Dolores Meet and Greet Now at Islands of Adventure — Here’s What to Expect

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Hey Universal Vacationers! If you’re a Jurassic World fan or just someone who geeks out over anything dinosaur-related at Universal Orlando, here’s something new you’ll want to track down on your next visit: Dolores, the baby Aquilops from Jurassic World: Rebirth, is now meeting guests at Islands of Adventure.

Yes, really. Dolores is now part of the in-park experience, and it’s a solid win for anyone who loved her scene-stealing debut in the newest film.

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Where to Find the Dolores Meet and Greet

You can usually find Dolores with her handler near the Discovery Center or over by the Raptor Encounter, both located inside the Jurassic Park area of Islands of Adventure.

There’s no official posted schedule, so this is one of those meet and greets you’ll want to keep an eye out for during your day. Her appearance is unscheduled but recurring throughout the day. If you see a small crowd gathered near the Jurassic Park lagoon or the bridge leading to Hogsmeade, odds are good Dolores is nearby.

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What Makes This Dino Special?

Dolores isn’t your typical meet and greet character. She blinks, coos, and responds to guests, especially if you scratch under her chin. Her handler shares that Dolores was rescued from the island of Île Saint-Hubert, tying directly into the events of Jurassic World: Rebirth, which hit theaters on July 2.

She’s a fully grown Aquilops, a small ceratopsian dinosaur species that actually existed in the Cretaceous period. Her realistic movements and sounds are part of what makes this experience feel so interactive and immersive — and yes, she’s absolutely adorable.

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Jurassic World Rebirth at Universal Orlando?

Adding Dolores to the park is a smart move — and clearly tied to the rising popularity of the Jurassic World Rebirth storyline. As of now, the movie has earned over $766 million at the global box office, and Universal is leaning into that success inside the parks.

The Dolores meet and greet joins the Raptor Encounter featuring Blue, and the VelociCoaster, which stars Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard). These elements continue the shift toward a full Jurassic World experience rather than the original Jurassic Park theming.

If you’re wondering where this is all going, you’re not alone. The Jurassic Park River Adventure is now the last major attraction themed to the original film trilogy. Every other major experience in the land either leans into or fully embraces the newer movies. Could a River Adventure retheme to Jurassic World be next? That’s purely speculation — Universal hasn’t confirmed anything yet — but it’s worth watching. Especially since both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Japan already made the switch.

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Is This a Limited-Time Experience?

At this time, Universal has not announced whether the Dolores meet and greet is permanent. So if you’re planning a trip soon, don’t wait too long to visit. As with many character experiences, this could be a test run tied to the movie’s release.

This meet and greet is also a prime photo-op. Dolores is photogenic, gentle, and surprisingly expressive for such a tiny creature. If you have younger kids or you’re just a fan of the franchise, this is a can’t-miss addition to your park day.

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Final Thoughts: Dolores Is a Big Win for Jurassic World Fans

Universal Orlando has done a great job evolving the Jurassic Park area into something that continues to feel fresh. Whether it’s the high-speed thrills of VelociCoaster or this adorable new Dolores character encounter, the park keeps pushing forward with new experiences tied to recent films.

If you’re a fan of Jurassic World, love the idea of seeing realistic animatronic-style dinos up close, or just want to catch something new at Islands of Adventure, this one’s for you.

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