.
3.) Create your own hybrid
Enough said. I want to just have a high-quality version of the splicing machine in my Jurassic Park 3 Dino Dex. Is that too much to ask for?
4.) Rides/Coasters/Attraction creation
River Adventure/Kayak Ride is a must, first off. We’ve been begging for it forever.
On top of that, it would just be wonderful to actually build other attractions. We’ve seen the Jurassic franchise utilize “rides” in the stories for their theme parks, and in expanded material like Camp Cretaceous, Jurassic Park The Game, and more. Rides are undeniably an important part of any theme park, and there’s a severe lack of rides in the JWE games. Let us build our own VelociCoaster.
5.) More “Non-Dinosaurs”
Deinosuchus, Sarcosuchus, Megalania, Beelzebufu, Postosuchus, maybe even large arthropods? And, come on, it’s time for some mammals.
6.) ADS System
A key plot element in Jurassic World: Dominion, BioSyn’s ADS system helps keep the pterosaurs in their vally corraled and under a certain height, outside of “aviary” like enclosures.
It’d be great if this was added to the game so that we could have pterosaurs flying around in paddocks with other animals, but not necessarily able to fly around our parks doing damage and killing guests.
7.) More Decorations, Building Modification Options, and “Stops” for Guests
More signage, rest areas, smoking areas, smaller vending decorations, TLW double trailers, building ruins, the list is honestly endless.
8.) More ranger missions.
Where JW2 really shines is on the missions during the various modes. Frontier took the idea of small missions that goes back to Jurassic Park Operation Genesis and made them so immersive that you truly get wrapped up in the beauty, the chase, or the tension sometimes during these tasks. They are the best moments of the game, and we desperately want more of them.
So, tell us, what do you want from Jurassic World Evolution 3?
Islands of Adventure Concept Art (Behind the Gates)
During the pre-production of Jurassic Park, Steven Spielberg already had teams conceptualizing and planning Jurassic Park The Ride, at Universal Studios Hollywood, before the first film was in production. Upon opening in 1996, the attraction was met with high praise and acclaim for its thrilling experience and immersive storytelling.
But Universal parks weren’t finished with Jurassic just yet. During this same time, on the other side of the country, Universal was hard at work expanding their operation in Orlando. And not just a little expansion like a singular new ride or show, no. They were in the process of creating a whole new theme park that would allow guests to enter their favorite literary worlds. Universal’s team was developing a park where guests would be able to skip around with Whos in Suess Landing, explore ancient ruins in Lost Continent, make a splash with their favorite cartoon characters in Toon Lagoon, save the world in MARVEL Superhero Island. It would also be decided that the final land, “rounding” out the park, would be where guests could come face to face with the greatest animals that ever walked the planet in a fully realized Jurassic Park.
Promotional Artwork of Jurassic Park at Islands of Adventure (Universal Destinations & Experiences)
At this new Jurassic Park, guests would be able to come face to face with dinosaurs like never before and be immersed in the world of Jurassic. There was the Discovery Center where raptor eggs would be seen hatching throughout the day, and Triceratops Encounter (later renamed to Triceratops Discovery Trail) where guests could experience one of the majestic three-horned creatures up close. In Camp Jurassic guests can traverse various pathways, explore caverns, or sail through the air like pterosaurs at Pteranodon Flyers. Of course, in the center of it all, would be the main attraction- the Jurassic Park River Adventure (Orlando’s version of Jurassic Park The Ride.)
With all of these pieces integral to “selling” this world, it became apparent that Universal would need a team to help maintain a cohesive vision for what they were attempting to create. Enter Bob Shreve.
Image of Bob Shreve from promotional material of Islands of Adventure
Shreve was brought on to be Show Producer for the entirety of the Jurassic area at Islands of Adventure (or IOA.) With a Masters in theatrical design and years of experience working and designing for theatres and other theme parks, like Walt Disney World, Shreve moved to Universal to take on this titanic project.
We reached out to Shreve to reflect on his work at Islands of Adventure, the process of bringing Jurassic Park to life, and changing the theme park world forever.
JO: To start off, if you could take us back to the beginning of Jurassic being a part of Island’s of Adventure that’d be wonderful. At one time Jurassic Park The Ride was expected to be near where Men in Black now is, but then it was opted for a full land. What did that happen? What was the key moment when Universal said “YES, all in on Jurassic,” and what did that mean for Islands of Adventure?
BOB: I came to the project in 1995 after the IOA project was fully in development and well into the design development phase. As I understand it, once Universal made the decision to develop IOA, JP became a cornerstone for the project, and the idea to develop it like the Hollywood attraction was tabled in lieu of a full-fledged land. All of that occurred before I joined the team.
