Jurassic Park: River Adventure

Image: rollercoasterphilosophy, Flickr (license)

Universal Studios Hollywood has already said goodbye to its version of Jurassic Park: River Adventure, which is a shame. But, the Orlando edition remains — and, thankfully so, because it is a classic attraction.

Featuring most prominently the soaring John Williams score, this ride has so many great things about it. For one, the dinosaur animatronics are truly top-notch. Additionally, the set design offers an incredible sense of place — transporting you to the industrial behind-the-scenes areas that are so memorable from the original film.

But most of all, it pulls such a great trick at the beginning, that it’s a surprise more rides haven’t ripped it off.

To start, guests go on what appears to be a normal, Jungle Cruise-style tour of Jurassic Park. Only after the boat is mistakenly pushed off course and into the overrun section of the backstage areas does the ride truly reveal itself. It’s really clever, and were it not for the spoiler of the massive drop seen from out front, it would be a true shock.

Still, the ride is so well designed and so fun, it’s hard to complain. It’s one of Universal’s best attractions, and has been for 20 years.

Port of Entry

Image: Theme Park Tourist

Yes, it’s true — the entry plaza to Universal’s Islands of Adventures is a true classic.

Consider this: When Islands of Adventure first opened, theme park entrances looked either like Disneyland’s Main Street USA or were thrown out for a grand, sweeping entry plaza like at Epcot. Universal, rather cleverly, decided that it would create a Main Street USA, but for a place that didn’t exist — a kind of bohemian, otherworldly town square that served as a jumping off point for the many islands nearby.

The design of the Port of Entry is exquisite in this regard, evoking architecture of Ancient Greece, Rome, Northern Africa, the Middle East, and fanciful civilizations that never came to be. It feels like a place where adventurers and explorers pass through, selling wares and trading stories. It is over 20 years old, but it feels like it could have been built yesterday — or 2000 years ago.

The Port of Entry is a magnificent place, and it sets the stage for Islands of Adventure perfectly. It does everything a park entrance is supposed to do, but it gets only a fraction of the credit of a park like the Magic Kingdom. Let’s change that.

Universal Orlando turns 30 next year. It’s time to treat it like the classic, multi-generation resort that it is. We’re lucky to have it.