Universal Orlando has begun a series of Annual Passholder Previews for the highly anticipated Jurassic World Velocicoaster at Islands of Adventure.
The queue features muzzled velociraptors that are clearly alive, blinking, snorting, and trying to break free of their restraints. There are also easter eggs hidden throughout, with books by both Dr. Ian Malcolm and Dr. Alan Grant featured in displays.
The new attraction is located on the landing in front of the Jurassic Park Discovery Center near the park’s show lagoon. The original cast from the Jurassic World movies – Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard and BD Wong – reprise their roles as Owen Grady, Claire Dearing and Dr. Henry Wu in the thrilling new attraction, which sends guests on an extreme adventure through the Raptor paddock and beyond with the films’ Velociraptor pack. Riders will scream through a series of unbelievable near-misses and maneuvers, including two high-speed launches – the fastest reaching 70 mph in 2.4 seconds – a total of 12 seconds of weightlessness, a barrel roll just inches above the Islands of Adventure lagoon and the signature “Top Hat,” which will send riders 155 feet in the air and then immediately into an 80-degree drop.
One popular spot for photos has already proven to be a statue after the entrance featuring four velociraptors in a room with brilliant light patterns as well as video screens showing off Velociraptor footage and the legendary Mr. DNA.
Similar to other coasters at the park, loose items and carry on bags and such are not allowed, and must be stowed in a complimentary locker. The lockers are themed to different dinosaurs to help remember your location, and fans will likely delight over the posters marketing other attractions of Jurassic Park/World, two of which are marked as “coming soon.” Could this be a hint towards a retheme of Camp Jurassic into Camp Cretaceous and/or a refurbishment of the River Adventure to be more like Jurassic World: The Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood? Also, as most coasters in the park feature a test seat, so does Jurassic World Velocicoaster.
Fans of the Jurassic Park Discovery Center (an interactive area which was home to regular shows wherein guests could have the once in a lifetime opportunity to witness a live dinosaur hatch) might be a bit startled to see that the area modeled after the Visitor’s Center in the original Jurassic Park, has been transformed into the Velocicoaster Store, featuring pins, apparel, lanyards, cups, and more.
Universal Orlando is currently conducting Annual Passholder Previews, and the ride will officially open on June 10th.
