After seeing Universal Orlando blow Guests’ minds by leaps and bounds with the immersive qualities of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and how unbelievable every ride within it has been, it is exciting to know that Universal Creative plans to outdo themselves with this new attraction.
So today, we are going to take a look at everything you need to know about Universal Orlando Resort’s Jurassic World VelociCoaster!
Credit: Universal
Where to find the VelociCoaster at Universal Orlando
Alright, you coaster enthusiasts. The worst thing about getting excited to go on a ride at a theme park is not knowing how to get there. Before you even feel the need to pull out that park map, we’ve got you covered.
Where is the Jurassic theme park located at Universal Orlando?
If you end up at Universal Studios Florida, you will not be able to explore the prehistoric creatures, so make sure you take a look at a park map for both theme parks to get a sense of what attractions you want to ride, that way you can pick the appropriate one to visit if you don’t have a two-park ticket.
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VelociCoaster can be found at Universal Orlando Resort at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in the Jurassic Park section of the theme park. In order to get to Islands of Adventure, you have to park in one of two massive Universal parking garages and walk through CityWalk. After passing through the turnstiles you will be inside the first land of Islands of Adventure, Port of Entry. From there you can either go left or right. This is because the coaster will be located at the back of the park, and either way will take the same amount of time.
If you want to look at it this way: would you rather enter the Wizarding World of Harry Potter or enter past the Skull Island: Reign of Kong attraction? For Harry Potter stay to the right, for King Kong stay to your left.
If you look at an Islands of Adventure map, you may notice there is a huge building in the Jurassic Park section. VelociCoaster actually travels directly in front of the building, which is the Jurassic Park Discovery Center. According to Universal Orlando, the building is where Guests can:
Unearth the mysteries of our planet’s prehistoric past at this interactive center where dinosaurs have been brought back to co-exist with humans. Test your DNA, play You Bet Jurassic™ and marvel at towering T. rex fossils. You can even examine dinosaur eggs in the nursery where baby Velociraptors are ready to hatch.
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Basis of the VelociCoaster at Universal Orlando
The basis of this attraction follows the brand-new IP from the Jurassic World franchise, which stems from Jurassic Park. Jurassic World (2015) Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) and the upcoming Jurassic World: Dominion (2022) are all led by Owen Grady (AKA Chris Pratt), and it is that world that Guests will be able to enter when they go on VelociCoaster.
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VelociCoaster is an immersive storytelling roller coaster that is going to allow Guests to enter the film and go on a raptor run. From what we know so far about the attraction, it seems that while on the run things will go awry as your blue-streaked raptor coaster lights up the Islands of Adventure skyline.
The VelociCoaster is the first Jurassic World-themed attraction to come to the Jurassic Park-themed area of Islands of Adventure. All other attractions are themed to Jurassic Park. Universal Studios Hollywood previously rethemed their Jurassic Park River Adventure attraction to Jurassic World. You can still ride Jurassic Park River Adventure at Islands of Adventure. Universal has not announced if it will overhaul the Jurassic Park-themed land to the new Jurassic World films. Essentially at Universal Orlando Resort, you can find the best of both old and new!
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What is the Jurassic World VelociCoaster ride experience like?
Currently, the VelociCoaster is set to open in the Summer of 2021. Universal has stated that the attraction will be more than 5,100 feet long and reach speeds up to 70 miles per hour. This makes it the fasted rollercoaster at Universal Orlando Resort! VelociCoaster will be Florida’s fastest launch coaster and includes 4 inversions. Manufactured by Intamin, VelociCoaster riders will need to be 51″ (129.5 cm) tall in order to meet Blue, Charlie, Delta and Echo aboard the attraction.
Considering Universal has said this is their most immersive coaster yet, it should feel like we stepped out of a theme park and into Jurassic World‘s Isla Nublar where dinosaurs roam and can eat us at any moment, even though Guests are meant to be “safely” transported through the raptor run.
Features of the VelociCoaster at Universal Orlando
From what we know, it seems that VelociCoaster is going to be incredibly unique regarding the features of the coaster, in comparison to what has been created in the past.
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First off, if we take a look at the incredibly sleek ride vehicle, we can see that the blue LED lighting gives the coaster an iconic look. With the speed that the coaster possesses, that blue light can whiz so fast, that at night, it will look like something is moving through the rock work, not so much a ride vehicle. The ride vehicle will have a lap bar that pulls down over Guests’ lap, and not an over-the-shoulder restraint.
Also, if you have any fear of dinosaurs at all, then this attraction is surely going to have you wanting to close your eyes out of fear, but open them because you don’t want to miss anything, all at the same time.
