Velocicoaster V.S Stardust Racers

Edited: April 27, 2025, 5:32 PM

I commonly hear comparisons to Velococoaster And Stardust( i'm assuming without evidence that at least a fourth of you have gone to epic) and it seems pretty divided. I am including the night time rides of both as well. Tell me what you think in the comments, is it worth the hype, or is its newness overrated? (If you haven't gone, just say your best guesses)

Replies (17)

April 27, 2025, 11:06 AM

A fourth of us? How?

Also, off of reviews and looks alone, it's close. I would unsurprisingly guess that I'd like velocicoaster more simply due to its higher inversion count, but the dueling/racing aspect is something that I've never experienced on a launched coaster before, and might surpass velocicoaster.

April 27, 2025, 2:11 PM

Well, theme park capital is in florida, and considering they are basically handing out tickets to the locals, i thought it was fair. Then again, just because you like theme parks doesn't mean you live in florida. I can see both points of view, because the locals really like theme parks much more than the average parson, I think its fair to think at least 1/4 are locals of florida on this website.

April 27, 2025, 2:45 PM

Arrrrrggggg (said in a Pirates voice)

Them them be a Pirate named Robert that be the Only one matty to have the answer you be yearning for...

April 27, 2025, 7:42 PM

They are both great coasters. But I prefer Velocicoaster due to its broader variety of elements and better setting and decoration. But if you are an airtime fan, do not miss Stardust.

April 27, 2025, 8:41 PM

@epicuniversefan
As a Florida local for my whole life, point me in the direction where the free tickets are!

April 27, 2025, 11:15 PM

That's one heck of an unfounded assumption. Not only do Florida residents number far below a quarter of the users on this site, but the only people who have been able to go are those who either had connections through a cast member or who chose to purchase a preview ticket. Even from the sample size of my theme park friends who live in Central Florida and have UOAPs, about two-thirds have not yet visited Epic Universe. I can tell you right now, questions like this are not going to get an answer that's at all reliable until the park has been open for a few months and a lot more people have experienced the rides (keep in mind only around a quarter million people total have visited Epic Universe at this point).

Anyway, based on what I've heard from the few friends I have that have gone, VelociCoaster is still the better ride. Among those who are more coaster inclined and have ridden at least a couple hundred different coasters, VelociCoaster is unanimously considered a top five coaster in the US and either the best or second best in Florida. Among that group, most agree that Stardust is still probably third in the state at worst, but general consensus among the group is that at best it's more in the 10-15 range on a national level and the dueling aspect is causing people to overrate the ride a bit.

I personally have ridden over 700 coasters around the world and VelociCoaster sits at #6 on my ranking. I haven't been on Stardust Racers, but my favorite Mack (Time Traveler) and favorite Mack Launch (Copperhead Strike) are #24 and #61, respectively, so Stardust Racers would need to be a significantly better ride than either of those to dethrone VelociCoaster for me.

April 27, 2025, 11:41 PM

Velocicoaster. However, there are some things that Stardust does that I wish VC did too.

The Stardust’s on-board audio and lighting package are far superior. For one, VC doesn’t even have on-board. It would’ve added so much more to the experience but I think UO has corrected this with Stardust and I have a feeling that the next coasters that UO opens will have on-board audio. Two, Stardust’s lighting package actually works and it’s really pretty. You can literally see the lights on the RV turn red as the “comets” gain speed when they go down hills, or the RVs sparkle when they crest the top. VC lights either aren’t the right color or they don’t even turn on to begin with.

Where VC excels is its theme and a killer second half. I will say that Stardust has more of a consistent layout, but it doesn’t beat VCs second half.

Also fun fact, there is a blood splatter from the raptors on the second launch on the left side after all the windows. It’s super hard to see but it’s there.

April 28, 2025, 10:57 AM

So it's a Tie....

None better than the Other... Just enjoy Both.

April 28, 2025, 12:02 PM

Velolicoaster. The 2nd launch, top hat, & Mosasaurus roll are unmatched.

April 28, 2025, 3:16 PM

People always talk about the second half of velocicoaster - and rightfully so- but don't sleep on the first half. More forceful launch, two incredible immersions and fantastic pacing- just like the rest of it. A true velocicoaster fan appreciates the whole ride.

