All About Japan

Get Swept Up by a Pteranodon at USJ!

Theme Parks Osaka Kansai

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNlH1ejlXjQ

Universal Studios Japan (USJ) opened on the edge of Osaka Bay on March 31, 2001. As of 2015, it was the most-visited theme park in Japan after Tokyo Disneyland, though it's in a close contest with Tokyo DisneySea.

On March 16, 2016, USJ opened The Flying Dinosaur roller coaster to mark the 15th anniversary of the park. Located in the Jurassic Park area, the shtick is that a pteranodon has snatched you up from behind—and you can even see one of the flying beasties ahead of the lead car as you swoop through various loops and twists.

As a "flying" roller coaster, after you're strapped in, the seat flips back and you go through the ride facing straight down. At 1,124 meters (3,688 ft), USJ claims The Flying Dinosaur as the longest flying roller coaster in the world, as well as the one with the longest initial drop (37.8 m/124 ft).

The video above starts off in the Dinosaur Panic area of the park, showing off some impressive dinosaur puppet work before going into an intense POV shot of the ride. Keep watching for a few alternate angles, as well as a visit to a very scary dining area!