Credit: UniversalUniversal Orlando Resort surprised guests yesterday by changing one of its most controversial rules.
Like all theme parks, there’s a strict set of rules in place at Universal Orlando Resort in order to keep things both safe and fun for everyone. These range from what you can and can’t bring into the park, to a ban on clothing “likely to incite a disturbance or display offensive language or content.”
Universal Orlando Resort’s Controversial Pteranodon Flyers Rule
One of the most controversial rules, however, applies to a ride at Islands of Adventure.
For years now, it’s been a requirement that guests hoping to ride Pteranodon Flyers at Islands of Adventure must be a minimum of 36 inches, or 92 cm, and a maximum of 56 inches, or 143 cm, tall. The only exception to this rule has been if an adult is accompanied by a child meeting these requirements, in which case they’re also allowed to ride.
Unlike most height requirements, the maximum height rule wasn’t created from a place of safety concerns. The reality is that Pteranodon Flyers – in which guests soar over the park’s Jurassic Park land, similar to the winged dinosaur – just isn’t capable of handling the demand that comes with allowing adults to ride.
As a former Universal attractions operator, who worked on Pteranodon Flyers during a 13-year career, previously explained on Reddit, the attraction can only accommodate six riders at a time, as just the three “birds” are allowed on the track simultaneously.
“It isn’t a weight issue, it’s a load issue,” the operator shared. “You can’t put more than three birds on the track without causing delays, ride stops, or other technical issues.”
Adults have previously been allowed to ride the attraction kid-free. However, the same operator claimed that doing so resulted in chaos. “The line would get backed up and end up winding all around the Camp Jurassic area,” they said, adding that wait times sometimes exceeded four hours. With the ride lasting just 80 seconds, the demand far outpaced what the attraction could handle.
Pteranodon Flyers Bends the Rules (Temporarily)
For many ardent Universal parkgoers sans kids, riding Pteranodon Flyers is something of a pipe dream.
Yesterday, however, Universal decided to lift the rule – at least temporarily. Universal Orlando Resort passholders were allowed to ride Pteranodon Flyers, totally child-free, in the evening of March 13.
Passholders were informed of the brief window of opportunity via a push notification to the resort app.
“We love our Annual Passholders (UOAPs)!” the notification read.
“As a token of our appreciation, please join us in front of UOAP Lounge (located in the Toon Lagoon area of Universal Islands of Adventure TM) between 7:00 – 7:15 PM today (3/13/25). The first 50 annual passholders to show their pass and this app message will receive a special ticket to experience Pteranodon Flyers* (P-Flyers) after 8:00 PM (no child is required to ride with you for this experience only). Thank you for visiting us today, and have a fantastic evening.”
The Perks of a Universal Annual Pass
Universal Orlando Resort has long been praised for the perks offered to its passholders – particularly in comparison to Disney, which many feel has reduced the benefits of its annual passes in the years since COVID-19.
As well as one-off perks like yesterday’s Pteranodon Flyers surprise, a Universal Orlando Resort annual pass offers discounts on merchandise and food, as well as the opportunity to access the UOAP Lounge in Toon Lagoon at Islands of Adventure.
Passholders can also enjoy perks such as Passholder Appreciation Days, signing up to ride a Mardi Gras Parade Float, discounts on ticketed events such as Halloween Horror Nights, early access to the Holiday Tribute Store, and passholder-only viewing areas for entertainment such as Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s.
Have you ever had the chance to ride Pteranodon Flyers?