Universal Orlando Resort (USF, IOA, Epic) Discussion Thread

[PaulMartz37]

^ I heard the same thing. This is a huge bummer. I REALLY wanted to ride it during Grad Bash.

:/

I guess I'll try to get some pictures then. Hopefully there won't be anymore epic fails.

[orangeblue]

Has anyone noticed how high the point of inflection is on this drop? It's weird, most of the time it's around 1/2 the way down the drop, but on this coaster, it's around 1/3-1/4 the way down the drop. I wonder why they did this, since such a curvature minimizes airtime (once you start the pullout after the point of inflection, g's start to go up again, so the sooner you reach that point, the less airtime you have).

[DiSab]

I noticed that and thought it was odd, too. I'm sure there's a reason for it, but I don't see it...

[Shellemonster]

What was the issue with the reach envelope by the firehouse? I went back through the pages and it just seemed like all of a sudden everyone knew there was some problem with the reach.

[atem122]

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but would LIMS and LSMs work in a heartline roll? I mean a keyword in both of them is linear which means in a straight line, so I'm not exactly sure if either I'm wrong about their capabilities or if it would actually work.

[Kalepi_Konei]

I have an easy fix for the firehouse envelope reach, make the "reaching mechanism" smaller, and just say that it fits.

[JT3000]

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but would LIMS and LSMs work in a heartline roll? I mean a keyword in both of them is linear which means in a straight line, so I'm not exactly sure if either I'm wrong about their capabilities or if it would actually work.

 

These aren't just ordinary LIMS. They're very special LIMS. It can go sideways and slantways and longways and backways and squareways and frontways and any other ways that you can think of. Just like a Wonkavator.

 

But to be serious for a moment.... I'm not really supposed to be telling anyone this, but the real reason construction is taking so long is because they're busy installing an advanced simulation system in the "station." You see, Rockit isn't really a roller coaster. Everything they've put up so far is just a front to make you think you're riding a coaster.

 

In fact, Rockit will be the most realistic simulator ever created. Even the project's inital title, Project Rumble, was part of the swerve. It was, and still is, known internally as Project Milli Vanilli. It's even themed around them. The plot will be very similar to Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, where you're treated to a "concert" by the group upon exiting the ride.

 

Rest assured, they're still on schedule. Hope you all enjoy the ride.

[hammersfan357]

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.

[TheRapidsNerd]

Hey, as crazy as it sounds, Wes knows his stuff when it comes to theme parks. I'm totally behind the heartline vertical lift concept.

 

I'm also behind how great R3 is looking. So wish I was in Orlando to see it.

[DBru]

Has anyone noticed how high the point of inflection is on this drop? It's weird, most of the time it's around 1/2 the way down the drop, but on this coaster, it's around 1/3-1/4 the way down the drop. I wonder why they did this, since such a curvature minimizes airtime (once you start the pullout after the point of inflection, g's start to go up again, so the sooner you reach that point, the less airtime you have).

 

Obama has banned airtime in Florida for the 2009-2012 seasons.

 

The state was given a choice between negative G-forces or twisting lift hills...they chose the latter, so that Universal could move forward with their original HRRR plans.

 

I personally don't agree with the decision, but since all coasters in Florida suck anyway, what does it really matter?

[Worra315]

Please forgive me but, I've read the last few pages and I'm a little confused about this "heartline" lift. If it's a joke forgive me for being so stupid. I just feel really lost.

[CoasterEricHP]

^ Just ignore the last few pages! People are turning to humor to deal with the possibly tragic state of this coaster!

[Wes]

Please forgive me but, I've read the last few pages and I'm a little confused about this "heartline" lift. If it's a joke forgive me for being so stupid. I just feel really lost.

 

It's real.

[DiSab]

As real as the sky is blue.

[Worra315]

^In the day time or night??

[Kalepi_Konei]

The sky isn't really blue thats just what they want you to think.

 

It's actually a reflection of the suns light against the ocean thats what causes it to be blue, if there were no ocean our sky would be black all the time.

 

But still that doesn't change the point from the matter that this heartline-roll lift is REAL!

[Jew]

I've seen the blueprints...It's real.

[Devious]

The sky isn't really blue thats just what they want you to think.

 

It's actually a reflection of the suns light against the ocean thats what causes it to be blue, if there were no ocean our sky would be black all the time.

 

But still that doesn't change the point from the matter that this heartline-roll lift is REAL!

 

http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/sky_blue.html

 

The sky is actually blue due to the atmosphere messing with the light that passes through it

 

At any rate, the only inversion on this coaster is going to be the lift top eh? should be intresting

[The Alex]

 

 

 

Heartline-rolled lift FTW!

Now we need the proposed Aquatrax section to be built.

[fleastcoaster]

The earlier pic of people on the stage was the sound check for MC Hammer at Mardi Gras. You can see Hammer in sweats on the ground in front of the stage. They were filming for an upcoming television show that Hammer is going to do.

[Worra315]

^He has money to do a TV show?? Hmm..

[jjune4991]

I personally don't agree with the decision, but since all coasters in Florida suck anyway, what does it really matter?

 

wow...personal opinion...but soooo wrong.

[Worra315]

Yeah, I don't know what Florida he went to but everyone's entitled to their own opinion. A heartline lift is probably one of the coolest things I've ever heard of. Even though this smashes my dreams of riding it during Grad Bash, oh well.

[Kalepi_Konei]

The sky isn't really blue thats just what they want you to think.

 

It's actually a reflection of the suns light against the ocean thats what causes it to be blue, if there were no ocean our sky would be black all the time.

 

But still that doesn't change the point from the matter that this heartline-roll lift is REAL!

 

http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/sky_blue.html

 

The sky is actually blue due to the atmosphere messing with the light that passes through it

 

At any rate, the only inversion on this coaster is going to be the lift top eh? should be intresting

 

I know, I was just giving a dumb example why the sky is blue to make it seem like "The Man" wasn't telling you the truth.

 

But this still doesn't take from the fact that this heartline lift is REAL!

[Hockeyman55]

Everyone says its real but where is the solid proof???