Welcome… to Jurassic World. About three weeks after Jurassic World: The Ride (the new retheme and complete overhaul of 1996’s Jurassic Park: The Ride) first opened for technical rehearsals, and a week and a half since the attraction officially began welcoming guests, Universal Studios Hollywood held a grand opening ceremony outside the main Jurassic World gate in the Southern California theme park’s Lower Lot area.
Actors Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard (who play Owen Grady and Claire Dearing in the soon-to-be-completed Jurassic World trilogy), director Colin Trevorrow, NBCUniversal vice chairman Ron Meyer, and Universal Studios Hollywood president Karen Irwin participated in the opening event, which saw Pratt reunited with his character’s beloved velociraptor Blue.
Watch Jurassic World: The Ride grand opening with Chris Pratt, more at Universal Studios Hollywood:
During the event, we also had the opportunity to get an up-close look at the variety of food and beverages offerings available at the Jurassic World area’s Jurassic Cafe counter-service restaurant and Isla Nu-Bar tiki bar. Items include:
- Roasted Chicken Salad
- Mojo Jackfruit with Rice and Beans
- Slow Roasted Mojo Pork with Rice and Beans
- Mahi Mahi with Melon Pico
- Isla Burger with Plantain Chips
- Isla Chicken Sandwich with Plantain Chips
- Citrus Glazed Chicken with Rice and Beans
- Crispy Green Lettuce Roll with Shrimp
- Tres Leches Cake
- Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cake
- Guava Glazed Pound Cake
- Tropical Fruit Salad
- Chorizo & Potato Empanadas with Nublar Sauce
- Bird of Paradise, Ti Peach, Mai Tai, Tiki Tai
Watch Jurassic World food and beverage options at Universal Studios Hollywood:
Then, after enjoying Jurassic World: The Ride a couple of times (while wearing an official Universal Studios Hollywood poncho so as not to get too wet), I took the time to record a full loop of the ride’s preshow video, which once again stars Pratt and Howard reprising their roles from the movies, plus Jurassic Park and Jurassic World veteran B.D. Wong as Dr. Henry Wu.
Watch Jurassic World: The Ride preshow video at Universal Studios Hollywood:
Jurassic World: The Ride is now open at Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles, California. For more information and POV video of the attraction itself– not to mention the fun Triceratops and Raptor Encounter interactive photo op experiences– be sure to visit our post from the ride’s opening day.
More photos:
