The Orlando Fire Department successfully evacuated 70 passengers from the Pteranodon Flyers attraction at Universal Islands of Adventure on Saturday. Fire crews were dispatched to the park following a mechanical issue that halted the ride, leaving guests stranded above the ground. No injuries were reported during the rescue operation, and park officials confirmed the ride was safely cleared.
Incident Details at Universal Islands of Adventure
The rescue took place on Saturday afternoon after the Pteranodon Flyers, a family-friendly suspended roller coaster, experienced a technical stoppage. According to the Orlando Fire Department, emergency personnel responded to the scene to assist in bringing guests down from the ride’s elevated track.
Universal Orlando Resort maintained that the safety of its guests is the top priority. In a statement provided to local media, including WESH 2 News, a spokesperson for the park confirmed that all 70 guests were safely evacuated without medical incident. The ride remains closed while maintenance teams conduct a thorough inspection to determine the cause of the mechanical failure.
Understanding the Pteranodon Flyers Attraction
Pteranodon Flyers is a unique attraction located in the Jurassic Park section of Islands of Adventure. Unlike high-speed coasters, the ride features individual, two-seat vehicles suspended from an overhead track that glides slowly over the Camp Jurassic play area.
Because the ride vehicles are suspended and do not have an automated "walk-off" path along the track, rescues require specialized equipment. Firefighters utilized ladders and aerial platforms to reach the passengers and bring them to the ground safely. This specific ride often has strict boarding requirements, including a mandate that adults must be accompanied by a child to ride, due to the nature of the seating and the ride’s low-capacity, slow-moving design.
Operational Context and Safety Protocols
Theme park ride stoppages are standard safety procedures designed to protect guests when a sensor detects an anomaly or when a mechanical hiccup occurs. According to industry standards monitored by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which oversees ride inspections in the state, parks are required to report significant incidents and maintain rigorous maintenance logs.
While the sight of fire trucks and rescue operations in a theme park setting often draws significant public attention, these events are typically managed through pre-planned coordination between park security and local municipal fire departments. Universal Orlando has not provided a specific timeline for when the Pteranodon Flyers will resume normal operations, noting that the attraction will stay offline until the inspection process is complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Were there any injuries reported during the evacuation?
No. The Orlando Fire Department confirmed that all 70 passengers were removed from the ride safely and no medical transport was required.
Why did the ride stop?
The exact mechanical cause has not been disclosed by Universal Orlando. The park is currently conducting a maintenance review.
Is Universal Islands of Adventure still open?
Yes. The incident was isolated to the Pteranodon Flyers attraction in the Jurassic Park area; the rest of the park continues to operate on its standard schedule.
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