A 40-Foot Playground? Jurassic World Lookout Towers Rise at Universal Kids Resort
Jurassic World Adventure Camp is really coming together at Universal Kids Resort. The area has dominated the park’s skyline for months, and it’s still growing. This past week, crews began installing the Jurassic World Lookout Towers. I can’t stress enough just how massive this playground is. The first tower is titanosaurian.
The towers will be connected by rope bridges that span the land’s walkways. Based on Universal’s earliest concept art, Aahs n Oohs initially estimated that the tower platforms and bridges would sit about 10 feet above the ground, working from the assumption that the entire structure would be wheelchair accessible.
Jump to a construction update
However, later ground-level renderings reveal net bridges, which won’t be accessible. The newer concepts point to platforms and bridges closer to 20 feet high, with the overall structure reaching more than 30 feet.
While the height of the actual bridges appears consistent with those concepts, we weren’t prepared for the scale of the overall structure. Once the roofs go on, the towers could reach roughly 40 feet. For a theme park designed for kids ages 3 to 12, that’s an impressively tall playground.
For comparison, Pteranodrop’s two towers top out at 33.5 feet. Mr. DNA’s Double Helix Spin stands between 39 and 44 feet tall, while the Cretaceous Coaster reaches roughly 40 feet. In other words, the playground itself is competing with the land’s rides for skyline dominance.
That doesn’t mean kids will actually be climbing 40 feet in the air. The play platforms still appear to sit roughly 20 feet above the ground. The additional height comes from tower extensions that support the lattice trusses connecting the structures and their roofs. In the concept art, those trusses disappear neatly into the roofs, a good reminder that concept art and real-world engineering don’t always line up.
Climbing the towers
Based on what we’re seeing from the first tower installed on site, kids will be able to climb to the top through a series of cargo net compartments stacked inside the structure. Once at the top, they’ll be able to survey Adventure Camp from above and take in views of several nearby lands.
We still believe parts of the Lookout Towers will accommodate guests using wheelchairs. The playground entrance, located to the left of Pteranodrop, includes a ramp. Universal has built similar elevated play areas at DreamWorks Land in Universal Studios Florida and Viking Training Camp in Epic Universe, both of which include ramps for accessibility.
It’s probably also safe to assume the towers will include stair access for parents and Team Members.
Why these towers are so tall
There are operational benefits to building those platforms so high, too. By raising the bridges well above the walkways, Universal leaves enough clearance for larger vehicles to pass underneath. That allows crews to move equipment through the park after hours and access rides and backstage areas without obstruction.
The extra clearance could also allow for larger on-stage vehicles. You know, like parade floats. Universal hasn’t shared any plans for parades at Universal Kids Resort, but it’s a safe bet Universal Creative is designing the space with that possibility in mind.
The Jurassic World Lookout Towers check all the boxes. Kids get an enormous playground to explore, and the park keeps its walkways clear for vehicles, operations, and whatever else Universal may dream up down the road. Turns out a 40-foot playground can be pretty practical.
Construction photos
We’ll continue updating this article as construction progresses, highlighting additional play features and details that may not have been visible in Universal’s concept art.
March 10, 2026
Portions of two more towers went vertical today. You can see just how substantial those lattice trusses are. There’s a lot more steel here than the concept art suggested.
March 12
We now have confirmation that the Lookout Towers will include accessible bridges. The first of those lower spans is already in place, complete with solid flooring and handrails, allowing wheelchair users to move between three of the towers.
Crews have also lifted the first truss into position, offering a clearer sense of just how massive this play structure is. The steel lattice is far more substantial than the concept art originally suggested.
March 13
Another day, another piece of the puzzle. Today, we spotted the installation of a fourth tower. While early concept art showed that many, Universal’s most recent renderings included only three towers.
March 14
I got to witness two trusses being installed on the Lookout Towers this morning. Crews have also begun adding the first of five net bridges to the playground, which will connect to all four Lookout Towers. Those rope spans will hang directly above three ADA-compliant bridges.
March 17
I still can’t get over the size of this free-play area. But even with its massive scale, it’s great to see thoughtful accommodations for all children. Today’s photos really drive both of those points home.
The tower furthest from my camera sits near the Cretaceous Coaster maintenance area, on the opposite side of the main walkway. It’s only reachable via two net bridges, which are set high enough to allow taller service vehicles – and maybe even parade floats – to pass underneath.
Editor’s note: A big thanks to Aahs n Oohs for lending his expertise to this story. His input was invaluable, as always.
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