We extend our gratitude to the Kualoa Ranch team for accommodating our visit, which allowed us to share our experiences through this review. Please be aware that this post includes affiliate links to various products from one or more advertisers. You might incur commissions should you decide to follow these links. More details about how advertising works can be found in our Advertising Disclosure section.
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My 8-year-old son has an intense fascination with dinosaurs. Seriously, it’s quite remarkable. He seems to know nearly every dinosaur species’ name; he watches as many dino-themed movies and television series as possible and devours any literature related to these ancient creatures. It appears this passion started with one of the very first bedtime stories we shared with him during his infancy.
Dinosaur Dance
by Sandra Boynton.
When one of his fellow students inquired whether he had seen
Jurassic Park
I previewed it first before letting him watch the LEGO adaptation, which does a fairly good job condensing the story. After he enjoyed the original 1993 movie without getting scared, we proceeded to view some of the additional Jurassic films. He expressed interest in visiting Costa Rica since that’s where they claimed to have set the movie; I had to explain that it was actually shot in Hawaii.
When we planned our visit to Oahu’s North Shore, I was aware that securing a tour would be essential.
Kualoa Ranch
I had visited previously and recall being amazed as this part of Oahu seemed completely different from Waikiki. Located about 22 miles away from Honolulu (which takes between 30 to 55 minutes by car), this section of the island bears a resemblance to Moorea in French Polynesia.
Kualoa Ranch is an impressive 4,000-acre property catering to all interests—especially those who love movies and television shows. This scenic ranch has been featured as the lush setting in many major Hollywood productions such as
Jurassic Park
,
Pearl Harbor
,
Fifty First Dates
and
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
alongside timeless television favorites such as
Lost
,
Magnum P.I.
, and
Hawaii Five-0
.
Watch the video here
.
They captured only 96 seconds of footage.
Jurassic Park
Here, it was solely due to a hurricane that hit Kauai, where they primarily shot the movie, and they required something akin for the stampede sequence. Apparently, Steven Spielberg along with the other executives grew fond of the ranch, leading them to use it for filming certain scenes.
Jurassic World
and J
urassic World: Fallen Kingdom
.
Kualoa Ranch provides a broad range of thrilling tours and activities, such as:
-TV Raptor Tour
-UTV Ride-Along Tour
-Private UTV Ride-Along Tour
-Zipline Tour
-Jungle Expedition Tour
-Ultra E-Bike Tour
-Novice E-Bike Tour
-Secret Island Beach Activities
-Kualoa Grown Tour
-Best of Kualoa Experience
-Jurassic Adventure Tour
-Ocean Voyage
-Malama Experience
– Kualoa Half-Day Experience: Exploring Film Locations and Ranch Tour
-Horseback Tour
I wasn’t keen on joining the Jurassic Adventure Tour since it involves being in a truck with a group of people, and I was worried my child might lose interest. Therefore, we opted for the UTV Ride-Along Tour instead. Initially, I believed we would have our own vehicle and could explore as we pleased, but during the tour, which lasts for two hours, you end up sharing the experience with others, each driving their own four-wheeled ATV.
Here’s What It’s Like at Kualoa Ranch and the Lessons I Gained
Book in Advance
Kualoa Ranch is a favored spot, so make certain to reserve your tours and activities ahead of time, particularly when traveling during high season.
Show up On Time
Our tour was at 10:00am and they asked us to be there at 9:15am to check into the ticket office (the entire group does not need to be present at the ticket office). The line was long but moved quickly.
Safety Briefing
By 9:40 am (approximately 20 minutes prior to our scheduled tour time), we gathered at the tour departure zone where we initially signed liability releases followed by attending a comprehensive safety orientation.
We additionally received helmets and were provided with either an orange or pink facemask (your choice) to wear around your neck for dust protection.
Our tour featured three guides: one leading the first trio of vehicles and another managing the final set of three. Additionally, we had a third guide present as they were inducting a new trainee into their ranks.
