The Flying Dinosaur Coaster Nearly Complete at Universal Studios Japan

We haven't checked in on the progress of The Flying Dinosaur at Universal Studios Japan in a bit, and the new B&M Flying roller coaster is nearly complete!

These images come from Twitter user Made_in_USJ, who has done a top notch job keeping us updated on the ride's progress.

© Made_in_USJ via Twitter

The last update we did saw the coaster's lift hill and drop complete, which both take place directly over the Universal Japan's Jurassic Park area.  After that large drop the coaster enters into an element that we previously saw on Starry Sky Ripper at Joyland in China.  This is the large element in the background of the above photo.

© Made_in_USJ via Twitter

Here is a closer look at the element, referred to as a "fly to lie" because the train enters the element in flying position, but finishes with riders lying on their backs.  This also means that a full 540 degrees of rotation is achieved.

© Made_in_USJ via Twitter

After the Fly to Lie, the trains dive downward to the lagoon that is to the immediate right (when looking at the building) of the splash area for Jurassic Park: The Ride.  Riders then climb back up into a large half-loop which moves them back into flying position.  The track then begins to curve to the left.

© Made_in_USJ via Twitter

And that curve is where the construction has left off at the moment.  We know that it will eventually connect to this swooping curve that is in the foreground of the above photo.  What happens in between may be as simple as a gradual turn, or perhaps a larger element.  In the right of this photo you can see the two end pieces of track that will be connected.  The sweeping turn in the foreground passes directly in front of the iconic visitor's center in Jurassic Park - this new coaster will certainly forever change the look of the land.

© Made_in_USJ via Twitter

After that swoop turn the ride enters an extended heartline roll, or perhaps an extended corkscrew due to the angle of the entrance and exit?  Either way it's a twisty inversion that's right over the midway and in front of the Discovery Restaurant.

© Made_in_USJ via Twitter

At the top left of this photo is where the trains exit the just-described inversion, where they then head into a large upward 360 degree helix.  I am not 100% sure but I think this helix is swirling around the station for the Jurassic Park: The Ride, continuing to interact with the entire land.

After this helix comes a heartline roll and then the final brakes.

So we now know nearly all of the Flying Dinosaur's layout, with only one mystery segment left.  This looks like an amazing ride - I can't wait for the testing phase to begin!