The Ultimate Guide on How to Ride the VelociCoaster at Universal Orlando Resort

The Ultimate Guide on How to Ride the VelociCoaster at Universal Orlando Resort

The Ultimate Guide on How to Ride the VelociCoaster at Universal Orlando Resort

This article is your complete guide on how to ride the VelociCoaster at Universal Orlando Resort! Not for the faint of heart, Jurassic World VelociCoaster opened in the summer of 2021 and has been giving Universal guests the ultimate thrill since. There are many ways to ride the Velocicoaster, like Early Park Admission, Express Pass, or Standby, and we’re here to tell you the best way how! So, if you want to learn more about how to ride Velocicoaster, keep reading.

We hope you find this post helpful! Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time and money on your next Universal Orlando vacation!  If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando, be sure to check out our discounted multi-day Universal Orlando tickets and Universal Orlando vacation package deals, which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for a Universal Early Park Admission calendar, be sure to check out our Orlando crowd calendar, which includes all of this information!

Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar

How to Ride Universal Orlando VelociCoaster

Right now, you have a lot of choices on which way you want to experience Jurassic World Velocicoaster. Guests can use the Standby Line, Express Pass, or Single Rider or experience a VIP Tour if they want to ride the Velocicoaster. There is also no Virtual Queue, as Universal Orlando has strayed away from Virtual Queue on attractions. Guest getting to use Express Pass on Velocicoaster is a huge difference from Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, where you cannot!

Guests can also enjoy Velocicoaster during Early Park Admission, which offers super low wai ts through the standby line before the park officially opens. Every guest who purchases a multi-day ticket or Universal vacation package through The Park Prodigy gets Early Park Admission with their vacation.

How to ride Universal Orlando VelociCoaster:

• Wait in standby when open
• Use Early Park Admission
• Use the Single Rider Line (when open, it is not always available)
• Purchase an Express Pass or Stay in a Universal Premier hotel to get Express Pass for free
• Upgrade to the Universal VIP Experience

 

Standby Line

The standby line is your main option if you don’t have Express Pass. Arrive early in the morning or just before closing for the shortest waits. Keep an eye on the Universal app for live wait times throughout the day.

Take Advantage of Early Park Admission

If you’re staying at a Universal hotel or have multi-day tickets, take advantage of Early Park Admission to get into the park before general guests. This gives you a head start and often lets you ride VelociCoaster with little to no wait.

Use the Single Rider Line to Skip the Wait

When available, the single rider line is a great way to reduce your wait time. Be aware that it may open later in the day or close during peak times, and you won’t be able to ride with your group.

Get an Express Pass for VelociCoaster by Staying at a Premier Hotel

Staying at a Universal Premier hotel gives you a free Express Pass, which significantly reduces wait times. This can be a major time-saver if you’re visiting during busy periods. You can also outright buy the Express Pass or Express Pass Unlimited if you aren’t staying in a Universal Premier Hotel.

Upgrade to Universal VIP Experience for Ultimate Access

For the most exclusive experience, upgrade to the Universal VIP Experience. This includes front-of-line access to all attractions, including VelociCoaster, plus a guided tour and behind-the-scenes perks.

What is the best time to ride VelociCoaster?

As a general rule of thumb, we recommend riding the Velocicoaster first thing in the morning during early park admission.  This will allow you to get it out of the way early, which is im, important for two reasons, the first being you can expect lower wait times and the second being the ride is less likely to be down due to any ride issues or inclement weather. If you cannot ride the VelociCoaster first thing in the morning, then we always recommend making this the last ride right before the parks close.

Related post: The Complete Guide to Hogsmeade vs Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando

What is the VelociCoaster Experience?

The Jurassic World VelociCoaster is a high-speed, thrilling roller coaster unlike any other in Universal Orlando. Rightfully named as an immersive launch coaster, guests can experience from start to finish an attraction unlike any other in the Jurassic World Universe. You also gets a preshow with Claire Dearing and Owen Grady, so if you’re wanting to see cameos, you won’t be disappointed.

