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

AstroDan said:
Maverick is relentless. It does only have 12 per train, yes - but it does dual load. So capacity is pretty good. Still not as high as what Universal will need, though.

Of course - whilst Mavis' trains have been improved over the years with cushioned OTSR (imagine Rita's and Stealth's restraints but cushioned) - the trains on the rides that Intamin are putting out now are far superior. That said, unsure if Maverick would be safe to ride with just a lap bar...!

Maverick really set the ball rolling for the out-of-this-world elements we see on rides from the likes of RMC and Intamin today.

:)
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I think Intamin have really gotten the balance right between intensity and comfort these days. While Maverick looks mind-blowingly intense, I’m of the belief that raw intensity doesn’t necessarily make a ride fun, and in a way, I can imagine some of those turns being so abrupt that they almost feel a bit uncomfortable, and so forceful that they might limit rerideability. Doesn’t Maverick have similar grains to Rita and Stealth? I can imagine some of those turns being a bit painful with Rita’s restraints... I guess some people prefer a more raw, aggressive ride, though, even if it’s not the most comfortable.

Admittedly, I haven’t ridden Maverick, so I shouldn’t really comment, but for my personal tastes, I think some of Intamin’s newer creations, like Taron and VelociCoaster, possibly look more my style, as they seem to hit that sweet spot where the ride is still really, really fun and thrilling, but isn’t so intense that it inhibits rerideability. I don’t know whether anyone who’s ridden Taron would agree with that statement, but that’s the gist I gather from what I’ve seen of Taron and VelociCoaster.

As for my personal VelociCoaster take; the only other multi-launchers I’ve done so far are Icon, Cheetah Hunt and Slinky Dog Dash. If I like VelociCoaster anywhere near as much as I like Icon, I’ll be really happy.
 
As you have said, you haven't been on Maverick - so I wouldn't recommend talking it down on the basis of it being "too much" until you have done a coaster that is set up in that way.

As I also explained, Maverick's trains have saw an overhaul in 2015 where they added comfort collars rather than what you have on Rita. The trains are much better now.

Maverick is not uncomfortable at all and very re-rideable. It's incredible.

it makes Icon and Cheetah Hunt look like children's rides.
 
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AstroDan said:
As you have said, you haven't been on Maverick - so I wouldn't recommend talking it down on the basis of it being "too much" until you have done a coaster that is set up in that way.

As I also explained, Maverick's trains have saw an overhaul in 2015 where they added comfort collars rather than what you have on Rita. The trains are much better now.

Maverick is not uncomfortable at all and very re-rideable. It's incredible.

it makes Icon and Cheetah Hunt look like children's rides.
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Ah, apologies @AstroDan; as I say, I haven’t ridden Maverick, so I probably shouldn’t knock it until I’ve tried it! It gets rave reviews from practically everyone who’s ridden, so in a sense, I guess that speaks for itself! In all honesty, I think Maverick looks and sounds amazing, based on what I’ve seen and heard; I know you’re certainly a fan!

Out of interest, though; what do you mean by “a coaster that’s set up in that way”?

In many ways, it almost looks like what Rita could have been. They both have somewhat twisty layouts, they were both built in the mid-2000s, they’re both launched and they both had similar trains at one stage (until Maverick’s OTSRs were replaced with the padded ones). As much as I do really like Rita, I think Maverick looks a lot more extensive, a lot more themed and a lot more rounded as an overall ride, personally. I think an Intamin Blitz would fit wonderfully at Alton Towers; hopefully we might see one for SW9!
EDIT: Whoops, forgot we were even in the Universal Orlando thread!
 
Matt N said:
Out of interest, though; what do you mean by “a coaster that’s set up in that way”?
I
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As in, just a coaster which is designed to have one element into the next, with variety between those elements and no real let-up in pacing.

After the boosted lift hill, the ride has a beyond vertical drop into intense turns into airtime into inversions into launch into crazy banking into airtime into brake run - with no real let up apart from a few short seconds before launch 2.

There aren't many of such rides about! Velocicoaster doesn't look too far off, to be honest - but not quite as BANG-BANG as Maverick. Taron isn't quite up there as it does have some dead spots.
 
A really well paced intense ride crosses over from being "too intense" into simply mindblowingly good. It's why I love Nemesis but rides like Hulk and Kraken (Sea World) are fine but personally nothing special.

I've yet to watch a POV of Velocicoaster but from the look of it there's a lot to like!
 
As someone who absolutely hates restrictive restraints, especially those found on Intamins... Maverick's are actually fine. It would probably be my number 1 with the new lap restraints but I'm not sure that would even be possible given how quickly it changes direction.

Maverick is such a unique coaster, there's really nothing quite like it.

VelociCoaster looks very similar to Taron.
 
Back in 2008 the only thing stopping Maverick from storming into my top coasters were the terrible restraints.

Was very disappointing at the time. See also iSpeed.
 
Is it me or should the dark ride portion before the first launch of Velocicoaster have a roller shutter/gates that make it darker (e.g. Blue Fire)? Feel like it's missing a trick.

@Benzin - have you re-done Maverick since they adjusted the restraints? It has made a difference.
 
I loved Maverick on my visit to CP few years ago. It's got everything that coaster. It's sheer insanity and as a big chap of 6ft 5 and 15 stone I didn't find it at all uncomfortable.

