Universal Studios Japan | Snoopy's Flying Ace Adventure | Vekoma Junior Coaster | 2025

[cookie]

Here's something that's flown completely under the radar:

Universal Studios Japan is re-opening their indoor Snoopy-themed area from July 18th (next Friday!) to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Peanuts comics strip and characters, and with it comes a surprise addition: A Vekoma Junior coaster named Snoopy's Flying Ace Adventure, likely replacing the Senyo Kogyo family coaster that closed with the area at the start of the 2020 pandemic.



The park website describes it as follows:

One of Snoopy's talents is that he's a master of disguise.
This brand-new roller coaster was inspired by the famous Flying Ace, one of Snoopy's most iconic characters!
Board a red-roofed doghouse like in the comics and soar through the imaginary world of the Flying Ace in search of his arch-nemesis, the Red Baron, in a small adventure that's sure to make a very big impression!


Open from July 18, 2025

ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン｜USJ

異なる表情を持つさまざまなエリアは、感動がいっぱいの別世界。ハリウッドの超大作映画をテーマにした興奮のライドや人気キャラクターたちのショーなど、子どもから大人まで楽しめる、ワールドクラスのエンターテイメントを集めたテーマパーク。

www.usj.co.jp

 

[Matt N]

That was unexpected!

Do we actually know it’s a Vekoma, or is that just an assumption? I’d have thought Mack might be more likely based on some of Universal’s purchases for Flight of the Hippogriff coasters in the recent Harry Potter areas.

 

[oriolat2]

Ever since the Battlestar Galactica fiasco, Universal hasn't really worked with Vekoma, so it could well be a Mack.

 

[Magic-Man]

It's wild how the park is getting three new attractions in completely different areas within 8 months of each other. Donkey Kong, Villain Con, now this.

 

[cookie]

That was unexpected!

Do we actually know it’s a Vekoma, or is that just an assumption? I’d have thought Mack might be more likely based on some of Universal’s purchases for Flight of the Hippogriff coasters in the recent Harry Potter areas.

Those are Vekoma restraints in the image, so that's what I went off of. The overall seat design looks to be based on recent installations such as Midnight Flyer at Santa's Village:



If it's a Mack coaster the seats would've looked like this:

 

[Matt N]

Those are Vekoma restraints in the image, so that's what I went off of. The overall seat design looks to be based on recent installations such as Midnight Flyer at Santa's Village:

View attachment 38625

If it's a Mack coaster the seats would've looked like this:

View attachment 38624

Maybe I’m underthinking this, but I would not take too much from what the promo image is showing restraints-wise.

If promo images were to be believed, Smiler would have B&M restraints and Nemesis and Galactica would be Vekomas!

If this is a Vekoma, I stand corrected, but I don’t think the promotional image is enough to infer that from.

 

[cookie]

Maybe I’m underthinking this, but I would not take too much from what the promo image is showing restraints-wise.

If promo images were to be believed, Smiler would have B&M restraints and Nemesis and Galactica would be Vekomas!

If this is a Vekoma, I stand corrected, but I don’t think the promotional image is enough to infer that from.

Except I just don't feel like Universal would be as lazy as Merlin with their photoshops. There are other oddly specific details pointing to the Vekoma Family Coaster model, such as the track crossties on the right side of the image:



(Dino Dash at Emerald Park)

They've been consistent with their artwork in the past, so it'd be surprising if a slip-up as big as this were to happen. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, but I struggle to see it being the case here.

 

[WarmishSign]

Also, the restraints in that picture match Vekoma junior coasters.

 

[cookie]

Snoopy’s Flying Ace Adventure opened today, and safe to say it’s a Vekoma. Off-ride footage from five minutes and fifteen seconds in, test seat at six minutes in:

 

[Matt N]

I stand corrected!

I didn’t think Universal and Vekoma had been that closely linked as of late, but clearly they do still work together!

 

[XceleratorLou]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPBKE7DL_nA
Pov starts at 1:12

 

[Absimilliard]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPBKE7DL_nA
Pov starts at 1:12

It looks like a straight rebuild with a new train of the old layout. I wonder if they reused any footers? Vekoma/Senyo-Kogyo had delivered the original one back then, with the park modifying the lap bar per row with two "foam logs" of different sizes. Attached is a photo of the old train. Now, it has the newer Vekoma restraints for the junior coasters.