Oh Boy! Anyone ride it yet?

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Orlando papers have photos of Rip Ride Rocket roller coaster at US up and running....anyone ride it yet? the called it a technical rehersal on August 16th.

Looks like it's going to be soooooooo much fun!

 

[Jessfrogger88]

no but I'm very excited to check it out!

 

[Josh Hendy]

Yeah we rode in on Aug. 16, it's a fun ride. Lying horizontally on your back in the lift portion is a unique experience. The "non inverted" loop is fun, along with a couple of sideways tilts, because you only have a lap bar to hold you in so the fear factor is high.

At (I think) two places the curve radius suddenly tightens so you feel like the train is briefly accelerating, as if it turned on afterburners.

I was so pumped that I never noticed the music after it started up (I think I picked "born to be wild" from the classic rock menu).

At the end of the ride as you're rolling into the station the little cartoon characters from the queue videos start making inane chatter on your computer screen (located on the lap bar), like, "Ooooh that ride was really cool you looked awesome on the video we took, you should pull out your credit card right now and buy the DVD so you can show your friends how cool you looked." Or something to that effect.

At sunset and after dark, RRR must be the world's most photogenic coaster what with the decorations, floodlights, and flashing LEDs on the trains.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

WOW - great to hear from someone who has experienced it. DH is going to be pea green with envy!

 

[Condorman]

So they finally opened the Rip-off Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, er, I mean, Rip Ride Rockit?

Looks like your typical pre-fab yawner. I took a look at the songs as well and one word comes to mind... pathetic. You would think Universal having its own music division could have garnered the rights to some better tunes. I guess the first artists they asked were like: Uh, no, we don't want anything to do with that. So who did they get? ZZ Top and MC Hammer? Really? REALLY!?! See for yourself and tell me if those songs get your adrenaline pumping. If so, yikes!

That little informercial they play at the end on the lap bar, somebody recorded it -- it's already online -- and that, too, is shameful. Disney wants your money just as badly, but even they wouldn't stoop so low as to put an advertisement on the ride itself before it came to a finish. Aerosmith may be long in the tooth, but ZZ Hammer they ain't, and as for the RnR, well, it's an original, which is something Universal can never say.

Ah, Universal. Masters of mediocrity. Keep up the average work.

Disney FTW!!!

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

So they finally opened the Rip-off Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, er, I mean, Rip Ride Rockit?

Condorman, if Disney opened the exact same ride you would be singing the praises to no end! To you Disney can do no wrong and Universal can do no right. At least Universal knows how to build something besides timeshares.

And HRRR has 999 other songs to choose from; you just have to know how to dial them in!

BobK/Orlando

 

[TheLegend]

I rode the ride. I liked it, didn't love it.

I have been waiting for this one for quite some time, and out of all the rides being built in the USA this year Rockit was the one I was looking forward to most. I got to ride on Tuesday, when the ride was still in 'Technical Rehersal' mode. The ride was more wild then I expected it to be with lots of forces/airtime. The ride was also very shaky for a brand new roller coaster, which makes me fear that this ride could become quite rough in the future.

The first drop and the non-inverting loop were phenomenal.

Universal does have a bunch of kinks to work out in this new ride. First off, after an hour and a half wait the much anticipated 'choose your own soundtrack' wasn't working and the ride was just playing Kanye West the entire time, I am hoping this is just a technical rehersal issue, but have read reviews in various places online where either the audio didn't work or it picked the song for you (I have also seen plenty of reviews that said it worked perfectely).

The major issue they need to work out is the capacity. When I was at the park on Tuesday they were only running two trains, which led to very very long lines (2 hours most of the day). Two train operation results in an hourly capacity of around 300 people an hour and lines that just don't move. They haven't gotten the moving sidewalk loading platform working yet and appear to be no where close to having the advertised seven trains running at once. I was at the park again this afternoon and was met with the same thing, two trains running and 120 minute lines. They also aren't yet using Universal Express on this ride yet.

The music/capacity issues I'm confident Universal will be able to fix, the shakyness is the one that concerns me the most.

