ORLANDO, Fla. – May 22, 2015??
Theme World: Raptor Encounter
Universal Orlando announced Friday morning a surprise new attraction, "Raptor Encounter," at Islands of Adventure.
Show director Patrick Braillard posted the above announcement on Facebook, saying, "Today, the gates open on a new entertainment experience six years in the making. I am very proud of everyone who has worked so hard to put actual dinosaurs in our dinosaur park." He signed it #Raptor Encounter.
Minutes later, entertainment director Michael Aiello posted a picture of a raptor.
An even better shot came from Universal's Public Relations Vice President Tom Schroder with the caption. "Meet the newest resident of Jurassic Park at Islands of Adventure. Experience the Raptor Encounter"
The attraction is part of the Jurassic Park section of the park. Video posted online by Paul of the Orlando Tourist Blog shows what looks like an advanced and lifelike animatronic dinosaur roaring just feet away from guests. This is not the first time Islands of Adventure has featured a "real" dinosaur. One of the park's opening attractions in 1999 was a Triceratops Encounter.
It featured a visit as veterinarians "examined" one of three "living" Triceratops" Topper, Cera & Chris. The gentle creatures could "eat" among other biological functions. The attraction closed in 2003, then briefly reopened in 2011 & 2012.
The new Raptor Encounter is close to where Triceratops Encounter used to be: Between the Jurassic Park Discovery Center & Jurassic Park River Adventure. While today marked the Raptor's first public test, expect her to eventually roar to life in front of guests several times a day.