This year during Family Forward I spent quite a bit of time in the Jurassic Park area of Islands of Adventure. Last year when I was there I don’t think I ever walked into the area aside from the opening night dinner! Having been one of my favorite movie franchises growing up, I was ecstatic when the new movie came earlier this year. Of course I saw it several times in the theaters before heading to Universal in Orlando.

The area really has a fun set up that is great for the whole family. With water rides, good shopping (I got my son’s souvenir in this area), Jurassic Park Discovery Center, and a great restaurant you can spend a good chunk of a morning here.

In the Jurassic Park Discovery Center you can unearth the mysteries of the planet’s prehistoric past in this hands-on interactive activity center. The Jurassic Park Discovery Center combines entertainment with education in a variety of informative exhibits and displays geared to children and adults.

Right next to Jurassic Park, Islands of Adventure is adding a brand new ride, Skull Island: Reign of Kong! Here is a picture of what it looks like as of the beginning of September 2015. 1 year and it will be open! I can’t wait to check out this new experience!

From the Universal website: As you journey deep into a mysterious island, your 1930’s expedition is swarmed by enormous prehistoric predators. Your only hope is the most colossal ape ever to walk the earth. As the gargantuan beasts fight for dominance, you will just fight to survive. Skull Island: Reign of Kong – A multi-sensory, multi-dimensional new ride for your life. Coming Summer 2016 to Universal’s Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando Resort.

Mike West from Universal Creative confirms that the storyline of the attraction has no “direct connection” to the events of Peter Jackson’s 2005 film, though Peter Jackson did work with Universal Creative for the attraction development. This is also not a prequel attraction to the new Skull Island film coming out in 2017.  The Skull Island: Reign of Kong ride will tell it’s own unique story.

*At the beginning of September I attended and worked the Family Forward Orlando Conference. I went as an employee but was able to enjoy all that Family Forward had to offer. All opinions, comments, and suggestions are, as always, my own.