In our first construction update and rumor roundup since the Jurassic World VelociCoaster was officially announced last week, we’re talking about all the trains that are currently on the track and so much more!

Once again, our good friend Bioreconstruct on Twitter has taken to the skies and provided everyone with glorious views of this intricately designed masterpiece of a roller coaster. We’re getting our first looks at the ride’s entrance and exterior queue framing, close ups of new theming details like raptor eggs, and so much more. Check out the full photo report below and be sure to see our previous story for all the official stats now that the VelociCoaster has actually been announced!

Before we jump into construction, I wanted to start with the return of our old friend, the osprey. We were the first outlet to spot her back when she was first attempting to create a nest at the top of the tallest part of the coaster back in August.

Since then, Universal has tried placing plastic over that section of track to keep her, and who I assume is her osprey husband, from returning. But time and time again, she seems to keep returning. Below are some recent photos of them enjoying their high in the sky views over the park.

While we’re up here looking at the top of the top hat, it appears that a fourth LSM fin is being added. Going by the officially released sneak preview concept video, it does not appear that these fins are intended to slow down the coaster trains as they pass over the crest of the top hat. Instead, it can be assumed that these are being placed here for safety reasons only, perhaps to hold trains or push them over the edge in cases of stalls or other rare occasions. If so, I’m sure coaster fans everywhere will rejoice.

The next aerial photo has an arrow pointing to the osprey sitting atop the top hat, but look closer below that. On the ground, we can see the steel framing for what will be an exterior queue area for the attraction, as well as the ride’s main entrance.

The next image is an official concept rendering from Universal Orlando, giving you an idea of how the finished entrance area will appear.

Here’s a better look at the steel structure taking shape. The ride’s entrance will be located on the right side of the structure. Guests will enter the queue here, directly in front of the Discovery Center. You will need to walk by the touchdown moment, where the coaster trains are passing by after descending from the top hat. The following photo shows the entrance framing from the ground.

And here’s one more official rendering so you can see how there will be fire effects above the ride’s entrance.

Moving on, some theming has been added to the exit of the second launch tunnel. This is where the trains will be launched at 70 miles per hour straight up that tall top hat maneuver.

Also, from this area we can see that nets are being installed below the track in a couple places, as seen in the next few photos. Similar to the Incredible Hulk Coaster, these are meant to protect guests below from the possibility of falling objects. Even though loose articles may be required to be placed in a locker, you never know when someone’s glasses or even a shoe may come off. With nets being installed below the top hat and near the bypass bridge, many believe we could see actual train run tests as soon as next month!

Moving on from the back half of the attraction, to the increasingly well-themed front section now. The raptor paddock area continues to receive amazing new details and themed elements, and the rockwork is being revealed as more scaffolding comes down.

If you look closely at the tallest section of rockwork in the area, what looks to be some dinosaur eggs can be found. Looks like Malcolm was right, life finds a way!

A small waterfall is going to be placed inside of the tall rockwork area, passing close to the track. This will add some kinetic energy to the area, as well as look neat as we zoom by on the ride. the trough for water collection is taking shape below the area as well.

The officially released GIF below gives you an idea of how the final water feature may look.

And here’s a couple more shots of the incredible rockwork now that the scaffolding has come down around it.

Elsewhere inside of the paddock, more plants have been added, both real and fake. In the photos below you can see a wall of fake plants that have been placed on the rockwork here, blocking the view of a pack of velociraptors hiding behind it.

The next photo gives you a great view of all four raptor figures that we know have been installed on the ride. The arrow is pointing to a plastic covered train, one of two full trains that can currently be seen on the track. These have all six cars connected, as opposed to the two-car trains being used for clearance testing.

Here’s another angle of the raptors, with a view of the last turn near the end of the ride. It looks like workers have placed plywood along the floor of this turn while they are working.

This wider view below shows the raptors in the back, and near the bottom of the photo you can see the other full train. It is sitting at the start of the second launch for the ride.

Next photo shows a reverse angle, with the raptors now at the bottom. The two arrows are pointing at the starts of the coaster’s two launches. You can also get a good view of the paddock walls that separate the area from the main guest pathway.

While most of the paddock walls are concrete so you won’t be able to see into the area, two sections have been left open. These “viewing areas” will allow guests a peak into the paddock. They are placed near both of the coaster launches so will help create excitement for those that are walking by. New metal forms and bars are being placed on these areas, to keep the guests safe from the raptors inside.

The green arrows in the next photo show both viewing areas located along the walls. Guests will likely be able to walk right up to these areas and look in once the coaster is completed. You can also spot the shape of a planter located on the right side of the area, likely for trees to help seamlessly blend into Camp Jurassic.

As we talked about in our last construction update, a pull-through clearance test has been continuing for a few weeks now. This is where workers pull a couple coaster cars through the entire track layout with a special envelope test frame to ensure no one’s arms or heads would be struck by pieces of scenery or other structures along the path.

Thanks to officially released renders, like the two below, we do have an idea of what the trains will look like, despite them still being covered in white plastic on the work site.

The next photo gives us a nice view of the window out into the paddock on the load building. This may afford those loading onto the coaster a neat view into the ride before they disembark.

Also of note, metal forms have been added along the roof to help block unsightly equipment from view while staying well-themed.

And before we go, here’s another check in on the new Forbidden Journey lockers. From this angle we can see that the side facing Potter is covered in rockwork. We’re expecting the side facing Jurassic Park to look like another dinosaur paddock, similar in style to the paddock walls of the VelociCoaster. And, it looks as though there is enough space atop the locker structure to place some sort of foliage that could help block the view of the castle when you’re entering Jurassic Park! Finger crossed anyway.

That’s all for now, but be sure to check out Bioreconstruct on Twitter for more amazing aerial photography. See our latest video below for more officially released details and rumors for the Jurassic World VelociCoaster, including what this new attraction could mean for the rest of the Jurassic Park land. And stay tuned for continuing construction coverage all the way until its grand opening in the summer of 2021!

To never miss an update on the VelociCoaster, follow our news feed or enter your email address below. Photos: Bioreconstruct | Official Graphics: Universal Orlando

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