TLDR: Jurassic World the Experience review: Worth every penny. Lifelike dinosaurs, clever movie tie-ins, and a finale that’s a masterclass in immersive fun. An unmissable splurge-worthy family day out. This post contains affiliate links.
I wouldn’t say we were the biggest dinosaur fans. Yes we love the Natural History Museum and have watched our fair share of Andy ‘s prehistoric Adventures. But that’s about it. But that all changed after visiting Jurassic World: The Experience. The attraction is currently roaring its way through Neon, an immersive venue in the shadow of Battersea Power Station’s iconic towers.
This experience sets a high bar from the outset. From the moment you step inside, the clever staging makes you feel like you’re part of the blockbuster franchise. The familiar John Williams score swells as you board the “ferry” to Isla Nublar, and the sense of anticipation is palpable.
I expected some serious animatronics but what really surprised me were the scientific details peppered throughout the exhibit. My boys were fascinated by the displays on DNA sequencing and the amber-preserved mosquitos, which cleverly nod to the pseudo-science that underpins the films. We made a point of watching the movie again before our visit, which really paid off. It meant my nine-year-old was primed to appreciate the clever nods to the film’s science, which grounded the fantasy in a reality he found captivating.
But as expected it was the dinosaurs themselves that are the true stars of the show. These are not static models, but breathtakingly lifelike animatronics. The gentle, slow-moving Brachiosaurus, with its wrinkled skin and soulful eyes, had us all craning our necks in awe. The attention to detail is remarkable; the subtle twitches, the gentle rise and fall of their chests as they “breathe” – it’s easy to suspend your disbelief and feel like you’ve genuinely stepped back in time.
Even more convincing were the baby dinosaurs which kept being bought out to meet and greet us. These incredibly lifelike puppets blinked and wriggled in their keepers’ arms, sparking queues of delighted children, all desperate for a gentle stroke.
The creators of the exhibition have masterfully paced the experience, building from awe and wonder to heart-pounding tension. We wandered through various enclosures, marvelling at the different species, taking selfies with Stiggy the Stygimoch, riding the gyrospheres, dissecting dinosaur dung and digging for fossils but there was always a sense of underlying jeopardy, just like in the movies.
The climax of the tour is, without a doubt, the T-Rex encounter. This is where the exhibition truly shines and showcases its understanding of immersive theatre. The mood shifts dramatically. Alarms blare, and red emergency lights flash across the enclosure. The staff suddenly transform into frantic park rangers, rushing towards our group, wearing masks of convincing panic. “There’s been a containment breach! The alpha predator is agitated! We need to move, now!”
Being piggy in the middle to two waring T-Rexs was utterly compelling, their roars reverberating through your chest, teeth bared and powerful tails thrashing. So compelling, in fact, that my six-year-old’s hand tightened in mine. He completely bought into the drama and would have had a full on meltdown if it wasn’t for my own display of modern parenting (one hand for comfort, the other for capturing content!)
The feeling of being true survivors was electric as we were rushed to safety. Of course, that feeling evaporated the moment we were funnelled out of the ‘danger zone’ and straight into the jaws of the gift shop. Here, a different kind of carnivore awaits – the £40 plush T-Rex. Consider this your final parental warning
For any family with a love for dinosaurs, the Jurassic World Experience is a must-see and even if dinos aren’t your thing expect to be a convert. It’s a roaring success, perfectly balancing education, awe, and a healthy dose of movie magic. For a large family these immersive experiences don’t come cheap but this is one well worth the splurge.
Tips For Parents visiting Jurassic World: The Experience London:
- The Experience is for kids of all ages but be prepared that young children may find the final scene with the TRex quite frightening
- Buggies are not permitted in the experience but there is a buggy park at the start
- I found it to be incredibly HOT inside. Wear removable layers and maybe a backpack to stow any kids layers too.
- Take Water. There is none available in the experience.
- Expect to take a least one hour to get around the experience.
- Beware the unavoidable merch at the end!
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