1st Trip to US/IOA-Compare coasters to Dis

[ruzer28]

So I'm off to Universal for the first time in a couple of months. I like roller coasters, but I'm used to the ones at Disney. How do the IOA coasters compare to say, the Rock N Roller Coaster at MGM? I know that the MK coasters are much tamer than IOA, I just want to be able to have a point of reference to prepare myself. Besides, I'm hoping to graduate to Kraken at Seaworld by my third day there. Thanks for any input!

 

[mortimor]

I find hulk and dueling dragons more intense than the coasters at WDW. I think the Mummy is visually great, but the roughest riding of all the coasters. Hulk is similiar to Rockin in taking off fast, but everything else is more visual due to it being outside. I cannot decide which coaster is my favorite. I guess it depends on which one I am waiting for, but my favorite four are Rockin, Hulk, Dueling Dragons and Mummy. The path leading up to Dueling Dragons is great with the props etc. I like the front row of the Ice coaster better than fire...just make sure your in the front row for your first ride it is unbelievable. My plan is to be at the gate 20 minutes b4 opening, go straight to Hulk, re-ride 2X in the front row, go on Spiderman 1X, go to Dueling Dragons and re-ride front row until it gets busy or my neck hurts.

 

[lindalinda]

Both Hulk and Dueling Dragons are bigger and faster than RockinRoller Coaster, but they are so smooooooth. You dont get the hurky-jerkies from them.

 

[bellelinus]

Hulk and Rock n Roller Coaster both blast off, so the start is similar -- however, Hulk takes you right outside into a huge roll so you look right up at the sky! I find Hulk very smooth -- Dueling Dragons less so. Personally, I don't think Kraken is any "tougher" than Hulk or Dragons. It's also very smooth. In my opinion, if you have enjoyed Rock n Roller Coaster (as opposed to barely tolerating it) I think you will enjoy the IOA coasters and Kraken. Mummy's coaster section is tamer -- zippy and fun but not any problem for someone who has been on R n Roller Coaster.

 

[ChrisFL]

Kraken, to me...is TOO Smooth, it's almost boring but I've been on a lot of big coasters. Hulk, mostly because of the launch and zero-g roll immediately after is just something unlike any other coaster and has to be experienced. I dont think it's a whole lot more intense than Rock'n'Roller coaster, it's just big and outdoors, with many more loops.

 

[Slacking]

Kraken, to me...is TOO Smooth, it's almost boring but I've been on a lot of big coasters. Hulk, mostly because of the launch and zero-g roll immediately after is just something unlike any other coaster and has to be experienced. I dont think it's a whole lot more intense than Rock'n'Roller coaster, it's just big and outdoors, with many more loops.

Kraken is actually one of my favorite coasters I have ridden.

Hulk is great, but the second half is boring.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

Kraken is my wife's favorite of all the Orlando coasters. the only thing I like about Rock n Roller Coaster is the launch, otherwise it's pretty boring. IOA's coasters are very visually intimidating, with a reason. but if you can do RnRC, you'll be fine at IOA.

 

[MsDisney]

The coasters at US/IOA are definitely more "intense" in my opinion than anything at WDW, aside from Rockin' Rollercoaster, which I rate as "ok". The launch is cool, but nowhere near as cool as the launch for Hulk and I think it is a bit rough...but then, I don't care much for barrel rolls as I don't enjoy having my ears boxed! IMO all of the coasters offer something a little different and I would rate RRC as a good first inverted coaster...sort of training wheels for Hulk and Dragons! Hulk has 7 inversions...so it's not wimpy...but it is very smooth...Dragons I find to be rougher, with fewer inversions but the near miss as they duel is awesome, and you have to do front row at least once. I prefer Ice to fire, but you have to do both I'd say...Ice has a little extra dip that I enjoy. You get more of a feel for being UP high on dragons as the lift is slow so you SEE that you're high. I prefer to take one ride on ice and hit the alchemy at happy hour while my kids and husband ride the repeats though, guess I'm getting old! Kraken is great, but I don't know if I'd consider it to be more intense than Hulk or dragons...just different...and higher, I think...

Once you've been inverted though, it's no big deal...I remember being scared to death of them all at one time...which is hard to imagine now!

Mummy is very cool...but the intensity is nowhere near Hulk, dragons or RRC, IMO.

Make sure to do front row on Hulk as well...the view is fantastic!

Karen / MsDis / MrsMIB999999

 

[Figment22]

I would rate RRC as a good first inverted coaster...sort of training wheels for Hulk and Dragons!

Perfect description!

 

[bubba's mom]

oh boy DS is gonna love this trip..... ("rollercoaster junkie" in the makin'! )

 

[ChrisFL]

Quick terminology lesson:

Inverted coaster does not mean a coaster with loops, twists, etc. Dueling Dragons are technically the only Inverted coasters at Universal due to their train layout under the tracks.

A coaster with inversions is more commonly referred to as a "looper" so maybe that's a better description

 

[Fan2CSkr]

OK...so the loops are inversions and only DD is an inverted coaster that happens to also have inversions or loops. So does that also mean that DD is the only inverted coaster in Orlando? I cant think of any others that fit that description.
Great lesson, I had no idea.

 

[ChrisFL]

OK...so the loops are inversions and only DD is an inverted coaster that happens to also have inversions or loops. So does that also mean that DD is the only inverted coaster in Orlando? I cant think of any others that fit that description.
Great lesson, I had no idea.

Right, outside of Orlando, there's Montu in Busch Gardens Tampa, and Cypress Gardens has a small one (I haven't been there yet to check out their new rides).

 

[MsDisney]

No, me neither...the first time anyone described Hulk to me when I was heading there in 99, they said it had 7 inversions and I guess I always thought that an inverted coaster meant that at some point, you are upside down...and in the case of Hulk, 7 times...

Thanks for the description...I don't want to be using the wrong terminology and confuse people more!

Karen

 

[Sylvester McBean]

OK...so the loops are inversions and only DD is an inverted coaster that happens to also have inversions or loops. So does that also mean that DD is the only inverted coaster in Orlando? I cant think of any others that fit that description.
Great lesson, I had no idea.

an 'inverted' coaster rides below the rails, unlike a conventional coaster. wasn't Batman at Six Flags the first inverted coaster? 'inversion' basically means reversing positions, so it applies to a couple of coaster terms. if that makes sense, my mind is pudding after spending the day at WDW with the cheerleaders. two more days to go. kill me.

 

[ChrisFL]

an 'inverted' coaster rides below the rails, unlike a conventional coaster. wasn't Batman at Six Flags the first inverted coaster?

I believe so

 

[Slacking]

Yeah, I'm fairly certain that Batman was the first inverted coaster. I'm fairly certain that the first Batman installed was at Six Flags Great America outside of Chicago before being cloned and added to several other Six Flags parks.

 

[bubba's mom]

I like inverted coasters...only problem is the best seat is always the front! Can only see the seat in front of you if you're not in the front! Takes all the thrill outta it!

 

[macraven]

Yeah, I'm fairly certain that Batman was the first inverted coaster. I'm fairly certain that the first Batman installed was at Six Flags Great America outside of Chicago before being cloned and added to several other Six Flags parks.

DING DING DING.............. i think we have a winner !!

yes, you are correct.
batman at great america was the first for it.

i stood in line (blonde and stupid) for it on its opening for 2 hours and 10 minutes.

only live 10 minutes away from this park.

 

[bubba's mom]

i stood in line (blonde and stupid) for it on its opening for 2 hours and 10 minutes.

hope you were able to get the front seat after all that.....