Flight of the Hippogriff, Steel roller coaster at Universal's Islands of Adventure, Florida
Flight of the Hippogriff is a steel coaster located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Islands of Adventure in Florida. The track runs for 335 meters (1099 feet) on brown supports, lifting riders to a height of 13 meters (42.7 feet) and reaching a top speed of 46 kilometers per hour.
The coaster opened in 2000 under the name Flying Unicorn as a family-friendly ride without any Potter theming. It was reworked in 2010 and reopened in 2011 as part of the newly built Wizarding World zone under its current name.
The ride recreates a lesson in Care of Magical Creatures taught by Hagrid, with scenery drawn directly from the films. Visitors pass a full-size hippogriff model before boarding, reinforcing the sense of entering a scene from the books.
Riders must be at least 92 centimeters (36 inches) tall, and adults can accompany younger visitors in the same seat. Express Pass holders can skip most of the queue, and Child Swap lets parents take turns without waiting twice.
The lift uses rubber tires that push along the entire climb rather than a traditional chain or cable. This method runs more quietly and accelerates the train more smoothly until it reaches the top.
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