Review: Universal's New Jurassic World - The Ride

April 15, 2021, 10:43 PM · Attention, Disney fans still upset that Walt Disney World never fixed the Yeti. Get yourself to Universal Studios Hollywood as soon as you can to check out the world's new king (queen?) of animatronics - the Indominus rex.

When Universal opened its revamped Jurassic World - The Ride in 2019, it could not deliver the finale that Universal Creative had envisioned. The Indominus rex lurked in the foliage - stuck in a perpetual "B" mode, if you will - instead of moving forward to attack guests' boats. The T-rex did her part, but with throaty roars substituting for physical intrusion, riders were left cowering beneath a Jurassic rap battle instead of a flesh-ripping fight.

No longer. With the park's reopening, Universal Studios Hollywood is premiering its revised Jurassic World - The Ride, featuring a climatic battle that is simply the most impressive display of massive animatronics in the world right now. Indominus rex no longer lurks in the bushes. She walks - rushing now toward your boat, invading your space and leaving riders to cower in fear of the behemoth.

The new movement adds even more to the urgency of the moment, as the Tyrannosaurus rex emerges from the shadow to battle Indominus rex, while also knocking us down the ride's drop to safety.

Obviously, if engineering 30-foot animatronics were easy, Indominus rex would have walked two summers ago, and the Yeti still would be swiping its arm at riders on Walt Disney World's Expedition Everest. That makes what Universal now has accomplished all the more impressive, though it will no doubt raise fears among some fans that they'd better get in to see this wonder soon, while it still works.

But to best see Indominus rex and her epic battle, the only timing I would recommend now would be to ride at night, when your eyes might be better adapted to the darkness of Jurassic World's finale, allowing you to take in every visual detail. Of course, that's not possible at the moment with Universal Studios Hollywood's reduced hours. (The park is closing at 6pm daily.) Here's hoping better days - and longer hours - await us in the not-to-distant future. This queen deserves to be seen.

Universal Studios Hollywood is open with limited capacity to California residents only, until further notice. Date-specific tickets are required, and our travel partner has some nice discounts on many dates, including on popular weekends. Please visit their Universal Studios Hollywood tickets page to check the deals and book your tickets.

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Replies (8)

April 16, 2021 at 12:40 AM

Videos can not do it justice. You have to see it in person, it’s amazing.

April 16, 2021 at 5:32 AM

That is one expressive dino, love it. Universal is on a roll.

April 16, 2021 at 7:43 AM

AgustinMacias, you're right, videos never do it justice but that looks amazing! Can't wait to check it out. Hopefully it comes to Orlando!

April 16, 2021 at 8:10 AM

Yeah, Universal have done a fantastic job with this. The new animatronic looks great just in the videos, so I can only imagine how much better it is, in person.

@mbrussmco, seeing as the Jurassic land is swaying more towards ‘World’ territory now, it would make sense to update River Adventure.

April 16, 2021 at 11:21 AM

Got on the first version in summer 2019 and already thought it was a top ten Universal attraction of all time.

April 16, 2021 at 12:10 PM

Somebody correct me on this, but hasn’t Universal all but confirmed it is transitioning IOA’s Jurassic Park Land to a Jurassic World one? I thought I remembered reading that here. At any rate, the addition of the Velocicoaster would certainly support that assumption.

April 16, 2021 at 12:34 PM

I actually rode Everest in March of 2006 and I can assure you, the Yeti effect in its prime was fantastic, a shame too many never got to experience it.

Look forward to this but see how long it can last as outdoor AA are always tricky.

April 17, 2021 at 7:05 AM

speaking of the yeti, it is definitely long overdue to fix it. i'm sure they're waiting for when it's due for a major rehab and shutdown and since it's 15 years old now, surely that time is soon. as MikeW mentions, the original version of the ride was amazing. whereas the coaster part of the ride isn't affected i did notice on a recent ride that even the strobe is now just a quick flash and you don't even see the yeti at all so it would really be great if they would get that done. that'd be great :)

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