Do you have a Jurassic Park fan in your family? I have two in mine. If you love the movies like we do, visiting Universal's Islands of Adventure is a must. Inside the Jurassic Park area you will find 4 quick service restaurants, shops, and several attractions including 3 rides.
The three rides within this area are perfectly themed. First is the classic Jurassic Park River Adventure being a water ride that takes you through the original story line, with an 85-foot drop at the end. You must be at least 42 inches to ride.
Second is Pteranodon Flyers. This attraction takes guests in the air suspended from the wings of a Pteranodon. You must be between 36 and 56 inches to enjoy this attraction, however for those guests under 48 inches an adult is allowed to ride with them.
The third and newest ride in this area is the Velocicoaster. This was by far a favorite attraction for my family. Guests must be at least 51 inches. The four quick service restaurants Pizza Predattoria, The Burger Digs, The Watering Hole, and Thunder Falls Terrace serve up a variety of options to please guests including pizza, burgers, and barbeque.
The Watering Hole offers some fun themed adult beverages. There are also several other fun things to experience in this area. In addition to the Pteranodon Flyers attraction for younger guests, small children will also enjoy Camp Jurassic. This is a themed playground with climbing nets and slides.
Inside the Jurassic Park Discovery Center you'll find life size dinosaurs, a T-Rex skeleton (replica), and some hands-on activities. You can even watch a baby dino hatch or pose with a baby Triceratops. Outside, you'll also find a couple other photo opportunities. No visit to this area is complete without a picture with the original Jeep and T-Rex, and the gates to the area are also iconic.
Make sure you also experience the Raptor encounter. The adult raptor Blue and a baby raptor are scheduled to appear with guests throughout the day. Be sure to check the times guide if you are specifically hoping to see one or the other as this schedule changes from day to day.
Lastly, don't forget to check out the shops. You'll find everything from toys, fun clothing items, and even amber jewelry.
