Sunday, April 3, 2016

The Flying Dinosaur Open at Universal Japan + Last Back to the Future Ride to Close


Universal Studios Japan has opened The Flying Dinosaur, B&M's largest flying roller coaster to date, to very eager park guests.  The above video of the ride from its opening day shows plenty of off-ride views of the coaster - including several crazy elements like an inside raven-turn, pretzel loop and many fly-to-lie moments.

The ride, at least from the video, looks to really hold its speed throughout the entire course, ending with a speedy heartline twist just before the final brakes.  The ride's pretzel loop actually goes around one of the entrances to the Jurassic Park themed area, adding nice interaction with non-riders.  I guess to a degree the entire ride does that, since it's located almost exclusively above the park's midways.

© Universal Studios Japan
Universal Studios Japan also announced that Back to the Future: The Ride will be closing for good on May 31st, 2016.  The simulator ride is the one version still in operation at any Universal park, with both the Florida and California versions of the attractions having closed in 2007 to make way for The Simpsons Ride.

Now word yet on what will be replacing the attraction, even if it will be a retheme that will still use the existing simulator hardware, or a total removal of the ride.


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