JO: How did you get the Show Producer title for the Jurassic area at IOA specifically? Was it something about the brand that pulled you or was it assigned? Where does that journey begin?
BOB: In 1995 I was working for Imagineering, living in FL, handling SQS for EPCOT along with Patrick Brennan. I was contacted by Robin Reardon, who I had worked with on projects at WDI. Randy Prinz had brought onto the IOA Project as the Executive Producer and she reached out to me as she felt I would make a good producer. Initially, I was offered SUESS LANDING but, once Lisa Girolami agreed to join the team, they felt she was a better fit for SUESS and transferred me to JP. All of this occurred before I moved to LA to join the team in person.
JO: The Jurassic land, until the inclusion of Harry Potter, felt like the centerpiece. The majestic Discovery Center stands in the center focal point when you enter, demanding your attention. IOA’s original “castle” as it were. Was that intentional?
BOB: Yes, it was very intentional. It was felt that the JP brand was the most iconic as it related to the public at large and would be the central gate driver for ticket sales. By placing it at the center point on the far side of the lagoon, it would drive guest utilization through all the other islands in the park.
JO: How closely did you work with other departments like marketing, promotions, etc. I mean, Island of Adventure was promoted in a Jurassic Park video game, there were exclusive toys, and then everything in park that had to fit the world’s aesthetic. Was collaboration “Universal,” as they say, between you all?
BOB: There was very little integration with marketing at that time at Universal, which, frankly, was one of the downfalls of the project. Most of the brand development was simply lifted from the film efforts. It should be remembered that Universal changed ownership during the development of the project and it had a ripple effect on the development process.
JO: A lot of the production and planning was happening while Crichton released The Lost World, and then The Lost World: Jurassic Park was subsequently filmed, marketed, and released. Were there any changes in the plans for the land/ride/attractions from when it started to when it ended that we’re because of the sequel?
BOB: No, by the time LOST WORLD came out, we were well into construction so no changes were tolerated.
JO: There are several attractions hinted at and teased still throughout the land that unfortunately have not come to be (as of yet.) Helicoptour-tours, Jeep Safari, and several more. Can you recall any rides, attractions, shows, or experiences that we’re on the table but shelved?
BOB: Both Helicoptours and Jeep Safari were developed at a conceptual level, however, further development was placed on hold to allow focus on completion of the IOA project. It was anticipated that, should IOA be successful, these would be some of the first expansion projects undertaken. Sadly, due to underperformance in attendance for the park, this did not happen.
JO: Also, the AMAZING scale model at the entrance of River Adventure (which shows several of these canceled attractions,) it’s to see anything like it! Was there a thought that prompted showcasing it so prominently?
BOB: Frankly, we needed something to fill the queue for guest engagement and we were on a tight budget. Dan Torres, the Production Designer for RIVER ADVENTURE, came up with the idea to simply use the model that was constructed during the design of the IOA project. Each of the lands was modeled in great detail as this was before you could use CGI. Each land and attraction was constructed so it could be removed from the master model for study. Since it was already built and paid for, it was a great idea to use it as a queue prop, especially because we felt it was something John Hammond would do to promote his new Park.
JO: On a similar note, were there any dinosaurs or moments from the opening day attractions that were cut?
BOB: Not that I recall. We took great pride in delivering all of the things we were asked to provide.
JO: Was there talk of building the same River Adventure as Hollywood, or when/why were choices made to change moments in Orlando’s?
BOB: Yes, the project team was initially told to deliver the Hollywood version of the ride intact as a “cookie-cutter” attraction. However, Hollywood was having significant issues with their jeep drop effect so our team was asked to come up with an alternative, so we developed the raptor cage drop.
JO: How did you develop the story for the areas of the land and which characters were “involved?” Many many elements of the island reference or are lifted straight from Crichton’s novel. Some of them really “deep cuts.” What elements from the novel, film, and expanded material were most useful and important to you to include? What material did Amblin and Universal say was most important to include?
BOB: I was not involved in the initial development of the attraction (concept phase), so I do not feel I can properly answer this question. It would be better to direct this question to Dale Mason, Phil Hettema or Gary Goddard.
Interior Nursery of the Discovery Center at Islands of Adventure
JO: How important was it for there to be educational aspects of the area? At its core Jurassic is sci-fi that is grounded in real science. Paleontology, geology, genetics, animal behavior and zoological sciences, and more. Perhaps more than any other offering at IOA or Universal, Jurassic at IOA originally had a sense of adventure and discovery meets learning and inspiration (especially with attractions such as all of the original Discovery Center, and Triceratops Encounter.)
