McMonkey McBean Riding Machines finally opening next year!

[robvia]

I just wish something new & exciting would open at either park soon.

Supposedly, 2007 is the year. Otherwise fans will revolt.

Attendance needs to drop. Then they'll get the message.

I don't visit as much. Used to visit 4 times a year, now it's 3.

They need the flyer at IOA.

 

[mulchpuppy]

I really, really hope it's something better than a Flyer. That'll appeal for all the coaster peeps, but what about non-coaster folks? If you're not a coaster person or into drops, there's far too little to do in Islands at this point.

Seriously, when I go to Islands with my ladyfriend, all she'll ride is Spidey, Popeye, and the stuff in Seuss Landing. That's hardly enough to warrant repeat visitations.

I'll take the also-rumored jeep attraction instead.

Okay, in the interests of full disclosure, I've yet to encounter a flying coaster that elicited more than a "meh." So maybe I'm biased in more than one area, but I still think they should make more attractions that a wider demographic is more likely to ride.

 

[CPM]

My quote button isn't working...

I agree, we haven't visited this year nearly as much. First of all teh onsite hotels rates were always way too high when I ahve called. Second, my kids are getting bored.
I agree about what kind of attraction. I can't do coasters like DD or Hulk. I can do ones like Mummy. Then there is Spidey@@.
If it's not warm enough, you're also limited by that in IOA. It will be interesting to see what the new year brings.

 

[Typhoon John]

mulchpuppy, i totally agree with you that IOA has almost no rides for people who aren't coaster fans. what i liked about the original Universal Studios Florida (and this is what i used to tell people when i would take them there) is that the rides were geared more at the mind. don't get me wrong, although i'm not big on roller coasters, i do think they hit right on the money with "Revenge of the Mummy." but, from the beginning, you could go to Universal and do Kong, Earthquake, Jaws, Hannah Barberra, and more and not worry about a big drop or going upside down. you still can have roughly the same experience at Universal Studios today, but Islands doesn't have as many geared-at-the-mind attractions. it took a lot of great design to make an attraction that is as suspenseful and enjoyable as Jaws, and Terminator for that matter.
- John

 

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

when we were there in early november they were painting the rails of the mcbean ride

Kimberly

 

[JohnnySharp2]

mulchpuppy, i totally agree with you that IOA has almost no rides for people who aren't coaster fans. what i liked about the original Universal Studios Florida (and this is what i used to tell people when i would take them there) is that the rides were geared more at the mind. don't get me wrong, although i'm not big on roller coasters, i do think they hit right on the money with "Revenge of the Mummy." but, from the beginning, you could go to Universal and do Kong, Earthquake, Jaws, Hannah Barberra, and more and not worry about a big drop or going upside down. you still can have roughly the same experience at Universal Studios today, but Islands doesn't have as many geared-at-the-mind attractions. it took a lot of great design to make an attraction that is as suspenseful and enjoyable as Jaws, and Terminator for that matter.
- John

There is certainly scope for other rides at IOA - just get the feeling there is sill something missing there.

 

[macraven]

i read about the new ride over at mike's site (universal-excitment)

it is always great to add new rides or attractions...........hope someone will post more on the news about it as it becomes more apparent .....

summer 2006 isn't that far away.....

someone will start posting about the new ride as it gets closer to summer.

 

[Tekneek]

I was reading the Wikipedia entry for Universal Studios Florida and it said this ride would be opening in 2006. I see nothing official is out there yet, though. I wish it would open. I would definitely try to make sure I could get down to IOA if it did!

 

[phamton]

It is scheduled to open this summer. No exact date yet but we will know a date when it is closer to summer.

 

[SuperAmazing]

Not to discredit said employees, but the cardinal rule here is: It isn't official until Universal themselves say it is. I've seen this "It's opening soon!" crap too many times before. And just like Screamscape says, it's probably something else, not the actual driving machines.

I know! A new and improved decoration! Maybe some shiney lights added on?

 

[SuperAmazing]

Sylvester McMonkey McBean's Very Unusual Driving Machines was supposed to open along with the rest of Seuss Landing when Islands of Adventure debuted in 1999. But the ride never debuted. Rumors flew about cost overruns and design flaws, most notable an alleged failure to properly plan for evacuating cars along the ride's elevated, monorail, track. So riderless prop cars motored along the track for the park's first few years, until even they were shut down.

But sometime in the summer of 2006, the ride is slated, finally, to debut. A Mack Powered Coaster is rumored to provide the ride system and the theme is said to remain centered on Dr. Seuss' fable about racial and class harmony, "The Sneetches."

The Driving Machines will become the fourth ride in the Seuss Landing area of the park and its longest track ride. Despite the manufacturer, don't expect a thrill ride. The Driving Machines monorail track is essentially level, and the ride's kid-lit theme would seem to preclude a high-speed launch or any other sort of stomach-churning effect. Look for a gentler ride, with a dollop of mayhem here and there, along the lines of the neighboring Cat in the Hat dark ride.
-- Last edited by Robert Niles


This is from ThemeParkInsider...Only I couldn't specifically link it for you because I haven't made enough posts for them to allow it from me...or something.

 

[E&B's Mom]

Does anybody know when in the summer it may open? We're going to be there 6/24 - 6/29 and my kids would love to be able to finally ride this.

 

[phamton]

I think the odds are in your favor that it will be open by the time you go.

The scheduled target date is May. The shortened name will be the Seuss Sky Trolley.

 

[IofA fan]

I was at IofA yesterday, and talked to someone managerial-looking who was passing through Seuss Landing. He said the ride was opening in August 2006, and would be showcasing all of IofA. He also mentioned the two Zax which were put in place first long ago, and then IofA was built around them, just like in the Dr Seuss story. They will also be visible from the ride.
I asked him about the original plan, and he said it was scrapped and then Universal wanted to add a new ride and saw the existing tracks as a good opportunity. The new ride will NOT feature bumper-car capability.
To me, it sounds a lot like Magic Kingdom's Transit Authority ride.

 

[Jenny]

will there be soft openings? have other new rides at USF/IOA had soft openings in the past? if so, are they announced or do you just get lucky when you're there? we're hoping for a ride in early May....also, any news on height restrictions for this ride?

 

[rie'smom]

I think the odds are in your favor that it will be open by the time you go.

The scheduled target date is May. The shortened name will be the Seuss Sky Trolley.

Gee I hope that you're right!! We're going to be at the parks over the Memorial Day weekend.

 

[lindalinda]

I'm going in June. I thought for sure it would be open by then.

 

[ChrisFL]

.... He said the ride was opening in August 2006, and would be showcasing all of IofA.

what does that mean exactly? That you can see the whole park from the ride?

 

[Sylvester McBean]

He also mentioned the two Zax which were put in place first long ago, and then IofA was built around them, just like in the Dr Seuss story. They will also be visible from the ride.

IOA was built around two Zax?

 

[Sylvester McBean]

The shortened name will be the Seuss Sky Trolley.

ahh, crap. time for a new screen name.