Universal's new coaster has its own website

February 23, 11:45 PMOrlando Theme Parks ExaminerBarbara Nefer

Previous Next

1 comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Orlando Theme Parks Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

If you're anxiously awaiting the debut of Universal Studios' new Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit coaster, visit its new website by clicking here. On the site, you can follow its construction, check out its vital statistics, and even play a memory game that gives you a sampler of the music you'll hear on board. You'll also find a blog that will be keeping track of its building process.

Rip Ride Rockit is one of two new coasters going up in Orlando in 2009. The other is Manta at SeaWorld, a lay-down coaster that will give riders the sensation of flying and gliding like a graceful manta ray. Rip Ride Rockit is aimed for hardcore thrills, with a musical soundrack and many innovative elements. For example, when you go through its loop, the train will spin to the outside of the loop so technically you won't be going upside down. Both of these rides promise to raise the Orlando roller coaster stakes significantly.

Previously, most Orlando coasters have been on the "wimpy" side, at least for a major roller coaster fanatic like myself. While I enjoy the smaller, tamer offerings like Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain at Disney World, they don't really give me any thrills. Even Expedition Everest is in the "tame" category for me, although the darkness and backwards parts are good. Rockin' Roller Coaster is closer to the real thing, and I know many people consider it scary. For me, it's much too slow and its restraints are in just the right position to bang the heck out of my head.

Islands of Adventure has had "real" coasters (Hulk and Dueling Dragons), but the closest thing Universal Studio has had is Revenge of the Mummy. You can get some excellent airtime on Mummy, but it's really a coaster/dark ride hybrid. Now the Studio will have a REAL ride. Just by looking at the tracks, you can see that Rip Ride Rockit will be a show-no-mercy kind of ride.

SeaWorld has long had a "real" coaster too. Kraken (the top photo at left) is a surprisingly good ride, especially in a park where the rides are secondary to shows. The removal of the floor added even more of a thrill factor. It's definitely more coaster than anything at Disney World, and on a par with IOA's Hulk. Now Manta promises to give SeaWorld another world-class ride and please the thrill-seeking teens who were dragged to see the dolphins by the rest of the family. For a ride simulation of what Manta may be like, check out the video below:

For a simulation of Rip Ride Rockit, view the video below:

You can watch Rip Ride Rockit being constructed on webcam (at least when it's aimed in the right direction). Click here for details.  Lately the webcam has been aimed at Islands of Adventure, but hopefully they'll shift it back around so the construction will be in view. Click here for my earlier report on Rip Ride Rockit, including an early construction photo.

Tuesday is Theme Park Secrets day, so tune in later to learn how a special search can earn you a FastPass award in the Magic Kingdom. Click the Subscribe link at the bottom of this article to be notified when it's posted.

Artwork: Universal

Photo and artwork: SeaWorld