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Universal Orlando (Studios/IOA/Epic Universe) : General Discussion

Having never been on it, I can't personally judge, but I agree it seems madness to retrack a B&M. Even Dragon Khan doesn't need a full retrack.
 
They're universal. They're making money through the wazoo - they can do whatever they want. They're owned by Comcast...!!!

Hulk was looking pretty tired in its recent days and was rough in places so hopefully this'll sort it out. It's an iconic coaster so they want to make sure it lasts another 16 years!
 
nickhutson said:
They're universal. They're making money through the wazoo - they can do whatever they want. They're owned by Comcast...!!!

Hulk was looking pretty tired in its recent days and was rough in places so hopefully this'll sort it out. It's an iconic coaster so they want to make sure it lasts another 16 years!
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True - but with the massive trend for superhero movies in recent years and the huge success of Jurassic World last year I am just baffled as to why on a commercial level they have not exploited this with new developments in the same way they did with Harry Potter. I mean look how much of a success that was for them.

I suppose though given it is Universal we are talking about they must know what they are doing.
 
The Hulk ran nearly nonstop for 16 years running three trains for 10-12 hrs per day, resulting in the ride having one of the highest number of ride cycles for a B&M coaster. From what i understand there are a number of high stress points on the ride which were worn out and needed to be replaced and the park decided the best solution was to replace the full ride.

There were plans for a new JP ride where Kong stands but in the end they went with Kong, which started construction 10 months before Jurassic World was released, there is a new Kong film out next year though. Two new jurassic Park attractions are under consideration to open in 2018, to go along with Jurassic World 2, possible replacing the camp jurassic area and surrounding area.
 
Lucky for Universal their area is based on the comics and has been around for longer than the popularity of the current superhero film boom...

Kong was an interesting choice, but as mentioned, a new film is out in the near future, and Jurassic Park will always have popularity purely due to the first film, plus Kong allows some fanboy pandering after removing the original ride and Jaws...
 
CoasterCrazyChris said:
As much as Universal should be applauded for investing in their older rides and attractions to me this project seems like a waste of money that could have been better spent on a new ride.

Will the improvement in the ride experience from re-tracking justify the cost of doing so? I highly doubt.

It's not like there was anything particularly wrong with the Hulk coaster either and Marvel Island could really do with a new attraction despite space limitations (although I'm not sure about the rights issue with Disney).
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I think it has something to do with the licence between comcast and Disney.

Under the agreement I believe that Disney have agreed not to build anything to do with marvel in the Orlando area. But for this to happen comcast have to keep all there marvel rides in tip top condition.

If Disney believe that say for example the hulk coaster is not in top condition they can take the licence off them!

It sounds extreme but I think that is how the agreement works.

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Insane, yet I could believe it. There's nothing those money-grabbing media empires won't stoop to.
 
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DiogoJ42 said:
Insane, yet I could believe it. There's nothing those money-grabbing media empires won't stoop to.
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I listen to alot of Disney podcasts, one having a universal spinoff show. I think it was mentioned in this.

This would explain why you don't even have marvel characters at wdw Orlando. They have only recently added spiderman at disneyland Paris.

Plus the rumours of them converting tower of terror in disneyland and in Paris to guardians of the galaxy, but not in Orlando. That's because of the agreement

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Universal aren't exactly short of money at the moment like they were 10 years ago, things are booming under the ownership of Comcast. Investing millions in re-doing the Hulk is not going to jeopardise any other major capital projects. There's a major King Kong attraction going in this year as well, two new attractions at Universal Studios in 2017 as well as a brand new waterpark, Nintendo Land in the not too distant future and a whole third theme park being planned. Then there's plenty more we don't even know about, including rumours of Dragon Challenge getting some sort of major works (whether that be the Hulk treatment, just thematic upgrades or a totally new ride).

:)
 
Rob said:
Universal aren't exactly short of money at the moment like they were 10 years ago, things are booming under the ownership of Comcast. Investing millions in re-doing the Hulk is not going to jeopardise any other major capital projects. There's a major King Kong attraction going in this year as well, two new attractions at Universal Studios in 2017 as well as a brand new waterpark, Nintendo Land in the not too distant future and a whole third theme park being planned. Then there's plenty more we don't even know about, including rumours of Dragon Challenge getting some sort of major works (whether that be the Hulk treatment, just thematic upgrades or a totally new ride).

:)
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It does look very good for the next few years at least, although I think it's a shame that they've ripped out Disaster and Twister especially so soon after Jaws as they were some of the last physical based special effects rides left at Universal. Their replacements don't sound all that interesting either. Sadly E.T. looks like it's on borrowed time as well.

If they are not short of money surely the first thing to do is replace Rip Ride Rockit with something half decent.
 
CoasterCrazyChris said:
It does look very good for the next few years at least, although I think it's a shame that they've ripped out Disaster and Twister especially so soon after Jaws as they were some of the last physical based special effects rides left at Universal. Their replacements don't sound all that interesting either. Sadly E.T. looks like it's on borrowed time as well.

If they are not short of money surely the first thing to do is replace Rip Ride Rockit with something half decent.
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Rip Ride Rocket is a horrible and scary ride. I have no idea what they were thinking building that in universal. What has it to do with movies or TV.

E.T can go as far as I'm concerned. It is a pathetic ride. It should of gone years ago. No time for nostalgia for me. If it's old and useless get rid.

Although this might sound 2 faced, I was gutted when jaws went. Yes it was old, but it was still a great ride and the surroundings where themed brilliantly.

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Yeah, I liked Rip Ride Rockit - I thought it packed a real punch and it fits into the park quite well. It's certainly a welcome break from all the screen-based rides (Shrek, Minions, Transformers, etc.) around that area of the park.
 
Sorry, I can't agree on this one. Poor layout, force-less, rough, audio broken, reduced throughput, (meant to be 1,850pph,) poor location (by the entrance,) poor queline/theming. After last year I swore to never waste my time on it again. It just does nothing for me. Each to their own. When you have Transformers and The Mummy within 2 minutes walk too...
 
I really don't feel Rip Ride Rockit - it just seems a little lacklustre! Poor layout, and it is truly awful if your audio isn't working. If a ride had to rely on what is essentially a gimmick in order for it to be fun for guests then you've got something wrong!
 
For someone who has never been to Universal, Rip Ride Rockit looks like one of the most unappealing coasters ever built.
 
Not a fan of Rip Ride Rockit either, in fact on our Florida trip last year it quickly garnered the nickname S**t Ride Shut it. And as Saz says, it is completely terrible when the audio isn't working properly, which probably happened on about 50% of the rides I had on it :(
 
I'm at Universal right now, RRR isn't the best coaster ever, but it isn't the worst either.

My audio didn't work on my first ride, I told the station host after and they let us jump straight back on the next train for another ride, no questions asked!
 
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