2021 has started and we’re excited for Universal Orlando Resort’s new Intamin coaster, the Jurassic World: VelociCoaster! Let’s take a look at the progress of the ride’s infrastructure, landscaping, entrance, etc. This update also includes more testing footage!
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While we’re here for VelociCoaster, I can’t help but notice the insane amount of progress on the new retail space for CityWalk, presumably also opening sometime in 2021! Over at VelociCoaster, we’re noticing the ride’s entrance really shaping up! The entrance to the ride is nearly disappearing amidst all the vegetation that has gone in. The wall separating the backside of Mythos (in Lost Continent) and the coaster has now also been painted. It will assist in hiding storage and backstage ugliness from riders and those traveling between Lost Continent and Jurassic Park on the newly-constructed bridge. Isn’t it starting to look beautiful? Directly in the middle of this image is a lookout point from which bystanders can enjoy a wonderful view of the new coaster in action. There’s quite some midway that has gone in. There is an aerial view at this later in the update. I am impressed with the sheer amount of plants and trees they’ve added. Detailed walls/fences around the midways/entrance to the coaster can now be seen as well! There will also be glass walls (currently covered in blue plastic). We’ll have aerial images of it later in the update. Obligatory shot of the barrel roll finale! Even this side of the launch tunnel has even more theming added now, note the fencing in the middle of the image. You can also get a closer look at the windows inside the tunnel by clicking on this image. A reader was able to share with us that the electrical wiring coming down the footers is for when the coaster may get hit by lightning. The taped markings seem unrelated, I am not entirely sure what they may be for. Perhaps for floodlights to be mounted to? There aren’t any such markings on other supports, just the ones off to the right. An important part of the coaster’s storyline is the set of four lights (square) found around the ride. Now also on the entry to the brake run. I also noticed they added a separation in the lagoon (close to the Bluto and Popeye’s Bilge Rat Barges), which may have to do with the amount of water that’s being pumped in and out, wanting to minimize stress on the footers. Reinforcement continues on the bridge! With a beautiful background of trees and plants! The bridge looks a lot more organic/wood-eque than I was expecting, but I must admit it looks great. Currently the patio of Three Broomsticks is closed, and they’re adding a variety of walls blocking the view of the coaster. I wonder if that means the patio will reopen while active testing is happening. We’ll throw in another track shot, just for you. Is that a train and updated landscaping I see?
We’ll start with a quick look around the ride. With the holiday crowds it’s been a few weeks since I visited for a major construction update!
When we take a look at the midway side of the ride (within Jurassic Park) we notice that Universal has been trucking along nicely when it comes to landscaping. The majority of the remaining construction walls have been removed and a plethora of trees, scrubs, and plants have been peppered around the ride’s show buildings and plot. It really makes for a gorgeous look! You can click on each image and swipe to take an up-close look.
New pavement between the Raptor Encounter attraction and the VelociCoaster “raptor enclosure” symbolize the connection between the two Jurassic World-themed attractions. Perhaps even the fact that the Raptor Encounter raptors come directly from the enclosure in which we find the coaster.
Below, check out a variety of aerial shots, provided by our friends at @bioreconstruct on Twitter. They have the best aerial shots from theme parks in Central Florida, give ’em a follow!
This is the last remaining construction wall on the midway side of the ride. The buildings are being covered up nicely by all the new landscaping. Here’s a nice overview of the first half of the Jurassic World: VelociCoaster. The raptor with part of the plastic missing has been identified by fans as Blue from the popular film franchise. From above the bridge clearly leads directly to the ride’s entrance. Which can be admired here as well. At the bottom of the top hat (drop) there are glass panels (wrapped in blue plastic at this time). This aerial shot also makes it clear that from the water front (view of barrel roll) there is another entrance/exit to the building. Here’s another look at the bridge leading to the ride’s entrance. There’s quite some empty space on the Lost Continent side. I walked on this new bridge a few months ago, but since then it’s still received a lot of work. One final overall shot of the project!