Overall I think it is a fun ride and a good addition to the park, just has some bugs to work out.

 

[ChrisFL]

So they finally opened the Rip-off Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, er, I mean, Rip Ride Rockit?

Looks like your typical pre-fab yawner. I took a look at the songs as well and one word comes to mind... pathetic. You would think Universal having its own music division could have garnered the rights to some better tunes. I guess the first artists they asked were like: Uh, no, we don't want anything to do with that. So who did they get? ZZ Top and MC Hammer? Really? REALLY!?! See for yourself and tell me if those songs get your adrenaline pumping. If so, yikes!

That little informercial they play at the end on the lap bar, somebody recorded it -- it's already online -- and that, too, is shameful. Disney wants your money just as badly, but even they wouldn't stoop so low as to put an advertisement on the ride itself before it came to a finish. Aerosmith may be long in the tooth, but ZZ Hammer they ain't, and as for the RnR, well, it's an original, which is something Universal can never say.

Ah, Universal. Masters of mediocrity. Keep up the average work.

Disney FTW!!!

*yawn*, some things never change here

What does this ride have to do with rock'n'roller coaster? On-Ride music? Sorry, Disney didn't invent that either, so Disney also just ripped it off of someone else.

Rock'n'Roller coaster is actually more "off the shelf" than this one since the exact same Vekoma track layout is used in other parks.

The track at Universal is a completely new layout and a company that has never built a coaster in the U.S. before IIRC

 

[Condorman]

Condorman, if Disney opened the exact same ride you would be singing the praises to no end!

I would be, and I did, because Disney did. It's called the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster!

What does this ride have to do with rock'n'roller coaster? On-Ride music? Sorry, Disney didn't invent that either, so Disney also just ripped it off of someone else.

Prove it.

Rock'n'Roller coaster is actually more "off the shelf" than this one since the exact same Vekoma track layout is used in other parks.

Name them.

The track at Universal is a completely new layout and a company that has never built a coaster in the U.S. before IIRC

Attaching Part B to Part A, and turning Part B to the left instead of the right hardly constitutes a "new layout." Try again.

 

[ChrisFL]

go to rcdb.com if you need the facts

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Here is the notice from the UPDATES section of the DIS.

Sounds GREAT ---- for those who like extreme!

Don't forget - this is just cut & paste!



Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Roller Coaster
LIGHTS . . . CAMERA . . . COASTER!

Universal Orlando's New Roller Coaster Features a Total Immersion Entertainment and Puts Guests In The Director’s Seat



ORLANDO, Fla. (August 19, 2009) – Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, Universal Orlando Resort’s highly anticipated roller coaster, is now open. This radically innovative attraction includes first-ever maneuvers, cutting-edge technology, songs that span across five genres of music and a personalized take-home music video available for purchase.

The coaster features three first-ever maneuvers: the Double Take, the world’s largest non-inverted loop; the Treble Clef, where guests burst through a building façade on track shaped like the music symbol; and the Jump Cut, a spiraling, negative-gravity move.

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit uses ground-breaking technology to deliver a completely different experience. Riders use a personal touchpad mounted on the ride vehicles to make their music selection. They choose their favorite genre – Classic Rock/Metal, Rap/Hip-Hop, Club/Electronica, Pop/Disco or Country – and then pick a song. Each seat is outfitted with individual stereo speakers so guests can rock out to 90 decibels of music – and yet never hear the songs playing for other riders.

Their song is the soundtrack to their ride and to a music video guests can purchase that uses on- and off-board cameras to capture each rider’s experience. The video mixes ride footage, music and special effects and is available as soon as riders get off the roller coaster. Guests can purchase their video in DVD and email-able formats to share with family and friends at Rockit’s designated kiosks or from home by visiting myuniversalphotos.com.

“Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is where adrenaline, music and technology meet – no two experiences will be the same,” said Mark Woodbury, President of Creative for Universal Parks & Resorts. “This roller coaster is a game-changing addition to the remarkable attractions here at Universal Orlando Resort.”

