Hey, guys — it's Tad here. Today, I want to talk about all things VelociCoaster! Located in Universal Islands of Adventure, Jurassic World VelociCoaster is one of the most thrilling roller coasters in the park … and maybe ever! It has it all: speed, excitement and oh yeah, RAPTORS. What more could you ask for in a roller coaster? Hop along with me as we talk about this thrilling coaster and answer the question everyone wants to know: How fast does VelociCoaster go?
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Overview of Jurassic World VelociCoaster
Jurassic World VelociCoaster is an intense roller coaster at Universal Islands of Adventure. It's in the Jurassic Park section of the park, next to the Jurassic Park Discovery Center. It's located toward the back of the park, so invest in some good walking shoes!
The VelociCoaster is one of the newer attractions to open at Islands of Adventure, as it debuted June 10, 2021. Currently ranked as the park's tallest and fastest launch roller coaster, it has four loops and reaches top speeds in 2.4 seconds!
The excitement starts in the queue and builds from there. In the lobby, you'll see statues of four raptors — Delta, Echo, Blue and Charlie. This, of course, won't be your only interaction with them (stay tuned!).
From there, you’ll enter the Raptor Stable, and both Delta and Echo are there to greet you. This is pretty intimidating, so next up is a safety briefing from Claire Dearing and a warning from Owen. Now it's time to board the coaster. First, you'll whiz through the Raptor paddock! Then, you'll soar over the sky — or rather, 155 feet in the air — before dropping 140 feet. Expect lots of twists and turns — the coaster crosses over and under itself a shocking 40 times, including the final barrel roll.
The coaster clocks in at just two minutes, but the thrill will last all day. Just ask Daddy Frog — we like to ride this coaster two to three times when we can. In addition, it also offers a Single Rider line, which is open to availability (at times, it may close for capacity). While this may decrease your wait time at other rides (or theme parks), the coaster's two-seat system may cause a longer Single Rider wait, as it ultimately depends on how many even-numbered parties are coming through. Recently, we waited in the Single Rider line for 25 minutes, but the standby wait time was also 25 minutes! A good rule of thumb is that if there's a line to wait for the Single Rider lockers, the wait time could be 30+ minutes.
How Fast Is VelociCoaster?
“How fast does VelociCoaster go?"
“What’s the VelociCoaster speed?"
“How fast is the VelociCoaster?”
Regardless of how the question is framed, the VelociCoaster speed is what everyone wants to know — and for good reason! After all, with a name inspired by the word velocity, Jurassic World VelociCoaster must go fast, right? The answer: a whopping 70 miles per hour!
For comparison, the Incredible Hulk Coaster maxes out at 67 miles per hour. This makes VelociCoaster Universal Orlando's fastest ride! In addition, what makes VelociCoaster even more unique is that the second half of the ride is faster than the first. Once the coaster hits 70 miles per hour, it maintains some of that speed until the end of the ride.
In short, the VelociCoaster speed makes for a truly thrilling experience!
How Tall Is VelociCoaster?
Standing before VelociCoaster can be intimidating because of its height. But exactly how tall is it? The answer is 155 feet! In fact, it is currently the tallest launch roller coaster in Universal Orlando Resort!
Easter Eggs on VelociCoaster at Universal
VelociCoaster replaced Triceratops Encounter, which had been closed before this coaster took over. For longtime fans — if you remember this ride (or are into easter eggs) — keep an eye out for a bag of Dino Chow after the second loop. This was from Triceratops Encounter!
That's not all. Look for a Pteranodon nest after the first loop — and in the trainer lockers, there are some reference books that fans of the film will appreciate!
VelociCoaster Universal FAQs
How fast does VelociCoaster go? Do you have to rent a locker before boarding? How tall do you have to be to ride? For those ready to ride Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Islands of Adventure, here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions:
What's the Height Requirement for VelociCoaster at Universal?
First, guests must be 51" tall (or 130 cm) to ride this thrilling roller coaster. Additionally, if your tadpole is too young to ride, VelociCoaster does offer Child Swap for Mommy and Daddy frogs.
Is VelociCoaster Available With Universal Express Pass?
Yes, it is! If you’re unfamiliar with Universal Express Pass, it’s a paid skip-the-line ticket that works at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. Read your complete guide to using Express Pass at Universal Orlando for more info!
Does VelociCoaster Go Upside Down?
Yes, it goes upside down four times.
Will I Need a Locker?
You will need a locker, as this ride has a strict "no loose items" policy. In fact, you will have to go through metal detection to ensure nothing will fall out of any pockets. So yes, those backpacks and interactive wands must be stored before you board. The lockers are halfway through the queue, and are the first at Universal to have dual sides, meaning you put your belongings in and grab them after you ride from the other side (so be sure to remember your station number!).
How Fast Does the VelociCoaster Go?
As we covered already, this coaster reaches top speeds of 70 miles per hour. The first launch goes from 0 to 50 mph, as you soar through the foliage in the first half. The second launch takes you from 40 to 70 mph right before the "Top Hat."
What Kind of Seats Does it Have?
This roller coaster uses a lap bar restraint system. Specifically, riders are seated two by two and have a bar over their laps. In other words, there are no over-the-shoulder restraints. Additionally, the coaster has 12 rows, so it can accommodate 24 people at a time.
Should I Ride It if I Fear Heights or Have Motion Sickness?
Only you can answer this. For example, as mentioned above, this coaster reaches a top height of 155 feet. Plus, it reaches top speeds of 70 miles per hour. While it is a fast-moving coaster and it's over before you know it, you should always use your best judgment before boarding. No ride is worth feeling uncomfortable on, so if you're terrified of heights, it's probably best to sit this one out.
If you change your mind about riding while in the queue, just let an employee know and they’ll guide you to an exit. Alternatively, if you're concerned about tummy troubles, check out Mommy Frog's guide to overcoming motion sickness at Universal Orlando for some helpful tips.
Not surprisingly, VelociCoaster has been a game changer at Universal Orlando Resort and has earned numerous accolades, including recognition by USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice for Best New Theme Park Attraction 2021. Pretty cool!
Have you braved this one-of-a-kind coaster yet? If so, what do you think is the best roller coaster at Universal? Drop a comment below! We'd love to hear from you!
Related: A Dinosaur Lover's Guide to Universal Orlando Resort
Related: The Top 10 Universal Islands of Adventure Rides
Related: Top Tips for Going to Universal Orlando with Teens and Tweens
Stay cool
