originally posted on 6/4/2021 12:15:18 PM
VelociCoaster.
Photo: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.
Universal’s Islands of Adventure (IOA, Orlando, Florida) has unleashed Jurassic World’s VelociCoaster! The promotion material’s tagline is, “The hunt is on!” However, thanks to a prolonged testing phase, the Intamin launched thriller has been entertaining local ACE members and park guests weeks before the official June 10 opening date. For some, the “hunt” is finally over! VelociCoaster is running steadily daily in a “technical rehearsal.” Over three years the coaster grew in plain sight but stealthily stormed its way into the hearts and stomachs of all who have ridden it. Local ACE members praise the new coaster. ACE Region Director Chris Kraftchick describes the ride from the first launch to the final brake run as “intense, aggressive and relentless!”
VelociCoaster is an Intamin Blitz model launched coaster slithering its way from the former Triceratops Encounter area of the Jurassic Park section and breaking out, imposing itself over IOA’s lagoon in front of the Harry Potter Hogsmeade section at the rear of the park. Unlike so many theme park rides whose vehicles represent jeeps, mine trains and other conveyances, VelociCoaster is themed to what it really is, a roller coaster set in the Jurassic World theme park from the newer films. Park Operations Manager Claire Dearing, played by Bryce Dallas Howard, as in the films (in the film’s earlier timeline), is looking for an experience “with more teeth” for the park’s Carnivore Expansion. The roller coaster brings guests along for a “run” with the resident captive Velociraptor dinosaurs. Standout features of the 4,700-foot-long ride are two linear synchronous motor launches: 0 to 50 mph and 40 to 70 mph in 2.4 seconds, a 155-foot top hat with a 140-foot-long drop at an 80-degree maximum angle, dive loop, 100-foot extended inverted stall and a tight barrel roll corkscrew over water. Four 6-car trains carry 24 riders each.
The presentation of the coaster is “typical excellence expected from a central Florida theme park,” observes local ACE member Jonathan Hymes. Riders prepare for their ride through a sleek, polished concrete and metal queue with an immersive mix of instructional videos, an introduction to VelociCoaster via a massive video wall by characters from the movie and some impressive effects and surprise encounters with the resident velociraptors. Those waiting in the full queue (there is a single-rider queue available intermittently, bypassing much of the main queue) are treated to a view of the real trains rocketing through the second launch through a set of windows with projections of the raptors chasing after them. After a display of items that are “Easter eggs” related to the films and the ride, a startling close-up of actual animatronic raptors restrained in heavy-duty muzzles surprises guests. They are so close, eyes blinking, heads straining against the restraints taking short breaths, guests can’t help but take a moment for a selfie.
Excitement builds in the VelociCoaster station. View full-sized image.
Photos: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.
One of the most striking features of the queue is the loading area with a massive observation window against the far wall, where riders exit. It’s the best view of the trains coiling around the first raptor enclosure section or “paddock.” The trains rolling in and out are sleek with aggressive lighting and grillwork on the lead car. Easing into the seats, riders nestle into some of the best restraints available. “The trains themselves are open and comfortable,” assures local ACE member John DeHaas. “Although you only had a lap bar to secure you, it felt safe.” Indeed, the lap bars that swing down from overhead into place are “comfy and pretty accommodating,” according to Hymes. They allow riders to safely feel the extreme forces of the coaster.
ACE Florida Regional Rep Michael Christopher is impressed by the coaster’s unique split personality. “I love that the coaster is split into two parts. The first part is a twisting and compact maze of elements with pockets of airtime and intense maneuvers. Then the second launch introduces a whole different ride with smooth transitions and inversions over water.”
Photo: Jonathan Hymes. View full-sized image.
