All things Universal Studios Hollywood

[PiratesMansion]

If Disney had built Velocicoaster or a coaster like it in the way Universal did, they would have been crucified online.

Because Universal built it instead, people handwave away all of the awkward visuals and sightlines it then creates.

I don't personally care about this in the context of IOA, but it's worth pointing out.

 

[mickEblu]

If Disney had built Velocicoaster or a coaster like it in the way Universal did, they would have been crucified online.

Because Universal built it instead, people handwave away all of the awkward visuals and sightlines it then creates.

I don't personally care about this in the context of IOA, but it's worth pointing out.

I think Universal definitely sets a different set of expectations. I certainly wouldn’t want Disney to take that approach with a coaster.

 

[Andrew C]

If Disney had built Velocicoaster or a coaster like it in the way Universal did, they would have been crucified online.

Because Universal built it instead, people handwave away all of the awkward visuals and sightlines it then creates.

Hardly. It’s just a great coaster. Accept the reality of it.

 

[mickEblu]

If I have one kid who brings me home straight A's and one day brings me home a B- I might be disappointed. If my other kid usually brings me home straight C's and then one day brings me a B that'll probably make me happy.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Hardly. It’s just a great coaster. Accept the reality of it.

It can be both a great coaster, fantastic really, and a not so great themed experience.

 

[Rich T]

I think Universal definitely sets a different set of expectations. I certainly wouldn’t want Disney to take that approach with a coaster.

You mean like they did with California Screamin’, Goofy’s Sky School, Barnstormer and Primeval Whirl? But I agree that’s not what anyone wants from Disney. The big difference is that Velocicoaster is a genuinely great, terrifying ride. And even though Universal’s vibe welcomes impressive coasters that are more “stylized” than fully themed, I think just one big exposed-track thrill coaster per park should be the aim (IoA gets away with 2 because they look so amazing on the lagoon).

 

[mickEblu]

You mean like they did with California Screamin’, Goofy’s Sky School, Barnstormer and Primeval Whirl? But I agree that’s not what anyone wants from Disney. The big difference is that Velocicoaster is a genuinely great, terrifying ride. And even though Universal’s vibe welcomes impressive coasters that are more “stylized” than fully themed, I think just one big exposed-track thrill coaster per park should be the aim (IoA gets away with 2 because they look so amazing on the lagoon).

lol I knew this was coming. Well those coasters aren’t exactly Disney’s most critically acclaimed. California Screamin though is in theme for the land it resides in. Whether that was a great theme for a Disney park is another conversation. Your other examples are filler kiddie coasters tucked away and not judged as harshly. Velocicoaster is a very visible E ticket in a high profile area of the park. As far as I know there is no in story explanation for the exposed track? Again, I’m fine with Universal's approach as my expectations are being met or surpassed. From a theming perspective, Velocicoaster is an upgrade from the Incredible Hulk or Hollywood Rip Ride rocket. Disney has been spoiling us with themed coasters since 1959.

 

[lazyboy97o]

lol I knew this was coming. Well those coasters aren’t exactly Disney’s most critically acclaimed. California Screamin though is in theme for the land it resides in. Whether that was a great theme for a Disney park is another conversation. The other attractions are filler kiddie coasters tucked away and not judged as harshly. Velocicoaster is very visible E ticket in a high profile area of the park. As far as I know there is no in story explanation for the exposed track? Again, I’m fine with Universal's approach on exposed as my expectations are being met our surpassed. From a theming perspective, Velocicoaster is an upgrade from the Incredible Hulk or Hollywood Rip Ride rocket. Disney has been spoiling us with themed coasters since 1959.

Velocicoaster’s story is that it is a roller coaster through the raptor paddock.

 

[mickEblu]

Velocicoaster’s story is that it is a roller coaster through the raptor paddock.

Ok I guess that helps… ever so slightly. Haha.

 

[Rich T]

If Disney had built Velocicoaster or a coaster like it in the way Universal did, they would have been crucified online.

True, but that’s because theming is Disney’s whole thing. Aside ftom great CMs, it’s all they’ve got, and they (until fairly recently IMO) have been masters of telling stories using ride systems.

Universal has carved out a great, fun niche all their own that can swing satisfyingly between fully themed attractions and a coaster like Hulk.

With Epic Universe, they’ve shown they can absolutely deliver on themed dark rides and lands that can equal Disney’s best. Top tier food, performers and Team Members, too. And because of where they’ve come from, Stardust Racers gets a thumbs-up because again they’ve built one of the greatest coasters on Earth. But they don’t get a complete pass, even from diehard fans: No one likes the look of the nets around Curse of the Werewolf. I’m hoping they’ll come up with a better-looking themed solution (In the meantime, I just sigh and tell myself the nets are there to keep the werewolves from escaping).

 

[Rich T]

Ok I guess that helps… ever so slightly. Haha.

Of all the “looking like an unthemed ride IS the theme” various parks have done, Velocicoaster pulls it off the best. All through the queue, the owners of Jurassic World are boasting about their brilliant idea to use a roller coaster in a raptor paddock to safely provide the ultimate thrill… And then right before boarding, Chris Pratt’s character, in a “live” video interview, can’t take it anymore and tells everyone in the queue to get out of line, go home, and live a long, happy life, because this ride is a really BAD idea. Then the video cuts away from him and you head to the loading platform.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Hardly. It’s just a great coaster. Accept the reality of it.

