Universal Orlando Resort's Jurassic Park River Adventure has been under wraps since January, but fresh aerial photos taken in early August show the classic water ride moving noticeably closer to its scheduled November 20 reopening. Vegetation stripped bare by an unusually cold winter — and further thinned by months of heavy construction — is beginning to grow back, restoring some of the lush tropical feel the attraction is known for.
Behind the scenery, crews are still hard at work. Recent images show ongoing refurbishment of animatronics, show scenery, and support structures throughout the outdoor sections of the ride. The towering Ultrasaur, whose internal mechanics were fully exposed earlier in the project, is among the figures receiving significant upgrades, along with additional dinosaur figures scattered throughout the attraction.
Fans who feared the long closure might lead to a full-on Jurassic World rebrand can breathe easy — every construction update so far has pointed toward preservation over reinvention. The ride's classic scenes appear to be staying intact, with the focus squarely on improved technology, refreshed practical effects, and rebuilt animatronics rather than story changes.
Universal hasn't offered many details about exactly what guests will notice when the attraction reopens, keeping curiosity high as the months tick down. With multiple areas showing simultaneous progress, the November 20 target is looking increasingly achievable.
This report originally appeared on Disney Fanatic.