Once you are safely fastened in your seat, the adventure begins, and you are immediately transported to the raptor paddock, ready for extreme thrills. On either side of your VelociCoaster train car, you will see eager raptors clawing and growling at their cages, ready to attack. In what seems like a moment’s notice, you are then sent from 0 to 50 in 2 seconds out into the raptor enclosure.

From there, Jurassic World VelociCoaster roars through the raptor paddock with dive loops, 360-degree barrel rolls over water, and even a 100-foot zero-gravity inverted stall. Our absolute favorite, and what feels like the most terrifying part of VelociCoaster, is the 40 mph to 70 mph second launch that sends you 155 feet into the air to climb over a top hat hill. While you’re moving incredibly fast, it is hard to catch the amazing details like velociraptors hunting you on the tops of the terrain, but they are there.

VelociCoaster Stats:

• Opening Date: June 10th, 2021
• Minimum Height Requirement: 51″ (130 centimeters)
• Location: Jurassic World area, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Universal Orlando Resort
• Theme: Set just before the events of the first Jurassic World film, integrating live Velociraptors into the experience
• Ride Experience: Known for its high-speed thrills, intense drops, and immersive Jurassic World theming, making it one of the most thrilling rides at Universal Orlando Resort
• Speed: Reaches a maximum speed of 70 mph during its second high-speed launch
  • Launch Speeds: First launch at 50mph in 3 seconds; Second launch to 70mph in just 2.4 seconds
• Height: 155 feet at its tallest point, known as the “Top Hat”
• Drop Height: 140 feet at an 80-degree angle
• Track Length: 4,700 feet
• Duration: Approximately 2 minutes
• Inversions: Four unique inversions, including:
  • A dive loop, flipping upside down while floating in your seat before diving down
  • An inverted stall, navigating 100ft of inverted track upside down
  • A high-speed barrel roll over the lagoon at around 50 mph, rolling 360 degrees close to the water’s surface

Additional Features: The ride is designed for speed, airtime, and dramatic direction changes, offering extreme airtime experiences not only right-side-up but also upside-down and sideways

Where is VelociCoaster Located?

The Jurassic Park VelociCoaster is located in Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park. This would make sense because Islands of Adventure is also where the Jurassic Park section is located at Universal Orlando. If you enter Islands of Adventure and head to the left, you need to pass through Marvel Superhero Island and Toon Lagoon to reach VelociCoaster. If you head to the right, you’ll need to pass through Seuss Landing, The Lost Continent, and Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade Village to reach it. Either way you choose, you cannot miss it, as VelociCoaster is set beautifully over the lagoon right in the center of the park.

What is the VelociCoaster weight limit?

• There is technically no weight limit on any Universal Orlando ride, but the ride can accommodate guests with a waistline under 40″. Most rides have a test seat at the entrance where you can make sure that the ride can securely fasten.

What is the VelociCoaster seating like?

Another common question we receive is, what is the VelociCoaster seating like? And when you enter the loading area, you will see a roller coaster train with six cars that hold in total of 24 guests. VelociCoaster riders sit two by two in seats with just a lap bar. There are no over-the-shoulder restraints, even though the lap bar is pulled down overhead.

How does the VelociCoaster hold you in?

Although there is not an over-the-shoulder harness with a handlebar to hold onto, the VelociCoaster restraints hold guests in using a lap bar. This lap bar also comes with handlebars for guests to grip tight during the ride’s 155-foot drop and the multiple inversions.

Related post: How Does The Express Pass Work at Universal?

Tips and Tricks for Riding the Universal Studios Orlando VelociCoaster

Now that we know all that there is to know about VelociCoaster at Universal Studios, it is time to share some of our best tips and tricks to make sure you have the absolute best time.

1. Single Rider Line Advantage

We mentioned this earlier, but if you happen to get to the parks later and don’t want to worry about time, use Single Rider. If you’re riding solo or don’t mind splitting up your group, the single-rider line is often faster. It can save you a significant amount of time compared to waiting in a regular line, especially on crowded days.

2. Best Time to Ride

We recommend riding VelociCoaster early in the morning during park opening or right before park closing for shorter wait times. Night rides are particularly exhilarating due to the lighting effects and the dark surroundings, which enhance the experience. I prefer the nighttime, as the ride lights up with cool blue lighting.