BOB: We felt it was very important to have an educational aspect to JP as it reflected John Hammond’s and InGen’s mission and goals. We were very aware that pretty much every 9-year old would know a lot about dinosaurs when they arrived at the park, so we needed to feed that curiosity and expand on it. We engaged Eisterhold Associates, a leading museum design company, to develop concepts for the Discovery Center and to make it as interactive as possible.
JO: Was the island ever almost Isla Nublar or was it always going to be Isla Aventura? Do you feel like the inclusion of the Jurassic World property with VelociCoaster and Raptor Encounter affects the world originally created at IOA?
BOB: The working title for the project was Isla Nublar but marketing would never have agreed to let it be marketed as anything other than Jurassic Park – too much brand recognition. As for the inclusion of Jurassic World, I think this is a natural evolution of the brand and is fitting. TRICERATOPS ENCOUNTER was always plagued with technology issues – it was far too complex to exist in a theme park environment – and its replacement with the coaster was a good idea to revitalize the area.
Maquette of the Triceratops from Triceratops Encounter (Behind the Gates)
JO: Do you know much about who produced the dinosaur maquettes / sculpts? Stan Winston School of Character Arts recently posted an article about their Stegosaurus and it showcases both the [The Lost World’s] AND [Jurassic Park The Ride/River Adventure’s] stegos (which have differences from one another.) Were the designs for the [new] dinosaurs in-house or did some of them come from partnering with Winston’s team? And did the sculpting and building of them change or evolve as the films were made?
BOB: The dinosaur maquettes were developed for the Hollywood attraction and, I believe, were developed by Winston Studios. I have no explanation for the difference between the two stegosaurs. We developed the maquette for the Triceratops. All design for it was executed by Hall Train, who was recommended to us by Winston Studios when they decided they were too busy to take on the project. Hall deserves a lot of credit for the development of the Triceratops, its functions looks, and manufacture. He was amazing in his skillful talents and the ideas he brought to the attraction.
A section of the mural in the basement of the Discovery Center at Islands of Adventure, showcasing a plesiosaur, stalking tyrannosaurs, and a family of sauropods.
JO: Do you recall much about the story of the murals in the Discovery Center? Apparently, the originals were rumored to be missing or were missing when making IOA from their original usage in Hollywood?
BOB: I seem to recall an issue with the murals, but I do not remember exactly what it was. They may have been missing and we had to recreate them for the IOA attraction, but I honestly do not remember.
JO: How much thought was put into foliage / “no grass” throughout the land?
BOB: A ton. Under the brilliance guidance of Mark Kuskowski, the landscape was a critical component of the design. Due to budget concerns, he was challenged to deliver a believable “jungle” experience using prehistoric plants from day one. Mark traveled extensively to find the perfect specimens for the attraction. I think he succeeded brilliantly.
Fencing inside of Camp Jurassic. You can see that Universal “spared no expense” when it came to the lush foliage that fills the Jurassic area of Islands of Adventure.
JO: What, for you, was the most challenging aspect of bringing Jurassic to life? I mean, it’s probably challenging enough to bring dinosaurs back to life, but were there any surprise problems, hiccups, or changes along the way that wouldn’t have been expected when preparing to showcase creatures dead for 66 million years?
BOB: Several. Mark Kuskowski found a five palm cluster we wanted to use as the icon landscape element as the entered the area. It was placed in front of the Discovery Center adjacent to a central filtration pond that we engineered to clean and circulate all the water in the main lagoon. To get it installed (it was huge) without destroying the surrounding area development, we had to plant it very early in the project. It was the first tree planted on site and we had to take many precautions to protect it as the area grew up around it. I think the pond did not work as well as intended and the landscape around it took off, obscuring the five palm cluster that we so laboriously planted.
Another issue was the Banyan tree for Camp Jurassic. Mark searched long and hard for the perfect tree, which he found in South Florida. We made arrangements to have it transported to Orlando, but the contractor hacked so many branches off the tree that, when it arrived, it was pathetic looking. Mark was distressed and had it planted at the end of Scene 1 in the RIVER ADVENTURE just before the JP gates and found a new tree, which we carefully transported to Orlando and installed in Camp Jurassic. Comically, it did not flourish as well as the original tree.
JO: For you, what was the moment it all came together? Was it riding River Adventure opening day? Getting sneezed on by one of the Triceratops? Seeing a baby raptor hatch? What moment gave you that classic “[We] did it…” Malcolm moment.
BOB: It all came together during the soft opening of the Park. All our attractions, except Triceratops, were fully operational and the guest reactions were very gratifying.
JO: Similarly, what did you find to be the most impactful or important element of the land?
