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

[Keasbey Nights]

I'd hate to make a non-contributive post, but I absolutely love the new wordfilter.

 

I heard rumors of soft openings, letting some lucky guests ride who happen to be in the right place at the right time. This is after they let ride ops test it, of course.

[coasterguy4]

Rings? RINGS? Way to get my hopes up Robb. Haha

 

Just kidding.

 

I am really curious to see if this ride is plagued with any technical difficulties once it opens, because major downtime on $41 million ride would not be good.

 

EDIT: New word filter= amazing

[King_K.]

The rings will be put up, they're on site. The side banner is something I haven't heard much about... It shouldn't take more than a few hours to put it up though.

[pianojohn]

Went to the park yesterday, July 3rd, and got some video of the testing.

 

The lift hill is VERY LOUD. After that, very quiet!

 

Then off to the Magic Kingdom to see the 4th of July fireworks. Very hot and crowded.

 

Enjoy the pics and Happy 4th!

HRRR Test 7-3-09.avi

HRRR Testing 7-3-09

...or not!

I love crowds....

The on ride photo is set up in the building fly thru in the lower right hand corner.

The ride's entrance with signage

Over a fence at HRRR near the main entrance.

[Mr. Starr]

OMG!!! THE RINGS ARE UP!!! PAGE 185!!!

 

[jarmor]

I think Universal should take this chance to sell onion rings on a mock up lift hill in a resturant near the coaster!

[musicmand]

Here's hoping that the whole land isn't all video-based. I love a good audio-animatronic... I think it's part of what makes The Mummy such a great coaster- the mixture of technologies.

[hobbit]

looks awesome!

are they make the flying unicorn a new harrypotter theming? with indoor/outdoor rails?

 

(sorry for my bad english)

[gatorchomp83]

Real update: Rockit has taken it's first riders. I was told it's "Pretty amazing. Definitely worth riding. Not sure if its worth all the hype."

 

No word on the rings. Sorry.

[JFrombaugh]

^I've heard the same thing on Youtube comments, although I never believed it. Must have been some pre-theming sneak preview or something.

 

I'll have to get back to Orlando sometime and ride it, it looks pretty cool.

[Vondroff]

I swear to god if they let any guest ride it today.....

[gatorchomp83]

Guests won't be riding today for sure.

[Homeboy23]

Everything happens after I go somewhere.

 

Kings Dominion starts to receive its track the day after I go and now people ride this ride a week after I am there.

[jedimaster1227]

Here is another nice video of testing for Rip, Ride, Rockit from this week.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkyqFEYHJC0

[Keasbey Nights]

A friend who went today said that nobody was riding and it was still "under construction".

[DiSab]

Rings!

Ringy dingy ding-a-ling dings

[SharkTums]

^^Your friend has issues. The ride is running with workers and various staff members. No public rides yet.

[gatorchomp83]

^^Your friend has issues. The ride is running with workers and various staff members. No public rides yet.

 

FTW.

[Shellemonster]

 

Looks like Rockit grew some nipples, must be a girl coaster.

[pl6pilgrim]

Employees were riding it today as the day wore on.

 

No members of general public just yet, probably later this week.

[robbalvey]

Employees were riding it today as the day wore on.

 

No members of general public just yet, probably later this week.

 

Three posts ago:

 

The ride is running with workers and various staff members. No public rides yet.

 

Try reading the thread to make sure what you are posting hasn't *JUST* been said on the last page.

 

--Robb

[justint87]

A good read was posted by the Orlando Sentinel about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter today.

 

Nothing really too new, a little info about some of the theme, shops, robocoaster, and the re-themed coasters.

 

I posted a good section of the article here:

The castle will also house what is expected to be the Wizarding World's signature attraction. Several people familiar with the project, including one person directly involved, said the ride will be what's known as a "robocoaster" — a ride system in which guests sit in seats suspended from a robotic arm that can swivel and swoop in multiple directions while it advances along a track.

 

Plans show the track snaking through more than a dozen scenes, though what those scenes will be remains a mystery. The attraction, according to the people familiar with it, will also feature an elaborate pre-show queue with special effects such as floating candles and snow falling indoors.

 

Before they arrive at Hogwarts, guests entering the Wizarding World will pass through Hogsmeade Village, an old-Europe-style town from the Potter novels. Universal's plans for Hogsmeade include The Three Broomsticks restaurant, shops and stylized locker and stroller-parking areas. The few clues Universal has provided indicate the stores will include Dervish & Banges, which sells and repairs magical equipment, and Honeydukes, a sweet shop whose treats include chocolate-covered frogs.

 

In between Hogsmeade and Hogwarts, Universal is building Hagrid's Hut, home of the friendly half-giant. It has also said it plans to re-create the Forbidden Forest, an ominous setting from the books that's home to creatures such as centaurs, unicorns and spiderlike "acromantulas."

 

www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/orl-universal-harry-potter-070509,0,3515110.story

[SharkTums]

^LOLOLOLOLOL

 

The word filter is the most amazing thing ever!!!!

[PaulMartz37]

Actual lift speed video!

 

 

The following is a list I found on Screamscape.

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit -

Rumored Track List:

 

Classic Rock / Metal

KC & Sunshine Band - “That’s the Way I Like It”

Motley Crue - “Kick Start My Heart”

Steppenwolf - “Born To be Wild”

ZZ Top - “Gimmie All Your Lovin”

Limp Bizkit - ??

Evenescence - “Bring Me To Life”

Finger Eleven - “Paralyzer”

 

Pop / Disco

Gloria Gaynor - “I Will Survive”

Donna Summer – “Bad Girls”

Black Eyed Peas - “Don’t Phunk with my Heart”

Black Eyed Peas - “Pump It”

No Doubt - “Hella Good”

 

Club / Electronica

Daft Punk - “Harder Better Faster Longer”

The Crystal Method - ??

Beastie Boys - “Sabotage”

Beastie Boys - “Intergalactic”

Shiny Toy Guns - “Le Disko”

 

Country

Charlie Daniels Band - “Devil Went Down To Georgia”

Allman Bros. - “Midnight Rider”

Kenny Chesney - ??

 

Rap / Hip Hop

M.C. Hammer – “Can’t Touch This”

MAARS - “Pump Up The Volume”

Cypress Hill - “Insane”

NERD - “Rockstar”

Kanye West - “Stronger”

 

This is all from Screamscape. No metallica

Here's the link to the update http://www.screamscape.com/html/universal_studios_florida.htm

[Jds03]

The Crystal Method song is called Keep Hope Alive. I can recognize the beginning from the video.

 

I can’t help myself being a die hard TCM fan.