It is a great coaster, no one's contesting that. That reality has been readily accepted.

But could it have been better integrated into the existing land and infrastructure around it? Absolutely.

If people can whine about this or that being wrong at Disneyland (or Disney World or wherever) in every other thread, the world will survive me (and not just me) pointing this out.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Of all the “looking like an unthemed ride IS the theme” various parks have done, Velocicoaster pulls it off the best. All through the queue, the owners of Jurassic World are boasting about their brilliant idea to use a roller coaster in a raptor paddock to safely provide the ultimate thrill… And then right before boarding, Chris Pratt’s character, in a “live” video interview, can’t take it anymore and tells everyone in the queue to get out of line, go home, and live a long, happy life, because this ride is a really BAD idea. Then the video cuts away from him and you head to the loading platform.

It’s the same gag as Transformers: The Ride – 3D where you’re told to leave or mutiny because you’re being sent on a suicide mission.

 

[Rich T]

It’s the same gag as Transformers: The Ride – 3D where you’re told to leave or mutiny because you’re being sent on a suicide mission.

The tone is totally different, though. Coming from Chris Pratt’ s exasperated character, it’s hilarious , and super effective because… Velocicoaster is a genuinely terrifying/thrilling coaster and most people in line are already nervous and/or hyped up.

 

[mickEblu]

The tone is totally different, though. Coming from Chris Pratt’ s exasperated character, it’s hilarious , and super effective because… Velocicoaster is a genuinely terrifying/thrilling coaster and most people in line are already nervous and/or hyped up.

I’ve seen you and others refer to Velocicoaster as terrifying. I’ve also seen some people compare the new FnF coaster to Velocicoaster. So exactly how terrifying is this coaster in comparison to Six Flags Magic Mountain rides like Tatsu, Riddlers Revenge, Goliath etc? Asking for a friend.

 

[Phroobar]

Tatsu makes me throw up. I can't stand laying on my stomach while doing flips in the air. I think I had my eyes shut for most of it

 

[Rich T]

I’ve seen you and others refer to Velocicoaster as terrifying. I’ve also seen some people compare the new FnF coaster to Velocicoaster. So exactly how terrifying is this coaster in comparison to Six Flags Magic Mountain rides like Tatsu, Riddlers Revenge, Goliath etc? Asking for a friend.

Scarier than Tatsu and Goliath and much scarier than Riddler’s Revenge. But in a different way— Aside from the moment when you go over the top hat, Velocicoaster isn’t about height—It’s designed to give tons of very forceful ejector airtime and hangtime throughout. Every hill, every twist and turn, all four inversions—It all tosses you up (or down when you’re inverted) off your seat, with the lap bar being the only thing stopping you from becomng a projectile. It’s relentless, intense and wild. (And very smooth and comfortable, too!) From the moment the first launch starts to the brakes at the end, there are no lulls or moments to catch your breath, and it keeps building in intensity right up to the finale.

And what makes it extra scary is the seat design. The cars have no sides and the seats are raised high enough off the floor so that your feet dangle in the air. All you feel, security-wise, is the seatback and the lapbar. So, when you go through that finale roll over the water, you feel like your head is the pointed end of a pinwheel blade spinning ‘round while simultaneously the ride forces are trying to hurl you out of your seat and all you feel is the lap bar stopping that from happening.

All brilliantly engineered for safety (heed the warning sign out front) and cunningly designed to play extreme mind games.

Very intense g-forces throughout, which is why I probably won’t ride it again at my Medicare-qualifier age. But it is an amazing creation.

 

[PiratesMansion]

I’ve seen you and others refer to Velocicoaster as terrifying. I’ve also seen some people compare the new FnF coaster to Velocicoaster. So exactly how terrifying is this coaster in comparison to Six Flags Magic Mountain rides like Tatsu, Riddlers Revenge, Goliath etc? Asking for a friend.

I will say that Velocicoaster got a genuine shriek out of me in the final roll over the water during my only ride on it, which hasn't happened to me in a long time. It is a FANTASTIC coaster though.

I would say X2 and potentially Tatsu (that one may be a me issue) are more intense than Velocicoaster, but not much else would be (though Riddler and Goliath are both examples of rides whose bark is much worse than their bite and wouldn't make any seasoned coaster person flinch in the slightest). It's definitely a new school intensity, so it's much more fluidly designed with precision than something like, say, Viper.

 

[Too Many Hats]

Kinda surprised by the Universal hate around here. Velocicoaster is awesome! Even with its (IMO) very negative impact on IOA’s sightlines.

I’m stoked for the F&F coaster. I imagine the buzz has been minimal only because the coaster doesn’t open for another year.

Also, Epic looks fantastic. Yes it has issues related to capacity and reliability and sightlines. But c’mon, it’s a brand new park. As a fan of themed entertainment, it’s a super exciting new offering. Monsters Unchained and Battle at the Ministry seem to be the most exciting new theme park attractions in the U.S. since Rise, by far.

 

[Too Many Hats]

It's definitely a new school intensity, so it's much more fluidly designed with precision than something like, say, Viper.

I’m more or less numb to coasters at this point, but I think I greyed out during the consecutive loops on Viper a couple years ago lol. I have never experienced that before (or since). That coaster is nuts, and so so fun.