Where was Jurassic World filmed?
2015
City Locations
Kaneohe, Honolulu, Waimanalo, Oahu, Hawaii, New Orleans
Location Types
Modern, NatureScapes, Airports, Buildings, Offices, Galleries, Ship Docks, Studios
Location Styles
Convertible, Tropical, Helicopter, High Tech/ Futuristic, Modern Building, Motorcycle Style, Van
About Jurassic World
Jurassic World, released in 2015, is an American science fiction action movie about dinosaurs. It is set 22 years after the disastrous events of Jurassic Park and takes place on the fictional island of Isla Nublar (like Jurassic Park). Jurassic World is written by Amanda Silver and Rick Jaffa and directed by Colin Trevorrow. Universal Studios wanted to release the 4th franchise film in the Jurassic Park series in 2004 but couldn't due to severe script revisions. Considering the technological advancement shown in Jurassic World and the emergence of transgenic dinosaurs, the wait was highly strategic.
The master stroke came from executive producer Steven Spielberg. He suggested that the park (for the movie) should be a fully functional theme park that follows the events of the earlier films. Jurassic World has an excellent star cast and a great storyline that keeps audiences in their seats all throughout. The story picks up 22 years after Jurassic Park, such that John Hammond's dream has come to fruition. A cloned dinosaur theme park, Jurassic World, is open to the public and draws incredible crowds and funding for ongoing research.
Included in this research is the advanced DNA research facility where new breeds of dinosaurs are being genetically created by adding genes from other species and subspecies (transgenic creatures). One of these is the successfully created Indominus Rex, which is exceptionally brilliant, cunning, and intelligent. She is also observant and realizes she is at the top of the food chain. Unfortunately, the Indominus Rex tricks her handlers, escapes confinement, and goes on a killing spree throughout the park.
Caught up amid this chaos are Owen Grady (portrayed by Chriss Pratt), Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard), Gray Mitchell (Ty Simpkins), Zach Mitchell (Nick Robinson), Simon Masrani (Irrfan Khan), and more. While all these characters are introduced at the beginning of the film, the storylines and plots develop further as the film progresses.
Jurassic World Locations
Most of the Jurassic World filming locations were centered around Hawaii's gorgeously lush green islands. Kualoa Ranch on Oahu, Kahili Ranch, Kauai, and many other sites where the majority of the scenes were shot. In fact, the famous Isla Nublar has always been filmed in different locations in Kauai, especially the Na Pali Coast, with its signature rugged peaks.
Just like the dinosaur stampede in the original Jurassic Park movie, the one in Jurassic World is shot in the exact location – Kualoa Ranch. It's also the filming location for many scenes in Kong: Skull Island shot in 2017. For many of the scenes in the dinosaur petting zoo, the Honolulu Zoo was used. However, special permission was taken to transport the animals to a secure location. After all, what if the CGI dinosaurs ate them?
Notable to many Hawaii locals is the Hawaii Convention Center. It was used as the Jurassic World Visitor Center (sans the holographic dinosaurs walking around).
Teaser: Many fans might not have realized that the airport where Zach and Gray say goodbye to their mother before they embark on their dinosaur adventure is Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. There may be countless fans who have traveled through this airport many times but have not realized they are in a Jurassic World filming location!
Fun fact:
Jurassic World grossed over $1.6 billion at the box office and became the third highest-grossing film of all time. It was the second-highest-grossing in 2015 and the highest in the franchise.
Zach and Gray search for their aunt Claire scene in Jurassic World
Makai Pier, Waimanalo
Zach (portrayed by Nick Robinson) and Gray (Ty Simpkins) are on their way to meet their aunt, Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard), who manages Jurassic World. Once they leave the airport, they get onto a boat to take them to Isla Nublar, where the dinosaurs are. In this scene, they get off the boat that brings them to Isla Nublar. As they alight at the Pier, they start looking around. An announcement is constantly made, "Welcome to Isla Nublar, home of Jurassic World. We hope you have a safe and enjoyable stay with us." As they walk ahead to the Pier, they spot a young lady holding a sign.
Zach and Gray move closer to the lady and see that she is holding a placard with their names on it, 'Zach and Gray Mitchell.' Gray asks Zach, "Where's Aunt Claire?" but Zach is too bored and annoyed to reply. He doesn't answer, and both boys move with the crowd towards the lady who will probably take them to meet their aunt.
This Jurassic World filming location is the Makai Pier. Makai Pier is a huge tourist spot, with many people using the Pier to travel to other areas. To get to the Pier, hop onto the Waimanalo Bus number 69, get off at the Kalanianaole Hwy and Opposite the Makai Pier stop, and walk for a couple of minutes to reach Makai Pier.
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Claire boards the helicopter and meets Masrani scene in Jurassic World
Kamehameha Hwy, Honolulu
In this scene, Claire is waiting for a helicopter to land so she can board it. The announcement from the center is 'Inbound chopper. Jurassic 1. ETA 5 minutes.' Claire is highly stylish in her white shirt, white pencil skirt, and heels and patiently waits for the helicopter to land. As she gets in, she is greeted by the helicopter pilot, "Claire!" Claire turns to look at the pilot in surprise and says to her boss, "Mr. Masrani. You are flying." Mr. Masrani (portrayed by Irrfan Khan) shrugs and responds, "I got my license. So, how's my park doing?"
Claire looks annoyed and replies, "Great! We're up 2.5% over last year. A bit lower than our initial projection." Mr. Masrani interrupts her, "No, no, no, no. How is it doing? Are the guests having fun? Are the animals enjoying life?"
