What Is the Raptor Encounter at Universal Studios?

The Raptor Encounter at Universal Studios is an unforgettable attraction that transports you into the thrilling world of Jurassic Park and Jurassic World. This unique experience brings you face-to-face with the franchise’s most beloved and fearsome creatures: velociraptors.

The Raptor Encounter Experience

At both Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles, you can step into the Jurassic Park section of the park and come face-to-face with the franchise’s most recognizable dinosaur, Blue.

The Raptor Encounter is a walk-through attraction that offers interactive meetings and photo opportunities with animatronic dinosaur models. The experience allows guests to meet and take pictures with Blue, who is accompanied by a raptor trainer to ensure she remains calm.

The experience is designed to be realistic and intense, with the raptor displaying aggressive behavior, such as lunging and snapping, towards the end of the interaction. However, this is all part of the experience and adds to the thrill of the encounter.

A Brief History of the Raptor Encounter

The attraction first opened in Islands of Adventure in late May 2015 and in Universal Studios Hollywood in July 2015, around the time Jurassic World was released. Initially, the Raptor Encounter featured a raptor trainer introducing guests to a Velociraptor. In 2018, the attraction was updated to feature Blue, one of the Velociraptors trained by Owen Grady in Jurassic World, as a promotion for the then-upcoming Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.

What to Expect at the Raptor Encounter

At the Raptor Encounter, guests can take pictures and videos with Blue, who is accompanied by a raptor trainer to ensure she remains calm. Blue occasionally displays aggressive behavior, such as lunging and snapping, which is designed to startle guests and make the experience more thrilling.

In addition to Blue, guests might also be able to view Sierra, a docile baby raptor who remains in the arms of her handler. The Raptor Encounter is an outdoor meet-and-greet experience, accessible to all, and does not offer Express Pass access.

Safety Measures and Guidelines

Before participating in the Raptor Encounter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, guests should be aware of the following safety measures and guidelines:

1. A game warden or raptor trainer will brief guests on proper safety procedures.
2. Guests are advised not to make sudden movements during the encounter.
3. Physical contact with the raptor is discouraged to keep the raptor calm and prevent any damage to the animatronic.

Memorable Experiences

The Raptor Encounter is a unique attraction at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Hollywood, where guests can come face-to-face with a somewhat-trained velociraptor named Blue. Some memorable experiences guests have had at the Raptor Encounter include feeling the fear factor, meeting baby raptors, interacting with the raptor, experiencing the raptor’s “aggressive behavior”, and meeting different raptors.

Conclusion

Overall, the Raptor Encounter at Universal Studios offers a thrilling and immersive experience for guests, allowing them to get up close and personal with these fascinating creatures from the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World movies. Whether you’re a fan of the franchise or just a lover of theme park thrills, the Raptor Encounter is an experience you won’t want to miss.