Universal Orlando Resort stunned theme park fans yesterday with a rare move—relaxing one of its most contentious rules. For a brief window, adults were allowed to ride Pteranodon Flyers at Islands of Adventure without a child, breaking a long-standing restriction that has frustrated parkgoers for years.
Pteranodon Flyers and Its Strict Height Requirements
Universal Orlando Resort enforces a clear set of rules to maintain a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests. These rules cover everything from prohibited items—like glass containers and large coolers—to dress codes banning offensive language or imagery on clothing.
Certain rides also have height restrictions, while loose articles must be secured before boarding select attractions. Security screenings at the entrance ensure compliance, making it clear that while the parks prioritize fun, safety always comes first.
One rule, however, has been a consistent source of controversy—the height requirement for Pteranodon Flyers.
Unlike most rides, it’s not just about being tall enough; there’s a maximum height limit, too. Pteranodon Flyers, a suspended ride in the Jurassic Park section of Islands of Adventure, typically only allows riders between 36 inches (92 cm) and 56 inches (143 cm) tall.
The only exception has been for adults accompanying a child who meets those requirements. That means unless you have a kid in tow, the ride has remained off-limits—a rule that, despite the outcry, was never about safety.
Why Is There a Maximum Height Rule?
The height cap isn’t about weight restrictions or safety concerns—it’s about capacity. Pteranodon Flyers has a notoriously low rider capacity, operating with only three “birds” on the track at any given time. With a max of six riders at once and a runtime of just 80 seconds, the line can move at a snail’s pace.
A former Universal attractions operator, who worked on the ride for over a decade, explained the reasoning on Reddit: “It isn’t a weight issue, it’s a load issue. You can’t put more than three birds on the track without causing delays, ride stops, or other technical issues.” The same employee added that when adults were allowed to ride alone in the past, the line would “wind all around the Camp Jurassic area,” with wait times ballooning to over four hours.
Given the ride’s limited capacity, Universal has maintained its kid-first policy to prevent the attraction from becoming overwhelmed—until yesterday, that is.
A Rare Exception for Universal Passholders
On the evening of March 13, Universal Orlando Resort gave its Annual Passholders a rare chance to experience Pteranodon Flyers without needing a child to ride alongside them. The special event was announced via a push notification to the resort’s app.
“We love our Annual Passholders (UOAPs)!” the message read. “As a token of our appreciation, please join us in front of UOAP Lounge (located in the Toon Lagoon area of Universal Islands of Adventure TM) between 7:00 – 7:15 PM today (3/13/25). The first 50 annual passholders to show their pass and this app message will receive a special ticket to experience Pteranodon Flyers* (P-Flyers) after 8:00 PM (no child is required to ride with you for this experience only).”
The reaction online was a mix of shock, excitement, and mild jealousy (okay, in our case, extreme jealousy) from those who weren’t lucky enough to be among the first 50 passholders. For many, the opportunity was a long-awaited bucket list item—an adult’s chance to finally experience the elusive ride.
The Ongoing Perks of a Universal Annual Pass
Universal’s Annual Pass program has built a reputation for offering some of the most generous perks in the theme park world—especially when compared to Disney’s passes, which have faced growing criticism for reducing benefits post-pandemic.
In addition to pop-up surprises like the Pteranodon Flyers event, Universal passholders enjoy a host of benefits. These include discounts on food, merchandise, and ticketed events like Halloween Horror Nights. Passholders also get access to the exclusive UOAP Lounge in Toon Lagoon, opportunities to ride Mardi Gras Parade floats, early entry to the Holiday Tribute Store, and reserved viewing spots for events like Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s.
For those lucky enough to ride Pteranodon Flyers child-free, it was a rare and memorable moment. Whether Universal will ever offer the same opportunity again remains to be seen—but if there’s one takeaway from last night, it’s that being a UOAP definitely has its perks.
Which resort boasts the stronger Annual Passholder program in your eyes?