This is one of the few funny scenes in Jurassic World since it is rare to see Claire so flustered! The helipad is accessible from Kamehameha Highway. To get to this stop on the Kamehameha Highway, hop on to bus number 88A Express-AMC via Kahekili and get off at the Kahana Valley Rd stop. The way to the helipad launch area is a minute's walk from the bus stop.
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Claire comes to meet Owen at his house scene in Jurassic World
Moli'i Gardens, Honolulu
Claire is driving when she has a conversation with her sister about spending more time with Zach and Gray. Claire has been asked by her boss, Mr. Masrani, to ask Owen Grady (portrayed by Chris Pratt) to conduct an analysis on the paddock. There was a slight scare with the Indominus Rex cage, and Mr. Masrani wants an expert to check out the viability of the cage to ensure the dinosaurs don't escape.
Claire reaches Owen Grady's house and approaches him while Owen is fixing his motorcycle. Owen looks at Claire and asks, "What do they want now?" she replies, "I need you to come and take a look at something. If you're not too busy," He sarcastically replies, "I'm very busy." Then Claire launches into an explanation about how they have created a new dinosaur and need Owen to evaluate the paddock for vulnerabilities.
The Jurassic World production team decided on the picturesque Moli'i Gardens for this scene. Moli'i Gardens are at the banks of the scenic Moli'i Pond. The best way to get to the gardens is to hop onto bus number 60 and off at stop 49-301 on Kamehameha Highway. The walk to the garden is barely a minute from this bus stop. You can also visit the pond and click some pretty pictures.
Owen and the team inspect the Indominus Rex enclosure scene in Jurassic World
Kualoa Ranch, Kamehameha Hwy, Honolulu, Hawaii
In this scene, there is a scare, and everyone is on high alert because they feel the Indominus Rex has escaped her cell. When she is presented with food dropped from a crane, she doesn't come out to eat, claw marks going up the side of her cage, and she doesn't show up in the thermal scanners. Seeing this evidence, Claire and Owen feel she might have escaped her confinement. Claire immediately leaves, puts the team on red alert, and asks the central command team to track the GPS chip on this dinosaur.
Owen and the team enter the confinement to check how she could have escaped. The guard looks at the scratch marks and says, "That wall is 40-ft high. Do you really think she could have climbed out?" Owen replies, "It depends on what kind of dinosaur they cooked up in that lab."
This filming location of Jurassic World is the famous Kualoa Ranch on Kamehameha Hwy. It is one of Hawaii's most renowned movie shooting locations with films like 50 First Dates, Godzilla Kong: Skull Island, Snatched, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, and more shot here. Like most bus routes, catch the 88A Express and get off at the Kualoa Ranch stop. Walk for 2 minutes to reach the entrance.
Zach and Gray are waiting to board the gyrosphere with other tourists scene in Jurassic World
Ka'a'awa Valley Rd, Kaneohe, Hawaii
While the Indominus Rex is in the park, Zach and Gray are getting ready to board a gyroscope that will take them throughout the park to see all the dinosaurs. Gray is like a walking encyclopedia about dinosaurs and is constantly sharing information with Zach, "Did you know the soft tissue is preserved because the iron in the dinosaur's blood generates free radicals, and those are highly reactive? So, the proteins and the cell membranes get all mixed up and act as a natural preservative."
Zach is eyeing some pretty girls who are waiting in line to board the gyroscope and tells Gray to shut up. Gray doesn't like this and loudly says, "What do you think is going to happen from you just staring at them?" The girls start giggling and leave.
The Ka'a'awa Valley Rd spot at Ka'o'lo point is one of the best Jurassic World locations. Situated on the Kamehameha Highway, this stop has plenty of routes and easy access for tourists and visitors. The 88A Express will take you to several spots along the coast that were shooting locations for Jurassic World. To get to this stop, hop off at the 51-062 + Kamehameha Hwy.
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Gray and Zach jump from the waterfall to escape the Indominus Rex scene in Jurassic World
Wailua Falls, Hawaii
Zach and Gray are in deep trouble in this scene since they are inside a restricted area of the park. Even though they were ordered to return with the gyroscope, they take matters into their own hands and have a run-in with the Indominus Rex. The Rex realizes that she is the predator and starts attacking the gyroscope. She holds the gyroscope in her teeth and bangs it on the ground a few times to break the glass so she can eat Zach and Gray trapped inside.
Seeing her prey run away from her, she gets enraged, lets out a huge roar, and follows them. Zach screams at Gray, "Gray, go!" While running, they reach the edge of a cliff with a huge waterfall. Zach looks over at the edge and the Indominus Rex charging for them and grabs Gray. He says, "We're gonna have to jump! Are you ready? One.. two... come on!" They jump just as the dinosaur lunges for them with her sharp teeth!
This is one of the best scenes in Jurassic World, with both boys showing immense courage. Wailua Falls is a major tourist attraction. A 173-ft waterfall near Lihue. This was the most thrilling one to see out of all the Jurassic World action scenes! To get to the exact spot where the boys jumped off, follow HI-56S and turn right onto State Hwy 583/ Maalo Rd to reach the falls in 10 minutes.
Conclusion
Jurassic World was an excellent thriller that had all the elements of the original Jurassic Park series interwoven into the storyline and plot. The film followed a natural evolution over time from the last movies, giving audiences a common thread to follow. The entire essence of being a 'dinosaur film' was captured with just the correct amount of blood, gore, thrill, and adventure.
What's incredible about all the Jurassic World film scenes is that they seem extremely real. The special effects, digitization, sound effects, and locations chosen for the filming are fantastic. Many viewers also found the similarities in shooting locations between the old films and this one and found the movie to be highly relatable.
Many critics have also applauded the seamless connection between technology and nature, greenery and advancement, old and new, and many such subtle dualities in the film that tie the entire theme together.