HatetoFLY

There has been another update at Orlando Rocks orlandorocks.com/1a/usf/rides/rockit/construction/1/Rockit-Construction.aspx

Gwazi would benefit so much from a total re-track and new trains. I completely agree that when its fully "warmed up" the coaster really rocks. It has some amazing turns, awesome drops with great airtime, and positive g-forces. Millennium flyer's and a re-track would really show a lot of people who have had such bad experiences with this coaster how bad @$$ the layout and design is and how it was intended to perform.

^ Pg 23 half way down on this thread.

Photo's courtesy of the Orlando Sentinel These trains look awesome SWEET!!!!

The dueling dragons new name will reflect a title associated with the triwizard tournament. Its really just kind of a bummer we wont see stuff like this within the castle. Now I dont know if we will lose all this theming I just find it, unfortunatley, very likely we do.

A couple of pics from today, sorry about the quality something was on the lens and I didnt realize it. But something is better than nothing. I will be heading back on Wednesday for a couple more shots.

^^^The pictures don't do the lift justice, if you look through some previous pages you can see one where there are guys working on the lift and those pics will give you the proper perspective. As far as any theming, it wont be six flags parking lot style or even mounds of dirt. It will be landscaped to fit into the beautiful blue man group area. Just today their were guys working on some drainage and what looked like irrigation pipes on the very eastern side of the project.

A couple of new shots from today.

Just a few pics from today Its moving right along, new supports are being installed behind the stage. I would imagine trackwork should be competed in about 2 weeks.

^Maurer Söhne definitely has some "support issues" but is really only very noticable around the first and second MCBR's. This is partly due to both of these brake runs running directly on top of one another, but none the less there are a lot of supports. In response to the second drop being steeper than the first its hard to tell since the first drop has not been built yet. I'm also gonna hold off from criticizing a loop that also has not yet been built. We also have to realize for those of us who haven't been lucky enough to travel the world in search of the best rollercoaster's me being one of them, that this is really a new ride for the US. Things are going to be a little different especially in a B&M dominated state. If you have been in person you will notice that Maurer's supports are no where near the size of B&M's giant redwood supports. I am being very optimistic since I have never been on an X-car installation but on the other hand I just have a feeling this coaster is gonna rock This is a huge oppurtunity for Maurer and they know it! If this coaster makes a huge splash it means major new buisness in a place with the highest demand for coasters, the United States.

^ I don't know if that would taste so great, and alot of rays would be killed to feed the requests, I think I hear PETA marching ever so closer. Not that I care what PETA thinks, stupid tree huggers

Part 2 The lift itself is about half way there, as far as height Can anybody confirm whether or not this is temporary, or permanent lighting. I thought for sure it was temporary. Insulation is being installed. The cone bows down to awesomeness!!

I went out today hoping to see the lift grow but was not so lucky. When I left at around 1:30 the cranes were cranking behind the stage but I could not get a look at what they were doing back there. The station is having insulation put up so it will be enclosed at least on the sides soon. Out towards the turn around by citywalk excavators are removing dirt around track sections which I guess was to close for comfort.On a side note not much of village people fan but the new stage is a great a welcome addition. I really enjoyed the concert even though I didnt to much enjoy the music. Enough chatter on to the PICS The lift has grown a little bit The blue man has grown a lift hill Just such an improvement so far. The jig is still here The control room takes shape. More to come.

Since I decided to go out to Universal again today I decided to take a few pics. In case anyone wondered I added all my Potter and HRRR shots to their own topics. I thought the stage would be ready for this weekends Mardi Gras but since the temp stage is still up I guess not. $ 7.00 beer here, or how about a $10.00 mixed drink. Jaws minus the water in its rehab. Its really weird to see trucks and equipment driving around Jaws stomping grounds. Thanks for reading!

More shots. That will do it, until next time

Rockit Shots!!! These photos were taken today 2/11/2009 They were using this jig check clearance for the trains and future riders. From what I overheard these guys were waiting for another jig to check clearance for the trains undercarrage going through the trenches. I think these trains are a little bigger than I thought judging by the size of that jig During the morning nothing was going around the lift, but before I started to venture out the crane was operating on and around the lift. This station is gonna be huge! There is structure going up next to neutron. Sexy Station OH YEAH

I dropped by Universal today to get some more pics of the construction of Harry Potter. Enough of the chat on to the pics Dirt, Dirt, and yes dirt being MOVED!!!! A little bit of plumbing and drainage work. Gosh no wonder its taking so long GET BACK TO WORK! Construction POV I will finish this off with a view of Hagrids Hut getting some theme work done. [/code]

I really would like to thank you guys for the welcome. I will be heading out again tomorrow in hopes of new track sections going up . Besides potter or HRRR is there anything anyone wants to see. I cant promise anything but I will try.

