You know their names. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Indiana Jones Adventure. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. Journey to the Center of the Earth. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Sunken Treasure. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
For the last thirty years or so, we’ve found ourselves firmly in the a battle fought by dark rides with increasingly elaborate ride systems, outstanding animatronics, massive multimedia, and incredible IPs.
Though individual enthusiasts might add or subtract a ride or two from the list, for the most part, fans tend to agree on the larger pantheon of modern dark rides, and it’s rare that a new one enters the conversation…
But now, fans are turning their attention to a stunning new dark ride on the far side of the globe. Those who’ve ridden it say that it might just be the most impressive dark ride currently operating. Do you agree…?
To find out, you have to understand the context. We all know that Universal’s been on a substantial building streak. Powered by acquired and licensed IPs, massive, multi-year transformations have seen both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood debut major, headlining attractions nearly every year since Comcast officially purchased the parks in 2011. Obviously, that’s all set to culminate in 2025 when Universal Epic Universe opens, “changing everything” and – if Universal has its way – shifting the gravity in Orlando for good.
But Universal’s focus hasn’t entirely been on its two U.S. destinations. Like Disney, Universal has spent the last decade or so focused on international growth… and particularly, new parks in Asia where billions of potential customers await. For the “Mouse House,” that crescendoed with Shanghai Disneyland. Likewise, Universal’s Asian ambition became incarnate in Universal Studios Beijing.
Largely, Universal’s Chinese outing seemed to garner far less attention than Disney’s. Partly, that’s because of COVID-19, which saw the Beijing park’s debut delayed and then slow-walked thanks to China’s restrictive COVID policies, sort of stealing the spark out of the park’s premier.
Secondly, it’s probably because – for the most part – Universal Studios Beijing appears far less revolutionary than Shanghai Disneyland. Instead, it looks like a “best of Universal Studios” with few surprises or revelations. Using the Islands of Adventure layout but the Universal Studios mentality, the Beijing park gives “been there done that” vibes – a Hollywood entry land; a Minion Land anchored by the same Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem you’ll find in Orlando or Hollywood; a Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade with the tried-and-true Forbidden Journey; and a Transformers: Metro Base land that’s essentially a clone of Orlando’s Marvel Superhero Island, but with Transformers: The Ride instead of The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man; a mini Waterworld land featuring the Hollywood-born stunt show; a unique, enclosed Kung-Fu Panda: Land of Awesomeness (one of the few genuinely original big ideas at the park); and, just like Islands of Adventure, a dinosaur land (here upgraded to the newer, fresher Jurassic World) across the lagoon from the park entry.
So at first glance, it’s easy to feel as if Universal Studios Beijing was – to say the least – a whole lot less ambitious and “game-changing” than either Shanghai Disneyland was or Epic Universe will be. Instead, it sort of “played it safe,” drawing from tried-and-true Universal Parks standards and simply cloning tested E-Tickets to a Chinese audience who’s unlikely to have seen them in Orlando or Hollywood. And given that most American park fans probably view Disney and Universal’s Chinese parks as the ones they’re least likely to make a visit to, as well, maybe that’s okay!
But upon a closer look, Universal Studios Beijing does offer at least one truly revolutionary ride… Unlike the familiar River Adventure-style rides at Universal Orlando, Hollywood, Japan, and Singapore, Universal Studios Beijing offers a next generational experience. That makes sense! As we saw in Orlando through the Jurassic World VelociCoaster, drawing on the sleek, modern, and stylish Jurassic World trilogy opens a whole new corner of the Jurassic universe – one with modern thrills, high-energy excitement, and of course, the insatiable Indominus rex.
And they all come together in a dark ride that some say is among the best in the world… Read on…
For most of us, a trip to Universal Studios Beijing probably seems unlikely. Not only does this Chinese park offer a location that most Americans will never make it to, but its ride lineup of “contemporary classics” means that most of us can ride its anchor attractions without an overseas flight. But those who’ve made the trek suggest that Jurassic World Adventure might be worth the journey…
The premise is simple. Entering through the modernized Discovery Center that stands across the lagoon like a park icon, guests find themselves preparing for a tour across Isla Nublar. In the spirit of Jurassic World – which amps up the thrill, spectacle, and technology of the dino-excitement versus the low-key “nature preserve” we saw in the older Jurassic Park films – our means of transportation is a scientific successor to the dated Jeep tours of yesteryear.
Instead, we’re headed for the ATLAS – an All-Terrain Luxury Autonomous System – programmed to drive us through the habitats of Jurassic World. (Yes, you’ll recognize the vehicle as the iconic “SCOOP” developed for the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. But trust us, this is a whole different ride.) The ATLAS promises us the ultimate tour of the island, stopping by all the high profile enclosures… including that of the mutant Indominus rex. What could go wrong!?
The adventure begins with the ATLASes seemingly exiting the Discovery Center for a look out across the valley of Isla Nublar just as the sun sets over the horizon. So far, we might seem to be on track for another Spider-Man clone. But this introduction is really one of the few screens on the ride. Pretty quickly, a lightning strike cuts the park’s lighting, leaving the ATLAS to navigate its way through the exhibits just as the moon rises.
Unfortunately, something does go horribly wrong (who could’ve guessed?!) leaving riders at the mercy of the escaped Indominus rex. In what should be a hint of how grand the Jurassic World Adventure is, the first animatronic we encounter here is the creature that serves as the jaw-dropping finale of Hollywood’s river ride. Ramming the vehicle with its snout, the Indominus rex locks onto our scent.
The vehicle heaves, spins, and slams through the island as it tries to regain its GPS signal. After a few close encounters with some of the park’s dinosaurs seeking shelter from the impending storm, riders encounter what must be one of the most stunning, unbelievable, and paralyzing animatronic encounters in history: the Indominus rex literally chasing the retreating vehicle, stomping and snapping as the ATLAS reverses through the jungle. And that’s not even the finale.
The ride’s climax sees guests literally pass in between the Indominus rex and the iconic T. rex, with the two closing the gap the vehicle passed through as they fight, leaving guests to seek shelter back in the Discovery Center just in time for a surprise victor… and a definitive end to one of the monstrous predators.
Look, Jurassic World Adventure may not have the scale of Rise of the Resistance, the story of Indiana Jones Adventure, or the subtlety of Journey to the Center of the Earth. But there’s no question that this is one epic ride filled with exceptional animatronics and jaw-dropping moments. To our thinking, Jurassic World Adventure definitely belongs in the “Top 10 Modern Dark Rides in the World” list. But just as importantly, the people who’ve actually been on it insist that it belongs near the top.
What do you think? Is Jurassic World Adventure a ride that would convince you to visit Universal Studios Beijing? Should this ride make its way back to Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood? Or do you prefer the old-school, slow-moving magic of the River Adventure rides? Besides, if the U.S. Universal parks did get this dark ride, wouldn’t that be one-too-many escapes for the Indominus rex? Is it time for Universal to try a Jurassic ride where nothing goes wrong? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
