Awesome Commercial For Universal Studios Hollywood Jurassic World Ride Opening This Summer !

Universal Studios Hollywood just released an awesome commercial announcing the awaited Jurassic World ride reopening with new theming, special effects and Audio-Animatronics at Universal Studios Hollywood this summer. Don't miss the last seconds of it, showing a scene of the ride as Universal did something very smart to bring to life one of the creatures, which wouldn't have been possible with Audio-Animatronics.

The new story line takes place within the Jurassic World parrk on the day of the escape of the Indominus Rex and the ride introduce several new dinosaurs from the 2015 sequels of the franchise. Guests will navigate lush environs of dense vegetation, traversing new areas besieged with towering dinosaurs meandering at just an arm’s length away. Encounters with such docile creatures as the Stegosaurus and Parasaurolophus will quickly turn awry as predatory Velociraptors and Dilophosaurus begin to wreak havoc, turning guests from spectators to prey. The adventure will culminate when a ferocious dino-battle sends the rafts down a treacherous 84-foot waterfall as the sole means of escape. The new version of the ride also includes a makeover of the iconic entry gate, now “illuminated with billowing flames.”

If you've watched already the commercial then you can read below - if not, watch out for spoilers!


But where Universal has been smart is to find a way to include “the magnificent aquatic Mosasaurus, which will mesmerize riders in her natural habitat from behind a 3-million-gallon glass encased aquarium observatory tank”.



What Universal apparently did is to use the same projection technique that was used in the King Kong or Fast and Furious attractions, i.e a long tunnel with screens on both side to give the guests the illusion they're going through a giagantic aquarium in which they'll meet with the Mosasaurus sea monster. And it's an even more brilliant idea than for the King Kong or Fast and Furious rides because here, as it is a flume ride, it will look more natural and believable than going through a Pacific island jungle to meet Kong.

I think that the ride will be much much better than its previous Jurassic Park version and i can't wait for its opening!

Picture and video: copyright Universal Studios

New Attraction Announced for Universal Studios Hollywood: ‘The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!’ Coming to USH in 2020!

Universal Studios Hollywood announced a new attraction: ‘The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!’ will come to USH in 2020! Don't expect the attraction of the century, but if well done it could be very funny.

Here is the press release:  Universal Studios Hollywood Takes Guests on a Whirlwind Journey through New York City in the All-New “The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!” Ride In this all-new fully immersive experience, guests will assume the roles of stray puppies as they join the cast of leading characters from The Secret Life of Pets — Max, Snowball, Gidget, Chloe and Duke, along with a host of other animal friends — on the ultimate quest of finding forever homes.

“We are thrilled to be able to bring another exciting Illumination movie-based ride to our guests,” said Karen Irwin, President and COO, Universal Studios Hollywood. “The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!’ will capture the essence of the popular film and invite our guests to live vicariously through some of their favorite characters as they embark on a one-of-a-kind experience only available at Universal Studios Hollywood.”



Based on Illumination’s 2016 global blockbuster and upcoming sequel, the innovative adventure will blend live, dimensional and animated characters with hyper-realistic media as guests zip along a track aboard ride vehicles through bustling New York City streets towards the Pet Adoption event and the ultimate happy ending: forever homes. Along the way, guests will face an array of challenges and meet up with fellow animal pals eager to help guide them toward their destination.

“The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!” will be located adjacent to the popular “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and “Super Silly Fun Land” attractions. Illumination’s The Secret Life of Pets 2, the next chapter in the franchise, arrives in theaters June 7, 2019.

Universal Studios Hollywood Unveils First Look About Highly Anticipated and Innovative “Jurassic World—The Ride” Opening this Summer

Universal Studios Hollywood Unveils First Look of Its Highly Anticipated and Innovative New Epic Adventure, “Jurassic World—The Ride,” Opening this Summer:

Inspired by Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s Global Blockbuster Franchise, the Mega Attraction Will Fuse 21st-Century Technology and Astounding Special Effects with New Dinosaurs from the Jurassic World Film

Universal City, CA, March 22, 2019 – Universal Studios Hollywood unveils a first look of its eagerly awaited mega attraction, “Jurassic World—The Ride,” as anticipation grows for its grand opening this summer.

