Pteranodon Flyers
Universal's Islands of Adventure · Jurassic Park
Overview
Pteranodon Flyers is a suspended outdoor sky ride in Jurassic Park that hangs riders beneath large Pteranodon wings as they slowly soar above the Jurassic Park area, providing an aerial view of the section below. The ride is designed primarily for children — adults must be accompanied by a child to board. With a low height minimum, very low intensity, and no Express Pass access, it is a niche experience within Jurassic Park with brief 1-minute ride time and disproportionately long waits on busy days.
ParksLog Verdict
Primarily for families with young children who can meet the minimum but cannot yet handle higher-intensity Jurassic Park experiences. Adults without children cannot ride. The no-Express-Pass policy creates disproportionate waits relative to the one-minute runtime — visit in the first hour before the queue builds, or accept a long wait as the price of admission for young guests. The aerial view of the Jurassic Park area is the genuine highlight. Manage wait expectations carefully.
About this experience
Taking flight beneath the 10-foot wings of a Pteranodon, little adventurers will get an amazing view of all the theme-park excitement below. They'll slowly soar and gently swing through the air in a comfy seat suspended from a track above.
Best For
- Families with young children (36" minimum)
- Children who want an aerial Jurassic Park experience
- Young guests who cannot yet ride higher-intensity Jurassic Park attractions
Tips
- Adult guests must be accompanied by a child to board — verify your group composition before queuing.
- Express Pass is not accepted — standby is the only option, and waits can be disproportionate to the 1-minute ride time.
- At 1 minute, manage wait time expectations carefully — visit early in the morning when Jurassic Park is least crowded.
Details
History
Pteranodon Flyers opened with Islands of Adventure on May 28, 1999, as one of the only major sky ride installations at a Universal park. The child-priority boarding policy — requiring adult guests to be accompanied by a child — was a deliberate design decision to ensure the ride remained oriented toward its intended youngest audience.
Closure history
- Feb 27, 2026 - Jul 2, 2026
Fun Facts
- Pteranodon Flyers requires adult guests to be accompanied by a child to board — one of the few major theme park rides with a policy specifically prioritizing children over unaccompanied adults.
- Express Pass is not accepted at Pteranodon Flyers, making it one of the rare attractions at Islands of Adventure without Universal Express access.
- The suspended vehicle format — with riders hanging beneath a track overhead — is a sky coaster configuration rarely used in North American theme parks outside of Pteranodon Flyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does Pteranodon Flyers take?
- The experience runs about 1 minutes. Budget extra time for the queue, any pre-show, and boarding — on busy days the full process can take considerably longer.
- Is Pteranodon Flyers good for young children?
- Yes — Pteranodon Flyers is listed as kid-friendly on ParksLog. The experience is gentle enough for most young guests, though always consider a child's individual comfort with the ride type before queuing.
- How intense is Pteranodon Flyers?
- ParksLog rates this as very gentle — minimal motion, no significant speed or drops. Suitable for nearly all guests. Use your own judgement based on personal comfort and any health advisories posted at the entrance.
- Does Pteranodon Flyers cause motion sickness?
- Most guests will not experience motion sickness. The experience is smooth with no spinning or disorienting motion.
- Does Pteranodon Flyers operate in the rain?
- Pteranodon Flyers operates outdoors. It may be affected by weather conditions — check with the park on the day of your visit during rain or storms.
- Should I prioritize Pteranodon Flyers at Universal's Islands of Adventure?
- Pteranodon Flyers is optional on a typical visit. It's a pleasant addition if lines are short, but most guests won't feel they missed out if they skip it.
- Does Pteranodon Flyers have Universal Express?
- Pteranodon Flyers is not included in Universal Express Pass. All guests join the standard queue for this attraction.
- When did Pteranodon Flyers open?
- Pteranodon Flyers opened at Universal's Islands of Adventure in 1999.
- Does Pteranodon Flyers have a single rider line?
- Pteranodon Flyers does not have a single rider line. All guests join the standby queue or use Universal Express.