hammersfan357

Well, without trying to jinx things, they wouldnt be running conduit on the lift hill support when they're going to pull it down - so it must be a good sign!

This is the photo I found on the Briandom website, If its not "the" crane, it certainly looks like it!

I may be wrong here, but Ive just had a look at some pictures from the Harry Potter construction in IOA, and there seems to be a large blue crane there. Is it not just a possibility that Universal wanted to keep costs down, so sent the crane to IOA whilst they finished the remainder - and then bring the crane back once thats done? Just a thought......

Any photo's KK?

Is the ANY chance this is going to be open between 5th June and 19th June?

New photo's!! c/o Orlando Rocks http://www.orlandorocks.com/1a/usf/rides/rockit/construction/1/Rockit-Construction.aspx Looks like theyre definitely working on the firehouse, and also finishing off the track going into the station

Is there any more news on them moving the work onto the "fail" at Ghostbusters? Does anyone have any more pics of what it currently looks like?

So this has nothing to do with the slow down then: We've been following on this site for years Six Flags' credit mess. But now another theme park company is facing drastic consequences due to credit issues. Universal Orlando. That's the word from an Orlando Sentinel report this morning. Unlike Six Flags, which took on excessive debt due to a long-ago leveraged buy-out and overly aggressive expansion plan, Universal Orlando's credit problem is more simply like a game of musical chairs. They might be caught standing when the music stops. The music, this time, is widespread credit availability, which Universal Orlando, like many businesses, have been using to finance ongoing obligations, including park construction and payments on previous debt. Universal's making money and has several major new attractions coming up this year that will drive traffic to the resort. (Harry Potter, *cough*) But if Universal can't get existing creditors to deal, it's gonna have to come up with a load of cash, fast. And that means no money for new rides, new shows or for much maintenance around the park. Complicating this is Steven Spielberg's consulting deal with Universal, which soon gives him the opportunity to ask for a massive buy-out in lieu or continuing to cash his multi-million dollar annual royalty checks. Frankly, I don't envision that one being much of an issue. Spielberg's not going to do anything greedy and stupid that would endanger future paydays. Could Universal end up in the same boat as Six Flags? Personally, I doubt it. Universal's got more resources, and a better market outlook, than Six Flags brings to the table. But this isn't the type of stomach-churning thrill ride that fans want to be getting from their parks anymore. Let's leave that for the roller coasters, not the 10-K reports.

Im going out on 5th June, Im still hopeful that they might have "soft" openings by then, after all - its 2 months away yet!

I emailed Universal to check what was happening with HRRR (I know, it was unlikely they'd comment on anything) and this is what they said.... Thank you for contacting Universal Orlando® Guest Services regarding the new Hollywood Rip Ride RockitSM Coaster. Scheduled to open in Universal Studios Florida® in the spring of 2009, the Hollywood Rip Ride RockitSM Coaster will be the most technologically advanced roller coaster in the world. Guests will soar 17 stories above the resort at speeds reaching 65 miles per hour, racing through six near-misses and a record-breaking loop, all while rocking out to a song that they picked out before strapping in. When the high-intensity, multi-sensory ride is over, guests will be able to customize video footage from their ride experience and compile it into a souvenir music video, using the brightest and most innovative color-changing LEDs in the world. While an official opening date for the ride has not been announced, we encourage you to continue checking www.universalorlando.com for the latest information as it becomes available. Universal Orlando® strives to offer inclusive vacation packages that appeal to a wide variety of tastes, needs, and budgets. I encourage you to explore our interactive website, www.universalorlando.com, or contact our Reservations Department at (800) 407-4275, to learn more about ticket options and vacation package offerings at our resort. If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to call me at (407) 224-4233, option nine (9). Again, thank you for contacting us. We look forward to entertaining you. Pretty standard response I'd guess - no harm in trying tho.....

Have come across this: The Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit roller coaster at Universal Studios Florida seems to have stalled - the large blue crane that would be needed to lift the tallest sections is now off site and the shareholders meeting statement has refers to the new coaster opening "this year" It is possible the track elements are not spaced enough and new track will have to be made for a section according to one theory. I had always sorta assumed that the load-in area would take over the real estate once occupied by The Boneyard, but that space has been transformed into a venue for live music with the completion of the Hollywood Bowl stage. Very nice it is, too. The actual entrance to RRR will be through the narrow street between the USF store and Jimmy Neutron, the one that now leads to Blue Man Group and the Hard Rock Cafe. The idea, it seems is to have two entrances, one inside USF and the other in CityWalk. From what I've heard, the park entrance will be open during park hours (Duh!), and the CityWalk entrance will open when the park closes, allowing visitors to CityWalk to purchase tickets to ride. No word on how they'll handle people who bought park tickets that day and annual passholders. The builder has released images of the cars Cars

Its been very quiet about this ride for the past few days, does anyone have any updates?

I don't understand, how do we know construction has stopped when the webcam doesnt point to HRRR? Surely they could be working on the inside station before they erect the lift?

I'm out there in June, and I cannot wait to ride this! We don't have much like this in the U.K.