BOB: Without a doubt, it was, as intended, the architecture and landscaping. We purposefully did not want the guests to engage with any dinosaurs as they walked the land. This was to encourage them to enter the attractions to see the dinosaurs. So the area development needed to convey the grandeur of the movies, which I feel it did magnificently.
Old “animal tracker” unit that was in front of the Discovery Center, before being removed for VelociCoaster. A reference to the motion sensor tracking system used in Crichton’s original novel.
JO: Are there any favorite “Easter Eggs” of yours in the land? Are there any that you believe people haven’t discovered yet or aren’t well known? There are literally SO many littered throughout the island.
BOB: We buried a lot of easter eggs in the queue for Triceratops – too many to recount and I am not sure they remain.
JO: If you could see the Jurassic land grow, change, or evolve further- what kind of offerings would you hope to see? More stories told through rides? Shows? More edu-tainment type offerings like the Discovery Center? What do you think should be focused on?
BOB: I think, in synergy with the film franchise, the area needs a lot of “thrill”. I think the VelociCoaster attraction is the right direction for the area.
JO: What is your favorite dinosaur?
BOB: Hands down, it would be the Triceratops.
This Triceratops fossil replica served as the entrance for (the now closed) Triceratops Encounter attraction.
JO: If there are any other details, anecdotes, or thoughts you would like to share during your time as the Show Producer for Jurassic.
BOB: I consider myself fortunate to have been selected to be part of this project. It is one of the highlights of my career and afforded me an opportunity to participate in theme parks at a level I had previously only dreamed of.
JO: What would you say to others who may be interested in a career in themed entertainment?
BOB: I would encourage a career in this industry. It is engaging, challenging, and fun. Developing the proper tools is a pre-requisite for participation in today’s industry and requires a mastery of computer graphics and pre-visualization tools as well as creative talent.
Shreve makes an appearance in this early promotional footage for the island that originally aired on USA Channel in the 90’s, which you can watch below:
With the park opening in 1999, these mighty creatures were no longer merely trapped in museums, books, or movies- they were brought to life right in front of us. With the world of Jurassic Park fully realized, fans of the franchise, dinosaur lovers, and thrill seekers alike finally had a place to live out their own prehistoric adventures.
While the initial opening of Universal’s Islands of Adventure was rocky, the park has since gained great acclaim and notoriety over its twenty-five years of operation, with multiple awards for attractions, restaurants, entertainment offerings, and more. The Jurassic area, specifically, is still considered one of the main pulls for guests visiting the resort. VelociCoaster is considered one of the best rollercoasters ever made, the Discovery Center was used in several Jurassic Park 30th Anniversary marketing videos last year, and River Adventure (even with it showing its age) still has boats filled with people screaming and laughing their way through surviving an encounter with the park’s dinosaurs.
Hey Jurassic Outpost readers! Guest contributor Tom Jurassic here, and I am super excited to share that there will be a second season of ‘Tales From A Jurassic World’ debuting from June 7th to celebrate Jurassic June this year.
Haven’t heard of this audio drama before? No problem! In this article I’ll introduce you to the world of TFAJW, and will give you a flavour of what you have to look forward to when the second season debuts in a couple of short weeks.
Tales From A Jurassic World was created to answer a fundamental question which many of us had after watching Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom – how does our society respond when dinosaurs are loose in the wilds of mainland USA?
The series is told from the perspective of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, with Agents Ben Morrison and Lucy Brown attending to a variety of scenarios where dinosaurs are integrating with the everyday lives of people across the country. The first season runs from an encounter with a Stygimoloch at a gas station (yes, that Stygimoloch), all the way through to a thrilling climax which sees the agents come face-to-jaw with the Allosaurus we saw in Battle at Big Rock.
The series was born in October of 2022 – with a Halloween Special which premiered on The Jurassic Park Podcast, and although the series Jurassic World: Chaos Theory now plays within the same space, the crew behind TFAJW are working hard to conclude the story first set in motion with the initial season.
The second season of the audio drama promises more of what fans enjoyed about the first season alongside some nostalgic tributes and moments which are likely to shock and delight fans of the franchise in equal measure.
Season Two’s opening episode rewinds the clock to the early 2000s – after the events of Jurassic Park III, and allows us to return to Isla Sorna alongside Howard King and a team of mercenaries undertaking an important mission. This episode sets to sow the seeds of BioSyn’s future in InGen’s past – something which will lead to the company eventually overtaking the former leader in genetics experimentation after the events of Jurassic World.
The second season promotes Howard King to a season regular, and will see the US Fish and Wildlife Agents grapple with increasingly deadly and dangerous animals – including some fan favourites returning from Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous.