April 28, 2025, 4:05 PM

you mean inversions?

April 29, 2025, 7:25 AM

That's what I meant but also it does have better immersion so my point still stands.

April 29, 2025, 3:39 PM

Only yellow side working today, so far.

How anyone can say Stardust is better than VC is beyond me. Not even close.

It relies too much on airtime hills and 1 half decent downward spiral.

Won't make my top 10

April 29, 2025, 3:50 PM

AJ we gotta see that top 50 ranking some day!

Edited: May 2, 2025, 3:40 PM

Alright, Juan, it's a little off topic but I'll indulge you. This is my top 50 as of last fall (haven't done any non-local park trips in 2025 yet for reasons). Everything on here I've ridden in the last three years unless otherwise noted.

1. Steel Vengeance @ Cedar Point
2. Iron Gwazi @ Busch Gardens Tampa
3. Fury 325 @ Carowinds
4. Hakugei @ Nagashima Spa Land
5. Pantherian @ Kings Dominion
6. VelociCoaster @ Universal Studios Islands of Adventure
7. Maverick @ Cedar Point
8. El Toro @ Six Flags Great Adventure
9. F.L.Y. @ Phantasialand
10. Twisted Timbers @ Kings Dominion
11. Wildcat's Revenge @ Hersheypark
12. Lightning Rod @ Dollywood (last ride in 2017)
13. Shambhala @ PortAventura Park
14. Expedition GeForce @ Holiday Park (now Plopsaland Deutschland)
15. Skyrush @ Hersheypark
16. Voyage @ Holiday World (last ride in 2018)
17. Taron @ Phantasialand
18. Schwur des Karnan @ Hansa-Park
19. Outlaw Run @ Silver Dollar City
20. Twisted Colossus @ Six Flags Magic Mountain
21. Superman the Ride @ Six Flags New England
22. Time Traveler @ Silver Dollar City
23. Flying Dinosaur @ Universal Studios Japan
24. Pantheon @ Busch Gardens Williamsburg
25. Wonder Woman Flight of Courage @ Six Flags Magic Mountain
26. Storm Chaser (now Wind Chaser) @ Kentucky Kingdom (last ride in 2018)
27. Iron Rattler @ Six Flags Fiesta Texas
28. Millennium Force @ Cedar Point
29. Wicked Cyclone @ Six Flags New England
30. Leviathan @ Canada's Wonderland (last ride in 2019)
31. Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure @ Universal Studios Islands of Adventure
32. Orion @ Kings Island
33. Mako @ SeaWorld Orlando
34. GhostRider @ Knott's Berry Farm
35. Pyrenees @ Parque Espana-Shima Spain Village
36. Goliath @ Six Flags Over Georgia
37. New Texas Giant @ Six Flags Over Texas
38. Candymonium @ Hersheypark
39. Phoenix @ Knoebels Amusement Resort
40. Phantom's Revenge @ Kennywood
41. Diamondback @ Kings Island
42. Superman el Ultimo Escape @ Six Flags Mexico
43. Goliath @ Six Flags Great America
44. Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster @ Six Flags Fiesta Texas
45. Tatsu @ Six Flags Magic Mountain
46. Joker @ Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
47. Montu @ Busch Gardens Tampa
48. Top Thrill Dragster (now Top Thrill 2) @ Cedar Point
49. Twisted Cyclone @ Six Flags Over Georgia
50. Ravine Flyer II @ Waldameer

Honorable Mentions: Dragon Challenge (Universal Studios Islands of Adventure) and Volcano, the Blast Coaster (Kings Dominion) were both on my top 50 at the time they closed, but I remove defunct coasters from my rankings.

May 2, 2025, 5:11 PM

That's an incredibly stacked list. . . I would kill to have half the rides that you do.

Edited: May 3, 2025, 10:45 AM

AJ Montu @ Busch Gardens Tampa should be much higher.

The highest one on this list I have been on is - VelociCoaster

Twisted Timbers @ Kings Dominion looks really interesting and maybe someday I can ride it..

What bothers me now is when I was stationed in VA I never even thought of going to Williamsburg, Kings Dominion or BGV...

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