Jurassic Park River Adventure
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The Jurassic Park River Adventure is a water-based amusement ride that was based on Steven Spielberg's hit movie Jurassic Park. The Hollywood incarnation, called Jurassic Park: The Ride was actually researched and built while the Jurassic Park film was still in its production phase. It opened first at Universal Studios Hollywood on June 21, 1996. The ride later appeared at Islands of Adventure at the Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida in 1999. The ride is also part of Universal Studios Japan. There is little difference between all three rides, but the Hollywood version is considered to have the most elements.
[edit] Ride-Through
The ride is meant to evoke the island environment featured in the Michael Crichton novel and Spielberg film. The concept is that Jurassic Park opened as planned; the river adventure is an actual attraction in the park itself. It begins as a jungle river cruise past huge dinosaurs. After encountering an Ultrasaurus (a dinosaur since discovered to be a chimera), a pair of Stegosaurus, and Psittacosaurus, the raft begins heading toward a part of the park known as Hadrosaur Cove. A duck-billed Parasaurolophus bumps the raft, causing it to begin drifting into the Raptor Containment Area, a section of the adventure that (according to voiceovers on the ride) had never successfully been integrated into the rest of the park. The raft passes by a replica of the Raptor Pen from the film, and riders hear snarling Velociraptors in the dense foliage while branches move to simulate the creatures attempting to escape from their confines. Turning a corner, riders see one boat that appear to be in a state of disrepair: two Compsognathus are seen eating a bloody shirt (The CP5 which has been sent by Jurassic Park Animal Control to guide the boat towards a safe area but the compys came and killed the crew). The boat heads towards the pump station where riders see a Velociraptor run into a dark corner. Velociraptors jump out at the guests. Riders heads up a hill. Silence is only heard. Several Dilophsaurus spits venom (water) at the guests. As the Raft follows a 180 degree turn, The snout of a T-Rex lumbers ahead. The Tyrannosaurus's head reappears once more in front of the riders to distract them from the 85 ft plunge below.
The ride exits into a Jurassic Park-themed gift shop, where guests may purchase souvenir photographs of themselves in the ride during the drop.
[edit] Trivia
- The Hollywood version features a falling Ford Explorer (from the first film) instead of the raptor crate (which is the case in Orlando), and two appearances by the menacing T. rex. It also features two hadrosaurs in the first lagoon. A bloody set of Mickey Mouse ears is used rather than a poncho, and is being held by a dilophosaurus, rather than compsagnathus. Dilophosaurus also attack the boats outside the pump station, emerging from behind barrels. After the second lift hill, the Hollywood version has a slightly bigger drop as well before it makes the turn to the main drop.
In the Florida ride, the entire front section of the Tyrannosaurus comes into view before the final drop, scaled somewhat more realistically in accordance with both the movie and real-life animal.
- Among the guests at the ride's grand opening in 1996 were cast members Jeff Goldblum, Ariana Richards, and Joseph Mazzello. Steven Spielberg also attended, but asked the staff members that he be let off the attraction before the 85-foot drop and does each time while riding.
- The Florida version has its own Jurassic Park section featuring a re-creation of the Jurassic Park Visitors Center, Pteranodon Flyers, a suspended kiddie coaster, and a themed play area titled Camp Jurassic. There is also a (discontinued) "Triceratops Encounter" attraction.
- Merchandise depicting "Jurassic Park: The Ride" can be found in Florida, where the "River Adventure" title is used.
