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

[BeemerBoy]

I heard the supervisor for the project has been fired for failing to cover up Universal's dirty little secret. Apparently, this coaster is being built on recently discovered Native American burial ground. That's why they're slowly shutting down construction. First the crane, then the rest. They don't wanna make a big deal of it yet, but expect this on the news any day now. I predict the park will close completely. I've also been wrong once or twice.

 

 

 

Of course, it might still be that issue with the reach envelope and the top of the loop.

[Wes]

I heard the Indian burial ground didn't clear the reach envelope.

[larrygator]

Vincent Price and Oliver want the tiki idol returned.

[Tchu]

I was told the Native American burial grounds felt the ride was too noisy and was disruptive and have filed an injunction.

 

The park may need to think about scrapping the whole music aspect to the ride, adding sound shields, and renaming the coaster Hollywood Rip, Ride, Shush it.

[FitchCoaster]

Wow, that's insane. That building is going to be massive! Not saying that it's not massive already. How much more are they going to build on top of the 'big box'?

 

Anyways, I think this, HRRR and Manta are all giving me great reasons to visit Florida sometime in the near future.

[wados]

I heard the supervisor for the project has been fired for failing to cover up Universal's dirty little secret. Apparently, this coaster is being built on recently discovered Native American burial ground. That's why they're slowly shutting down construction. First the crane, then the rest. They don't wanna make a big deal of it yet, but expect this on the news any day now. I predict the park will close completely. I've also been wrong once or twice.

 

 

 

Of course, it might still be that issue with the reach envelope and the top of the loop.

 

im looking forward to this report

[TheHulk]

I heard the supervisor for the project has been fired for failing to cover up Universal's dirty little secret. Apparently, this coaster is being built on recently discovered Native American burial ground. That's why they're slowly shutting down construction. First the crane, then the rest. They don't wanna make a big deal of it yet, but expect this on the news any day now. I predict the park will close completely. I've also been wrong once or twice.

 

 

 

Of course, it might still be that issue with the reach envelope and the top of the loop.

 

People will come up with ANYTHING now a days. Wherever it was that you heard this, you need to laugh in their face. XD It's like saying the next great astroid with come blazing through and destroy everything.

 

And I don't see them "slowly shutting down construction". There's still work being done on the station and the bottom of the lift. Why waste the effort if you're not going to get it all done?

[wados]

i just hope and i know its a long shot that this is opened or soft opening in early April................cause it will be a while unitl i get back to orlando

[netdvn]

I think the huge building would probaby be some sort of major dark ride themed to Hogwarts.

[PCW_Nut]

I just keep thinking of Brad Pitt's famous line from Seven..."What's in the box? What's in the box?". lol

[Homeboy23]

I heard the supervisor for the project has been fired for failing to cover up Universal's dirty little secret. Apparently, this coaster is being built on recently discovered Native American burial ground. That's why they're slowly shutting down construction. First the crane, then the rest. They don't wanna make a big deal of it yet, but expect this on the news any day now. I predict the park will close completely. I've also been wrong once or twice.

 

 

 

Of course, it might still be that issue with the reach envelope and the top of the loop.

 

People will come up with ANYTHING now a days. Wherever it was that you heard this, you need to laugh in their face. I like small boys in tights. It's like saying the next great astroid with come blazing through and destroy everything.

 

And I don't see them "slowly shutting down construction". There's still work being done on the station and the bottom of the lift. Why waste the effort if you're not going to get it all done?

 

I took his post as sarcasm. I figured he made it up himself.

 

I still have little hope that this will be ready to ride when I am down there the week of June 22.

[rydrmr9]

I even have hope it will be done before i go on May 8th!

[~mike~]

OMG BeemerBoy....Were you smoking when you posted that...Its the stupidest thing i ever heard of...

[jjune4991]

I even have hope it will be done before i go on May 8th!

 

You can hope, but I wouldn't count on it, since what still has to be done!!

[HatetoFLY]

^^^Mickey Mouses head! J/K

[jmoneyv6]

Johnnyupsidedown posted an impressive pic-taken from a helicopter above universal studios-http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/new2009rr0.html

[Homeboy23]

Johnnyupsidedown posted an impressive pic-taken from a helicopter above universal studios-http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/new2009rr0.html

 

For the laziness:

 

http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/new2009rr0.html

[Not For Sale]

OMG BeemerBoy....Were you smoking when you posted that...Its the stupidest thing i ever heard of...

BeemerBoy has very good sources at Universal.

[TmanHHNXIV]

For the laziness:

 

http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/new2009rr0.html

That is a really cool overhead view of the ride. I never noticed how wonky (yes it's a word) the non-inverting loop is. I realize it could just be the angle, but it looks really misshapen.

[wados]

I even have hope it will be done before i go on May 8th!

 

yeah i will be there 9th and 10th May, so we can only both hope but i dont like our chances

[~mike~]

Johnnyupsidedown posted an impressive pic-taken from a helicopter above universal studios-http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/new2009rr0.html

 

For the laziness:

 

http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/new2009rr0.html

 

 

Thats a cool picture...But if you look at it closely i think i see the big blue crane...Its down but its there...And maybe there just doing ground work and fixing those issues...But i dont think its anything bad..I hope...

[Homeboy23]

 

 

Thats a cool picture...But if you look at it closely i think i see the big blue crane...Its down but its there...And maybe there just doing ground work and fixing those issues...But i dont think its anything bad..I hope...

 

If I'm looking at the same thing you were, I don't think thats the crane.

[Shellemonster]

I don't see the hidden Mickey, expand my mind please!

 

I would hope the hide some interesting items around the area, like the Barbasol can at Jurassic Park.

[CoasterEricHP]

I just see a blue cherry picker like thing. No big crane! Plus the webcam is all distorted so that's no help! You can see a crane in it but it's not the big one. Maybe they dont need the big one to finish up the coaster, I highly doubt that though!

 

I'll be down during the second week of May as well. If this delay turns out to be nothing (and it very well could) and they wrap up the trackwork in the next week then it COULD soft open around then, but with each day that looks more and more unlikely. There still seems to be a lot of groundwork to be done and fixing the clearance issue crashing through the building (and the top of the loop.. ) PLUS they are missing the most important part of the track.. the lift!

 

Wasn't there something that needed to be welded or a part of support they took off a few weeks ago? Maybe they are just waiting for that to be welded back together..

 

My friend who works at Universal said that they've been hearing there's a money issue.. but that doesnt make sense. Sure Universal is hurting right now but you don't spend $20 million (or whatever) on a coaster and then not pay the workers or the crane! Unless there are other money related problems.

[hammersfan357]

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