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit’s song list features the latest and the legendary of the music world including the Black Eyed Peas, No Doubt, Kanye West, Evanescence, N.E.R.D., Montgomery Gentry and Donna Summer.

 

[tjkraz]

It looks like a fun coaster but I don't think anyone here would be singing Disney's praises if they had wound it through a theme park like US has chosen to do.

One of my most vivid memories of my first visit to US was how the park design was better than DHS in most ways. Many of the backlot areas are actually functional buildings (even if just shops, restrooms, etc.) rather than the blank facades of DHS' backlot.

But honestly my jaw hit the floor the first time I saw how they were just plopping this thing in the middle of the theme park. So much for atmosphere.

Again, I'm sure it's an excellent coaster. But then again Cedar Point and many Six Flags have excellent coasters, too. Doesn't mean I'm going to start spending any more money there.

I still prefer theme park attractions which are "experiences" rather than mere "rides." I'd rather see US build more "Mummy" style attractions. THAT would go further to earning my dollar rather than a vanilla steel coaster with speakers.

I'll take RnR, E:E and Space Mountain any day over RRR, Hulk and Dueling Dragons.

(BTW, what does this thread have to do with "Disney Rumors and News"? Seems like US ride discussion would be more suitable for one of the US forums. )

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

If rides were just rides, we wouldn't stand around waiting for the logs to drop at Splash Mountain or look up when the Test Track cars go scooting by.

Rides are fun to watch ---- that fear factor as you are deciding if this is the time you will finally have the kahoona's to get in line....palms sweaty.

We LOVE to watch rides.....the carosel in the Magic Kingdom or EE in Animal Kingdom....we watch the faces of people riding, listen to the screaming....it heightens the anticipation.

The new ride running through US is part of the excitment. Each time a car goes by with screaming people......guests are going to look up and I bet most of them are going to say.......COOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLL.

 

[tjkraz]

If rides were just rides, we wouldn't stand around waiting for the logs to drop at Splash Mountain or look up when the Test Track cars go scooting by.

Rides are fun to watch ---- that fear factor as you are deciding if this is the time you will finally have the kahoona's to get in line....palms sweaty.

We LOVE to watch rides.....the carosel in the Magic Kingdom or EE in Animal Kingdom....we watch the faces of people riding, listen to the screaming....it heightens the anticipation.

The new ride running through US is part of the excitment. Each time a car goes by with screaming people......guests are going to look up and I bet most of them are going to say.......COOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLL.

If that's how you want to defend US' design decisions, so be it.

I stand by my comments. If DIS had built a plain-Jane steel coaster like this winding thru (for example) the backlot area of DHS, the majority of people who frequent forums like this would be up-in-arms about it. Probably yourself included based upon previous attitudes toward managerial decision making.

Cedar point--which has more than a dozen steel and wooden coasters--is practically in my back yard. It takes me 15x longer to get to WDW by car and costs hundreds more to fly. Nevertheless I visit CP for 1/2 day per year vs. a couple of weeks split between WDW and DL. And my visits aren't driven by a desire to see a costumed mouse.

Judging by attendance numbers, building steel coasters out in the open isn't the be-all, end-all theme park experience for park-going guests.

US could have added some theming to the ride. Instead they cut holes in existing buildings and said "we can just squeeze it in there!" Different strokes for different folks. Some just want the high-adrenaline thrills while others want more of an all-encompassing experience. History has proven that Disney's formula works pretty well.

I'm sure RRR is a very fun ride, but it is no Splash Mountain.

My biggest problem with US/IOA is that they don't seem to know what sort of parks they want to be. While spending hundreds-of-millions on the immersive Harry Potter land, they build an ugly steel coaster. The parks are a mish-mash of both approaches, providing little satisfaction for either group. As a fan of themed attractions, my interest doesn't go much further than Mummy, Simpsons, MIB and Spider Man. The thrill ride junkies similarly will find only a couple of attractions in either park that are worthy of repeat business.

