Before Jurassic Park The Ride

[Ablirien]

Does any one know what was before Jurassic Park the Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood?

[Darkbeer]

Pretty much... nothing, they redirected the tram route a little more into the hillside. At the top of the hill, near the bottom of the Back to the Future ride there was an attraction based on Battlestar Gallactica (old Sci-Fi series), drove into a "garage" which was decorated like the inside of a spaceship, and a live actor came out to save you, laser effects. Cool in the 70's, very outdated by the time they got rid of it. Farther down, about where the lagoon is with the peaceful dinosaurs was a house that was always on fire. The lower area, near the bottom of the flume was where the tram loading area was in the early 90's.

Prior to the downstairs area being converted to an walking area (and the addition of the starcade escalators), the area was part of the tram tour. When you entered, you automatically lined up for the tram tour, which started about where the entrance to Waterworld is. You then went down the hill, and got off the tram. The area where Backdraft and the special effects show is, was actually two special effect stages. This was need for capacity, since every person was sent thru the special effect area. After seeing the special effect show, you got back on a tram. The ET area was the prop department, now moved to the far corner of the lot, near the parting of the Red Sea. After going thru the city streets area, you were taking to a half-way stopping point. This is no used for some special events. You had to get off the tram, they had food and beverage for sale, and the area was full of props from things like Land of the Giants. Also, of course a retail store. After your food and potty break, you lined up again to board another tram and continue your tour. The Tram tour ended at the Waterworld area, at which point you entered the "walking" portion of the tour, which consisted of a few shows like the Wild West show, an animal show, the Conan stage, last used for the Beetlejuice show (and now sits empty), plus a few shops and restaurants. This wasn't bad for labor, since you didn't open up this area until the afternoon, and as the last people entered the park, you could close down all the things on the tour, and only leave the show area open after about 5 pm. Also, this helped with darkness. Even now, the last tram leaves about 4 pm.