'Jurassic World Ride' To Replace 'Jurassic Park – The Ride' At Universal Studios Hollywood

We have not been told much about the new Jurassic World ride attraction, but I'm guessing it's an updated retheme of the old Jurassic Park—The Ride. The reason I say this is that Universal only has one year to build the new attraction, with Jurassic Park—The Ride officially closing on September 3, 2018.

I know some big fans of the original Jurassic Park and this attraction are likely to be upset, but I honestly think this is for the best. The animatronics in this attraction have become dated over the years, and on my most recent visit, I was left wondering why they hadn't been updated with the current era of audio-animatronic puppets. However, I'm sure the huge T-rex at the top of the freefall will be preserved for the new version of the ride.

Our own Jacob Hall theorizes that maybe the new version of the ride will take an unauthorized expedition into the abandoned dinosaur theme park. Maybe they could be in search of Blue and be part of Claire's dinosaur preservation group. It might be cool to see Jurassic Park in a state of disrepair, with the earth reclaiming the man-made theme park and dinos running wild.

Universal only tells us that 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.

I'm honestly surprised this announcement was not made at the Jurassic Park 25th Anniversary Celebration taking place at the park starting this Friday. Maybe more information on the new attraction will be provided during the event.

For some time now, it had been rumored that a new Jurassic World land would be part of Universal Studios Florida's unannounced fourth park, which will be constructed on that big chunk of land they recently acquired by the convention center. I had been told that Universal is waiting to see the box office for Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom before making any commitments there, but I guess they are confident enough in this sequel franchise to make the announcement with the landmark Hollywood attraction.

You can read the full press release from Universal Hollywood below:

The Countdown to the Extinction of "Jurassic Park—The Ride" at Universal Studios Hollywood Starts NowGuests Invited to Experience the Original Thrill Ride Before it Evolves to the All-New, Next Generation "Jurassic World Ride" Opening in 2019

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.

More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.

Universal Studios Hollywood is The Entertainment Capital of L.A. and includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour. As a leading global entertainment destination, Universal Studios Hollywood delivers highly themed immersive lands that translate to real-life interpretations of iconic movie and television shows. Recent additions include "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™" which features a bustling Hogsmeade village and such critically-acclaimed rides as "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" and "Flight of the Hippogriff™". Other immersive lands include "Despicable Me Minion Mayhem" and "Super Silly Fun Land" as well as "Springfield," hometown of America's favorite TV family, located adjacent to the award-winning "The Simpsons Ride™." and the "The Walking Dead" daytime attraction. The world-renowned Studio Tour is Universal Studios Hollywood's signature attraction, inviting guests behind-the-scenes of the world's biggest and busiest movie and television production studio where they can also experience such authentic thrill rides as "Fast & Furious—Supercharged." Opening June 15, 2018, Universal Studios Hollywood will welcome debut The DreamWorks Theatre featuring the premier attraction, "Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor's Quest." The adjacent Universal CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex also includes the all-new multi-million dollar, redesigned Universal CityWalk Cinema, featuring deluxe recliner seating in screening room quality theatres, and the "5 Towers" state-of-the-art outdoor concert stage.