I keep coming back to the phrase "jack of all trades and master of none." The parks' greatest appeal may be to families who want something for different age groups. But that pretty much defines the limited appeal of the parks. Those who want a more Disney-like experience aren't going to keep coming back again and again for the handful of rides I listed. And those who want extreme thrill rides aren't going to return over and over just for RRR, Hulk, Dueling Dragons and Mummy. In the end, both groups can find a more appealing package of attractions elsewhere.

 

[ChrisFL]

It looks like a fun coaster but I don't think anyone here would be singing Disney's praises if they had wound it through a theme park like US has chosen to do.

One of my most vivid memories of my first visit to US was how the park design was better than DHS in most ways. Many of the backlot areas are actually functional buildings (even if just shops, restrooms, etc.) rather than the blank facades of DHS' backlot.

But honestly my jaw hit the floor the first time I saw how they were just plopping this thing in the middle of the theme park. So much for atmosphere.

Again, I'm sure it's an excellent coaster. But then again Cedar Point and many Six Flags have excellent coasters, too. Doesn't mean I'm going to start spending any more money there.

I still prefer theme park attractions which are "experiences" rather than mere "rides." I'd rather see US build more "Mummy" style attractions. THAT would go further to earning my dollar rather than a vanilla steel coaster with speakers.

I'll take RnR, E:E and Space Mountain any day over RRR, Hulk and Dueling Dragons.

(BTW, what does this thread have to do with "Disney Rumors and News"? Seems like US ride discussion would be more suitable for one of the US forums. )

Actually it's not really in the "middle" of the park, definitely not like the one in Universal Studios Japan where the coaster goes right over Hollywood Blvd (think near Mel's Drive-in and the Pantages Theater) and over the lagoon area...this one is back near the soundstages and far left of 99% of the actual park area. The only thing I wish is that it wasn't painted bright red.

 

[All Aboard]

Name them.

Here's one: http://www.walibi.com/walibiworld/attractions/thrills/ow/xpress_en.htm

 

[wishdisney]

i'm sorry, but RRR is no where near in comparison to RRC.

RRC = Upside down inclosed coaster. one artist, Aerosmith. Shoulder restraints, in the dark.

RRR = You pick from 5 (6?) different genres and pick the song you want to hear, different every ride, don't go upside down, lap bar restraints, out door coaster, way more of a thrill then RRC due to the fact you can see how high you are on RRR compared to RRC. oh and it records your ride experience.

so what if you can listen to music on both of them, doubt Universal copied Disney. I love both attractions and honestly I like RRR experience a lot more than RRC. and I'm a Disney fan more than Universal, but I don't hate on Universal like some people do.

common sense

 

[jimmymac]

So they finally opened the Rip-off Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, er, I mean, Rip Ride Rockit?

Looks like your typical pre-fab yawner. I took a look at the songs as well and one word comes to mind... pathetic. You would think Universal having its own music division could have garnered the rights to some better tunes. I guess the first artists they asked were like: Uh, no, we don't want anything to do with that. So who did they get? ZZ Top and MC Hammer? Really? REALLY!?! See for yourself and tell me if those songs get your adrenaline pumping. If so, yikes!

That little informercial they play at the end on the lap bar, somebody recorded it -- it's already online -- and that, too, is shameful. Disney wants your money just as badly, but even they wouldn't stoop so low as to put an advertisement on the ride itself before it came to a finish. Aerosmith may be long in the tooth, but ZZ Hammer they ain't, and as for the RnR, well, it's an original, which is something Universal can never say.

Ah, Universal. Masters of mediocrity. Keep up the average work.

Disney FTW!!!

Remove the job posting - the position of mindless Disney shrill has been filled

 

[carps09]

My DF and 3 of his friends went to Universal on Friday. They waited in line for about 2 hours to ride Rip Ride Rockit. Out of the 4 of them, only my DF's speakers worked. Two of the guys had static in their ears the whole time, and one had no sound at all. Without the music, they said, it's a pretty tame coaster. With the music, my DF loved the experience.

 

[wishdisney]

i've been on it 3 times already and had no problems.