The Velocicoaster at Universal Studios Florida Is Overrated

As an avid traveler and roller coaster enthusiast, I must say that I was quite disappointed with the Velocicoaster at Universal Studios Florida when I rode it last year. Don’t get me wrong; it’s not a terrible roller coaster by any means, but it’s not one of the better ones in Central Florida either. The hype is real, the intensity is greater, but there are a few key pieces missing for this to be one of the best over generations.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Velocicoaster, it’s a newly opened coaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park. The ride features a launch system that accelerates the coaster to 70 miles per hour in just 2.4 seconds, several inversions, and plenty of airtime moments.

Now, before I start comparing the Velocicoaster to other coasters, let me make it clear that I’m not trying to hate on the ride or the park. Universal Studios Florida is an excellent theme park, and I’ve enjoyed my visits there. However, as someone who has ridden many coasters across the country and even internationally, I have to say that the Velocicoaster falls short in some areas.

Firstly, let’s talk about the overall ride experience. While the Velocicoaster’s launch system is impressive, the rest of the ride is somewhat lackluster. The coaster’s track layout is quite short, with the ride lasting only about a minute and a half. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as some of the best coasters in the world are short and sweet. However, the Velocicoaster doesn’t make the most of its limited track length. The coaster lacks a cohesive theme, and the ride’s layout feels disjointed and poorly executed. It feels like a coaster that was themed around Jurassic World as an afterthought — not as a starting point. Unfortunately, that makes the whole experience less than it could be.

When compared to other coasters in Central Florida, the Velocicoaster doesn’t hold up quite as well. Take, for example, Universal’s other coasters, the Hulk and the Mummy. Both of these coasters have more cohesive theming and better-executed layouts than the Velocicoaster. The Hulk’s launch system is just as impressive as the Velocicoaster’s, but the ride’s track layout is more intricate and exciting. The Mummy, while not a traditional coaster, offers a thrilling ride experience that’s more immersive than the Velocicoaster.

Moving beyond Universal Studios, let’s compare the Velocicoaster to some of the other coasters in Central Florida. SeaWorld Orlando’s Mako, for example, is a coaster that offers a much more complete ride experience. Mako is a hypercoaster that reaches speeds of 73 miles per hour and features several large drops and airtime moments. The coaster’s track layout is more intricate than the Velocicoaster’s and is designed to create a feeling of weightlessness and speed. Additionally, Mako has a cohesive theme that ties the ride together and makes the experience more immersive.

Another coaster that outshines the Velocicoaster is Busch Gardens Tampa’s Iron Gwazi. Though it’s not one that I considered originally in my list, it’s important nonetheless. Iron Gwazi is a hybrid coaster that features a wooden structure and steel track. The coaster’s layout is intricate and promises to offer a thrilling ride experience that’s unmatched in Central Florida. Additionally, Iron Gwazi has a well-executed theme that’s based on a fictional creature called the Iron Gwazi, adding to the ride’s overall adventure.

Now, I understand that everyone’s opinion on coasters is subjective, and some people may prefer the Velocicoaster over other coasters. However, when looking at the coaster objectively as I can, it’s clear that it falls short in some areas when compared to other coasters in Central Florida. The Velocicoaster’s lack of cohesive theming and short track length are significant drawbacks that prevent the ride from being one of the best in a packed field of contenders. Is it worth your time? You bet. Is it worth remembering the world over? Not so much.

But feel free to disagree… especially if you’re a Jurassic World or Universal Studios fanatic.