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. Getting on it without a 75-minute wait is a different kind of challenge — and that’s exactly what this guide is here to solve. Whether you’re planning to use Early Park Admission, Express Pass, or a smart standby strategy, here’s everything you need to know about riding VelociCoaster in 2026.

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
• 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 queue is your baseline option and — if you use it with good timing — can absolutely work without much pain. VelociCoaster wait times typically range from 30 to 90 minutes during regular operating hours, with peak-day waits occasionally exceeding 90 minutes. The standby queue is full of incredible theming with animatronic raptors, Jurassic World lore, and interactive elements that reward guests who take the time to look around rather than staring at the back of the person in front of them.

Pro Tip: The Universal app lets you set wait time alerts for specific rides. Set an alert for 35 or 40 minutes on VelociCoaster and ride whenever the notification fires — this is a great way to fit in a second ride later in your day without camping near the entrance.

Take Advantage of Early Park Admission

Early Park Admission (EPA) is our top recommendation for riding VelociCoaster with minimal wait. Universal’s Early Park Admission benefit allows hotel guests access up to one hour before park open at select Universal theme parks, including Islands of Adventure. Every guest who purchases a multi-day ticket or Universal vacation package through The Park Prodigy gets EPA included.

During EPA, VelociCoaster waits are consistently the shortest they’ll be all day — often under 15 minutes in the first 30 minutes of early entry. If you don’t have Express Passes and VelociCoaster is a higher priority than Hagrid’s, ride the coaster first. Either way, you’re in the back of the park, so you’re in prime position to hit both popular rides in a row with the lowest crowds of the day.

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

Express Pass is the most reliable way to significantly cut your VelociCoaster wait any time of day. Express Pass is accepted at VelociCoaster and consistently reduces the wait to under 15 minutes, even on moderate-to-busy days.

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 Are VelociCoaster Wait Times Like?

Understanding the typical wait time pattern at VelociCoaster helps you plan around it rather than just reacting to it.

The average annual standby wait for VelociCoaster runs approximately 53 minutes, with a monthly low in June 2026 around 34 minutes and a high in peak season exceeding 90 minutes on the busiest days.

Here’s a practical breakdown by time of day on a typical moderate-crowd day:

Wait times vary significantly by season and day of week. Use our Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar to check expected crowds for your specific dates.

The VelociCoaster Experience: What to Expect

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

VelociCoaster Lockers and the Metal Detector Process

This is one of the most important practical things to know before you ride. VelociCoaster requires all loose items to be secured in a locker before boarding — no exceptions — and all guests pass through a metal detector before entering the loading area.

The good news: VelociCoaster’s locker design is unique — built directly into the queue, with dual-sided access. Store everything before entering the metal detector line, ride, and pick up your items on the exit side. The process adds approximately 5 to 10 minutes to your total experience time.

Pro Tip: Wear clothing with secure zip pockets if possible. You can carry small cards (annual passes, Express Pass) through the metal detector as long as there’s no metal content, but confirm with a team member if you’re unsure. Going hands-free for the whole park day is genuinely one of the easiest ways to improve your Universal experience.

One note about Express Pass: for rides with metal detectors like VelociCoaster, all belongings must be stowed in a locker — including your Express Pass — except if you need to scan it to access the Express queue before lockers. Make sure at least one person in your group has a place to carry passes through security.

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.

6. Check VelociCoaster status early on stormy days.

Like all outdoor coasters, VelociCoaster closes during lightning in the area, which happens frequently in Central Florida afternoons. If your target window is mid-afternoon and storms are building, consider riding in the morning.

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 

VelociCoaster vs. Hagrid’s: Which Should You Ride First?

This is the defining morning strategy question at Islands of Adventure, and the honest answer depends on your priorities.

Ride VelociCoaster first if: It’s your primary must-do, you have Express Pass for both, or Hagrid’s is no longer your highest priority after riding it previously. VelociCoaster’s wait builds fast after park open — getting it done early protects you from the worst of the midday surge.

Ride Hagrid’s first if: It’s your first Universal visit and Hagrid’s is the anchor of your trip. Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure is a once-in-a-generation attraction — a uniquely immersive dark ride and coaster hybrid that deserves to be experienced without rushing. EPA waits for Hagrid’s are typically shorter, and finishing Hagrid’s early leaves the rest of your morning flexible.

Important 2026 update: As of July 1, 2026, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is being removed from the Express Pass program at Islands of Adventure. This means standby is your only option for Hagrid’s after that date (aside from EPA). Plan accordingly — if you’re visiting after July 1, Early Park Admission for Hagrid’s becomes even more important, and your Express Pass budget is better spent on VelociCoaster.

Related Post: Best Harry Potter Rides Ranked 

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.

Q: How does VelociCoaster hold you in?

VelociCoaster uses a lap bar restraint with built-in side handles to grip. There is no over-the-shoulder harness. The lap bar comes down from overhead and locks across your thighs. Despite having no shoulder restraint, it is highly secure — the engineering is designed specifically to allow the more aggressive airtime and inversions that shoulder harnesses prevent.

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!