This year is set to be an exciting one for theme park goers, and it’s almost guaranteed that you will not fail to have an amazing time. That’s why we are so excited to announce that VelociCoaster has now opened at Universal’s Islands of Adventure! We’ve been keeping you guys updated as best as we can over the months, but it’s finally here. Excitingly enough, Universal has finally opened the highly anticipated VelociCoaster to the public and we are here to show you what it’s all about. Follow along with us as we inform you all there is to know about this amazing coaster.
THE PLOT
Here’s how Universal Studios officially describes the ride: “Speeding through the jungle, rising high above the terrain, it’s the apex predator of roller coasters: the Jurassic World VelociCoaster. Now you can board your vehicle for a high-speed dash through the park’s raptor paddock. Feel the rush of the hunt as you race alongside these nimble predators, twisting and soaring above the land and water.” – Universal Studios Orlando
THE RIDE VEHICLE AND TECHNOLOGY
When it comes to the new VelociCoaster here at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, they decided to go all out on the ride vehicle and the technology behind everything. The anticipated coaster shows a high aspect of detail in the ride vehicles. The sleek blue and black vehicles have both an Ingen and Jurassic Park logo on the side. To add a little more detail to bring it to life, there are even claw marks on the front of the vehicle. Riders on the vehicle will only have a lap bar restraint during this high-thrill ride. According to the coasters reveal video they promised them to be “engineered for the hunt”. When it comes to the technology behind the VelociCoaster your mind will be blown. Universal says the VelociCoaster will “raise the bar in extreme roller coaster design”. The design behind the coaster itself invites guests to enjoy the thrill of travelling up to 70 mph to a height of more than 150 feet. In the past, Universal announced that the VelociCoaster will accelerate through two launches. Along with the two launches, the coaster also features the steepest drop in the park with a rising of 155 feet in the air. You will receive 12 seconds of airtime along with experiencing a zero-gravity inverted stall.
THE EXPERIENCE
To sum up this ride experience, let’s just say the VelociCoaster is relentless. They accomplished this by not only making the ride itself thrilling but even your queue up to the ride as well. They have projected sets in the line, you can witness a raptor chasing after the vehicles. Along with the projections you can also see animatronic raptors while waiting in line, they even breathe on you. Let’s skip the queue and get to the point of the extreme adventure they call VelociCoaster. During your expedition, the raptors manage to break free, and what was a safe journey becomes an escape from the freed raptors. You will have several close calls with the animals within the paddock. Before you’re able to finally break free from the area, that’s when the second launch comes. You will be launched 70 mph, shooting up the 150 foot “top hat” hill. Hope you can dodge the raptors and survive the experience.
THE MERCH
What new attraction would be complete without merchandise to go with it. After your endeavor with the raptors, you can find a plethora of VelociCoaster merchandise right outside of the ride. The VelociCoaster merchandise has been put on display before and we have covered it yet again. All of the merch is super cool, so be sure to get your Jurassic merchandise!
OUR REVIEW
So what did we think of the ride? Short answer, we loved it! It was a very thrilling roller coaster, and with all of the anticipation it held, the wait really paid off! The queue leading up to the ride itself was absolutely amazing and the touch of animatronics really pulled it all together. This is by far our favorite coaster here in Orlando and the thing that sets it apart is the theming around the coaster. From the noises, rocks, animatronics to the dipping and diving around, everything is just perfectly placed with the small details. In conclusion, this ride is absolutely thrilling and it’s an experience everyone needs to try!