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

[King_K.]

I've heard the same info as the things Snicket posted. So i'm going to trust that info.

[Homeboy23]

The people I spoke with are trying to get the coaster on track for soft openings at the end of the month

 

Don't get my hopes up! I will be at both universal parks Thursday and Friday. And I won't be coming back to Orlando for a long time probably, so this is my only hope.

[Snicket]

I'm in a similar situation too.

I'm visiting Orlando from the 27th-3rd.

 

The likelihood of it being open in that time frame is doubtful. Extremely doubtful.

[Fenderbabi14]

idk end of the month sounds like the very last days of june...at best

im goin wednesday so hopefully it will be running, but i doubt it

[Snicket]

From IOACentral:

 

They were doing daytime tests today and at least once it went up the lift hill fast for the first half of the hill. Then it stopped. Then went the rest of the way slow.

[Vondroff]

Idk when we can expect it, I mean, it just depends on those rings. We dont really know how long it will take them. I'm guessing a soft openning July 3rd but thats my prediction.

[Fenderbabi14]

^ that sounds more reasonable.

my sister-in-law works there and said they don't have a set date for any openings anymore because of all the delays =[ hopefully it will open soon though

[ryno1986]

What about the Team Member factor? If they aren't done with construction, then certainly they haven't started training yet. That could take some time.

[Snicket]

Could they train members as they build the coaster?

[Vondroff]

Could they train members as they build the coaster?

I think they could do this during construction, I dont think they would wait till the last minute to train members.

[Snicket]

I'm going to see if one of my ride op friends know about training for HRRR.

[Lenaapple1974]

Training - wow, I never thought about that. I suppose it would be a great big help if the staff knew what they were doing, huh? LOL. I am liking what I am hearing, and hopefully it stands true. IF it opens for 7/11-ish, with a soft opening 7/3-ish - that is the exact time I am there. I do hope it is open, though at this point, I am not thinking it will happen. But it will be a big PLUS if it is! I am going that first weekend I am there, but will be returning before I leave - just in case. Either way I am hoping to have pics of something!

[ryno1986]

I don't know how Universal does it, but with Disney I think that Imagineering has to turn over a new attraction to operations before cast members are trained.

[BeemerBoy]

Any word on the rings? I'm gonna be there at some point this weekend, and it'd be my dream come true to see the rings in action!

[alpengeist04]

^If they're up make sure you get photos, we need photos!!!

[Guest]

Testing video from youtube

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bOfxX_TwVk

[Snicket]

They were testing yesterday. They've been taking it slow up the lift, stopping it at the top, and stopping the trains for up to 20 minutes on the brake runs.

 

Once they get the coaster running like they want it to run throughout the day, the 100 hours of testing that is allegedly is required shouldn't take long.

 

Rings haven't been put on yet and all of the lighting isn't installed yet.

[coolcalicoaster]

Just to confirm...the rings are not up yet?

[MrX8991]

Rings haven't been put on yet and all of the lighting isn't installed yet.

[jjune4991]

why is everyone so concerned about the rings???

 

its good to see more testing. lets hope for some early july soft opening!!!!!

[JT3000]

They've been doing some training backstage using mock-ups.

 

why is everyone so concerned about the rings???

 

They think it's funny to keep asking about something so trivial.

[Wes]

 

 

do they they have the rings on site yet

 

 

have they started putting up the rings yet

 

 

have they been doing any more work with the rings?

 

 

[Snicket]

They've been doing some training backstage using mock-ups.

 

why is everyone so concerned about the rings???

 

They think it's funny to keep asking about something so trivial.

 

I talked to a ride-op friend like I promised and she told me they were doing backstage training too.

 

The rings aren't a big deal. They'll be one of the last things to go on.

 

I promise that I will alert the townsfolk when the rings get put on.

I'll hang some lanterns in the old north church.

One if by crane, two if by...well, the only way you could put them on is with a crane...

[HatetoFLY]

Update June 22, 2009

 

Today they started testing at about 5:40 and over about and hour I saw it run five times. Its running full speed up the lift until it gets to the top, then they were slowing it down to check the under carriage at the peak of the lift. I have been following construction since it started going vertical and today I finally got to see it test. Its extremely quiet and seems very smooth. Can't wait to ride it.

 

 

 

 

 

Were not the only ones ready for it open.(All employee's)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally Universal, I only weigh 250 pounds and its only 5000 degrees out

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALMOST!!!!

 

 

 

YESSSSS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My favorite shot.

 

And no rings sorry frodo

Thanks for reading!!!

[HatetoFLY]

Sorry for the lack of pics but with Rockit testing I was busy.

 

 

 

 

 

They are making picture taking though the cracks more and more difficult.

 

 

 

See what I mean.