At Jurassic World: The Exhibition in Mississauga, the dinosaurs have been let out and set free! The imposing beasts who were once on the screen now roam across Square One Shopping Centre as if in their natural habitat. The idea seemed completely crazy to us, so we immediately had to check it out for ourselves — and as expected, it was an otherworldly experience.
For those of us who grew up watching the iconic franchise, it’s a totally nostalgic journey you don’t want to miss, but the experience is just as intriguing for dinosaur-obsessed kids who can’t seem to go a day without their figurines. Through a remarkable blend of animatronics, captivating set design, immersive special effects and a touch of adorable charm, Jurassic World has been brought to life for our sheer delight — and we simply could not let another day go by without telling you about our experience!
Just like any adventure leading to a remote island inhabited by resurrected ancient creatures, our Jurassic World journey started off in a ‘boat’. Aboard the ship, we received a briefing about the park via a voiceover before coming face-to-face with the iconic Jurassic Park gates. The “Welcome to Jurassic Park” theme song was playing on a loop in our heads! Upon entering the mighty gates, we stared in awe at the towering brachiosaurus and all the incredible animatronics that went into crafting that colossal dinosaur. Pro tip: brace for a potential neck ache!
As we made our way into the experience, we could barely recognize the Mississauga venue: ferns and leaves sprouted all over the place, transporting us into a true prehistoric era. What’s more, the resounding roars of dinosaurs took over the expansive space, making us feel as though we were actually in the movie franchise. Every now and then, we spotted some wandering eyes through the greenery that appeared to call us further into their world.
Speaking of, we got to learn about the prehistoric period at Hammond’s Creation Lab! We made it to this scientific jewel nestled among the lush foliage where we explored walls on walls filled with dinosaur eggs, fossils (oh, and dino poop) — but what truly made the experience memorable was our interaction with the tiny baby dinosaurs in the incubator. Cuteness overload!
Trying to give you tidbits of the experience without revealing the whole thing is no easy feat, so we’ll try not to mention too much. Just know one thing: you should brace yourself for a thrilling ride filled with menacing jaws and rattling cages.One of our favorite moments from the entire journey was coming face-to-face with the ghostly Indominus Rex with its piercing gaze and crocodilian teeth. Anyone who’s watched the film can attest to how dangerous that creature can be, and we made it out alive to testify!
Have no fear, though — you can leave your tranquilizer guns at home. Jurassic World: The Exhibition was amazingly realistic but we can assure you the chances of a dinosaur jumping at you through the cages are close to none! The most terrifying creatures of the experience are locked up, but you’ll still get to witness the agility and intelligence in their movement.
Of course, if you came with the littles and are seeking a more lighthearted and less toothy adventure, you’re also in luck! Kids will get to unleash their inner paleontologist by sifting through sand to uncover fascinating fossils as they navigate through the experience. Kiddos will also get the opportunity to revel in the presence of adorable dinos like the cute Bumpy, an Ankylosaurus from Camp Cretaceous.
For the experience finale, the queen of the kingdom herself, the legendary T-Rex made an appearance in all her glory. This was another moment of the adventure that had us gasping in surprise, since it featured jaw-dropping special effects, performances and realistic animatronics that created an unforgettable atmosphere straight out of the blockbuster saga. It’s a thrilling conclusion that will leave you on the edge of your seat!
Once we survived the exhilarating climax, we made our way to the gift shop, where a plethora of merchandise awaited. After stocking up on some much needed Jurassic memorabilia, we left the experience with stars in our eyes.
Now that you’ve read our review of Jurassic World: The Exhibition, the only thing left to do is secure your tickets and embark on this incredible journey.