Leaping from the silver screen to the theme park, “Jurassic World—The Ride” will immerse guests into newly themed environments and breathe new life into dimensional animatronic dinosaurs, including some all-new fan favorites featured in the Jurassic World films from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment.

This ambitious ride is being reimagined under the direction of the award-winning and inspired minds at Universal Creative, the Academy Award-winning special-effects visionaries at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), a division of Lucasfilm, Ltd., the brand stewards at Universal Pictures and acclaimed filmmakers Steven Spielberg, Colin Trevorrow and Frank Marshall.

The state-of-the-art attraction will debut an original storyline that takes place within the theme park as depicted in Jurassic World. It will feature additional new dinosaurs from the film, lush scenic design, and ground-breaking technology that has yet to be experienced within a theme park.

The aesthetics of “Jurassic World—The Ride” will be dramatically enhanced, welcoming guests to a reimagined space reflective of the Jurassic World films. A fresh, new entry statement, stonework landscaping and a contemporary redesign of the iconic pillars illuminated with billowing flames will support a prominent “Jurassic World” marquee logo.

Engaging queue-line videos featuring facts and information about the dinosaurs within the ride set the tone for the adventure ahead, as guests learn more about these imposing prehistoric inhabitants that first roamed the earth more than 65 million years ago.

And the daring expedition begins.

Once aboard specially designed rafts, guests will navigate the lush environs of dense vegetation, traversing new areas besieged with towering dinosaurs meandering just an arm’s length away from visitors. Encounters with such docile creatures as the Stegosaurus and Parasaurolophus will quickly turn awry as predatory Velociraptors and Dilophosaurus begin to wreak havoc, turning guests from spectators to prey. When the Tyrannosaurus rex begins to battle one of the attraction’s new behemoth dinosaurs, the rafts will spill down a treacherous 84-foot waterfall as the sole means of escape.

Located adjacent to the ride will be a new elaborately themed “Raptor Encounter” where Blue, the most beloved and deadly Velociraptor from the Jurassic World franchise, and her beta Raptors will engage guests in daring face-to-face encounters.

In addition, a new interactive “Dino Play” area will incorporate educational components within an inspired space where children of all ages can partake in excavations and investigate giant dinosaur fossils.

Picture: copyright Universal Studios

The New Universal Studios Hollywood Jurassic World River Ride Will Have a Finale With TWO Giant Dinosaurs Fighting Above Your Heads!

I've got some great infos for you to start the week, and these are about the new version of the Jurassic Park river ride at Universal Studios Hollywood, to be re-named Jurassic World.

This is all about the finale, the last scene before the fall. Before the first version of the ride closed, the final scene that we all know was basically the one on the picture below with the real size T-Rex appearing above guests right before the fall.

Now, we've learned from Screamscape some months ago that "once you will enter the building for the finale portion of the ride, we have heard we can expect to see large screens put to use in various areas along with special effects to show off various new dinosaur threats that were previously done with Audio-Animatronics". 

But that about when the boat will go up during the lift. What i'm hearing about the final scene is that there will be a fight between TWO real size dinosaurs, one of the two being the T-Rex and the other one most probably the infamous and highly dangerous Indominus Rex!



And of course both will be fighting above your heads as you have the final drop, the boat with the guests passing right under the two giant dinos. If you don't remember their fight at the end of Jurassic World, check the video below:




Now, may be you think, wait a minute, where are they going to put a T-Rex AND an Indominus Rex up there? It's true that at first sight the room don't look that big enough but look at the picture below, showing the room before the fall...



I'm not sure they can remove the tanks on the left because they might need them for the smoke/fog effect. And on the right i don't know either if it is just show decor or if it hides in fact some tech needed for the ride. But if they remove the tanks on the left they could easily put one of the two beasts there. And the other dino, you ask? Well, may be the T-Rex won't move and stay the same way, always apppearing at the last minute, except that this time it won't be to scare you  ...but to save you form the threatening Indominus Rex! This last part is just supposition from me but it would make sense, no?

