Universal Building a New Kind of ‘Jurassic Park’ Ride, Update Given

Another dinosaur-sized addition could be on its way to Universal’s theme parks — and this time, it looks like the kids are taking the lead.

Universal has filed a new trademark for what appears to be its latest Jurassic Park-inspired attraction: Jurassic World: Cretaceous Coaster. The filing, submitted on March 11, 2025, points to a family-friendly roller coaster, and all signs suggest it’s headed straight for the upcoming Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas.

Universal’s Jurassic Park Obsession

Dinosaurs are practically part of Universal’s DNA at this point. Across its global theme parks, the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World franchises have solidified their status with some of the most thrilling — and iconic — rides ever built.

At Universal Orlando Resort, Islands of Adventure’s Jurassic Park land boasts three major attractions: the classic Jurassic Park River Adventure, the kid-focused Pteranodon Flyers (which famously only lets adults ride if they’re with a child), and the pulse-pounding Jurassic World VelociCoaster — a fan-favorite known for its intense launches and towering inversions.

Credit: Kenny Sabugo, Unsplash

West Coast visitors get their own taste of dino-mania at Universal Studios Hollywood, home to Jurassic World: The Ride, while Universal Studios Japan ups the ante with The Flying Dinosaur, a unique roller coaster that sends guests soaring beneath a pterodactyl’s wings, and Jurassic Park: The Ride. Meanwhile, Universal Studios Singapore and Beijing each have their own Jurassic Park or Jurassic World zones, blending river rapids, aerial flyers, and immersive dark rides.

Now, the franchise is gearing up for its next chapter — and it’s taking a surprising turn.

What We Know About Jurassic World: Cretaceous Coaster

Universal’s trademark for Jurassic World: Cretaceous Coaster all but confirms a new attraction is in the works, and the most likely destination is the Universal Kids Resort currently being built in Frisco. Designed for families with young children, the 97-acre resort will feature six themed lands inspired by DreamWorks, Illumination, and Nickelodeon properties — along with a dedicated Jurassic World area.

Interestingly, concept art for the park hints at a tie-in to Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous, the animated Netflix series that follows a group of teens stranded at Isla Nublar. Bumpy, the show’s fan-favorite ankylosaurus, is front and center in the artwork, adding weight to the idea that this coaster will draw heavily from the Camp Cretaceous universe.

Unlike the high-octane VelociCoaster, Cretaceous Coaster appears to be designed with younger guests in mind — meaning it’ll likely deliver gentle thrills rather than heart-stopping drops. Think more along the lines of Universal’s Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster, not another breakneck, pulse-pounding ride.

Universal’s Expansion Spree

The Jurassic World expansion is just one piece of Universal’s larger strategy. The company is investing heavily in its theme parks worldwide, with major projects rolling out in the next two years.

In Orlando, the long-awaited Epic Universe will open on May 22, 2025, bringing with it highly anticipated lands like SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and the latest addition to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Meanwhile, Universal is branching into standalone attractions with Universal Horror Unleashed, set to debut in Las Vegas’ Area15 entertainment complex this August.

On a global scale, Universal Beijing Resort is already planning its next phase of development, and in the UK, the company has secured a massive 480-acre plot in Bedford, where it’s currently undergoing talks for a British theme park. While it’s too early to theorize which IPs will feature in the land, we would be more shocked if Jurassic Park wasn’t in the lineup.

What’s your favorite Jurassic Park attraction?