Insiders GuideTo Giving A Jurassic Park Vacation For Christmas

Are any of the Jurassic Park quotes as memorable as, "Welcome to Jurassic Park"? Even while typing it I can literally hear Dr. John Hammond's voice in my mind. Years after the first Jurass;ic Park film was released Universal Orlando Resort developed a dedicated land to these films in their Islands of Adventure theme park. It has everything you could imagine, realistic dinosaur encounters, the infamous jeep and even a river boat ride that will keep you cool on the hottest Orlando summer day. This is why it makes the perfect gift for your family this holiday season!

Below you will find what we call our "Jurassic Park Bible". This information can assist in creating the best Jurassic Park vacation possible in addition to working with your Starstuff Travel Planner. Let's get started!

WHERE TO STAY

If you want to live the dream Jurassic vacation, it is a no brainer, you have to go with Loews Royal Pacific Resort and their Jurrasic World Kids' Suites. The second you open the paddock door, you have entered the world where Velociraptors, Pteranodons, and even the Indominus Rex roam. Below is a video of this awesome themed room that you can see for yourself. I bet mom and dad might want to have a sleep over with the kids once they see this room in person! One of the best amenities of a stay here is the complimentary Unlimited Express Passes you get during your length of stay (park admission is required) allowing you to take advantage of as much Jurassic fun that you can have by being able to skip the lines for most rides and attractions. Once your children find out this is what you gave them, it will make it the best holiday ever!

WHAT TO DO

Take a dash through the raptor paddock on the new VelociCoaster. It is the fastest coaster in all of Universal. Once you’re strapped in and VelociCoaster starts going, you are in for over 2 minutes of nonstop adrenaline spanning more than 4,700 feet of ride track. The ride has no brakes until it’s over, did we mention it goes upside down? 

You can also take a scenic water boat tour on the Jurassic Park River Adventure. Here you can see a baby Stegosaurus and other ominous creatures in their natural habitats. It’s all peaceful enough until you encounter an unexpected guest and plummet 85 feet! 

Stop by Raptor Encounter and meet Blue from Jurassic World or the new baby Raptor, Sierra. This area provides some of the best photo ops in the entire park but try to remain calm because she will sense your fear and she will feed off it just like any other dino!

Head to the Discovery Center and unearth the mysteries of our planet's prehistoric past at this interactive center where dinosaurs have been brought back to co-exist with humans. You can even examine dinosaur eggs in the nursery where baby Velociraptors are ready to hatch (you have not seen anything until you have seen a dinosaur egg ready to hatch)!

We also love the idea of placing a few Universal Orlando Resort gift cards in their stockings so the kids can go souvenir shopping in this fun area when you travel. 

WHERE TO EAT

If your not up for getting wet on the River Adventure then head next door to Thunder Falls Terrace and relax in the cool indoor dining room while you grab something to eat. You can also choose to watch the riders get drenched during their time on the adventure while sitting outside while eating since they offer outdoor dining that faces the attraction.

If you are visiting the Discovery Center and burgers are your jam, then head to the Burger Digs located on the top floor. The area is decorated with skeletal remains which is fun for those kiddos who want to play paleontologist on their lunch break at a research facility, do I sound like I have too much first hand experience at this?

For those on the go-go-go, stop by Pizza Predatorria for a slice of pizza, or maybe a meatball sub. The food here is always quick and easy, allowing you to continue your Jurassic day while appeasing your hunger. 

We LOVE the Watering Hole and all they have to offer (especially their pulled pork nachos). If nachos aren't your thing you can also find hot dogs, snacks and churros here as well. They also offer some really tasty beverages!

If your trip includes dates during the holiday season, you may even find some tasty special holiday treats here as well. 

WHAT TO BUY

I think it is a no brainer to say you are going to want to purchase a dinosaur, and not just one, probably many. There are a million dinosaur themed toys and stuffed animals so you are going to have a hard time deciding what to buy and what not to buy. Your also going to be overwhelmed by the amount of clothing and accessories that have the iconic Jurassic Park or Jurassic World logo on them. There are two different stores available in the land, which include Dinostore and Jurassic Outfitters. We recommend you wait until the end of your day to make your purchases so they don't get wet and you have less items you need to place in a locker when you ride your favorite Jurassic themed attractions. Again, great idea to gift a few Universal Orlando gift cards that allow the kids to shop on their own while visiting. 

We have only just "scratched" the surface on all there is to see and do during your time at Universal Orlando's Jurassic Park. Wishing you a safe and magical holiday. To learn more or to book your next Jurassic vacation, reach out to a Starstuff Travel Planner today!