Jurassic World at Gardens By The Bay

Singapore does an incredible job at keeping places interesting — adding little novelties here and there, refreshing familiar spots with new themes, characters, and creative collaborations. It’s part of what makes exploring this city so special; there’s always something new to discover, even in places you’ve been a dozen times before. Today’s adventure was exactly that, and I was very excited about this because Jurassic Park (the original) is one of my favourite films. Our friends Han and Fujita invited us to come along with them they are very talented photographers so we have them to thank for some awesome photos of the day.

Photo taken by @createthemomentphotography

Gardens by the Bay’s Cloud Forest has been transformed through a collaboration with Jurassic World and Universal Studios. I’ve always thought the Cloud Dome has felt pre-historic with it’s mist-filled walkways, lush greenery, and now to complete the image… dinosaurs. From the moment we stepped inside and I heard the familiar sound of the Jurassic Park theme playing I was filled with childlike joy. 

Photo taken by @createthemomentphotography

Entering into the cloud forrest is always a wondrous moment. The huge waterfalls cascading down over the greenery, drawing your eyes upwards to the huge greenhouse style dome. For a moment it’s easy to forget that all of it is curated and inside. Plants from all over the world growing side by side, and the addition of the dinosaurs that look completely at home amongst it all. Huge leaves moving in the breeze from the water, feeling the spray on your face as you walk past to get a closer look at the colourful flowers really make you feel like you are in another world.

The detail of the exhibit was extraordinary. From mud-splattered jurassic park vehicles abandoned in the undergrowth to staff members wearing Jurassic Park uniforms, the experience felt authentic and alive. There were even incubators “warming” baby dinosaurs that twitched and breathed, and a chance to meet a juvenile dinosaur — a level of detail that made me feel I was really at Jurassic Park. 

The highlight had to be the enormous T-Rex that moved and roared, it’s eyes blinking and moving like it was watching my every step. Some younger children weren’t so sure if they should go near it, the lines of reality and fiction blurry. I knew it wasn’t real of course, but standing in front of it whilst it stamped it’s leg and looked down on me made me believe it was real for a split second. 

Photo taken by @createthemomentphotography

Aspen brought her own camera along, eager to document the day. Watching her excitement as she snapped photos of giant moving dinosaurs, small flowers and towering ferns reminded me why we love coming to places like this — they spark imagination and curiosity, no matter your age.

From the upper walkways of the Lost World, we looked out over the domes, the Supertree Grove, and the skyline beyond. It’s easy to get lost in the details — the moss-covered rocks, the shifting light through the mist — but lifting your gaze reminds you of the breathtaking setting you’re in. Gardens by the Bay is a masterpiece of design and imagination, and seeing it from that vantage point felt like rediscovering Singapore itself. More dinosaurs were hidden around between rocks and plants and in the skies, and as we got closer to them you could hear the sound effects of their dinosaur calls. For fans of the movie Jurassic World you’ll get a chance to meet Blue and see the other raptors before seeing a dinosaur from the original movie, but I wouldn’t get too close if I were you!

We’ve been to the Cloud Forest several times over the years, usually when a new visitor comes to Singapore, but this time we still saw it in a new way and noticed things we haven't seen before too. So, if you’ve been to Gardens by the Bay before, go again. See it through fresh eyes.  Let yourself get lost in the magic and take the time to notice and really be in the moment. Or invite some friends who haven't been before and see the wonder they see. 

Watch the episode here.