Pratt, Howard and Wong to star in Universal’s Jurassic World – The Ride

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

I'll tell you, folks, these JURASSIC WORLD characters never learn, do they? I mean, who in their right mind would return to the belly of a razor-sharp toothed beast time and again after all the hell they've previously been through? I'll tell you one thing, my heart condition-having ass wouldn't be booking any trips back to Isla Nublar after the fiasco that was the failed Jurassic World project. Nope, I'd rather remain on a different island, preferably on a beach with a good book and a stiff drink. Be that as it may, some key players are returning to Jurassic World via the re-launch of Universal's famed Jurassic Park – The Ride.

According to today's press release issued by Universal, Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard and BD Wong will reprise their roles as Owen Grady, Claire Dearing and Dr. Henry Wu for Hollywood Universal's much-anticipated update to one of the park's most exciting attractions, Jurassic World – The Ride.

Set to open this summer, Jurassic World – The Ride will mark the first time the cast will appear as their iconic characters outside of the JURASSIC WORLD films for a theme park attraction. As per Universal's announcement, part of the original content created exclusively for the new ride will feature Owen, Claire and Dr. Wu shedding light on their interactions with the dinosaurs along with facts and information about the imposing prehistoric creatures that first roamed the earth more than 65 million years ago. This spectacular new ride will feature an original storyline that will take guests on a breathtaking excursion through the theme park as depicted in Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s film, JURASSIC WORLD.  It will soar to new heights with the addition of iconic dinosaurs from the movie, including the colossal Indominus rex and the magnificent aquatic Mosasaurus in her natural habitat.

For the first time, JURASSIC WORLD fans will have the chance to see this impressive creature and become immersed within her massive Aquarium Observatory. Appearing to span over 60 feet in length and tipping the scales at over 30K pounds through stunning state-of-the-art visual effects, the Mosasaurus is a sight to behold as she moves just inches away from guests throughout her glass enclosure filled with the equivalent of 3.5 million gallons of water.

For the aquatic attraction, Universal teamed with Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) to bring the Mosasaurus to life and to capture the realism of her underwater environment using a combination of spectacular visual effects and cutting-edge technologies, including the use of motion parallax, a technique that shifts the guest’s perspective of the Mosasaurus as she moves throughout the tank. The team also employed a series of lighting enhancements allowing the aquarium to intuitively shift from day to night, as well as visual changes to the environment during inclement weather, thus creating a variety of visual scenarios guests can experience based on when they experience the ride.

Ughhhhhhhh! Why did you have to go and tell me that, Universal? Now I've got to plan a trip to your park, as I would do literally anything to see a Mosasaurus all up close and personal, even if it's not the real deal.

In addition to the above mentioned features, Jurassic World – The Ride will also play host to a series of enhancements made to the original ride. Among the many changes will be a bold, new entryway, stonework landscaping, and a contemporary re-design of the park gates, complete with torches to give guests those real deal feels.

Once guests pass through the queue, they will board specially designed rafts that will navigate the lush environs of dense vegetation and traverse new areas besieged with towering dinosaurs meandering at just an arm’s length away.  Encounters with such docile creatures as the Stegosaurus and Parasaurolophus will quickly turn awry as predatory Velociraptors and Dilophosaurus begin to wreak havoc, turning guests from spectators to prey.  When the Tyrannosaurus rex begins to battle one of the attraction’s new ferocious dinosaurs, the rafts will spill down a treacherous 84-foot waterfall as the sole means of escape.

Located adjacent to the ride will be a new elaborately themed “Raptor Encounter” where Blue, the beloved Velociraptor from the JURASSIC WORLD franchise, will engage guests in daring face-to-face encounters. In addition, a new interactive “Dino Play” area will incorporate educational components within an inspired space where children of all ages can explore and excavate giant dinosaur fossils.

Wow! It's been a hot minute since I've been to Universal Hollywood, and now it sounds as if I've got a good reason to make my return. Truth be told, I frickin' love dinosaurs, and the idea of getting up close and personal with some of ILM's designs has me very intrigued. I might not have been the biggest fan of JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM, but that won't matter much when that Mosasaurus swims past my eager eyes.

Jurassic World – The Ride will open this summer. Be sure to plan your trip to the park accordingly, as you're not going to want to miss your chance to walk with the dinosaurs in a whole new way.