I can see why many enthusiasts rate it higher than the monsters at that park such as Millennium Force, Steel Vengeance and TTD.
 
Sorry for double posting, but interestingly, VelociCoaster is apparently having cages and plexiglass installed on and around the paths beneath the coaster due to safety concerns: https://wdwnt.com/2021/06/photos-ca...sts-below-at-universals-islands-of-adventure/

This move is believed to have been triggered by recent incidents involving loose objects, including a wig flying off the ride and ice being thrown at a train by spectators.
 
Matt N said:
Sorry for double posting, but interestingly, VelociCoaster is apparently having cages and plexiglass installed on and around the paths beneath the coaster due to safety concerns: https://wdwnt.com/2021/06/photos-ca...sts-below-at-universals-islands-of-adventure/

This move is believed to have been triggered by recent incidents involving loose objects, including a wig flying off the ride and ice being thrown at a train by spectators.
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Yeah unfortunately I read about some students on a graduation trip hurling ice at the train during the mosasaur roll. It's a huge shame that people have to ruin it for others and potentially injure other guests, but I guess this kind of thing happens wherever you go. It's good to see the park taking action to prevent this from happening again, it's just a shame that they have to take action in the first place.
 
Promisingly, it would appear that Universal has patented a new restraint technology that aims to reduce motion sickness on its screen-based attractions: https://insidethemagic.net/2021/06/universal-motion-sickness-ad1/

The technology involves air being blown from certain angles onto the rider; something to do with the airflow apparently reduces motion sickness. The tech has already been tested, though, and did apparently cause a substantial reduction in motion sickness, so it’ll clearly be a winner if put on any new Universal attractions or retrofitted to existing ones!
 
Sorry to double post, but Universal Orlando have today confirmed that Shrek 4D is closing permanently on 10th January 2022: https://www.clickorlando.com/theme-...ys-4d-attraction-is-set-to-permanently-close/

I wonder what will replace it? Screamscape also said a few days ago that a new attraction concept is “in the works”; here’s what Lance had to say on the matter:
Screamscape said:
2023ish - New Attraction - Rumor - (10/3/21) Screamscape is sending out a very early warning for fans of Shrek 4-D. Go see it, enjoy it, take it all in as if it were your last time to experience it. After a number of years of living on the chopping block, our sources tell us that it is no longer a matter of “IF” Shrek 4-D will close, but now only a matter of exactly “WHEN” it will close.
A new attraction concept to replace Shrek 4-D is in the works and before you know it, the big green guy will be heading back to the swamp for good. It was often thought that Shrek 4-D was given an extension of life because a new Shrek feature film was green lit for production. While production on a “Shrek 5” film has been said to be in the works for a number of years now (the release window was delayed by COVID, of course), the new film isn’t expected until late 2022 at the earliest, but from the sound of things, Shrek 4-D isn’t likely to be around by then. It would be a nice touch if they could put a 2D version of the attraction film onto a future Blu-Ray and Digital Release in much the same way that the Back To The Future ridefilm was included in a Blu-Ray release of the BTTF trilogy a few years ago.
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Here’s the Screamscape link: http://www.screamscape.com/html/universal_studios_florida.htm#Shrek

Interesting… I wonder what could be in the pipeline? My personal prediction is a version of the Secret Life of Pets omnimover at Universal Studios Hollywood (it would make sense, what with how near the building is to the park’s attraction themed to Despicable Me, a fellow Illuminations movie), but I guess you never know!

What do you guys think?
 
Matt N said:
My personal prediction is a version of the Secret Life of Pets omnimover at Universal Studios Hollywood (it would make sense, what with how near the building is to the park’s attraction themed to Despicable Me, a fellow Illuminations movie), but I guess you never know!
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I second this, extremely likely given the popularity of both the USH ride and films. :)
 
Apparently secret life of pets was a plan at one point but that may now have changed. The rumour I heard was universal have created a new concept that will be based around despicable me and an international expo showcasing the latest gadgets for bad guys. The rumour pointed to some kind of highly interactive walk through attraction.

that was just a rumour and it could easily be a copy of the Dreamworks theatre in Hollywood (currently showing Kungfu panda, designed in way they change to a new IP when needed. Or could be secret life of pets if they have gone back to that idea.
 
In other Universal Orlando news that I’m surprised has been overlooked, Revenge of the Mummy is closing for a “lengthy refurbishment” starting on 7th January 2022 and lasting through late summer 2022: https://www.insideuniversal.net/202...mmy-to-undergo-lengthy-refurbishment-in-2022/


Interesting… could this be ROTM getting the Hulk treatment, or is it a more thematic/cosmetic refurbishment as opposed to a mechanical one? Or could it be a bit of both? It will be 18 years old by 2022, so I guess trackwork isn’t off the table given that Hulk was 16 when the retrack was conducted, and Dragon Challenge was 18 when it was removed.


I only think it’s interesting because 6+ months is a very, very long time for mere routine maintenance… I think something more could be involved here.


I have full faith in Universal to do an amazing job, but I hope they don’t mess with it too much, as RotM was personally one of my favourite attractions at Universal Orlando, and I know that many others feel the same. It’s good that they’re extending the ride’s lifespan for years to come instead of removing it, though!
 
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