Universal Studios Hollywood: Jurassic Park 25th Anniversary & Upper Lot Transformation

Jurassic Park 25th Anniversary Celebration

• 🦖 A special event is being held on May 11th and 12th at Universal Studios Hollywood to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Jurassic Park.
• 🎟️ Two admission packages are available: $69 for the evening event only, and $129 for daytime park access plus the evening celebration.
• 📸 Attendees can expect a commemorative lanyard, access to the Jurassic Park ride, props from the films, an interactive expo area, themed food, and displays of dinosaur maquettes and iconic costumes.
• 🎭 A costume contest invites guests to dress as their favorite characters, with specific guidelines available online.
• 🛍️ Limited edition merchandise is expected to be available, in addition to existing Jurassic Park 25th anniversary items.

Upper Lot Transformation and New Attractions

• 🏗️ The Universal Plaza project, started in 2012, has significantly transformed the Upper Lot, clearing clutter and creating flexible event spaces.
• 💡 The Animation Studio Store, which opened March 1st, is a 6,000 sq ft facility featuring merchandise from Illumination Entertainment and Sanrio, including unique items that blend Sanrio characters with classic Universal titles.
• 🏛️ The store's exterior design pays tribute to California Mission Revival architecture, seamlessly integrating with the Universal Plaza.
• 🎬 The DreamWorks Theatre, a newly constructed building inspired by Mission Revival and Art Deco styles, has replaced the old Shrek 4D theater.
• 🌟 The theater's lobby celebrates DreamWorks Animation's history, featuring posters from its first release, Ants, and detailing the studio's founding and early rivalries.

The Founding of DreamWorks and Early Rivalries

• 🤝 DreamWorks SKG was founded by Steven Spielberg, David Geffen, and Jeffrey Katzenberg in the fall of 1994.
• 🐜 Katzenberg, in charge of DreamWorks Animation, developed Ants based on an Aesop fable, which led to a feud with Disney and Pixar.
• 🎬 This rivalry intensified when Katzenberg lured Woody Allen away from Disney to voice the lead ant character in Ants, forcing Disney to find a new voice for Tantor in Tarzan.
• 🎤 Wayne Knight, who voiced Tantor, also famously played Dennis Nedry in Jurassic Park.