Sneak peek: Universal begins previews of epic new attraction, Velocicoaster

ORLANDO, Fla. – Universal Orlando is currently in technical rehearsals for its anticipated new attraction, the Jurassic World: Velocicoaster.

Universal pass holders were among the first to ride the attraction during the first week of May after emails were sent out granting them access to the high-speed attraction on a selected date and time.

On Friday, Universal opened the ride to daytime guests for a limited time. During these technical rehearsals, or soft opening, the ride will run intermittently throughout the day, with no advance warning or notification to guests.

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The ride officially opens to the public on June 10. Additional technical rehearsals could be possible between now and the opening date, but it’s not guaranteed.

When the attraction opens, thrill-seekers will have the opportunity to soar 155 feet in the air and catapult up to 70 mph alongside a ferocious Velociraptor pack from the popular series.

News 6 producer Landon McReynolds was given access Monday and provides the walk-through and review below.

From the outside of the new attraction, guests are first greeted by a beautiful pair of Velociraptor statues that sit on pedestals.

The pair, with their mouths open, give guests the first hints of what is to come.

As you make your way around the front of the Jurassic Park Discovery Center, the attraction’s entrance awaits. A pair of Velociraptors are leaning over the edge near the attraction’s sign and the roller coaster’s tallest peak, a 155 foot top-hat element, shadows in the distance.

The sound of screams roar past you as you make your way inside the queue.

The queue is sleek, modern and immediately begins to capitalize on the Jurassic World franchise.

As you zig-zag your way around the first area, the character Mr. DNA gives you a safety briefing about the danger and excitement that awaits while running with a pack of raptors.

“Lets get you ready to enter the paddock with real, live, raptors,” he explains.

In the middle of the room is a giant statue paying tribute to the franchise’s raptors: Blue, Delta, Charlie and Echo.

Above them is an incredible overlay of grid hexagon lighting that changes to the colors of orange, red and blue.

At times the lighting dances to the score of Jurassic World before a Velociraptor noise is heard.

The next room will take you into an area that gives guests a hint of just how fast this coaster really is.

A number of glass panels show you an outside area of the coaster track. As it races to a speed of 70 mph outside, those inside will see it. They will also see the raptor pack not too far behind, one even snarling and growling before taking off.

As the queue moves on, guests will get an overlay of the attraction from the lead scientist, Dr. Henry Wu.

“Combined with the state-of-the-art safety precautions, you’re about to come face-to-face with these magnificent creatures,” he explained.

If you look closely, Jurassic fans will notice small Easter eggs to some other characters, including books from Dr. Ian Malcolm and Alan Grant.

Dr. Wu is not wrong in his messaging. The next room takes you into the stables of the velociraptors. Both Delta and Echo are scanning the room as their heads sit in grooming stations. Don’t stay there too long though -- these dinosaurs are testing the limits trying to break free. These animatronics are a definite highlight.

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The attraction has a locker system that is internal.

When guests get to a spot inside the queue, an attendant will tell them where to go to store all loose belongs.

Just like Universal’s The Incredible Hulk, this attraction too has a security checkpoint. No phones, wallets or cameras will be allowed past this point.

What is cool about this locker system is that it’s two-sided. When you exit, you will grab your belongings on the other side. In the long run, this will prevent congestion in the ride queue. Just remember your locker dinosaur and color.

The final part of the queue is near the boarding station of the attraction. A giant screen will bring you more of the story from Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard).

Dearing welcomes guests as they prepare to experience the new close-encounter attraction while Grady tries to warn guests that it’s a bad idea and that they should turn around and exit. The monologue is entertaining and adds even more to the characters from the films.

“Well then, when the gates open I guess the hunt is on,” Pratt’s character jokes. “I tell them the raptors are dangerous, they say, ‘Put a roller coaster in the paddock.’ What could go wrong?”

From this point on, it’s time to ride.

The ride vehicles look incredible with hints of blue, black and raptor scratch marks.

As you pull down on your lap bar restraint, a wall of glass panels shows you the coaster train ahead of you zipping around the paddock. The ride system does not have a shoulder restraint, so the 12 seconds of air time is guaranteed.

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Riders will encounter intense maneuvers along the coaster’s 4,700 feet of track, including near-misses with Velociraptors, a barrel roll right above the Islands of Adventure lagoon, high-speed launches and an 80-degree drop. Just when you think you will get a bit of breathing time, the coaster sends you flying into more action.

Looking for a little bit more bite to your thrills? Ride in the back row. The coaster rips and pulls you at every turn.

Riding for the views? Look no further than the front row.

This new ride leads the pack when it comes to Universal attractions, but is not for the faint of heart.

As Pratt’s character says right before launch: “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

It’s thrilling, pulse-pumping, immersive, beautifully designed and is sure to be the ultimate adventure that you will want to ride over and over.

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