Talk to me about the Coasters please

[phillymummer]

There have been plenty of discussions about the "screen" rides and one of the last threads was very helpful in helping me determine which ones I should skip.

Can I get a rundown on the Coasters? I find the US website very tedious to look through. Plus, you guys are much more entertaining! I can take wooden coasters. I can handle mild coasters. Upside down, super fast, and crazy drops.... not so much . I have NOT been on RNRC or EE at Disney, so don't use them as comparison. I have been on BTMRR, SM, and Barnstormer (or whatever its called now). If there are any Jersey/ PA peeps here, I have been to Hershey Park and Great Adventure, so you use those coasters.

I know.... it would be easy to see when I get there whether or not I can handle the coaster, but I'd like to know beforehand what I should plan to do or not do.

Which ones go upside-down? Which ones are crazy fast or have crazy drops?

 

[macraven]

well, i would never brag that i went on barnstormer as i go solo and didn't like the daggers from the mom and dads waiting in line with their kiddies.......

but barnstormer could have similar features that the hippografp has.
short, sweet and fast and tame.
if it was longer, could compare it to btmrr

could almost say that hulk and dragon challenges have same speed, curves and loops but to compare to the motherland, i can't.
the coast rides don't have looping except RnR for a portion.

but that is one ride you haven't been on over there.
drops will be on the mummy.
it is part story and stopping for that section then goes off on a coaster ride of about 90 seconds.....i'll be corrected if wrong on that time frame at the end of the ride.

 

[HM]

There have been plenty of discussions about the "screen" rides and one of the last threads was very helpful in helping me determine which ones I should skip.

Can I get a rundown on the Coasters? I find the US website very tedious to look through. Plus, you guys are much more entertaining! I can take wooden coasters. I can handle mild coasters. Upside down, super fast, and crazy drops.... not so much . I have NOT been on RNRC or EE at Disney, so don't use them as comparison. I have been on BTMRR, SM, and Barnstormer (or whatever its called now). If there are any Jersey/ PA peeps here, I have been to Hershey Park and Great Adventure, so you use those coasters.

I know.... it would be easy to see when I get there whether or not I can handle the coaster, but I'd like to know beforehand what I should plan to do or not do.

Which ones go upside-down? Which ones are crazy fast or have crazy drops?

You will not like any of them. Hulk, Dueling Dragons, and Rip Ride Rocket all have flips, fast turns and drops.
Hippogriff would be your only rideable one. And personally, I felt it was a bit more like BTMRR in terms of speed and bring thrown about than Barnstormer.

 

[johde]

Basically, you've got the 3-4 big coasters

Hulk, Launched coaster with 7 loops.
Dragon Challenge - a pair of inverted coasters with 5 loops each (same type of coaster as Great Bear at Hershey Park or Batman the ride at Great Adventure)
Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket - Tall fast non looping coaster

All of the other coasters are smaller/ Family Style.

As mentioned above, Hippogriff to me were big Barnstormers. Woody Woodpecker is essentially a mirror image of Barnstormer.

Revenge of the Mummy is basically a launched BTMRR with a dark ride section in the beginning and a short show scene in the middle.

it is part story and stopping for that section then goes off on a coaster ride of about 90 seconds.....i'll be corrected if wrong on that time frame at the end of the ride.

I just looked on youtube, and believe it or not, the coaster portion is only about 45 sections of the 3:15 attraction. The beginning dark ride section is about 2 minute until the launch. Then about a 30 section coaster section, 15 seconds in fake unload, 15 second coaster section, Final scene with Brendon Frasier and Unload. Also, I'll admit to riding Barnstormer solo (although I normally wait until after midnight when most of the little kids are gone).

 

[macraven]

ok, so the coaster portion is about 45 sections long.

once you are on the ride, it goes by fast.

but, i have never kept my eye on my watch to time it.

 

[Imagineer22]

The roller coasters at Universal are a little more 'traditional' than Disney in that you can see most of the ride from the main paths. You can clearly see the big roller coasters and what they 'do' to get a feel for if it is something you would like or not. Based on your description, you probably will not like Hulk, Dragons Challenge, or Rip Ride Rocket. Those are the big thrill rides with multiple inversions and big drops. Mummy is the only roller coaster you can't see at all. Even you tube videos are difficult to tell what the ride does because it is very dark. I find Mummy to be fast and thrilling in a fun way but not intense. The drops are relatively small and it is more about quick turns than drops. There is one or two 'floating' hill sensations but no 'stomach grabbing' drops. The biggest drop is probably 30ft or so. The quick turns can toss you a bit but it is very smooth. If you can do BTMRR and Space Mtn. than Mummy should be fine.