The ride begins with a slow approach to the first launch within a tunnel containing, as Christopher describes, “a very convincing animation of the raptors from the films released from their holding pens with the coaster train launching after them into their captive enclosure.” That first launch has a great buildup as the train backs up a bit amid dramatic lights, alarms and the aforementioned raptors bursting loose. The launch from zero to 50 mph is aggressive with the feeling of speed enhanced by close rock work and a covered bridge. The train banks upward to the left and dives back down through a rocky tunnel with a dynamic spiked mouth. Upward into an inverted dive loop and down into a series of tight left and right undulating turns punctuated with tight S-turns and pops of airtime. Roaring sound effects focus riders’ attention on raptor statues peppered around the course. A wider right bank around the perimeter of the paddock coils down and into the second launch tunnel.
Photo: Jonathan Hymes. View full-sized image.
Without a pause, the train accelerates from 40 to 70 mph through the tunnel and bursts out and scales the top hat. The coaster slows up and rolls left, cresting the tallest hill, offering a splendid view of the back half of the park. The dive down packs an airtime punch, with the best float experienced in the rear of the train. The bottom of that drop snakes to the left and up into a zero G stall with a brief spectacular inverted view of spectators below — or for spectators looking up!
Photo: Jonathan Hymes. View full-sized image.
The train rights itself and travels upward into a spacious, oscillating, undulating spiral over the park’s lagoon. An airtime bump and reverse twist along the way surprises even experienced riders. Straightening up, the train bounds over a small speed hill setting riders up for the big finale. This is Christopher’s favorite element of the coaster, “fittingly named by the designers as the Mosasaurus Roll, this inversion is a barrel roll only a few feet above water, giving you the sensation of diving right into the lake with some insane ejector airtime!” The inversion throws riders up and right into their lap bars and holds that airtime throughout the element. An upward S-turn speeds the train into the brake run with energy to spare!
The Mosasaurus Roll over water.
Photo: Jonathan Hymes. View full-sized image.
VelociCoaster’s exceptional ride invites comparisons with other coasters from the local ACEers. “The first half feels a bit like Copperhead Strike,” enthuses Hymes, “and the second half is a combo of iSpeed and I[ntimidator]305.” According to DeHaas, “It felt like Maverick at times.” Local ACE member Dave Fake observes VelociCoaster’s many moods: “Two different rides from the front to the back, and the first half of the ride to the second half of the ride, so depending on where you sit, you could have four different rides! It’s a strange thing!”
Photo: Jonathan Hymes. View full-sized image.
Anticipation for VelociCoaster fermented longer than that for the average new coaster. As far back as 2018 during construction of Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, permits were filed and site clearing began adjacent to the landmark Jurassic Park Discovery Center. Rumors began that this site was being cleared for yet another roller coaster, yet Universal remained silent on the new construction, even after plans were accidentally leaked online. By July 2019, Universal registered the VelociCoaster trademark. The obvious roller coaster project went vertical in early 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic and closure, activity slowed, but by July of that year, with the park reopened to limited crowds, much of the track was completed and the top hat topped off! Finally, in September 2020, VelociCoaster was officially announced with details of the attraction spooned out over the next few months.
Testing began in September 2020 with a days-long pull-through test, with train cars shrouded in plastic. By November 2020 the train’s design was revealed, and the trains cycled after hours. Obvious daytime testing started by early 2021 with the online enthusiast community buzzing about the spectacular lighting package on the trains and what the ride would be like. The trains seemed to creep around the course, leading to speculation about how intense the forces would feel. Looking more closely at the tight radius of many turns hinted to observers that the trains were rolling fast enough.
A few lucky ACE members got to ride VelociCoaster in late April for a private video shoot. A week later, team members (employees) got a sneak ride, and by May 2, Universal’s annual passholders were offered their turn during a multiday event. A small group of theme park bloggers had a ride session on May 3. After a successful preview period with little downtime and happy, excited riders, the park began its technical rehearsal for all guests.
VelociCoaster is a smash hit with local enthusiasts and the general public at large. “I look forward to riding it MANY more times. It is extremely worthy of repeat rides,” enthuses Kraftchick, “Many have commented that it is easily a Top 5 coaster for them, and I agree with that,” Hymes adds. “It will be a destination coaster that will be at the top of many enthusiasts’ lists.”
— Marlon Scott
#ACENews