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| The non inverting loop element | |||||||||||
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| Manufacturer | Maurer Rides GmbH | ||||||||||
| Product | X-Car Music | ||||||||||
| Type | Steel | ||||||||||
| Riders per train | 12 | ||||||||||
| Hourly capacity | 1850 | ||||||||||
| Propulsion | Vertical chain lift hill | ||||||||||
| Height | 167 feet | ||||||||||
| Top speed | 65 mph | ||||||||||
| Length | 3800 feet | ||||||||||
| Inversions | 0 | ||||||||||
| Duration | 1:39 | ||||||||||
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Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is a steel roller coaster located in Universal Studios Florida in Orlando, Florida, USA. Riders get to choose their own track of music to listen to on the ride.[1] It reaches 167 feet tall and is the first roller coaster to feature a non inverting loop. While on the ride, a video is taken of the guests and the person next to them. They can buy a picture, the video and an animated e-mail of the ride upon exiting. It is the largest X-Car coaster ever built.
History
In March 2008, Universal Studios Florida announced the addition of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.[2]
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit was planned to open in the spring of 2009, but the opening was delayed.[3] The attraction first opened to guests for "technical rehearsals" in the evening of August 15, 2009.[4] It officially opened a few days later on August 19.[5]
The ride received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the unique elements, but criticized the rough ride, theming and the amount of brake runs. A number of its features were barely working. There were other operational issues, such as slower-than-expected loading times that diminished capacity and led to long lines.[6]
In September 2010, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit was shut down indefinitely. Maurer had issued an alert warning that stress testing of their X-Car ride vehicles had found that the coupling bars holding the trains together wouldn't be fatigue endurable.[7] The attraction eventually reopened on October 28, 2010 with refurbished trains to improve the ride experience.[8]
For the 2015 season, metal detectors were added to the queue line, along with The Incredible Hulk Coaster and Dragon Challenge.[9]
In early 2017, trim brakes were added to the first drop.[10]
Design
| Elements |
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Ride experience
Before entering the queue line, all guests must walk through a metal detector. Free lockers are provided for mobile phones as they are not permitted on the ride. While queuing, videos explaining how to select a song are shown to guests.
In the station, the ride operators aim to never stop a train. Guests board the ride via a moving platform, whose speed is synchronized with the trains. Once seated, guests select a song using a touchscreen. As the train leaves the station, the choices are locked - a random song is selected for those who fail to choose.
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit begins with a vertical lift which peaks at a height of 167 feet. While the ride has a vertical lift hill, it does not contain a vertical drop. A rather less-steep initial drop leads into the non inverting loop. A number of twists and four mid-course brakes follow, offering a good view of the park.
At the end of the ride, riders disembark via another moving platform. At the exit, guests are offered a "music video" consisting of clips of them experiencing the ride. Although, at the beginning of the ride, riders are able to instead select secret songs that require a three-digit code to be entered. The rider does this by holding down the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit logo for 10 seconds, and then a ten-digit keypad will appear on the screen. Riders then enter the three-digit code, and the secret song will play once the ride begins. This does not include the music video, however.[11]
Trains
7 trains with 2 cars per train. In each car, riders are arranged 2 across in 3 rows, for a total of 12 riders per train.
The ride uses X-Car trains which feature large lap bar restraints. Embedded in each restraint is a touch screen which allows riders to choose the music they wish to listen to on the ride.
Images
The ride's entrance
The test seat
View from the Twister: Ride It Out queue line
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See also
References
- ↑ https://www.universalorlando.com/Rides/Universal-Studios-Florida/Hollywood-Rip-Ride-Rockit-Roller-Coaster.aspx
- ↑ "'Rockit' will roll 'em at Universal". https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2008-03-19-universal19-story.html.
- ↑ "Universal pushes back opening of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit coaster". https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/orl-story-universal-hollywood-rip-ride-rockit-story.html.
- ↑ Universal Studios' Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit coaster finally opens to guests – Video and Photos - Attractions Magazine (Wayback archive)
- ↑ Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster now officially open - Attractions Magazine
- ↑ "Mystery swirls around Universal’s closed roller coaster". https://www.palmbeachpost.com/article/20101014/NEWS/812028257.
- ↑ "Universal's Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster closed indefinitely". https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/os-xpm-2010-09-20-os-universal-rip-ride-rockit-closed-20100920-story.html.
- ↑ "Rip Ride Rockit Now Re-open! - Orlando Tourist Tips". http://orlandotouristtips.com/rip-ride-rockit-reopens-1477.
- ↑ Metal detectors become permanent at 3 Universal rides
- ↑ "Tweet from bioreconstruct". https://twitter.com/bioreconstruct/status/847598542386581504.
- ↑ "The Rough History of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit | Expedition Universal Studios Florida". Expedition Theme Park. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7akL6ybbM8.
External links
- Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit on the Roller Coaster DataBase.
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