How Scary is Flying Dinosaur at Universal Studios Japan?
There’s not much we don’t love about the Universal Studios parks around the world. The location in Japan is one of our favorites, though! A huge reason for this is the smooth, unique rides. If you’re planning a trip, you may be searching “Is the Flying Dinosaur scary?” or “How scary is Flying Dinosaur at Universal Studios Japan?” We’ve got answers!
The Flying Dinosaur is scary and very intense. It’s a huge ride and you may feel intimidated just watching it from the ground. There is a big drop and you’ll be hanging and inverted when you do it. We ended up loving this ride but please read through this guide before getting in line.
The Flying Dinosaur at Universal Studios Japan
Head to the Jurassic Park section of Universal Studios Japan and you can’t miss The Flying Dinosaur. In fact, the track weaves all throughout the area which can be a little intimidating for nervous riders. It makes the on-ride experiences pretty cool, though!
While the park has Hollywood Dream, you won’t find anything like the Incredible Hulk Coaster, Velocicoaster, or even The Mummy, a popular ride at Universal Hollywood, Universal Orlando, and even Universal Singapore. But… is The Flying Dinosaur scary? Yes. By far, The Flying Dinosaur is the scariest, most intense ride at Universal Studios Japan, so get ready!
Is The Flying Dinosaur a Roller Coaster?
The Flying Dinosaur is a steel flying roller coaster. As a rider, you’ll be in the prone position basically suspended on your stomach as if you are flying. It’s a cool sensation if you breathe through any anxiety, but it’s also a crazy position to be in while you’re on a roller coaster. We’re just telling it like it is!
Related post: How to Overcome Fear of Roller Coasters
Here are some quick facts about The Flying Dinosaur:
- Opening date: March 18, 2016
- Lift/launch system: Chain lift hill
- Length: 3,687.7 ft (1,124.0 m)
- Height: 151 ft (46 m)
- Drop: 124 ft (38 m)
- Duration: 3 minutes
- Inversions: 5
- Max speed: 62 mph (100 km/h)
- Ride Height Requirement: 52–78 in (132–198 cm)
- Trains: 4 trains with 8 cars. You’ll be in a row of 4 across in a single row with a total of 32 riders per train.
Queue Area
The queue is basically back and away from the actual ride. It’s tucked behind it, so don’t expect good scenery, toilets, or snack areas. It’s just a flat, concrete area with no shade so it’s very hot in the summer.
Loading Area, Seats & Restraints
Designed to look like the caged areas in Jurassic Park, you’re gonna see a lot of metal since everything looks pretty industrial and themed like the movies. The actual loading area is on the other side of a small chain-link fence.
Is the Flying Dinosaur Scary?
Queue/Loading
There’s nothing interesting about the super boring queue area, but if you’re already feeling nervous, the loading area, with its chain-linked cages, might psych you out a little.
Restraints
You’ll need to lift yourself up into the bucket seats and you’ll feel like you’re in the sunken place for a moment. Then, they will fasten a seatbelt and then a large rubber harness over you. Your head will be poking out and it will feel awkward but just before the ride dispatches, the top of your seat will tilt forward until you are facing the ground, suspended.
This harness is designed to keep you secure but allow your body to move around feeling inside of it. You WILL feel like a ragdoll at times.
Vertical Lift
This is probably the scariest part of The Flying Dinosaur. From the ground, we got so scared that we almost backed out. You’ll be suspended, face-down while you do the vertical lift and your limbs will just be dangling out of the harness. People will be waving from below, so wave back if you can!
Drop
You will go head-first into the 124-foot drop on The Flying Dinosaur, but it looks a lot more intimidating than it actually is. It doesn’t last for long and you immediately transition into one of the many unbelievable elements on this ride.
Tunnels/Darkness
There are some tunnels and brief darkness on this ride. You will dive in and out of them very quickly.
Inversions
There are five inversions on The Flying Dinosaur roller coaster. The good news is that they happen so fast that you won’t really have time to worry about them or even process them!
Non-Inverting Elements
There are a LOT of non-inverting elements on The Flying Dinosaur that you may find scary. You’ll experience a zero-g roll (right after the drop), a fly to lie element (the pressure on your body will feel intense!), pretzel loops, a corkscrew, a helix, and an inline twist. You won’t ever feel unsafe, but as I said, you’ll flop around like a ragdoll during these elements on The Flying Dinosaur.
Length
The Flying Dinosaur is now the second-longest flying roller coaster in the world, second to F.L.Y. in Phantasialand, which surpassed it in 2020.
Speed
The Flying Dinosaur feels super fast even though it’s not. There are two reasons for this. The ride is PACKED with elements and you’ll be moving quickly from one to the next. The other is that the harness really just adds to the wild nature of the ride so everything feels more intense.
Best Things About The Flying Dinosaur
When we rode The Flying Dinosaur the first time, we had a specific time because we’d purchased an Express Pass. It gave us no choice but to line up at our designated time, so we couldn’t really chicken out. We were so scared that I actually started crying. It looked TERRIFYING from the ground.
My legs were so wobbly when I propped myself up into the seat. I was rethinking my life, fam. Then, I remembered that I could do just about anything for three minutes and decided to take a deep breath and be brave. I’m glad I did because it ended up being one of THE BEST RIDES OF MY LIFE.
The harnesses are insane but the ride wouldn’t be nearly as good without them. I really felt like I was flying and flopping through the air and it was an incredible, and unique, experience. While some elements, such as the fly to lie section, were a bit intense for my aging body, it was entirely worth it. If you can muster up the courage, this is not one to miss!
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