It’s fair to say that TFAJW is only possible because of the wonderful community of Jurassic fans. We have so many voice actors who give their time and energy to this project voluntarily, and even have a professional composer who has opted to support the project as and where he can.
This project is really created by fans of this franchise for fans. We hope that you join us this June, and share in a story which excites us as we imagine the wonder and horror of a world where dinosaurs are a part of our everyday existence.
Huge thanks to Caleb, Jack and the rest of the team at Jurassic Outpost for making this feature possible. We really appreciate the added exposure this will bring to our show – and who knows, perhaps you’ll hear a couple of your favourite InGeneral hosts playing characters in Season Two!
On Monday, April 29th, Universal Orlando officially announced a plethora of new attractions and entertainment offerings coming to the resort this summer, several of which will include Jurassic characters and scenes.
Three new shows, one new themed land, and an all-new tribute store are all set to open throughout this summer. On June 14th, 2024 there is the simultaneous opening of an all-new DreamWorks-inspired land, the CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular (both on the Universal Orlando side,) and Hogwarts Always nighttime show (on the Islands of Adventure side.) Then, on July 3rd, Universal will debut its newest parade, the Universal MEGA MOVIE Parade.
At the new DreamWorks Land, you’ll ‘let your imagination soar as your favorite characters from Shrek, Trolls and Kung Fu Panda come together in one colorful new land at Universal Studios Florida. Meet Shrek and splash in his swamp. Scream with laughter on the Trollercoaster. Learn kung fu with Po. Plus, ignite your sense of wonder with the new live show DreamWorks Imagination Celebration.’
For Hogwarts Always, guests will experience ‘a journey through iconic moments of a year at the beloved school of witchcraft and wizardry, all set against the majestic background of Hogwarts™ castle in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade™. On select nights.’
TheCineSational: A Symphonic Spectacularlagoon show will feature 228 fountains that reach heights up to 131 feet, new 4K projection mapping, an original composition featuring newly arranged scores meticulously crafted to each scene, and more than 600 drones. The show will also highlight past, present, and future Universal attractions including “Jurassic World,” “Jaws,” “Shrek,” “Ghostbusters,” “Trolls,” “Back to the Future,” “Universal Monsters,” “Transformers,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” “E.T.,” “Fast and Furious,” “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” “Minions,” “The Mummy” and “King Kong, and “Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts” films.
Capping off the summer fun in July, the highly anticipated new parade show debuts. At the Universal MEGA MOVIE Parade ‘your favorite characters will leap off the screen and onto the streets for a daytime parade. Feel the roar of the T.rex, enjoy the adventure of E.T., embrace your true colors with Trolls, and more. On select days.’ The parade is said to be Universal’s biggest daytime parade to date, combining 13 brand new floats, nearly 100 performers – including dancers, skaters, stilt walkers, performers and more – and special effects to create a jaw-dropping experience where guests can relive classic film moments in a whole new way.
While we don’t have official images of any of the floats or characters that will be present, we encourage everyone to check out videos online of past parades from Universal parks in Japan and Singapore.
In conjunction with the new parade will be this summer’s tribute store, themed to the various movies and characters that will be brought to life in the show. Will this mean that, for the third time, Jurassic will be present in a tribute store? Time will tell!
Tell us, are you excited about the new summer offerings coming to Universal Orlando? What scenes and moments from the Jurassic franchise do you hope to experience in the new parade and nighttime show?
While we all wait for the next official installment of the Jurassic franchise, fans are hard at work, bringing their own stories to life. With dinosaurs roaming rampant across the globe by the end of ‘Jurassic World: Dominion,’ there are endless possibilities and stories to tell of chance encounters with these wonderful, yet dangerous, animals. One such fan, Muzzammil Shaik, released his newest fan-film this morning.
‘AMBUSH’ follows an individual listening to a podcast that reports on incidents and news revolving around the prehistoric creatures now cohabiting on our planet. A few surprises lie in store for viewers as a few characters and creatures from Jurassic stories past make appearances. And be sure to stay during the credits!
“They have set up a Jurassic “World” of opportunities,” Muzzammil said when asked what prompted the short. With projects like ‘AMBUSH,’ he hopes to encourage fans of all kinds to tell their own stories. “I plan to write down whatever comes to me. This one was big for me because it’s an idea I had since ‘Battle at Big Rock.’ Also, anyone who’s seen the ‘Jurassic World’ Resort TV segments, I do plan to make more in the future especially to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the 2015 film coming up. Ultimately, I encourage [other] fans to continue to share stories in any format you see fit. It’s inspiring and fun to see what you all come up with!”
