Jurassic Park River Adventure: There is no better way to get a full appreciation for the prehistoric animals that inhabit John Hammond’s newly discovered island of Jurassic Park than to take a scenic boat cruise. Here you will see gentle herbivores grazing in their newly created “natural habitats” and you can feel secure knowing that you are fully protected from any harm by the tempered steel barriers that ... Wait, it’s not possible! A Hadrosaur has broken out of his area and your way is blocked! As your nature raft steers to avoid him you are now thrown off course and your wild Orlando vacation adventure begins.

Word filters out quickly that something terrible has happened. All of the dinosaurs have broken out and are looking very hungry. Velociraptors and a slew of other carnivorous beasts are at every turn as your raft barely escapes their snapping jaws time and again. What will your raft pilot do when faced with the impossible decision of becoming a 20-foot-tall Tyrannosaurus Rex’s next meal or plunging nose first down an 85-foot waterfall toward certain death?

This attraction comes in second in terms of popularity only to The Amazing Adventures Of Spider-Man and has the long queues to prove it! An Express Pass is available for this attraction and is highly recommended.

WARNING: If you would like to experience the Jurassic Park River Adventure at Universal’s Islands Of Adventure, there is a height restriction of at least 42 inches and individuals that suffer from back, neck, heart or any other physical limitations and pregnant mothers shouldn't ride. Finally, parents should be advised that there are numerous occasions where very realistic-looking dinosaurs are trying to eat you that may be terrifying to some children.

Pteranodon Flyers: Board these high flying prehistoric birds and soar high above the island of dinosaurs. Similar to the skyway rides seen at many amusement parks throughout the world, this ride offers an outstanding view of the entire Islands of Adventure theme park as well.

The queues are horrendous for this Orlando vacation attraction since each pteranodon only holds two riders and there are only a total of three “birds” on the track at a time. Unless you are planning to use an Express Pass here, I’m not sure the lineup of people waiting to “fly” is worth the wait.

Jurassic Park Discovery Center: The centerpiece of the island of Jurassic Park, the Jurassic Park Discovery Center is much like the one depicted in the movie. Here, visitors can perform tests on dinosaur eggs in order to determine which type of creatures they contain, take a look at the world through the eyes of a ‘T-Rex” or even watch as a Velociraptor egg hatches. This hands-on interactive area is great for kids and adults alike and can be the perfect escape from the Florida heat.

Camp Jurassic: This prehistoric playground has everything a child could want. There are rope swings, slides, bridges and waterfalls. They can climb rope ladders and even wage a battle with one another with water cannons. Finally, this playground even has an amber mine where the little ones can search for “treasure.” Great Orlando vacation photographs abound at this children’s favorite.

The Inside Spin

• The 85-foot plunge on the Jurassic Park River Adventure is the longest water ride drop in the world.
   
• When you enter the “Raptor Containment Area” on the Jurassic Park River Adventure, you will notice the remains of someone who did not make it out, on the left.