I have always thought to myself what would happen when you cross a darkride, with a rollercoaster, and a free fall type attraction. Say for instance you are being loaded into a small coaster car much like that of the mummy. You proceed through the attraction with live effects and then a coaster section again just like the mummy. But towards the end you enter a large type catacomb or Tomb if I may. The vehicle locks into a moving platform and your ascent while experiencing live effects begins. You get to the top of a 150 plus foot show building ie. Tower of Terror and then freefall. The attraction itself i'm sure is possible but i'm sure a little out of the price for most if not all park chains. Insert your own theme, but still it would be sweet.

Since I cant pick one I will list three in no particular order. Spiderman Tower of Terror-DHS Dueling Dragons You have to include spiderman, the theming is unlike anything else out there. Everything from the queue to the story to the amazing sets, the experience is unlike anything you can find. Good Tower was another first on the scene. Anything from the imagineers that includes an out of control elevator that can move forward is a gimme. The dragons are on here because of the back story, the castle...duh, and I mean just look at it. ITS FRIGGIN SWEET!

I believe he is referring to Disney's California Adventure and its billion dollar rehab. New front entrace plaza, retheme of several "iconic" attractions, Toy story mania, Mermaid ride, and most importantly the new night time show. Oh and some small Cars Land

Most of those photos of HRRR were taken in city walk and on the blue man group path. Thanks for the welcome and the compliment. Oh and I hope your going to see your band in concert, I will be seeing them this week at UCF arena. THIS SONG IS YOUR NEW NATIONAL ******* anthem this song is called surfacing!!!!!

Alright first off I have been a fan of this site for years and just never joined or posted. Well today is the day! Today I went out to Universal Orlando to poke around hit up a couple of rides and enjoy a beverage or two. What better way to spend your day off. The crowds were extremely light, with the longest wait of the day being the entrance gate. How hard is it to put your finger HERE! As for operations all the rides were running during my visit excluding Jaws and JPRA which are currently closed for their rehabs. A little off topic here but lets hope they really put some money and time into JPRA, that rides been on the decline for years IMO. Back by Harry Potter, work continues on Hogwarts, Hagrids Hut, and a bunch of dirt piles being moved from point a to point b in Hogsmeade. I frequent Universal alot, and I have to say this thing is gonna be huge. Everytime I get out here the project slowly but surely gets even bigger. For those who have not seen the project in person, pictures dont do it justice. I think its really gonna pick up some steam here over the next 2-3 months. Alot of work was being done on the roof of the Hogwarts Structure if anyone was curious. Over at Universal the Hollywood Bowl/Rip Ride Rockit progress is moving along. I was not lucky enough to witness any new track sections go up during my visit. Workers were focused on evacuation platforms for the brake runs and progress continues on the station. There seemed to be alot of workers focused on the area directly behind the stage maybe we might finally see some first drop or loop track go up. On to the photos. Did I mention there was no one here! Such a beautiful park. Oh now whats that behind the discovery center. Sexy curves The dinos are in rehab getting off the smack Possible boat launch point to Potter land??? I couldnt see much of anything but I still felt like a spy As I said before its FRIGGIN HUGE! I know alot will disagree but I for one am happy potter is coming and I havent seen the movies or read the books. So many complain what about the oak, or the dragons amazing theme. Well for the sake of progress and something new I will give up a little to get alot when universal is at the helm anyday. Work on Hagrids Hut continues, Its amazing how fast the structure and themeing went up Over at Universal the HRRR Coaster is much further along then it was the last time I was here This coaster has some wicked little sections, I'm curious as to how fast the train will roll through this section Work on evac platforms The stage area looks wonderful, its such an improvement to a dead space in the park This section looks to be pretty intense and I love the building fly through idea A kamikaze bomber, no seriously I saw one nail a lady in front of the simpsons Some infomercial being taped, I think??? Rockit in the distance, when its all said and done with that skyline is seriously gonna change. Thanks for Reading, bye Universal see you soon

I think you can expect to see the dueling dragons open through at least the busy season, and possibly into October for Halloween Horror Nights. I dont believe DD will be down long for their transformation. I wonder how this will look in a year