Triceratops Encounter: Universal's Abandoned Animatronic Show

[@MrGrombie]

I remember tearing down this ride. Was creepy af since there was a random looking carousel that would pick up with the wind, and we did it at night. lol

[@Elmerstudd007]

Dude! This is by far the most extensive coverage on this forgotten gem and I KNEW I'd scene this in person before but all the information about it in the past didn't match up! I was one of the lucky few to be invited to pet Sarah while it was the Triceratops Discovery Trail and I was terrified to touch her because of how real was. One thing that isn't well documented is that they also could "breathe" and you could lay your ear against her side to feel and hear her breathing. It was those small details such as the eyes blinking and dilating, the breathing, and the foot raising that sold this as real to even a kid who knew damn well it wasn't real but found myself second guessing myself because of it. This attraction was seriously ahead of its time and a shame that it closed so soon because in the theme parks of today focusing on the "immersion" of themes this would be incredibly popular.

[@just_j_like_the_letter]

Whenever creative simple attractions like this don't do well it's always a little heartbreaking to me (and also jesus christ the implications of the severed triceratops head in the haunt version of the ride)

[@michikip45]

This animatronic was incredible to see in its hay day working, I remember getting to touch it as a kid and that blew my mind. Huge reason I’m so passionate about animatronics.. it was so sad to see it rot as I grew up

[@Toonspal]

Seeing the animatronic without its head on is really eerie for whatever reason

[@sky0kast0]

Yeah I really hope this gets a chance to get restored especially after epic and dark universe comes out

[@SprainedPhil2116]

The history of Universal Orlando is fascinating because of how quickly it moved, so many gems like this animatronic lasted for a very short period. It is awesome to see it's predecessors doing well as the raptors.

[@MrGrombie]

I like being there right now for the transition. I will be able to tell my kids when they are old enough what all I built in the parks. lol

[@rjhollinger]

Man I remember the adamthewoo video visiting this. If I remember correctly, he was banned from Universal because of it. Still was a great video

[@TheSuper200]

Raptor Encounter is so underwhelming, you stand there staring at the photographer while a dinosaur you can’t see roars behind you.

[@vergolophus]

I was lucky to experience the Triceratops Encounter when I was very very young! Pretty much solidified my love for dinosaurs forever. I thought she was real and breathing for so long.

[@danielschultz6177]

New subscriber here. Stumbled apon your channel when I saw your “Where’s Buzzy?” Video. Am now hooked on the history of theme parks and their attractions.

[@daniethegirl029]

I always thought this looked like a really cool attraction. Even after it was abandoned, it looked like a cool ‘abandoned base camp what happened?’ Creepy que for a real (active) ride.

[@princess_pink3]

I dk why but this is my favorite attraction to learn about. It's just so crazy it was abandoned for so long.

[@pinkpeppers5580]

We weep for abandoned animatronics

[@ShipRail_Studios]

Your videos are always a treat to watch. Excellent job with this one

[@royalcatwalk]

Compliments from the Kingdom of the Netherlands!

[@KingKuuga]

I got to see this as a kid! I was actually really looking forward to it. Out of all the thigns I did and didn't do at Islands when I first visited, I'm glad I at least did this. Doing the visitor's center and then the Triceratops Encounter had me asking the handler some weird questions about ene splicing and whatnot, haha. They took it in stride. Even though I kinda knew it was a robot, I was still really impressed by it. I remember it being able to lift up its leg, sneeze, and it even peed. Of all the things to program in. I don't remember any theming from the queue, nor do I remember the line for this being particularly long. This would have been arond 2001-2002. I don't know if this means we skipped the queue becuse there wasn't a substantial wait, or I just don't remember it because it was 25 years ago and I was barely into double digits.

[@jamesl1130]

Saw this in the Fall of 1999. I remember it had been closed leading upto my visit. The queue was a blur in my memory as my host explained things to me. We arrived at the paddock to encounter the Trike. She was impressive, but the show felt flat. It seemed to end before it really started. As we were leaving, my host explained that the attraction had a glitch. The same thing happened during the final segment of Poseidon's Fury.

[@KingKuuga]

My first time doing Poseidon's Fury I had the same thing happen. We were about to enter the final showroom, they did the thing with the lasers to unlock the circular door, but nothing happend and then we got evacuated. I would not come back to the park for over a decade so it was really disappointing.

[@toadsicle1200]

Going to universal for the first time in 2 weeks. Gonna pour one out for this.

[@AngelicaWalters]

would love to see a video about universal urban exploring!

[@Hi5andteamedgefanglowywolf]

Amazing George

[@Walnutcreekproducion]

Yay another great video!

[@MrPeaTearGryfin]

Its a shame. I feel like there is a good idea here, but they really didn't quite go far enough with it. Even just giving this attraction a bigger show building and introducing a few more dinosaur species would have done wonders for this thing.

[@Th3_PizzaGamer]

Me when the when

[@kiwi_arms]

i saw the original version of this ONCE as a very young child, I barely remember it, but I know it happened cuz I have a photo with it, but i know i really loved it. i wish it was updated or something.

[@Ncyphen]

17:50, I would say it's more likely that the other two animatronics were cannibalized for parts to get at least one animatronic working for that short stint it came back. If they were just testing for park visitor feedback, they'd be looking to save money were possible. This would include cannibalizing the other animatronics instead of spending money on whole new parts.

[@PaddletailPhilly]

Shame this attraction kinda just came and went, but something tells me the Toothless meet-and-greet for the Universe may wind up as a sort of spiritual successor to this experience

[@ryder.houston]

my kinda kontent!!

[@NerdyandNerdier]

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