Jurassic Park: The Ride

KODAK 2006_04_17 12_48_01
Originally uploaded by Yasashisa.

What's more scary than facing off with a hungry Tyranosaurus Rex? How about facing off with a hungry Tyranosaurus Rex and then plummetting about 26 metres and then getting soaking wet? With that said, Charity and I went to Universal Studios Japan again on Monday. We have the pass, so we thought we ought to use it. We had a good time, as usual. We like it there. Some people say that theme parks like USJ and Tokyo Disneyland are not the real Japan. I disagree. Japan is a syncretic nation. They take what they like from other countries and make it their own. Also, the Japanese are voracious consumers, so it only makes sense that they would adapt successful money making ventures in their own country. We enjoyed it, at any rate. However, we went on the Jurassic Park ride. We went on it before, but this time we were in the front row. Whoa! What an experience. At the very end, ***SPOILER WARNING*** there is a giant animatronic Tyranosaurus Rex that lurches out at you, then the little boat you're in drops down a 25.9 (84 feet) metre slide into the water below. Staring down that drop, I felt my knees grow weak and my heart pound. If I would have passed out, I'll never know because the splash of water I took to the face and chest (my raincoat flew open in the drop) brought me to my senses. It was a thrill, let me tell you. You can see it for yourself in the video below. In the video, a bunch of Japanese pop singers take the ride and scream profusely throughout. It's good for a laugh and you can see the ride for yourselves if you're interested. If the noise gets too annoying just shut off the volume. I know I did. Take care, everyone. Later.
-Joe