Even though Forbidden Journey isn't a roller coaster it does have a thrill factor. It tosses you around in a very fluid motion and puts you in some awkward positions that some find uncomfortable. There are moments that you are practically looking straight down and also parts laying on your back looking straight up at the ceiling (even leaning backwards some). The ride is very unique and difficult to describe but is very cool (think sum of all thrills at Epcot on a ride track with physical sets). It doesn't have 'drops' or 'inversions' but if you don't like enclosed spaces or sudden quick movements in all directions this ride may be a bit much for you. Also, the action is very much in your face close proximity which creates a nice intimate ride but also some 'surprise' moments that made me jump more than once.

 

[okw2012]

Then there is Krustyland, which is a roller coaster simulator. I find that it feels very different whether you're sitting in the front row or back row seats. You might find it a bit challenging for you in the front row but I highly recommend it!

 

[phillymummer]

thank everyone! I forgot to mention that I have been to IOA once, 5 years ago for WWHP. I went on the Hippogriff and was fine. I also went on FJ and was able to tolerate it. The screens got me more than the movement. I watched a youtube video of the mummy bc someone classified it as a screen ride and I think I will okay.

 

[RMulieri]

Dragon Challenge is similar to Great Bear at Hershey.Rip Ride Rocket is Like Farenheit only the initial incline is a lot taller

 

[CPanther95]

Basically, you've got the 3-4 big coasters

Hulk, Launched coaster with 7 loops.
Dragon Challenge - a pair of inverted coasters with 5 loops each (same type of coaster as Great Bear at Hershey Park or Batman the ride at Great Adventure)
Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket - Tall fast non looping coaster

 

[phillymummer]

Dragon Challenge is similar to Great Bear at Hershey.Rip Ride Rocket is Like Farenheit only the initial incline is a lot taller

I *used* to love Great Bear. But the last time I rode it, about 5 years ago, I came off feeling very woozy so I haven't been back on. I am going to Hershey in June, so if my daughter is up for it I may try it again while loaded up on Bonine. I would love to say I rode every ride in WWHP.

As far as HRRR....

 

[phillymummer]

I just watched POV videos on Youtube (not sure why I didn't think to do that first) and yea...... Hulk and HRRR..... not happening. The dragon challenge may be possible, if my "test run" in Hershey Park is successful. Is there a difference between the two tracks (for Dragon Challenge) or are they identical?

 

[okw2012]

I just watched POV videos on Youtube (not sure why I didn't think to do that first) and yea...... Hulk and HRRR..... not happening. The dragon challenge may be possible, if my "test run" in Hershey Park is successful. Is there a difference between the two tracks or are they identical?

They felt similar to me. I think it makes more of a difference whether you're in front row or not rather than if you choose one track or the other.

 

[macraven]

for me, red side is smoother

 

[johde]

That is a non-looping loop, as you can see in this picture, you actually travel on the outside of the loop and don't go upside down.

 

[jjas]

I think Red side of dragon challenge is smoother also - and I would also recommend doing to front row. If you can work up the courage for HRRR give it a shot - I was petrified the first time and I really like it now. I even let my DD talk me into the front row the last time we were there !!

 

[DOOM1001]

Hulk: best part of the ride is the launch,the rest of the ride is a traditional looping steel coaster that's gotten a bit rougher over the years,still a very good ride.
Dragon Challenge:Sadly they don't duel them any longer but these are two B&M inverted coasters that have been some of the most popular designs in the last 20 years,very good rides,Fire/Chinese Fireball is faster with the Ice/Hungerian Horntail having better visuals.
Flight of the Hippogriff:Junior Vekoma steel coaster,small but fun ride pretty much everyone can ride
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit:The going up the lift hill part is not enjoyable,after that the ride is pretty fun,you can pick your own music to listen as you ride,there's even a secret soundtrack not listed in the song choices,but you need to know the numbers and how to key them in,with that said I rarely ride it more than once a trip,I don't like the restraints and have never felt totally safe in them,it might be a mental thing since they're so different from other coasters.
Revenge of the Mummy: part dark ride,part indoor coaster and in my opinion the best ride at Universal and the one I ride the most.
Escape from Gringott's:Most people would say it's not even considered a coaster as it has very few coaster sections,I like it a lot.

 

[okw2012]

In any case, even if you don't ride the dragon challenge,you have to do the queue, I enjoy it almost as much as the ride!

 

[CPanther95]

That is a non-looping loop, as you can see in this picture, you actually travel on the outside of the loop and don't go upside down.

Oh, one of those "non-looping loops"

LOL

 

[phillymummer]

thanks everyone! Dragon Challenge is the only one I am willing to give a shot, and that is only if my test run goes well. My daughter just watched the video of HRRR and said "That looks scary. No way!". *whew*