The Ultimate Guide to the VelociCoaster at Universal Orlando Resort

The Ultimate Guide to the VelociCoaster at Universal Orlando Resort

The Ultimate Guide to the VelociCoaster at Universal Orlando Resort

This article is your complete guide on how to ride the VelociCoaster at Universal Orlando Resort! Prepare for the hunt, because on this new coaster at Universal Orlando, you’re on the menu! 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. The Velocicoaster Universal maxes out at 70mph, which makes it the fastest ride in the park. The VelociCoaster height also reaches 155 feet for an extremely intense drop, so you can see what you’re getting yourself into!

This Jurassic World VelociCoaster is one of Universal’s most thrilling rides to date and we can’t wait to share all of the details on this prehistoric attraction. If you want to learn more about VelociCoaster, read on!

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

Universal Orlando VelociCoaster 2024

Have you ever been on a ride where velociraptors chase you? Two high-speed launches? Or even a 360-degree barrel roll over open water? We didn’t think so, and that’s why we’re so excited to tell you all about the Universal Orlando VelociCoaster. 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.

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

This velociraptor ride at Universal is the tallest and fastest launch coaster in Florida and has been enticing guests from all over the globe to experience the fear. But before we dive into some cool facts about the newest roller coaster in Universal Orlando let’s go over how you can ride this rollercoaster!

How to ride the Universal VelociCoaster?

The VelociCoaster is one of the most popular rides at Universal Orlando, so we suggest having a plan for riding it. First, you can purchase multi-day tickets through us or a vacation package to receive Early Park Admission. If not, you can jump in the stand-by line, or single riders line, but just beware during peak times it can be an hour plus wait!

What is the best time to ride VelociCoaster 2024?

Another important question we receive on this topic is, when is the best time to ride the VelociCoaster? And 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 important for two reasons with 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 Page: Cheap Universal Orlando Tickets

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.

Which park is VelociCoaster in?

• Islands of Adventure Park

If you’re wondering how to find the VelociCoaster, if you’re in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you’re right next door! So, grab a butterbeer and keep walking through the huge gates past Hogsmeade castle and hop on VelociCoaster.

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

What is the Height Requirement for VelociCoaster 2024?

What is the VelociCoaster height requirement?

• Minimum height – 51″ (130 cm)

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.

Related post: Guide to Universal Orlando in One Day: Can You Do Both Universal Parks in One Day?

What is the Velociraptor Coaster Theme 2024?

Of course, any great attraction comes along with an immersive story, and VelociCoaster has one filled with some of our Jurassic World favorites like Owen Grady, Dr. Henry Wu and Claire Dearing. When waiting the queue Claire Dearing explains that the Jurassic World VelociCoaster was created to expand their carnivore experiences by allowing guests to ride through their enclosure. Most of the story is told on screens by Jurassic World characters, but mainly, this ride is all about raptors and having an up and close encounter with them.

Throughout the VelociCoaster queue, you get most of the story, so if you are using Express Pass or Single Riders Line, you might miss out on some theming.

Related post: Complete Guide to Universal Orlando Characters

What is the VelociCoaster Universal Queue Experience?

The Velocicoaster queue is one of the most captivating ride queues with incredible animatronic and Jurassic World details that are truly mind blowing. Our favorite thing about the Jurassic World VelociCoaster queue is that it is mostly indoors, which means getting out of the Florida heat and is a major plus in our book.

Once you enter the building and wrap around the first couple of turnstiles, you will see the iconic raptor sculpture set in the center of the room. In the next room, you get a sneak preview of one of the high-speed launches with projections of raptors chasing after the train. Dr. Wu then takes the stage in the next room where he explains the history of the raptor paddock and that super important safety information about VelociCoaster. It is also in this room that you can find artifacts displayed from the original Jurassic Park films.

Are there velociraptors in the queue?

Yes! They are arguably the best part of the VelociCoaster queue and definitely the best part to have your camera out. After leaving the room with Dr. Wu you are brought to the raptor stables, where you can an up close encounter with muzzled velociraptors. While these are animatronics, they happen to be the most lifelike and realistic ones we’ve ever seen. The velociraptors actually flare their noses, breath and move their eyes making you feel like you are face to face with one of the world’s most fierce hunters.

