Steven Spielberg's motion pictures come to life within this area of Islands of Adventure. If you thought dinosaurs were extinct, think again! This area offers activities and attractions for young kids, and more thrill-oriented rides for teens and adults — all with a dinosaur theme. The state-of-the-art Animatronic creatures look and act extremely real, which adds to the overall ambiance of this area. This is the largest of the areas within the Islands of Adventure theme park.

Camp Jurassic

Kids can make their way through this prehistoric playground/maze that offers volcanoes and cascading waterfalls. The play area is filled with secret caves and an amber mine to explore. Visitors can also climb along dinosaur capture-nets, ride down slides, and cross suspension bridges. This play area is a selfpaced attraction for kids only. Parents can watch from nearby, but will be too large to fit in some parts of this play area.

As a parent, if you're looking to rest your feet, let your kids roam freely in this area while you park yourself at a nearby bench and act as a spectator. Needless to say, never leave your child unattended within this or any other area of a theme park.

Pteranodon Flyers

Riders will feel like they've been grabbed by a flying pteranodon as they soar through the air and take an all-too-quick tour of the Jurassic Park area. This ride is most suitable for kids.

Jurassic Park River Adventure

Pass through the grand gates of this prehistoric theme park (just like in the movie) and travel within a riverboat as you see firsthand the scientific marvels that brought dinosaurs back to roam the earth.

While the initial part of your river journey will be quiet, peaceful, and rather beautiful, things don't always go as planned. In fact, you'll soon discover deadly raptors and venomous spitters that don't appreciate your visiting their territory. As if that weren't bad enough, a raging T-Rex has gotten loose, and this creature is hungry.

Just when you think you're safe, grab on to your personal belongings and prepare for an 85-foot plunge into total darkness for the conclusion of your adventure. This exciting and somewhat scary ride ultimately ends with a splash, so be prepared to get wet. (Also, be sure to protect your valuables, such as cameras and camcorders, from the water.)

ô This is a must-see attraction.

Jurassic Park Discovery Center

Within the hands-on interactive exhibits and displays that make up this attraction, you can examine the massive fossilized remains of a T-Rex. Visitors can also join the activity in the nursery, where you might see a velociraptor hatching from its egg. Visitors along this self-paced walking tour can see how dinosaurs were brought back to life and how they're being raised within Jurassic Park.

Triceratops Encounter

Thanks to the latest in Audio-Animatronic technology, an extremely lifelike (not to mention life-size) triceratops is part of this unique interactive attraction. This 24-foot-long and 10-foot-tall beast is friendly and outgoing. As guests visit, this creature will snort, blink, flinch, and even make sounds. Visitors are allowed to pet the triceratops and take pictures. (If this creature were really alive, it would weigh more than two full-size elephants.)

Dining with the Dinos

If encountering dinosaurs makes you hungry, there are several snack shops and dining areas within Jurassic Park that will help you quench your hunger or thirst.

• The Burger Digs — The name says it all. Burgers and chicken sandwiches are among this dining area's primary offerings.

• Pizza Predattoria — Personal pan pizzas, sandwiches, salads, dessert items, along with soda, beer, and wine are served here.

• Thunder Falls Terrace — Rotisserie chicken, baby back ribs, beef kabobs, and roasted corn are among the entrées available here.

• The Watering Hole — For adult visitors, an assortment of alcoholic beverages is served, including coolers, margaritas, and rum runners.

Bring Home a Dino-Size Souvenir

Dinosaurs don't make the best pets, but you can pick up a wide range of dinosaur-themed gifts and souvenirs at these shops located within Jurassic Park:

• Camp Jurassic Outpost — Youth survival gear and Jurassic Park — themed merchandise are among the offerings.

• Dinostore — If it has to do with dinos, you'll find it here. Toys, books, plush toys, and plenty of educational (and not so educational) souvenirs are available — all with a dinosaur theme.

• Jurassic Outfitters — After experiencing Jurassic Park River Adventure, you can see the look on your own face (and take it home with you), because your photo gets taken as you experience that massive drop at the end of the ride. This personalized souvenir is available for purchase at this shop. Here, you'll also find a wide range of Jurassic Park and Islands of Adventure souvenirs.