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Credit: ITMFor quite some time now, Universal has been heavily promoting their newest roller coaster, Jurassic World VelociCoaster.
The Jurassic coaster is themed to the new branch of the Jurassic Park franchise, Jurassic World, and has found a home at Universal Orlando Resort in the Islands of Adventure. Jurassic fans get to visit InGen with Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) to ride a roller coaster that the company has set up inside a raptor paddock!
You will see all the raptors from the film, which includes Blue, Echo, Delta, and Charlie. But Owen Grady warns Guests that riding with the raptors may be too dangerous!
The attraction rides 24 Guests at a time, undergoes two high-speed launches, corkscrews over the lagoon, has dinosaurs around every turn, constantly twists while popping Guests out of their seats, all while remaining very smooth. From this description, many may think that this is the perfect coaster! Well, let’s take a look.
Although the coaster officially opens on June 10, we at Inside the Magic, have been able to ride the coaster multiple times, and want to discuss our experience! To break down our thoughts, we will separate this review into two categories: theming and thrill.
Theming
A highly popular attraction at Islands of Adventure when it comes to an incredibly well-themed coaster is in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. The attraction has show scenes, animatronics, and a very in-depth storyline.
VelociCoaster also has excellent theming, most of which belongs in the queue.
First of all, Universal has done fantastic work around the Jurassic Park section of the park adding more dinosaur photo ops. Guests truly do feel like they are walking in Isla Nublar. When approaching the attraction, Guests can see the raptor statues greet them, and right away, the industrial InGen building lights up next to the giant 155 ft top hat drop. Instantly, Guests can sense the thrill.
Inside the queue, Universal continues to instill fear and immerse Guests into a dangerous world where dinosaurs roam, while still inciting curiosity and excitement. From the first room which has ever-changing lighting effects from blue to a shocking red to the sight of the raptors chase to the realistic breathing and moving raptors locked up — Guests know that they are surrounded by dinosaurs.
Related: Steven Spielberg Gives The VelociCoaster His Blessing
The preshow before riders get on the coaster is fantastic, I personally loved that the attraction storyline did not ignore the fact that Guests are riding a roller coaster, and that they incorporated the coaster into the paddock as a sort of attraction that Guests who visit can experience.
Seeing both Owen and Claire helps to boost the immersion from the Jurassic World IP, and with the panic Owen exudes, the tension that the queue has been setting up continues to grow.
On the coaster, the first launch has screens that showcase running raptors, as well as jagged rockwork that your coaster will dive into, and dinosaur statues that pop out around every corner. The coaster moves so fast that detailed show scenes would not be possible, so for what Universal was able to do at this level of thrill, the coaster immersion is fantastic!
My only note is that when the attraction ends, you are left without closure. Owen Grady mentions he will meet up with you after the ride if your toes and fingers were still connected to your body during the preshow, but we never hear anything again from either character. I think a few TV screens playing a message of congratulations as Guests walk out would have been the solution to that problem.
However, overall, for a thrill coaster, the immersion was fantastic.
Thrill
We all know that this coaster was going to be thrilling, but when you ride, it truly does not disappoint.
The attraction constantly allows Guests to experience G-force, thrusting you out of your seat. Of course, the restraints will ensure Guests are safe, but it does not stop you from holding on for dear life when your butt leaps in the air.
The coaster constantly whips Guests in swirling motions, which simulates a wild run with the raptors, but there are two moments that thrill lovers and coaster enthusiasts will fawn over. The 155 ft top hats are one of the many G-force moments in the attraction, and it allows Guests to get a bird’s eye view of the whole theme park for a moment, which is stunning. Unlike many coasters which have a slow climb to the big drop, VelociCoaster blasts you up and over, really enhancing the stomach-churning moment. Plus the dive is not directly straight but adds a curl, which is a unique feature.
My personal favorite moment in the attraction for thrills has to be the corkscrew over the lagoon. Your ride vehicle flips you over the water making your body leave your seat, and the proximity of the water makes you feel like you are about to be dropped inside. It truly is a unique aspect to the coaster, which gives this dino a lot of thrill points in my book.
The best thing about this coaster is that, no matter how thrilling it may be, it is a smooth ride. The back row will give you a faster and more intense ride, but you will not walk off with a headache like some coasters which bang you around. The front row is smoother and a little less intense — and also provides better views. So, it just depends on the type of coaster ride you are feeling.
Overall, this ride is going to be the coaster to beat in Orlando if you are looking for high thrills with an immersive storyline! So yes, Universal definitely deserves to hype up this coaster, because it will live up to the reputation.
Again, the ride will be available on June 10 for Guests to experience!
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Inside the Magic overall.
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