Wait, it's not over yet as there is another dino that may also appear during the ride as you might also encounter the now famous Mosasaurus "sea dino" during your tour when things will go wrong! They need a big space of water for this one so i wonder where they'll put it - may be at the end, afer the fall? ...although it could be at the start as the first lift hill of the ride as a rumor is saying that the boat is supposed to enter an enclosed new show building ...where may be the Mosasaurus will be. Originally you were going up the lift hill and curve to the left and then it said “Welcome to Jurassic Park" and the door opened, now if the rumor is right, it’s apparently all enclosed, that whole outdoor scene. Imagine Shanghaî Disneyland Pirates of Caribbean huge IMAX screens in the background with real sets in the inside... So may be the Mosasaurus will be a projection, after all? It might be too difficult to realize as an Audio-Animatronic... we'll see.


The newly themed Jurassic World ride will open in a few months so we'll see if all of this is confirmed, but in the meantime it sounds incredibly exciting!

Pictures: copyright Universal

Kung Fu Panda : The Emperor Quest Open at Universal Studios Hollywood - FULL Show Video !

The new state-of-the-art attraction "Kung Fu Panda : The Emperor Quest" has opened at Universal Studios Hollywood and thanks to a video filmed by Patrick Dougall you'll see all of it below, pre-show and show. As described by Screamscape, "the new 240 seats Dreamworks theater is stunning and comes alive through the magic of projection mapping technology, wrapping your forward 180º view in the action through the use of seven Christie 4K projectors and 360º surround sound.  No more 3D glasses, and the theater seats that can actually pivot and swivel to follow the action, combined with various in-theater physical effects like wind and water."

So, on with the show, and here is the first video showing the full pre-show and show of Kung Fu Panda : The Emperor Quest at Universal Studios Hollywood, filmed and posted on Youtube by Patrick Dougall.





Don't go away as there is more as Universal also revealed details about the brand new “Universal Orlando's Cinematic Celebration” nighttime lagoon show beginning this summer at Universal Orlando:

"Prepare to experience a brand-new nighttime lagoon show that’s a great new way to cap off an exciting day in the parks. “Universal Orlando’s Cinematic Celebration” will debut at Universal Studios Florida this summer and take our lagoon show experience to the next level.

Located in the heart of the lagoon, “Universal Orlando’s Cinematic Celebration” will bring thrilling and fun moments to life inspired by characters from popular Universal Orlando experiences and blockbuster films.

You’ll witness moments from the Harry Potter series conjured to life by way of spells, ear-shattering roars from dinosaurs in Jurassic World, the adrenaline rush of speed from The Fast & the Furious, mischief by the Minions from Illumination’s Despicable Me and so much more…



And, it’s all seamlessly projected on full panoramic water screens, accented by pyrotechnics and – for the first time ever – more than 120 dancing fountains with projection mapping. The entire waterfront of the Universal Studios lagoon and surrounding buildings will transform into a vivid celebration of epic movie moments and beloved characters.

We’re also building a permanent, dedicated viewing area for the show in the Central Park area of Universal Studios where you’ll be able to watch the lagoon come to life.

Get ready for an epic cinema under the stars during “Universal Orlando’s Cinematic Celebration,” starting this summer. Bookmark the blog and sign up for emails to receive updates on the new show"

Pictures: copyright Universal - Dreamworks

Video: copyright Patrick Dougall, Universal Studios

Official : Universal Studios Hollywood "Jurassic Park—The Ride" Will Close on September 3 and Will Reopen in a New Version in 2019 as "Jurassic World - The Ride" !

It's official: Universal Studios Hollywood announced today that Jurassic Park—The Ride” will close on September 3, 2018 and will reopen in a new version with new Audio-Animatronics Dinosaurs in 2019, with "never-before-seen dinosaurs, enhanced storytelling, lush scenic design, an entirely new color scheme and uncompromised state-of the art technology." And the Jurassic Cove restaurant and Jurassic Outfitters retail store also will close with the attraction and reopen with the new experience in 2019! Below, the full Universal Studios press release:


Universal City, CA, May 10, 2018 – The countdown to the extinction of “Jurassic Park—The Ride” begins as Universal Studios Hollywood excavates the site in preparation for the 2019 arrival of “Jurassic World Ride,” inspired by Universal Pictures’ blockbuster film franchise. 