3. Choose the Back Row for Maximum Thrills

The back row offers the most intense experience, especially during the launch and airtime hills. The feeling of being whipped over the drops and turns is heightened at the back. Especially because a lot of thrill seekers go for the front, which usually has a longer wait. We prefer the back; it just feels more intense.

4. Lockers and Metal Detectors

All riders must secure loose items before riding this ride. This means you go through a metal detector to make sure that everything is fully secured, with no bags allowed on the ride either. Some riders suggest using smaller pockets for essential items like your ID or credit card, as the locker process can be time-consuming. If you can, try to bring the absolute minimum to the park since the lockers for VelociCoaster can get crowded.

5. Enjoy the Queue Theming

The VelociCoaster queue is full of interactive elements and great theming. Pay attention to the animatronic velociraptors in the pre-show areas and the subtle storytelling details along the way. Some riders recommend skipping the Express Pass line at least once to fully appreciate the immersive queue experience. There are a ton of nods to the newer and older Jurassic Park movies, so if you’re a lover, you will appreciate the queue.

These tips can enhance your VelociCoaster experience and help you make the most of your day at Universal Studios.

Related Page: Complete Guide to All Universal Orlando Roller Coasters 

Universal Orlando VelociCoaster FAQs

Q: What is VelociCoaster Universal Orlando opening date?

June 10th, 2021

Q: Is VelociCoaster included with Express Pass Tickets?

Yes! As of February 2023, VelociCoaster is one of the rides offered with the Express Pass Ticket.

Q: Can I ride VelociCoaster during Early Park Admission?

Yes, during the days that Islands of Adventure is offering Early Park Admission, guests can head to VelociCoaster and experience the attraction before the park open.

Q: How fast is the VelociCoaster?

The very first launch, right out of the raptor paddock, accelerates guests from 0 to 50 in 2 seconds.

The VelociCoaster max speed is 70 mph, which happens in 2.4 seconds in the second high-speed launch.

Q: How tall is VelociCoaster at Universal Orlando?

The VelociCoaster height climbs to a 155-foot tall top hat.

Q: What is the VelociCoaster drop height?

VelociCoaster drop height is 140 feet at an 80-degree angle.

Q: How long is the VelociCoaster?

The VelociCoaster track is 4,700 feet long and is around 2 minutes of total ride time.

Q: Does VelociCoaster go upside down?

There are four inversions on the Universal VelociCoaster. The VelociCoaster inversions include a 360-degree barrel roll, dive loops, and even a 100-foot-long zero-gravity inverted stall, which is where guests are held upside down for 100 feet.

Q: Is the VelociCoaster at Universal Studios Hollywood?

The VelociCoaster is not located at Universal Studios Hollywood, and it can be found at Universal Islands of Adventure theme park in Universal Orlando Resort.

Q: Are there Lockers for VelociCoaster at Universal Studios?

A: The lockers at Jurassic World VelociCoaster are one of our favorites because they are built into the queue. If you are a frequent visitor of Universal Orlando, you know that most of their thrill rides do not allow riders to have any loose articles on them. For that reason, all guests are asked to remove all bags, glasses, or other loose items that can be thrown from the vehicle. That is especially true for rider’s cell phones. All guests are subjected to go through a metal detector to make sure they have absolutely nothing hiding in their pockets or under their clothing. VelociCoaster is an extreme ride and can be very dangerous to guests riding and spectating if something were to become airborne out of your pocket.

Q: Can you take your phone on the Velocicoaster?

A: Unlike other attractions at Universal Orlando, guests cannot take their cell phones onto the VelociCoaster. However, it is important to note that because of the location of the lockers, guests can access their cell phones through the queue at the VelociCoaster before storing their cell phones away in one of the lockers.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Universal Orlando?

Our Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down the park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices by day, and average temperature.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Universal Orlando Trip?

If you’re ready to plan your trip to Universal Studios, be sure to check out Universal Orlando Tickets! Not only will you save money vs buying direct, but all of our Universal Orlando tickets come with some amazing benefits which can help save you up to three hours in the parks!

And to stay up to date on everything going on inside the theme parks, be sure to check out our partners at Themeparktoday.com!