Friday, July 10, 2009
Are They Playing Your Song?
Universal has announced the song list for the Rip, Ride, Rockit coaster. Here's the "classic rock" line up:
Still no official opening date, apparently.
"Born to Be Wild," Hinder
"Bring Me to Life," Evanescence
"Gimme All Your Lovin'," ZZ Top
"Kickstart My Heart," Motley Crue
"Paralyzer," Finger Eleven
"Rollin'," Limp Bizkit
Still no official opening date, apparently.
Labels: rip ride rockit, roller coasters, universal orlando
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Manta at SeaWorld
Friday, April 24, 2009
Rip, Ride, Rockit Preview
Universal has set up a special site, mostly for the media, to preview their upcoming Rip, Ride, Rockit rollercoaster.
There are some nifty graphics and animations showing off some of the ride's "first-ever moves."
Labels: rip ride rockit, roller coasters, universal studios florida
Friday, February 06, 2009
Memorial Manta Day at SeaWorld
SeaWorld is now announcing Manta for Memorial Day. Actually, a few days early on May 22.
The video above (aptly described by SeaWorld as a "teaser") is long on fish and short on coaster, but it's pretty cool nonetheless.
If I'm reading the iconography of the video correctly, the ride will have an effect similar to the one at SheiKra over at Busch Gardens Africa, where a part of the ride vehicle chassis dips into the ocean, sending up a plume of water to soak bystanders.
While you're at it, pick up the best freakin' guide to all the Busch parks. At a discount.
Labels: manta, roller coasters, seaworld orlando, sheikra
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Rip, Ride, Rockit Update
The Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit roller coaster at Universal Studios Florida is progressing apace.
No official word on opening yet, but the buzz is that it will be open by late May, all the better to grab the attention of recently graduated high schoolers.
I had always sorta assumed that the load-in area would take over the real estate once occupied by The Boneyard, but that space has been transformed into a venue for live music with the completion of the Hollywood Bowl stage. Very nice it is, too.
The actual entrance to RRR will be through the narrow street between the USF store and Jimmy Neutron, the one that now leads to Blue Man Group and the Hard Rock Cafe.
The idea, it seems is to have two entrances, one inside USF and the other in CityWalk. From what I've heard, the park entrance will be open during park hours (Duh!), and the CityWalk entrance will open when the park closes, allowing visitors to CityWalk to purchase tickets to ride. No word on how they'll handle people who bought park tickets that day and annual passholders.
Another wrinkle in the arrangements is that the ride would have to close at 10 p.m. to avoid bothering Universal Orlando's neighbors, although the location seems pretty remote from residential areas to me.
No official word on opening yet, but the buzz is that it will be open by late May, all the better to grab the attention of recently graduated high schoolers.
I had always sorta assumed that the load-in area would take over the real estate once occupied by The Boneyard, but that space has been transformed into a venue for live music with the completion of the Hollywood Bowl stage. Very nice it is, too.
The actual entrance to RRR will be through the narrow street between the USF store and Jimmy Neutron, the one that now leads to Blue Man Group and the Hard Rock Cafe.
The idea, it seems is to have two entrances, one inside USF and the other in CityWalk. From what I've heard, the park entrance will be open during park hours (Duh!), and the CityWalk entrance will open when the park closes, allowing visitors to CityWalk to purchase tickets to ride. No word on how they'll handle people who bought park tickets that day and annual passholders.
Another wrinkle in the arrangements is that the ride would have to close at 10 p.m. to avoid bothering Universal Orlando's neighbors, although the location seems pretty remote from residential areas to me.
Labels: rip ride rockit, roller coasters, universal orlando, USF
Friday, December 05, 2008
Manta Swoops Closer
The latest on Manta, SeaWorld's new "flying" roller coaster, courtesy of Theme Park Ranger Dewayne Bevil.
Manta, the upcoming "flying" coaster at SeaWorld Orlando, remains on schedule for its summer debut. The rails already in place have changed the look of the park, and all of them are expected to be in place by the end of December, park officials say.
The impact should be great near the front entrance as the coaster's cars sweep down toward water for a dramatic splash. Riders -- in a facedown, headfirst position -- will glide over other guests during the 21/2-minute trip.
Passengers will be harnessed into the seats with legs dangling, and then will be shifted into a flying position in the loading station. From there, off to the biggest hill and a swoop over the Whale & Dolphin Stadium walkway before encountering an elaborate pretzel loop.
Labels: manta, roller coasters, seaworld orlando
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Manta Construction Pics
And speaking of changes at SeaWorld, Johnny Upsidedown has some neat pics of the ongoing construction of the new Manta "flying" roller coaster.
Labels: anheuser busch seaworld orlando, manta, roller coasters
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Manta Coming to SeaWorld
The Coaster Critic has spilled the beans about the long-rumored new coaster that will be sort of a centerpiece at SeaWorld.
Located in a central area near the entrance mall, the new ride will be named "Manta" and will be a "flying coaster," that is a steel coaster where you get strapped into a prone, face-down position, with the coaster tracks over your head.
The concept art posted at Coaster Critic makes it look like the wings of the manta ray themed ride vehicle will dip into water at at least one point, sending a wall of water over onlookers (shades of SheiKra!). There's also talk of up-close animal encounters, although how they'll manage that is anybody's guess.
The artwork also makes it look like the ride will cover more ground than the current fenced off area would suggest. Looks like the track will extend over nearby parts of the park. But I wonder where exactly. Key West?
Located in a central area near the entrance mall, the new ride will be named "Manta" and will be a "flying coaster," that is a steel coaster where you get strapped into a prone, face-down position, with the coaster tracks over your head.
The concept art posted at Coaster Critic makes it look like the wings of the manta ray themed ride vehicle will dip into water at at least one point, sending a wall of water over onlookers (shades of SheiKra!). There's also talk of up-close animal encounters, although how they'll manage that is anybody's guess.
The artwork also makes it look like the ride will cover more ground than the current fenced off area would suggest. Looks like the track will extend over nearby parts of the park. But I wonder where exactly. Key West?
Labels: manta, orlando, roller coasters, seaworld
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Sheikra Goes Floorless
The already pretty terrifying SheiKra vertical drop coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa is set to get even scarier.
The ride will shut on May 29 so the floor can be removed. The new, floorless version will debut on June 16, if all goes according to plan.
Read my review of SheiKra.
The ride will shut on May 29 so the floor can be removed. The new, floorless version will debut on June 16, if all goes according to plan.
Read my review of SheiKra.
Labels: busch gardens tampa, roller coasters, sheikra
