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Inside 'Jurassic World,' The Roaring New Field Museum Exhibit

By David Matthews | May 24, 2017 12:54pm | Updated on May 26, 2017 9:11am
 Step into a world of dinosaurs at the Field Museum's new "Jurassic World" exhibit opening Friday. 
Jurassic World Preview
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MUSEUM CAMPUS — It might be science fiction, but "Jurassic World" still figures to be a huge draw at the Field Museum of Natural History.

The traveling exhibit based off the blockbuster film franchise about a dinosaur amusement park run amok opens Friday at the Field, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive. 

Like the movies, the exhibit features big animatronic dinosaurs roaring and munching grass as visitors learn about the prehistoric world. Guests peruse a "gentle giants" petting zoo and "Jurassic World's" creation lab before being met with more menacing, carnivorous beasts gone wild.

Richard Lariviere, the mueum's president, calls the exhibit a "fantasy recreation of what the world with dinosaurs might have been like." He said museum staff discussed the veracity of an exhibit loosely based on science, but decided "Jurassic World" would make a good "entry point to the real science" within the museum.

"Any of us in a scientific career were introduced through movies, literature, etc.," Lariviere said.

"Jurassic World" is housed in a 16,000-square-foot tent on the museum's front lawn.

The "Jurassic World" exhibit is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the cost is museum admission, plus $15 for adults and $10 for children to view "Jurassic World." 

Those wanting to view "Jurassic World" only pay $25 for adults and $20 for children after 5 p.m. The evening pass doesn't include other museum exhibits.

The touring exhibit devised by Imagine Exhibitions will be at the Field till Jan. 7.

The Field hosted press and guests for a preview Wednesday in advance of the exhibit's opening. Diane Johnson and her grandson Colin Opdyke, 12, came up from their native Mississippi this week to see the museum.

Like many kids, Colin had a young fascination with dinosaurs and got to see his favorites (Velociraptor, Tyrannosaurus rex) during the tour. He said he didn't learn too much new information, but he and Johnson agreed seeing the robot dinosaurs up close was better than "Jurassic Park" rides at Universal Studios or similar experiences. 

"It's a lot more realistic," Johnson said.

Visit the Field Museum website for more information.

Photo: Joshua Mellin

Photo: Joshua Mellin

Photo: Joshua Mellin

Photo: Joshua Mellin

Photo: Joshua Mellin

 

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