Steven Spielberg afraid to ride Jurassic Park?

[sn00zn]

There was a question on another forum about the story that Steven Spielberg has ridden Jurassic Park, but always makes them stop the ride before the big drop so he can get out. I found the story repeated on several Universal website, but never pinned to a reliable source. Can anyone point me to a book or magazine or some first hand news account of the ride's opening (and I'm not sure if it's the one in Hollywood or Orlando) that could verify or debunk this story? Thanks!

snoozn

 

[mulchpuppy]

I believe it was in one of the Frommer's guides. I still question the truthiness of it, however.

 

[F-L-A]

I'm not sure if it's the one in Hollywood or Orlando

He's ridden both versions, and he won't go down the drop on either. Kind of funny.

 

[sn00zn]

Mulchpuppy, thanks, I did find it in the Frommer's online bit about Jurassic Park. I agree with you though, sounds more truthy than true! Frommer's of course, doesn't say where they got their info.

FLA, could you give me some lead to where you got the info? It's on lots of sites, but never as first-hand info. I did find a CNN story about the opening, but there was no mention of Spielberg having to be let off. Have you seen this in a first-hand story in a local paper or an interview with Spielberg that you can link?

Thanks!

snoozn

 

[kristinw]

I am going on 12/15 and I really want to go on this, but I am also afraid of the drop. I can't believe Steven Spielberg is afraid too.

 

[spiceycat]

hey this drop is 90 degrees - much worst than Splash Mountain.

on a tv show - maybe travel channel when they were starting this ride.

Spielberg say himself he wasn't going down that drop.

but to my knowledge he doesn't get off the ride. he just doesn't ride it.

he can appear in pictures without really being on the thing.

 

[Tony M]

Spielberg has told the story that he will not ride another Rollercoaster since he got sick on one(and other riders) as a kid.
He has been on the Jurassic Park River Rides and they stop it right before the final drop so that he can get off of the ride.

 

[neosnightmare]

That's interesting, never heard that previously but hmm. Makes ya think kinda.

 

[yaytezIOA]

hey this drop is 90 degrees - much worst than Splash Mountain.

There is only one drop in America that is a 90 degree angle and it aint JPRA. Do some homework first. Its Sheikra at BGT. JPRA is 84.4 feet tall and drops you at 45.6 degrees vs Splash Mountains 52ft and 47 degrees. So....yeah, Splash mountain is STEEPER than JPRA. And there is only one report of Speilberg riding the ride and that was in Hollywood for the premier and he was asked to be let off at the pump house before the drop. So it seems he's not afraid of the ride, just of the drop.

 

[kenban]

There is only one drop in America that is a 90 degree angle and it aint JPRA. Do some homework first. Its Sheikra at BGT. JPRA is 84.4 feet tall and drops you at 45.6 degrees vs Splash Mountains 52ft and 47 degrees. So....yeah, Splash mountain is STEEPER than JPRA. And there is only one report of Speilberg riding the ride and that was in Hollywood for the premier and he was asked to be let off at the pump house before the drop. So it seems he's not afraid of the ride, just of the drop.

Just want to point out that since your counting coasters here Sheikra is not the only ride in the US with a 90 degree drop. Hypersonic XLC, Top Thrill Dragster, Kingda Ka, Xcelerator, and Storm Runner all have 90 degree drops. Those are the only ones I know of off the top of my head but I am sure there are more in the US not even counting the beyond vertical coasters in Europe (97 degrees if I remember right).

Now if your not counting roller coasters then you can't count Sheikra although there is something steeper in IOA even. Ripsaw Falls hits 50 degrees during the drop although it starts at 45. For the steepest boat ride drop in the world though you have to make a trip to Knotts in California and ride Perilous Plunge with its 75 degree drop.

 

[yaytezIOA]

I stand corrected at Sheikra being the only 90 degree drop. But my point was that JPRA is not "90 degrees and way worst than splash mountain" as someone else said. And Dudley do right doesnt hit 50 degrees anymore...not after they tamed down that last drop. Its now about 43....still not as steep as Splash Mountain.

 

[kenban]

I stand corrected at Sheikra being the only 90 degree drop. But my point was that JPRA is not "90 degrees and way worst than splash mountain" as someone else said. And Dudley do right doesnt hit 50 degrees anymore...not after they tamed down that last drop. Its now about 43....still not as steep as Splash Mountain.

You know I forgot about last winters replacement of the drop track. Makes me wonder what the drop really is right now.

 

[ButchJohnson]

No its true, I've got the making of documentary of the ride, and he himself says that he makes them drop him off before the drop, just a big chickin I guess. He was kind of a consultant on the ride and threw in a few ideas.

 

[Notatourist]

The way that I heard the story was that someone in front of him on a coaster threw up and it hit him...

Therefore, he doesn't do drops anymore. He does get off at the top of the drop.