Did you get to ride the ride? (At Universal Studios)

[Dinopunk]

Jurassic Park: The Ride is an amusement attraction that was in operation from 1996 to 2018 at Universal Studios Hollywood and Orlando. It was a water ride where you rode around in a boat and took a tour of the facility before going off course and ultimately crossing paths with a T-Rex that jumps out at you, scares you, and then the water ride drops off and takes your photo all at the same time.

I rode the ride when I was much younger around 2000 when my family went to Universal Studios Orlando. I didn't ride it again until its final season in 2018 at Universal Studios Hollywood while on an off production day during the filming of BattleBots. I didn't know they were shutting down the ride but man it was sure showing its age by 2018. The safety videos that play while you wait in line had never been updated so they were nostalgic cheesy 90's stuff. The ride itself was in a poor state though. One of the Brachiosaurs had a crick in its neck and didn't animate properly. The part where the Ford Explorer falls down the side of the bridge wasn't operable either. The ride as a whole definitely looked like it had been running for 20 years.

I'm kinda bummed out that something that was a part of my childhood is no more but I'm also really glad that I at least got to see it one last time during its final season in operation.

[TyrannosaurTJ]

I did in about 2007, I went down to Universal Orlando and stayed with a good friend for about a month or so. He and I did the River Adventure and went to the rest of Universal at that time and I am extremely grateful for my friend and their family for having me so long down there. I can tell now it's a different feeling in that section now instead of how it felt then. You could tell at points the area was extremely popular for Universal, but it all felt underused. I know specifically the Trike Encounter at that point was no longer in service so it was just the River Adventure, Discovery Center, Camp Jurassic, and Pterosaur Flyers. I would love to go back now and give Velocicoaster a shot as well as get my hands on all the new merch too. I loved every minute there, and I think I would love every minute there still.

[CaldHunter]

I completely understand the sense of nostalgia for attractions like Jurassic Park: The Ride. These places hold so many childhood memories, and it’s always bittersweet to see them show their age or disappear entirely. I remember visiting a similar iconic ride when I was younger, and while it wasn’t perfect by the end, it still brought back that magic of experiencing something larger-than-life. More recently, one of my favorite experiences has been Treasure Island with its incredible pirate-themed shows and immersive atmosphere. The attention to detail, from the ship battles to the dramatic storytelling, really pulled me into the adventure. I loved walking through the themed areas and feeling like I had stepped into a pirate’s world. It’s the kind of place that stays with you long after you leave. These days, though, my schedule has been packed, and I know it’ll be a while before I can plan another trip like that. Currently, I’m exploring thematic experiences from home. I’m finding reviews related to Treasure Island’s pirate theme and diving into them whenever I have a bit of free time. It’s not the same as being there, but it’s a great way to keep the spirit alive and add a little adventure to my busy days.