The Jurassic Park River Adventure is a water-based amusement ride that is based on Steven Spielberg's hit film 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 as Jurassic Park: The Ride on June 21, 1996. A copy of the ride, called the Jurassic Park River Adventure, was later built at Islands of Adventure at the Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida in 1999. A third copy of the ride is also featured at Universal Studios Japan. There is little difference between the three rides, although the Hollywood version is slightly longer and considered to have the most show elements, and the Japan version was built as a mirror image of both the Hollywood and Orlando versions. A river rapids version of the attraction, which will be entitled the Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure, is planned for both Universal Studios Singapore in 2010, and Universal Studios Dubailand in 2012.

Among the the guests in attendance at the ride's grand opening celebration in 1996 were film cast members Jeff Goldblum, Ariana Richards, and Joseph Mazzello. Steven Spielberg also attended the opening, but requested that he be let off of the attraction before the 85-foot drop (he apparently makes this request every time he rides the attraction).

The main differences in the Hollywood version of the ride from the Florida and Japan versions include two Compsognathuses fighting over a popcorn box, a falling Ford Explorer tour jeep (from the first film) instead of the Velociraptor crate (which is featured in both the Orlando and Japan versions), as well as two encounters with the menacing Tyrannosaurus (both the Orlando and Japan versions feature only one).

A bloody set of Mickey Mouse ears can be seen floating in the water next to the abandoned tour raft, which is an obvious dig at the nearby Disneyland Resort. The hat formally had the name "Michael" sewn on it, which was a reference to Michael Eisner, CEO of the Walt Disney Company at the time of attraction's opening. The hat now has the name "Kerr" sewn on it in honor of Kerr Lordygan, the attraction's manager.

The Dilophosaurus attacks occur outside at the water pumping station, unlike the Florida and Japan versions where they occur inside of the Environmental Systems Building. After the second lift hill, the Hollywood version has a slightly bigger drop as well before it makes the 180 degree turn to the main drop. After the main drop, the shaving cream canister containing the zygotes from the film can be spotted to the riders' left just before arriving at the unload platform. Additionally, after the final drop, one more Dilophosaurus sprays guests with water just before the raft returns to the station.

According to a Universal Studios employee, every year, all of the employees take part in what they call a "Duck Hunt". All employees write their name on a rubber duck toy, and place it into the rides river. They then turn the ride on, and the person whos duck completes the whole circuit of the ride (including the drop) wins a prize.

During Universal Studios Hollywood's annual "Halloween Horror Nights" in 2008, the ride was temporarily re-named "Jurassic Park: Nightmare" in keeping with the theme ("Live Your Worst Nightmare") or "Jurassic Park in the Dark". Alterations included shutting off most of the lights inside the Environmental Systems Building near the end of the ride, while the occasional strobe light illuminated violent scenes of dinosaurs tearing apart scientists and game wardens. Also, the tense Jurassic Park score during this portion of the ride was replaced with "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns 'N' Roses.




Jurassic Park The Ride (Complete Ride Experience) Universal Studios Hollywood USH. (less info)