Related post: Complete Guide to Using Virtual Lines at Universal

What is the Universal VelociCoaster Ride Experience Like?

So we are finally here, the VelociCoaster ride experience, let the hunt begin! Once you pass through the locker area, you are given a final briefing from Claire Dearing and Owen Grady as Owen warns you one last time how dangerous it is riding beside these predators. You are then filed to the actual train and are directed by a team member to your row. 

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 6 cars that hold in total 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.

VelociCoaster Ride Experience

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 moments notice, you are then sent from 0 to 50 in 2 seconds out into 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.

How does the VelociCoaster hold you in?

Although there is not an over-the-shoulder harness with handles bars to hold onto, the VelociCoaster  restraints holds guests in using a lap bar. This lap bar also comes with handle bars for guests to grip tight during the rides 155 foot drop and the multiple inversions.

What are the VelociCoaster stats?

• VelociCoaster Max Speed – 70 mph
• VelociCoaster Drop Height – 155 feet
• VelociCoaster Duration –  2 minutes

Related post: The Ultimate Guide to Universal Orlando Rides

Are there Lockers for VelociCoaster at Universal Studios 2024?

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 cellphones. All guests are subjected to go through a metal detector to make sure you have absolutely nothing hiding in your pockets or under your 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.

How to use the VelociCoaster lockers?

Universal Orlando Resort is one of the top notch theme parks in keeping their guests safe by providing free locker rentals during rides that don’t allow loose articles. In Universal’s VelociCoaster, all guests are shuffled through the lockers right before the ride loading zone and asked to store items. Using your park ticket or annual pass, you can scan the back of it where a locker will open and allow you to safely store your items. At the end of the ride, you will have to scan the same exact ticket to retrieve these items.

Can you take your phone on the Velocicoaster?

Another popular question we receive is, can you take your phone on the VelociCoaster? And unlike other attractions at Universal Orlando, guests cannot take their cell phone onto the VelociCoaster. However it is important to note that because of the location of the lockers guests can access their cellphones through the que to the VelociCoaster before storing their cell phones away in one of the lockers.

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.

Use Early Park Admission

The best part about VelociCoaster is that it is typically offered during Early Park Admission at Universal Orlando. That means, guests with Early Park Admission can enter the parks one hour before the scheduled opening time. All guests who purchase multi-day tickets through The Park Prodigy get Early Park Admission, meaning you can get on VelociCoaster before regular ticketed guests. If you plan your Early Park Admission just right, you can nearly walk on the popular new roller coaster at Universal within minutes!

Use Express Pass

As of February 2023, the Jurassic World VelociCoaster is now included in the Universal Express Pass. This means that if you purchase the Universal Express, you can “skip the line.” The express pass cuts wait times in half which can be very helpful if you only have one day at Islands of Adventure.

Back row vs Front Row

While there is a separate queue for front row riders, we honestly believe that the back row has a better experience. Riders in the front of the train sometimes miss out on the theming, especially right in the beginning right before the launch sequence. The wait for the front row can add on an extra 15 – 20 minutes, since team members do send guests to a different queue.

Use Single Rider

Single Rider lines can save massive amounts of time when it comes to riding thrill rides at Universal Orlando. Lucky for us, the Universal VelociCoaster offers a Single Rider line and it is amazing on the busier days to skip most of the main queue and hop on the ride quickly.

It is important to know that Single Rider isn’t always the best option and can take just as long as the regular queue. There is a separate locker area and a separate entrance for those in the Single Rider line, so you will miss most of the queue theming.

Don’t bring loose articles on the ride!

Like mentioned above, you cannot bring anything onto the ride that isn’t attached to you. You will be passed through a metal detector, and asked to store all items in your locker. If you do not have a physical ticket and are using your cell phone as your pass, make sure to grab a locker pass from a team member working in the locker area. You will not be allowed to keep your phone on you to reopen your locker after the ride.

Related Page: Complete Guide to All Universal Orlando Roller Coasters 

Universal Orlando VelociCoaster FAQs

Q: 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 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 such as 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.

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 breakdown 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!