Posted on Sat, Aug 15, 2009 @ 11:35 AM
Universal Studios Testing Rip Ride Rockit with Real People
The following article is courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine
The new Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster at Universal Studios in Orlando may finally be opening soon after a long delay. The ride was open for all Universal employees to ride last night. And if all went well with that test, it may have a soft opening for park guests as soon as 2 p.m. today.
Orlando Attractions Magazine reader Mickey who works at the Hard Rock Cafe at Universal Studios City Walk and was able to ride it twice last night. Here's his report:
I pulled in to the Ikea parking lot at about 6:15 p.m. to buy some furnishing for my new place. Before I turned off my car, I received a text message from my sister, who works at Blue Man Group, that Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit would be opened until 9:30 p.m. for Universal Orlando team members. At that time, I promptly headed towards Universal Orlando without a moment to lose.
They didn't let us enter using the normal queue entrance. They made all team members go through the backlot/soundstage area. The locker rentals were free for a three and a half hour window. They were strictly enforcing "NO LOOSE ARTICLES" on the ride. They even wanted me to put my ball cap in the locker!
I rode the first time by myself and waited about 25 minutes. While waiting, they show you videos on how to pick your music once you've finally boarded the vehicle. They also go through all the categories and show you some clips from the featured songs. There are a ton of fans and water misters in the staging area, and even though I was waiting in the evening time, it was "cooler" in the line.
I picked Sabotage by the Beastie Boys as my first song, and it really worked well with the ride. It was tall, it was fast and it wasn't too loud. Dare I say it ... I may like it more than the Rock ‘n' Roller Coaster!
There are kiosks at the ride exit where you can look up your own picture and video. The on-ride video wasn't functioning for the preview unfortunately. Also, several potential riders were turned away because the ride vehicles couldn't accommodate them. Hopefully Universal puts a sample car at the front of the attraction to avoid people waiting the entire line to get to the front and be turned away. Also, if you are too tall, you won't be able to ride! Lots of restrictions, but after riding it, I can see why. It is very intense, and I cant wait to ride it again and again!
Mikey was also Twittering (@justmikeyhrc) about his experience and described the ride as "More thrilling than Manta, but a different experience. Definitely more intense than Revenge of the Mummy."
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Posted on Wed, Jun 03, 2009 @ 07:48 AM
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios Orlando
Well it is finally almost ready, the new roller coaster at Universal Orlando, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit which was being testing for the last week is just about ready for all the people that have waited in anticapation to ride the new coaster...
Below is a video of the testing..Hope you like.
Although the opening date was pushed back a bit to late spring/early summer, Universal Studios will feature a radically innovative roller coasters - Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. The coaster combines customized hit music, breathtaking first-ever maneuvers and highly sophisticated audio and video for a one-of-a-kind ride experience.
Riders will pick their own soundtrack and listen as it blasts through individual concert-quality audio systems - all while hurtling through a series of never-before-attempted maneuvers at speeds up to 65 m.p.h. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit’s audio system will carry songs representing five genres of music: rap/hip hop, country, classic rock/metal, pop/disco and club/electronica. Each rider’s song pick will also be featured on a ride video they can purchase that uses a network of sophisticated cameras to mix music, moves and special effects.
Since announcing Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit last year, Universal Orlando has not revealed the below details of the ride.
Universal Orlando’s Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is the tallest, largest and fastest X-CAR style roller coaster in the world.
The X-CAR coaster vehicle is more maneuverable than other coaster vehicles and uses innovative restraints that are less restrictive and more open.
The coaster design also allows for more vehicles on the track at one time than other types of coasters.
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit features 3,800 feet of steel track, a 17-story vertical lift and six maneuvers - three of which have never been built before.
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Posted on Sat, Feb 28, 2009 @ 07:49 AM
Universal Orlando's Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
In spite of the tuff economy the world is in, Universal Orlando (like Sea World Orlando) plans to unveil new
attractions this year, starting with Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit - a new coaster
slated to open sometime this spring (early May is what we're
hearing).
The site - http://www.hollywoodrockit.com touts the attraction as being
"the most personalized and immersive roller coaster experience in the world".
The site also includes a blog by Louis Alfieri, the rides creative director who
shares insight on the construction process.