“Jurassic Park—The Ride” will officially become extinct on September 3, 2018.

In 1996, Universal Studios Hollywood redefined theme park thrill rides with the unprecedented introduction of “Jurassic Park—The Ride,” based on three-time Academy Award®winner Steven Spielberg’s epic film. Hailed as a technological achievement of triumph and wizardry, the ride featured newly debuted principles of hydraulic physics, mechanics and space-age robotics. Working in partnership with scientists, palaeontologists and aerospace engineers, Universal Creative—the team that develops Universal theme park rides—brought to life one of the most compelling rides ever created. Life-sized and lifelike animatronic dinosaurs, some towering over five-stories high, freely roamed the earth at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Twenty-two years later—and after sending millions of guests back to the Jurassic era for menacing face-to-face encounters with such predators as Stegosaurus, Parasaurolophus, Dilophosaurus, Velociraptors and the Tyrannosaurus rex—“Jurassic Park—The Ride” will become extinct in preparation for a new, next-generation experience that’s even more immersive and technologically advanced. The new ride will pay homage to Jurassic Park and will reimagine this landmark film franchise for theme park guests. The Jurassic Cove restaurant and Jurassic Outfitters retail store also will close with the attraction and reopen with the new experience in 2019.

“The one thing that the history of evolution has taught us is that life finds a way” was famously uttered by Jurassic Park’s Dr. Ian Malcom. In the spirit of this pledge, Universal Studios Hollywood is rallying guests and fans to visit The Entertainment Capital of L.A. as it celebrates this epic ride and prepares for the arrival of the “Jurassic World Ride.” 

Plus, in honor of the blockbuster action-adventure that brought dinosaurs out of extinction a quarter century ago, Universal Studios Hollywood in partnership with Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment will host the Jurassic Park 25th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, May 11; Saturday, May 12 and Sunday, May 13. To learn more and to purchase tickets to this highly coveted event, please visit www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com/JP25.

Want more of Jurassic World? Have a look at this new featurette and new TV spot for Jurassic World 2 released next month!

Universal Studios Hollywood Debuts New DreamWorks Theatre With Immersive Attraction “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest” Summer 2018

Universal Studios Hollywood will debut this Summer the all-new DreamWorks Theatre with the technologically-advanced, immersive attraction “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest”! Here is Universal full press release with more details.

Universal City, CA, February 8, 2018 – On the heels of the recent acquisition of DreamWorks Animation, Universal Studios Hollywood is setting the stage for the Summer 2018 debut of the all-new DreamWorks Theatre presenting the premier attraction, “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest.”

Inspired by the global blockbuster franchise, the attraction will take guests on a thrilling journey that fuses captivating storytelling with state-of-the art visual effects for a highly engaging experience.

Created and produced by DreamWorks Animation and Universal Creative, “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest” recounts a plot-filled story whereby on the morning of The Emperor’s Great Feast of Heroes, dragon warrior Po embarks on a wild and perilous mission to deliver the rare and precious Liquid of Limitless Power to the Palace, while enlisting guests to join him on the exciting adventure filled with raging rapids, river pirates, awesome magic and Kung Fu.

With cutting-edge technology at the forefront of the multi-sensory attraction, “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest” will introduce the first-ever integration of interior projection mapping designed to engulf guests in 180 degrees of immersive adventure. Developed by the innovative team at Universal Creative, this never-before-adapted technique will depict a series of immersive and visually dynamic scenic designs that will transform within the interior space and enhance the story. With detailing that is so precise, it will be near impossible to realize the projected imagery is a mere illusion.

Coupled with seven Christie 4K Boxer Cinema Projectors and 360 degree surround sound audio, sweeping physical effects from water to wind will empower guests to feel more like participants than spectators in the adrenaline-spiked adventure.