At the moment, however, VelociCoaster currently has a very relaxing, almost ASMR-type track playing as the area music in the Jurassic Park section where the attraction lies. With that, it seems that on the exterior of the attraction, everything is safe for Guests, but once you enter the paddocks, everything changes.
When you can ride the VelociCoaster at Universal Orlando
We have speculated June 1 in the past, as that is National Dinosaur Day, but Universal has not hinted that this is when the attraction will open. Universal does, however, continuously tease the new attraction to Guests via social media, and the ride is heavily testing, and at times, with humans! When we look at all the progress the attraction is taking, it seems that Universal can announce its debut at any moment.
Interestingly, although VelociCoaster is the first attraction to incorporate the new franchise into theme parks, Universal Studios Beijing is also gearing up to join team Jurassic World.
Credit: NBC Universal
The theme park which is set to open in May, is going to open with Isla Nublar which is exactly where the films in the Jurassic World franchise takes place. Here is what Universal had to say about Isla Nublar:
Welcome to Jurassic World Isla Nublar! It is inspired by the blockbuster film Jurassic World. Gear up to meet face to face with the gigantic and frightening dinosaurs and experience an epic adventure back to 65 million years ago!
What are the newest attractions at Universal Orlando?
Universal Orlando Resort is always innovating and creating new attractions, so let’s take a look at some of the newest rides and shows currently available!
The Bourne Stuntacular is now open at Universal Studios Florida. This stunt show leaves audiences marveling, “How on earth did they do that?” Through a cutting-edge fusion of stagecraft and film, you follow our hero Jason Bourne across three continents as sinister characters pursue him, hoping to bring him in. Forget what you know about stunt shows. Universal Orlando Resort isn’t just pushing boundaries with The Bourne Stuntacular. This show is charting new territory.
Now’s the time to join Hagrid™ as you fly deep into the wilds of the Forbidden Forest, beyond the grounds of Hogwarts™ castle, on a thrilling roller coaster ride that plunges into the paths of some of the wizarding world’s rarest magical creatures. Experience Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™ — Universal’s most highly themed, immersive coaster — only at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Hogsmeade™, at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
An epic show is lighting up the night at Universal Studios Florida™ with a colossal celebration of music, water and light that transforms the park and takes you into the movies like never before. You’ll see and hear roaring dinosaurs from Jurassic World, feel the adrenaline rush of high-speed cars from Fast & Furious, watch the mischievous antics of the Minions from Illumination’s Despicable Me, and so much more.
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Universal also just announced that Epic Universe will once again begin construction. The park will have themed lands, new attractions, hotels, shops, and dining locations available once created. At the moment, the only confirmed land within the park is Super Nintendo World.
That being said, many Universal fans have begun to speculate what other lands will create the park. Epic Universe is to be comprised of various lands that all make up one larger park, or, an epic universe. The rumored lands are: How to Train Your Dragon, Fantastic Beasts, Universal Monsters, and the now-confirmed Super Nintendo World.
For all the up-to-date information on Epic Universe, click here.
What rides are closed at Universal Orlando?
Attractions close down for refurbishment purposes at Universal Orlando all the time! This year, Universal slated five attractions for refurbishment including Revenge of the Mummy, Hogwarts Express, Jurassic Park River Adventure, Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges, and Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls.
For more information on when exactly each attraction will or has closed down, click here.
At the moment, Poseidon’s Fury is not operating, as well. Universal has closed many attractions to make way for new and better ones for its fans, here are some memorable attractions that are now gone from the park:
Back to the Future – The Ride
Beetlejuice Graveyard Revue
Disaster! – A Major Motion Picture Ride…Starring YOU
Dragon Challenge
Jaws
Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast
Kongfrontation
Lucy – A Tribute
The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad
TWISTER…Ride It Out
Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular
What do wait times look like at Universal Orlando?
Wait times at Universal Orlando vary depending on the time of year that Guests plan to visit. During the high season, which includes any long holiday weekends, spring break, the winter holiday season, and the summer, wait times can climb to 100+ minutes for many attractions.
Credit: Universal via Screenshot
If you want to avoid waiting in long lines you can use Universal’s Express Pass and skip them all! Click here to learn more.
What is the oldest ride at Universal Orlando?
Want to do some fun trivia? On June 7, 1990, Universal Orlando opened with E.T. Adventure and Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show. That means that E.T. Adventure is the oldest ride at Universal Orlando, and luckily for Guests, it remains untouched!
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Stay tuned to Inside the Magic as we continue to give you all the latest information regarding VelociCoaster and Universal Orlando Resort.
Do you plan on entering Jurassic World to ride VelociCoaster?
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