‘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.
Welcome… to Jurassic Outpost! We have been hard at work over the past year designing and updating our website and we are happy to finally have launched the refresh. We hope you like the new design!
Designed by the wonderful James McQuade, and pieced together – and made functional – by the amazing Sam Lihou, the team are excited to launch this new look, filled with Jurassic content!
Our main header art was designed by Ryan Shumate which you can read more about here – along with a short history of the website since it’s early beginnings in 2008!
Alongside the new website, we are proud to open the Jurassic Outpost online store which is currently stocked with Outpost themed products. You can now purchase an official Outpost mug, but primarily we are excited to debut our Kirby product line, featuring mugs and more from Paul Kirby’s own Oklahoma based business, Kirby Paint and Tile Plus.
Our ever-growing Encyclopedia has moved to its new home at JurassicWiki.com, and we encourage you to check out the galleries at The Jurassic Vault which are filled with 4K screenshots, behind the scenes imagery and much more!
We have never asked for financial support over the past 10 years; Jurassic Outpost has always been a self-funded website with events, giveaways and more coming out of our own pocket. We’re not asking for your money now, but there are ways you can support us and any form of support means the world to us!
We want to thank all of our readers and followers for choosing Jurassic Outpost as your source for Jurassic news and for following us for all these years. We hope you enjoy navigating your way through our new website, and be sure to check out the colour changer in the footer.
Today marks the 27th Anniversary of Jurassic Park, and the 5th Anniversary of Jurassic World – how are you celebrating? Let us know what you think of the new website in the comments section below, and here’s hoping an update on Jurassic World: Dominion is on the horizon!
First off, slight spoiler alert. Most of these clips are simply extensions of scenes already released through trailers and TV spots. However, the last clip of the bunch contains a brand new scene not shown through the marketing thus far.
We are less than a month away from the release of Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom and the marketing campaign has hit full steam. Several new clips from the upcoming film have found their way online and from the looks of them, audiences are in for a treat. The first one is an extended scene of the Carnotaurus attacking Claire, Franklin, and Owen as they retreat to an abandoned gyrosphere on Isla Nublar. Take a look below.
We get to see Rexy in her full glory triumphantly take down the charging Carno and give Owen, Claire, and Franklin their opportunity to escape. The next clip, released more recently, also gives us an extended look into some previously released footage of Owen escaping from the jaws of the T-Rex caged in the back of a cargo truck. Listen for a brief bit of new music from Michael Giacchino’s Fallen Kingdom score.
Exciting stuff! The CGI in this clip seems extremely well done. Plus, we know that this scene will also utilize a full scale animatronic Rex head and body. From the previous clips of this scene, that animatronic looks outstanding. What do you think leads Claire and Owen to interact with the mighty caged Rex?
Last, but certainly not least, is a clip that should tug on the heartstrings of audiences everywhere. This scene shows Claire and Owen locked up in some sort of cage or cell discussing the first time they saw a dinosaur and what led them to this moment. A baby triceratops snuggles with an adult in a nearby cage. Listen to the familiar tune in the background as our beloved characters come to terms with their situation.
This clip gives off a strong “Petticoat Lane” sentiment. Just like Hammond and Ellie discussing the implications of the park in the first movie, this shows Claire and Owen having to face the consequences from abandoning Jurassic World, and eventually Isla Nublar. To me, some of the best parts of the films have always been watching the characters struggle with the real-world implications of their actions, and it looks like Fallen Kingdom is not going to shy away from those tough reality checks.
What do you think of the clips? Do you think Rexy will break her chains for another heroic rescue at Lockwood Manor? Will Owen and Claire face the consequences for helping to get dinosaurs off an exploding Isla Nublar? Will the baby trike be the actual hero of Fallen Kingdom? Sound off in the comments below.