Featuring an original score by composer Germaine Franco, the storyline begins as guests enter the pre-show area of the theatre where they meet an array of DreamWorks characters who kick-off the attraction’s narrative. From there, guests will enter the main theatre, complete with new ultra-plush, fully articulated seats that pivot and swivel in tandem with the 180-degree action.

The newly constructed building that houses the DreamWorks Theatre is inspired by Mission revival architecture and harkens back to the Golden Age of Hollywood’s Art Deco period of the 1920s, including a box office ticket seller booth, reminiscent of the time period and staffed by a three-dimensional Pinocchio character asleep on the job.

As guests navigate past the ticket booth, through the flourishing outdoor garden and into the theatre queue, they will encounter a series of 36 movie posters that pay homage to DreamWorks Animation films. Within the lobby, a selection of over 20 award statuettes will be on display, representing a sampling of the Golden Globe, Emmy, People’s Choice, Critic’s Choice, National Board of Review and Annie awards DreamWorks Animation has amassed from 2008 to 2015. A collection of original sculpted maquettes of the “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest” characters will also be on display along with artifacts embodying magical powers that Po brought back from the Spirit Realm.

Picture: copyright Universal Studios

Universal Studios Hollywood Wizarding World of Harry Potter Nighttime Show on Hogwarts Castle is Gorgeous !

At Universal Studios Hollywood, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Nighttime Light Show on Hogwarts Castle started recently. The show last only five minutes but it's five gorgeous minutes! Just like the night shows at Disney theme parks the projection effects are done on the castle but here there is a big difference: when at Disney the castle is used as a "screen" here the castle itself is part of the story, and that makes a big difference of meaning!

Go ahead, enjoy the show and of course watch it full screen!




Video: copyright Sana Ali

Nintendo of America Release First Concept-Art of Super Nintendo World to Open AT Universal Studios Japan and Later at Universal Studios Hollywood and Orlando !

Nintendo of America revealed today  the first concept-art for the Nintendo Land and the Mario-themed attraction! 

Visitors to Universal Studios Japan will soon be able to immerse themselves in the world of Super Mario Bros. and other Nintendo franchises at Super Nintendo World which will feature “attractions based on many Nintendo titles” according to Nintendo. Nintendo’s theme park strategy will begin with Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan, in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the companies announced today and Universal Studios also have plans to bring the Nintendo land with Mario and friends to Universal Studios Hollywood and Orlando as announced a couple of weeks ago by Nintendo and Universal Parks & Resorts. 

Nintendo’s artwork for Universal Studios Japan leans heavily on Mario and Luigi, with versions of Princess Peach and Bowser’s castles and what appear to be theme park character versions of Peach and Toad. 



Super Nintendo World will be comprised of expansive and multilevel environments filled with unprecedented, state-of-the-art rides, interactive areas, shops and restaurants — all featuring Nintendo’s most popular characters and games. 

Development cost at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, Japan, is currently expected to exceed 50 billion yen, or $433 million. Super Nintendo World will be developed mainly using the park’s current parking area and part of an area designated for future expansion. Super Nintendo World will feature characters and themes from the “Super Mario” series, which has continued over the years to win the hearts of devoted fans around the world. 

The attraction area will also feature a variety of other globally popular Nintendo characters. Nintendo characters and the worlds they inhabit will be re-created at the highest level of quality through the strong partnership between Shigeru Minamoto, creative at Nintendo, - see interview of him HERE - and Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative. 

Pictures: copyright Universal Studios - Nintendo

Universal Studios Hollywood Despicable Me "Minion Mayhem" Attraction - Full Pre-Show and Ride Video

A new attraction will open soon on April 10 and it's Despicable Me "Minion Mayhem" at Universal Studios Hollywood. A soft-opening happened this week and for this USH version Universal did something on a much bigger scale than in Orlando!

On the video below you'll see not only the exterior, the queue decor and the full pre-show but also the ride movie itself! No need to say that it's full of spoilers so i warn those of you who intend to go at USH anytime soon!




