Universal Orlando Resort (USO, IOA) Discussion Thread

Well.

Here's the new mini-website for Rockit.

http://www.universaltravelagents.com/rockit/

And according to the Gradventure's 09' page it should be open by May 8th.

www.universalorlando.com/gradventure/attractions.html

^ Nice find. It looks like there will be a great variety and there will be something for everyone to listen to. Oh and a possible May 8th or earlier opening doesn't sound too bad at all. Looking forward to it.

I just found out about this today. It definitely seems like it'll be a neat, innovative ride.

www.universalorlando.com/gradbash/index.html

Just noticed some minor Rockit concept art of the lifthill and non-inverted loop (right behind Krustyland) on the Grad Bash main page too. So maybe it'll be open a bit before the May 8th Gradventure.

You can see it a whooole lot better in this wallpaper.

www.universalorlando.com/gradbash/images/wallpaper/wallpaper5_1024x768.jpg

thanks for this update

Thanks guys!

I know everyone appreciates it :]

There's one curve on the return run that looks MIGHTY fierce. Does anybody else think this thing is going to whip you around a bit?

Is there any track assembled? All I see is dirt, so far.

I'm questioning the date when the ride will be finished.

-Matthew.K

This ride will be such a beast when it's fully built!

No Track pictures?

I was involved molding trackpieces for this ride, this is why I cant wait to see the ready painted track pieces at the building site!

I like the whole idea of the ride and am so excited to know i'm going to florida this summer!! I also am going to sea world to check out manta!

Here's a couple new pieces of Concept Art.

Well, this is what's up:

I went to IOA this past week, and saw the show. On Saturday the vortex was there. Then I went again on Tuesday, and it wasn't on. So after the show, I asked "Taylor" if it was gone. He said it indeed was, and pretty much begged me to go to guest relations to say something about it. So I go to guest relations and tell them I don't like it and guess what the reason was...

"It's part of the Green Initiative from NBC."

So, the vortex is gone. However, I asked the guy at guest relations if enough people complained about it, would they bring it back. He said that was a good possibility. So all is not lost, yet.

Hey Robb, can we start a petition?

Hey Robb, can we start a petition?

LOL! No...

We all know how well online peitions work....

--Robb

I hear they're going to replace the water in the vortex with reclaimed water from the park's restrooms.

This will make the attraction fit the theme of being even more s*****

Well we all know that the removal of this effect is not confirmed. For all we know they could be upgrading the ride itself, or heck even removing it! I know it sounds a bit exstream to be thinking about removal, but I'm trying to figure out if this would have anything to do with the rumored harry potter stuff. Its located right next to wear the ride is! I'm also assuming thats why the Lost Continent is starting to change. This is just my guess, but it's also seems reasonable aswell.

-Matthew.K

Nice updates. Can't wait to see the vertical construction start!

This ride and Manta are both giving me reasons to come back to Florida soon ! It'll be cool to see how this ride turns out!

^As of right now, Poseidon's Fury and Mythos will be the only two pieces to remain within the extremely reduced version of the Lost Continent. Poseidon's Fury will be the land's only anchor, so I doubt that its removal will happen anytime soon.

Thats not to say that I don't forsee the rest of the Lost Continent being overtaken within the next five years... I just don't see it happening until the existing announced (and not-yet-announced) phases are complete.

I have a feeling that powering that thing on and off probably costs mad money long term, and with how the economy is, they were told to find ways to reduce operating costs. Obvs things like Hulk's launch are more expensive, but are necessary for the operation of the attraction. Water vortex is awesome but the show can run without it.

Also when people stop going on it because they got rid of the best part, they can justify closing it down. I mean, let's face it, the attraction was p mediocre beyond the vortex. That's a giant ass show building, they can build something way cooler with all that space.

Can they just replace the vortex with a simple waterfall? That'll be good so you don't walk through a plain area.

-Tatum

Wouldn't a simple mist be a better alternative?

Wouldn't an Aquatrax be the best solution?

-Tatum

Yeah, I can't wait for it to be finished. Those construction workers have been going at it day and night.

I'm hoping the track starts going up sometime next week.

Wouldn't a simple mist be a better alternative?

That's what they are doing right now, blue lights and mist. I went through earlier today to see it but it was very disappointing.

Yeah, I can't wait for the vertical construction to start, imagine in a few weeks what the construction site will look like! Oh were is Rockit located anyways?

0Matthew.K

Here's a video Orlando Rocks uploaded of the vortex-less tunnel.

orlandorocks.com/freevideos.aspx

That's just sad.