Never say extinct: Twenty-five years after they lumbered their way into stardom, the dinosaurs of Jurassic Park are getting a big party this weekend at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Originally slated for Friday and Saturday May 11¬12, the Jurassic Park 25th Anniversary Celebration includes a screening of the first in the movie series at CityWalk’s Universal Cinema, along with after-hours access to the area around Jurassic Park—The Ride, including live shows, a “raptor encounter,” original props (like the spherical Gyrosphere vehicles from 2015’s Jurassic World), costumes, and memorabilia, along with plenty of themed snacks.
Cosplay is encouraged. While a Dennis Nedry outfit would make for comfortable weekend garb, check the costume guidelines before you try a full-blown T-Rex.
Since event tickets for Friday and Saturday were quickly becoming extinct themselves, Universal Studios Hollywood has announced that they will extend the event through Sunday, May 13—the only day that is not sold out as of press time. Choose between an event-only pass (which lasts from 3 pm to 9:30 p.m.) or a full-day admission that’s bundled with the after-hours pass. Go for the all-day pass and you’ll have plenty of time for USH’s other park highlights, such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, The Walking Dead Attraction, and the real-movie-sets-filled Studio Tour. While you’re at it, sneak a peek at the Kung Fu Panda-themed Dreamworks Theatre attraction, set to open on June 15.
And be sure to get in plenty of turns on Jurassic Park—the Ride. Universal Studios just announced that the ride will go into semi-extinction on September 3—but then return in 2019 as Jurassic World. The new version will still be a river-raft-style ride, but with new scenes, updated technology, and new dinosaur stars—also appearing in the series’ next movie, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, which premieres June 22.
