Universal Studios Japan (USJ) Discussion Thread

The pretzel loop is the one standout and at the same time polarizing element on the S:UF clones. Some people love the element, some hate it.

Practically everyone agrees the rest of the ride is not very exciting.

Tatsu's pretzel loop is crazy.

I'm a big fan of the B&M flyers in general and have a lot of love for Pretzels and the loop on Sky Ripper.

Sky Ripper, Tatsu and Manta all sit in or near my top 10 with Crystal Wings leading the pack of S:UF clones a fair way down.

I'm really intrigued to see what they do with this one. The space they have to work with doesn't seem that big for such a large coaster.

I've only been on one flyer, Tatsu, and it's my favorite B&M. More so than the inverted, hyper, floorless, sit-down and standup coasters from them I've ridden.

By unique I mean something other than lift, curved drop, pretzel loop, turn, roll, turn, roll, turn, brakes a sequence that every flyer except Starry Night Ripper seems to follow somewhat.

If you think about it though, Starry Sky Ripper is kind of like a modified Vekoma Flying Dutchman with one unique element.

I've only been on one flyer but I do enjoy the concept. It might me a gimmick but it's one that actually makes a big difference when you're riding. Plus I think pretzel loops are insane!

One thing I'd like to see would be a low, close to the ground and fast section to take advantage of the flying position. I think it'd be more insteresting than some slower higher turns we usually see.

I've only been on one flyer but I do enjoy the concept. It might me a gimmick but it's one that actually makes a big difference when you're riding. Plus I think pretzel loops are insane!

One thing I'd like to see would be a low, close to the ground and fast section to take advantage of the flying position. I think it'd be more insteresting than some slower higher turns we usually see.

Totally! Make a few turns that's low to the ground and twisty like Fury 325 and that will be perfect!

^That'd give an awesome sensation of speed!

Lift hill is topped off!

Source

Drop is now mostly in. Looking good too

More here

https://twitter.com/made_in_USJ/status/655381272525586436

It looks so good!! I really like the colors!

I've only been on one flyer but I do enjoy the concept. It might me a gimmick but it's one that actually makes a big difference when you're riding. Plus I think pretzel loops are insane!

One thing I'd like to see would be a low, close to the ground and fast section to take advantage of the flying position. I think it'd be more insteresting than some slower higher turns we usually see.

This, I really like every flyer I've been on, in particular Tatsu. I think Tatsu could have been even better if it was more low to the ground like Ninja is. Maybe they could have had the first drop and inversion the same as it is now before going into a sequence of steep dives and sweeping turns following the terrain. That sensation of speed would've been insane! I'd even forgo the Pretzel loop as amazing as it is because I think that a terrain coaster that follows the landscape as closely as something like Ninja or Lisebergbanan is what would suit the flying coaster genre best.

I've only been on one flyer but I do enjoy the concept. It might me a gimmick but it's one that actually makes a big difference when you're riding. Plus I think pretzel loops are insane!

One thing I'd like to see would be a low, close to the ground and fast section to take advantage of the flying position. I think it'd be more insteresting than some slower higher turns we usually see.

 

This, I really like every flyer I've been on, in particular Tatsu. I think Tatsu could have been even better if it was more low to the ground like Ninja is. Maybe they could have had the first drop and inversion the same as it is now before going into a sequence of steep dives and sweeping turns following the terrain. That sensation of speed would've been insane! I'd even forgo the Pretzel loop as amazing as it is because I think that a terrain coaster that follows the landscape as closely as something like Ninja or Lisebergbanan is what would suit the flying coaster genre best.

I've never ridden Tatsu, but I always felt they made it so high up to take advantage of the hill it sits on, giving the sensation you are flying above the park much higher than what it is in reality.

That first drop looks great! I always wanted to try a flyer with a steep, non-curved first drop like that. The back row should give a great experience on that element

I am willing to hope that this park will be exactly like how Japan does things, and out-theme

anything that's out there, as a flyer coaster. How they'll design and build the flying

dinosaurs that hold us up..... chills. I hope.

Flying Dinosaur update...

photos: twitter.com/made_in_USJ

That drop definitely looks more intriguing than the long swooping drop found on most B&M flyers. Getting really interesting to follow the construction now that more and more of the layout is getting revealed.

That drop definitely looks more intriguing than the long swooping drop found on most B&M flyers.

I'm only used to Manta-style drops, very gentle, not much "swoop". This is going on my list!

I LOVE that drop! But I'm kinda upset with all those twists... I want airtime or floating-time on a flyer, not rolls that have no purpose than to be disorienting and make me sick.

Interesting drop....

This is starting to look pretty nice.

It looks great! Swooping curves all around!

I Love Japan.

It's going to rule the park, LOL!

The first element looks to be a 180 degree overbank. Anyone agree?

The coaster looks amazing!!! Can't wait to see more of it progress.

However I can't help but wonder... why is this person holding a closed umbrella up, like it's open?? Like... do they not know it's closed??

The umbrella person is probably a tour guide.

^ Yea you beat me to it. A lot of tour groups went around Halloween week. One of my middle schoolers just came back from going last week during normal park hours and she said although Harry Potter was around 90 minutes, the line for Backwards Hollywood Dream (being one of the only rides that isn't an option on any of the express passes) was 4 hours long!