When Dueling Dragons made way for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure in June of 2019, Universal Creative had a question to answer: where and what would be their next thrill ride? Jurassic World was the obvious choice. The characters, themes, and stories lent themself perfectly to the experience Creative Director Gregory Hall and Producer Shelby Honea dreamed up.
A tranquil Costa Rican jungle path leads riders to the waterfront. Two bronze Velociraptors on plinths appear poised to pounce at the track above them, appropriately named, Pyrock and Blizzrock (a reference to the Dueling Dragon’s facade.) Sprawling black track flies above guests rounding the corner of the courtyard.
Michael Giacchino’s score wraps a blanket of nostalgia around guests with old and new music -a metaphor for the seamlessly blended World and Park attraction styles. Two more raptors on the facade welcome riders to the first portion of the queue.
The first room riders enter is adorned with symmetrical line work, paneling, and lighting synchronized to up-beat music and safety spiels. The Raptor Squad stares down the queue as a bronze statue with the top hat behind them.
Down a dark hallway, lights flicker from white to red signaling racing raptors. Each animation of the pack is different every time a coaster train flies through the 70 mph launch tunnel. The effect is achieved through crystal clear projections displayed on transparent windows. If one looks down on a window sill, a familiar glass of water can be spotted.
Dr. Wu’s briefing room is next, a smaller room featuring lockers full of Easter Eggs. Legacy character’s books (including one of Dr. Ian Malcolm’s straight from the set of Jurassic World: Dominion can be found) hidden inside.
The stables where the animals receive their medical treatments are next. Here are the most lifelike audio-animatronics Universal Orlando has ever created. Snarling, screaming, and sniffing the guest’s scent; the raptors are ready to run -but not before Mr. DNA assists with understanding the unique locker system.
Colors, numbers, and dinosaur silhouettes are assigned to each individual before passing metal detectors and climbing stairs to the load platform. There is also an elevator available for guests needing assistance. These lockers are double-sided to improve traffic flow and ensure a speedy experience all around. Guests do not return to this room.
Bryce Dallas Howard’s Claire Dearing can be overheard from a large monitor, ensuring the safety -and sanity of VelociCoaster with Chris Pratt’s Owen Grady as riders reach the home stretch. The dialogue is packed with witty repartee as Owen voices his concerns for guest safety. The fictional safety features and design of the ride vehicle are explained by Claire right before her goodbye.
Natural light bathes the platform from a window that homages the Indominus Rex paddock in the first film. A sign designated for those who wish to wait for the front row hangs at the merge-point (a feature The Incredible Hulk Coaster offers as well.) The seats of the train are elevated, creating a high chair-like feel while also being completely secure. This attraction features a roomier restraint system -something Universal attractions have desperately needed.
The train slowly glides into the first launch: the velociraptor transfer chute. Fog, strobes, and anxious raptors flank each side of the coaster. Like dogs at a race track, they’re set loose after the train; the metaphorical rabbit. The 40 miles per hour launch shoots the train to a high left bank before down a tunnel of jagged rock and into a flip. In and out, the car weaves between near misses with landscaping and ravenous raptors.
The spaghetti bowl in the paddock is easily the most intense when experiencing from the front row, providing the most airtime. After whipping past the last two raptors, the coaster slumps over an outcropping in the rock and banks down right.
Heads are forced against the headrest, the 70 miles per hour launch in seconds sends the car up the top hat for a picture-perfect view. The inverted stall follows the 155-foot drop, leaving no time to breathe. A wave turn is thrown in for a pop of airtime before a breezy helix leading to the coaster’s climax. The Mosasaurus Roll -a heartline roll crescendos the coaster to a close before slowing the train down for a brief audio Easter Egg. Claire informs Owen of a “slight situation” that requires their attention at River Adventure (alluding to the events of Universal Studios Hollywood’s Jurassic World: The Ride.)
The lap bars swing up, riders exit, and before trekking to retrieve their belongings downstairs, they can catch a glimpse into the paddock. Mr. DNA congratulates and educates park guests one last time on how to gather their items.
Jurassic World: VelociCoaster proves that more teeth are exactly what Jurassic Park needed to revitalize this area of Islands Of Adventure and is an attraction fit for the park.
Clint Gamache is the owner of ThrillGeek. He started ThrillGeek to share his love of theme/amusement parks and pop culture with the world. You can find him at Halloween Horror Nights. Also, be sure to follow him on Twitter @iamcg83