Twisting high above Universal Studios Japan, can you hear the screams? They echo from The Flying Dinosaur. This steel flying roller coaster is not for the faint of heart. It’s a thrilling experience that will leave you breathless.
The Flying Dinosaur restrains riders in a prone position. Imagine flying like a dinosaur. You are soaring through the air. The wind rushes past your face. This unique design is by Swiss firm Bolliger & Mabillard. They are known for their innovative roller coaster designs.
The Flying Dinosaur opened on March 18, 2016. It quickly became a park highlight. For a time, it was the world’s longest flying roller coaster. F.L.Y. in Phantasialand later surpassed it. Yet, The Flying Dinosaur remains a favorite.
In June 2015, Universal Studios Japan confirmed a new Jurassic Park attraction. Construction started soon after. By August, teasers appeared. They promised, “The Greatest DINOSAUR RIDE IN THE WORLD! Coming in 2016…” The park officially announced The Flying Dinosaur on October 2, 2015. Excitement grew as the opening neared.
The ride begins in a dual station. It heads straight for the lift hill. Reaching the top, prepare for a 124-foot drop. You will plunge towards the ground. Next, a zero-g roll inverts you. Then, a fly-to-lie element makes you face the sky.
The Flying Dinosaur is full of twists. It includes a half pretzel loop. Riders return to a flying position. Another pretzel loop follows. The coaster dives into a small tunnel. A brief air-time element adds to the thrill. Next is a corkscrew inversion.
After the corkscrew, the train enters a helix. The final inversion is an inline twist. This happens just before the final brake run. The whole ride lasts about one minute and 27 seconds.
The Flying Dinosaur has four trains. Each train has eight cars. Thirty-two riders can ride at once. Riders sit four across in a single row. A chain lift carries the trains up the first hill.
The track is 3,687.7 feet long. The highest point reaches 151 feet. The coaster reaches speeds of 62 mph. The cost to build this beast was high. It cost about 81,340,000 Euros.
Riders must be between 52 and 78 inches tall. This ensures safety on this thrilling ride. The Flying Dinosaur is a must-try. Are you brave enough to take flight?