Meeting at the main entrance, Daily News photographer Tom Mendoza joined us as we descended the Starway to the Studio Center where the ride was located. Based upon the multimillion dollar blockbuster "Jurassic Park", this expensive attraction (production costs soared way over $100 million, making it the most expensive theme park attraction in the world) takes the concept of fear and elevates it to new and intricately designed heights. I'll preface this by proclaiming without a shadow of a doubt, that Jurassic Park: The Ride is, by far, the most incredible attraction I've ever had the frightening pleasure of experiencing.

As our group passed through the ominous gates made famous from the film, we were greeted by John Hammond (director Richard Attenborough, clearly enjoying himself once again) who explains that all the bugs have been worked out of his historic theme park and it is now ready for the public at last.

Yeah, right.

Upon boarding the 25 passenger rafts, we climb a steep hill and reach a plateau on the river with the soothing tones of Richard Kiley explaining what you're about to experience. With a grand swelling of music, the raft passes through the huge wooden gates and into the first area.

The Ultrasaurus pen is stunning, with two 40-foot tall herbivores enjoying a nice grassy lunch (or breakfast, depending on when you get there). The majesty and the calm of this scene is breathtaking, and unlike previous rides that feature outdoor scenes that take place inside of a soundstage, this beautiful scene happens under the natural California sky. Next comes the Stegosaurus pen, the benign creatures go about their business, bellowing softly while a sudden geyser erupts, soaking the left side of the raft. One dino scoops water onto the other side of the raft with its tail. Two compys fight playfully over a JP popcorn container in an amusing bit.

Things get shaken up a bit when a huge Parasaurolophus suddenly appears from under the water and accidentally bumps your boat, sending you around a corner and into a nightmare. A raft just like ours sits off to the left, a lone dilophosaurus sits amidst the wreckage, no survivors can be seen anywhere. This is where the fear factor set in for this kid.

Suddenly, it's apparent that something has gone horribly wrong at the complex. The velociraptor pen is afire with activity as bushes sway and shake violently. Rounding the corner, one of the brightly colored jeeps from the tour is resting upside down, teetering on the edge of a tall structure. Something wasn't right about this situation and as we cringed, floating by, our fears were realized as the jeep came sliding down the wall and into the water, soaking us all.

Up the lift and into chaos, through the dim mist the silhouettes of various dinos can be seen. Evacuation procedures have begun at the park and you're still cruising through the inner sanctum of the attraction. Suddenly, you hear that distinctive roar.

T-Rex....

I cannot tell you the paranoia level at this point. Looking every which way, through the fog, the steam, my glasses were all clouded and I ripped them off of my face to clear my vision. There, jabbing his snout through a hole in the ceiling was Rex, jaws chomping, intent on having us for his next snack. The darkness closes in, it becomes nearly impossible to see and I find myself straining in the mist to see what's happening. Suddenly, directly in front of us is Rex. As if satisfied with his cunning, he hesitates and considers his prey, tilts his head back and gives forth a deafening roar. He bends forward and opens his jaws, hundreds of teeth reaching for our heads. Mercifully, or NOT, as the case may be...there just happens to be an 84 foot waterfall that drops us away from his wrath and out into the sunlight again.

The dinosaurs that you encounter during the ride are absolutely incredible, their motions are amazingly life-like and the natural elements help to enhance the experience. The musical score by John Williams sets the mood nicely and the flume, engineered by Vekoma International, is a smooth one and the climactic drop itself is quite a hair-raiser, but be warned, you WILL get wet, if not soaked! Complimentary lockers are available at the front of the ride queue, so take advantage of them!

After saying our goodbyes, it was time to do our L.A. business because the road was calling. With the West Coast leg of the tour completed, we gathered our affairs and took a two-day pause.