The UTVs have two rows of seating. I occupied the front seat alongside the driver, with my son sitting between us. My wife and daughter were seated in the rear row.
During our journey to the initial destination, everything seemed ideal. I recalled telling my spouse, “Incredible! This can hardly be surpassed!” However, about twenty minutes into it, I recognized that we had committed significant errors in our preparation. I jotted down these observations so you won’t repeat those blunders.
Bring a Dinosaur
As we halted and stepped out to discover more about the setting of the iconic stampede scene in
Jurassic Park
I recall telling my wife, “It seems like it’s raining.” This comment came shortly after we took some family pictures (include a toy dinosaur to achieve an effect similar to the image shown above). Alternatively, you could use photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop, as my friend did for us, because a triceratops doesn’t eat meat.
Once I mentioned it seemed like rain, I spun around and noticed the rain creeping closer gradually. I captured it on my phone, as you can
refer to the video here
.
Watch the video here
.
As shown in the video, we returned to the ATV, yet it doesn’t provide much protection, particularly for someone sitting in the front seat. We were completely drenched. I was really disappointed that we didn’t have
ponchos
or
water shoes
since I had puddles in mine.
The tours operate regardless of the weather conditions. The guide mentioned preferring rainy days over scorching ones due to the intense dust that could arise otherwise, hence why they provide goggles alongside helmets. Fortunately for us, we didn’t need our goggles as it started raining during our trip. Since we participated as riders following another vehicle at the lead, this kept us relatively protected from the elements.
We circled the entire ranch, and since we weren’t prepared, we ended up cold and soaked. Both my spouse and I wanted to head back home, but our child wasn’t ready to leave just yet. We stayed longer, and I’m happy we did. However, if you decide to visit, make certain to pack:
- Cozy footwear (ideally water-resistant options)
-
Sunscreen
– The Hawaiian sunlight can be quite strong, so remember to put on some sunscreen before you start your adventure. Ensure it’s environmentally friendly for reefs. - Clothes that you feel at ease wearing and won’t mind getting damp or soiled
-
A
poncho
Or a raincoat — one of the tour guides who went out after our group was fully equipped with raingear, complete with pants, which left me feeling envious. - Outfit change following the tour
- Avoid wearing white or light-colored clothes, as they can easily show dirt and dust
- Bring sunglasses
- A refillable water bottle to keep hydrated
- Include moistened wipes or a little towel for cleanup following the excursion.
- Make sure to secure your possessions since the journey might be rough.
- Think about sporting a bandana or face mask to shield your mouth and nose, reducing dust intake.
- Lip balm with SPF
- Hat
-
Crossbody
or
money belt
with valuables - Wet bags
- Towel
- Swimsuit
- Hand sanitizer
- Funds for visiting the Visitor Center store and/or Kualoa Grown Marketplace
All in all, our visit to Kualoa Ranch was a muddy, magical and totally unforgettable adventure, especially for our dino-loving son. Even though we got drenched and made a few rookie mistakes, seeing those iconic Jurassic Park landscapes through his eyes made it more than worth it. If you’re headed to Oahu and have a movie buff, thrill seeker or little paleontologist in the family, Kualoa Ranch is a must. Just remember to pack smart, prepare for anything (especially the weather), and get ready to experience one of Hawaii’s most cinematic treasures.
KEEP READING:
–
Where Can You Unearth Actual Dinosaur Fossils in North America?
–
The Kid-Loving California Spot You’ve Likely Overlooked but Should Definitely Check Out
–
5 Kid-friendly California Road Trip Suggestions Starting from Los Angeles
–
The Top 10 Photogenic Tourist Spots in California for Instagram
–
California Road Trip: From Los Angeles to San Francisco with Essential Pitstops En Route
–
Our Initial Family Adventure to Legoland and TheCastle Hotel
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