Pictures: copyright Universal Studios

Universal Studios Jurassic Park ride original artwork

In a few weeks a new version of the Jurassic Park ride will open at Universal Studios Singapore and this time it will be a RAFT ride - instead of the flume ride we know at Universal Studios Hollywood or Islands of Adventure. The original ride was designed by Landmark Entertainment and let's have a look to some of the original artwork.

The artwork above show an overview of the first version of the Jurassic Park ride at Universal Studios Hollywood.

This next one show the first scene of the ride with the Apatosaurus in the water.



And this last one, very spectacular, show the very last scene with the giant T-Rex. You'll note that the T-Rex on the artwork is much bigger than the real one in the attraction!




Thanks to leave a comment or discuss this article on D&M english forum on Mice Chat

All artwork: copyright Universal Studios

New King Kong attraction coming at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2010

Marc Graser from Variety announced that Universal Studios will host in 2010 a brand new King Kong high-tech attraction on the backlot tram tour.

So, Universal Studios is finally bringing back the famous King Kong attraction, and the new one will be inspired by Peter Jackson version, and in 3D! Here is Mark's article:

King Kong may have been a casualty of the devastating fire that destroyed part of Universal Studios' backlot in Hollywood last year, but the big ape's being resurrected in 2010 as a signature attraction for the theme park.

New version will be based on Peter Jackson's redo from 2005 and use high-tech wizardry to re-create elements from the film for riders of the park's backlot tram tour.

Guests will wear 3-D glasses as they travel through Skull Island and encounter a swarm of monstrous bats before winding up in the middle of a fight between King Kong and a 35-foot-tall dinosaur.

Kong, which will utilize what U calls "the world's largest Surround Digital projection system," will be introduced in summer 2010. Expect a major promotional push around the attraction's return to boost ticket sales.

The previous attraction, introduced in 1986, was loosely based on the 1976 pic that mostly took place in New York City. That Kong had been one of the backlot tour's biggest draws until last year's fire.

"King Kong has been an integral part of Universal Studios Hollywood for decades and, after last year's fire, we knew he had to be resurrected for our studio tour guests," said Larry Kurzweil, prexy and chief operating officer of Universal Studios Hollywood. "Not only are we reintroducing King Kong, but we've completely reimagined the experience and will incorporate this legendary icon into a truly innovative studio tour attraction."

King Kong is the latest in a series of enhancements to U's Hollywood park.

Company recently overhauled its trams with high-definition flatscreen monitors and digital playback systems that feature commentary from Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard and Stephen Sommers on filmmaking.

Studio tours will also resume this summer through a rebuilt Courthouse Square, Brownstone Street and an enhanced New York Street, as well as a new cityscape setting built since the blaze.

Text: copyright Marc Grazer and Variety.com

Picture: copyright Universal

Universal Studios will re-open backlot this summer

Good news today for Universal Studios fans as, according to Variety: "Universal will reopen its backlot this summer, nearly a year after a fire destroyed four acres of the studio.

Rebuilt locations include its popular Courthouse Square, Brownstone and New York streets. Production will resume on those sets in midsummer.

While redesigning the lot, the studio added sets such as a gas station, a firehouse and a London Street, as well as a modern urban cityscape with glass and steel facade structures. That cityscape will be the largest modern urban backlot shooting location in Los Angeles, U said.

Additional sets will remain in construction and are planned to open in 2010, but U declined to disclose details on those.

Altogether, the new and rebuilt locations will be featured on the Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour, as will the recently renovated soundstage that will house "The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien" beginning June 1.

U said the new sets were built to "meet contemporary film production needs" and designed with the assistance of filmmakers and art directors.

Studio always said it would rebuild the backlot as quickly as it could, and include the latest fireproofing methods in the new construction.

While last summer's fire, ruled an accident, destroyed key facades, a warehouse storing old prints and the King Kong theme park attraction, other locations like the "War of the Worlds" set, Western Street, European Street, Mexican Street, the Psycho House and Bates Motel, as well as Wisteria Lane, seen on "Desperate Housewives," were untouched by the fire."

Full article by Marc Graser on the Variety web site.

Photo: copyright Seelab.com