How Jurassic Park Parallel-Constructing Managed to Stay Under the Radar of Disney and the Public

Long before the advent of digital entertainment, the worlds of amusement and scientific endeavor intersected in surprising ways. One such intersection was during the concurrent construction phases of Jurassic Park and Disney's Animal Kingdom. This article delves into the intricate details of how Jurassic Park was quietly developed in the shadows, contrasting its secretive nature with the openness of Disney's animal sanctuary.

Secretive Cloning Ventures

In Jurassic Park, the narrative revolves around Dr. Michael Crichton’s portrayal of a park built on one of Isla Nublar, filled with genetically resurrected dinosaurs. The film's construction, however, mirrors real-world events during the 1990s when genetic engineering was still in its nascent stages. Isla Nublar, akin to a real-world island, was being transformed from a private laboratory into a theme park.

The book version provides much more detail on this. In the original Jurassic Park manuscript, it is revealed that the island’s development was more secretive than ever. John Hammond, the visionary behind the project, was extremely protective about his endeavors. Even his own investors, apart from his law firm, were kept in the dark regarding the exact nature of the project. They were merely informed that Hammond was involved in cloning and possibly developing a consumer product.

Hammond's strategy was to design the park with automation, allowing it to operate with minimal staff. He employed only around a dozen expert employees and three dozen laborers, supported by one contractor for programming. This minimized both costs and security risks. In the film, Hammond sends employees home on a boat at the outset, but in the book, this reduced workforce is sufficient to manage the entire operation.

Security Measures and Industrial Espionage

The park's operation was kept under wraps to prevent industrial espionage. Hammond chose a remote location to avoid any government oversight or legal complications. This isolation added a layer of secrecy to the project, making it difficult for other entities to monitor or disrupt his work. This geographic isolation made it challenging for even close associates to keep track of Hammond's progress.

Despite these measures, some information did leak out. Industrial espionage against Hammond was a concern, especially from other tech companies involved in genetics and cloning. These companies were curious about what Hammond was doing and were willing to steal his technology. However, these efforts did not bring Hammond’s operations to the attention of larger corporate players like Disney, an entertainment giant which rarely engaged in direct competition with such niche scientific ventures.

Impact of Secrecy on Media and Public Perception

The secrecy surrounding Jurassic Park meant that it was largely unknown to the general public and the media until its grand opening. This allowed Hammond to focus on creating a world of dinosaur exhibits and attractions, free from the constant public scrutiny that often accompanies major theme park projects like Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom, in contrast, built its foundation on an open and inviting atmosphere, designed specifically to showcase the wonders of the animal world. The company was more transparent about its plans, engaging with various stakeholders throughout the development process to ensure that Animal Kingdom not only entertained but also educated and preserved the animals it featured.

The contrast between the two projects is striking. While Animal Kingdom was overt and collaborative, Jurassic Park remained cloaked in secrecy, focusing on its commercial success through automation and a carefully curated talent pool of just a few dedicated employees.

Both projects highlight the different approaches to large-scale thematic entertainment ventures, one driven by secrecy and innovation, the other by transparency and community engagement.