Theme Park Engineering: Jurassic World VelociCoaster

The VelociCoaster is an Intamin steel dual-launched roller coaster located at Universal's Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Fla. Riders move alongside a pack of velociraptors on one of Florida's fastest and tallest launch roller coasters. VelociCoaster features two high-speed launches powered by linear synchronous motors, a signature 155-foot-tall top hat, four inversions, and a maximum speed of 70. The VelociCoaster offers four inversions, including a zero-gravity stall and a barrel roll, adding to the excitement and intensity of the ride.

Recently, we also covered Disney’s Test Track ride.

Take the Ride:

The Making of Velocicoaster:

The VelociCoaster was manufactured by Intamin and it opened to the public on June 10, 2021. Construction entered full swing in the spring of 2019, with the removal of Triceratops Encounter and the clearing of unused land in and around the park's existing Discovery Centre building. In June 2019, the first pieces of track for the unannounced coaster were delivered and stored offsite.

In July 2019, Universal Parks & Resorts filed a trademark for the name "VelociCoaster", which fans quickly deduced to be the name of the new unannounced coaster. Construction was temporarily halted during the initial COVID-19 lockdown and later resumed at a rapid pace. Much of the construction was completed by the time Universal Orlando Resort was cleared to reopen in June 2020.

Taking the Ride

The queue begins outside the lower floor on the left side of the Discovery Center. Two raptor statues are on display at the entrance. The paddock features glowing neon lights, and the coaster can be occasionally seen launching outside the building. For lines that stretch outdoors, there is an extended queue area that provides close-up views of the coaster's track, as well as shade and cooling fans. Inside, guests see more raptor statues and eventually move into a room with six windows overlooking the ride track.

A video special effect is used to show a Velociraptor chasing each coaster train as it passes by. Inside one of the windows, guests can find a clipboard and a radar gun. In another is a cup with permanent ripples referencing the first Jurassic Park film. Guests then enter a room with a video presentation by Dr. Henry Wu. There are a few lockers with various items, such as football equipment, raptor toys, and books. Guests enter an examination room where two animatronic velociraptors are caged and muzzled.

After passing through metal detectors, guests walk up a flight of stairs into a final pre-show room displaying a video with characters Claire Dearing and Owen Grady. In the video, Grady rebukes the idea of taking a ride on VelociCoaster and tries to discourage guests as well. The room features various Jurassic World props on display including zappers, net guns, a waiver, and a dino tracker. Guests then reach the station, where they board the train.