Magic Kingdom ranks as 2nd most favorite amusement park in the U.S. !

[sonoma15]

Jeez, to each their own, but Hulk is one of the blandest rides at either of the Universal parks. It is a genuine thematic eyesore and doesn't fit in with the comic book themed city... like most steel coasters outdoors.

I really don't see how it's bland

To each his own though..

 

[BlakeW39]

I really don't see how it's bland

To each his own though..

Yeah, I mean, it's green lol. That's all I really take from the visuals to be honest.

 

[JohnyKaz2078]

Nothing wrong with opinions... or sharing them. But if you can’t separate analysis from your personal opinions... that is a lack of objectivity. And maybe why you can’t figure out why a large sampling of people are not following your line of thinking.

If you thought that post was disrespectful then you REALLY have a problem with objectivity.

So you're telling me that your post was objective? Where to you base that? Telling me that I should step out of my ideals? If you have no problems with opinions like you say then that's MY OPINION.

In regards to the Mine Train, I think that the ride is really overrated for what it offers. It's a good family rollercoaster with a cool dark ride scene. It's good but pales in comparison to classics like the Matterhorn or Space Mountain. I really think that what attracts crowds is the fact that it is the only rollercoaster that kids can experience outside the Barnstormer which is very dull and because it's new.

 

[V_L_Raptor]

Nothing about Hulk is world class, it's a simple roller coaster. Just because something is more thrilling does not make it better.

This is absolutely wrong, it is an amazing old school B&M and one of the only B&M launched coasters in the world (Thunderbird being the other). It also has great theming for a coaster of it's size and blends very well with the rest of MSHI.

All of which is amazingly wonderful, valuable, truly treasured knowledge for the ages, but.

If you were to line up ten park-goers and ask them to explain what "old school B&M" means, the overwhelming majority would either stare at you blankly or start making reference to various gastrointestinal functions. All ten may do so. If you're lucky, one might begin asking you how much you know about Bollinger & Mabillard, start reciting financial and managerial details, rattle off their currently deployed ride portfolio, and then ask you when you started looking at B&M rides and why you're not wearing a B&M t-shirt while you're talking about B&M coasters. Well, then. Not everyone can be a true fan...

Point is, "world class" isn't an objective measure. The majority of riders aren't going to look to a ride's parentage to decide what's "world class," which is a material point, because the majority of riders comprise the base for said world.

Theming for these kinds of coasters, no matter how great it may be in a given case, is frequently a sideline, because they're designed to be dismantled and sold to other parks as seen fit, and there's no guarantee that the new site will want a coaster themed to Hulk, Camelot, or whatever else is in place. Blending in is more a function of what Universal put together around it than it is choices for the ride construction itself. (The whole "launch simulates Hulking out" idea falls a little flat when even Slinky Dog launches nowadays.) What sets aside a coaster as "world class" today frequently doesn't hold up once other parks catch up, and they most certainly will.

 

[matt9112]

Just another example of why the opinions and tastes of the general public aren't to be taken seriously

to a degree but thats ultimately who you sell a product to.

i would not be surprised if average wait times and feeling like cattle is at play here. you couldn't get me in the MK. place is a nightmare.

 

[BlakeW39]

Good point. Adventureland really needs another ride. There is that huge empty space filled with trees behind the PoC showbuilding. I think there was a rumored Moana Volcano Rollercoaster going to go there but the idea was scrapped in favor of Tron. I would really want to see that concept evolve to what you've just described (without the Moana theme) in the near future. It should give the Adventureland/Frontierland side of the park a new E-Ticket and help draw some guests away from Tomorrowland and Fantasyland.

All of which is amazingly wonderful, valuable, truly treasured knowledge for the ages, but.

If you were to line up ten park-goers and ask them to explain what "old school B&M" means, the overwhelming majority would either stare at you blankly or start making reference to various gastrointestinal functions. All ten may do so. If you're lucky, one might begin asking you how much you know about Bollinger & Mabillard, start reciting financial and managerial details, rattle off their currently deployed ride portfolio, and then ask you when you started looking at B&M rides and why you're not wearing a B&M t-shirt while you're talking about B&M coasters. Well, then. Not everyone can be a true fan...

Point is, "world class" isn't an objective measure. The majority of riders aren't going to look to a ride's parentage to decide what's "world class," which is a material point, because the majority of riders comprise the base for said world.

Theming for these kinds of coasters, no matter how great it may be in a given case, is frequently a sideline, because they're designed to be dismantled and sold to other parks as seen fit, and there's no guarantee that the new site will want a coaster themed to Hulk, Camelot, or whatever else is in place. Blending in is more a function of what Universal put together around it than it is choices for the ride construction itself. (The whole "launch simulates Hulking out" idea falls a little flat when even Slinky Dog launches nowadays.) What sets aside a coaster as "world class" today frequently doesn't hold up once other parks catch up, and they most certainly will.

Oh yeah, I agree that all of this is subjective. You can't value art objectively despite how much some want to believe that. Greatness of a ride like this depends on the person that rides it.

But when I'm talking about a ride, it should be inferred that I base that upon perception, as I only have access to that. Hulk is barely themed, I mean it's SeaWorld level theming and does not fit in with the comic book inspired New York Marvel Island. I have no doubt making a coaster on that "big loopy" scale well themed is difficult, but if they can't do it then that is still a flaw. Besides that, there just isn't anything that puts Hulk on the level of its neighbor, Spider-Man. Spidey is one of my favorite rides in Orlando and it is genius.

 

[21stamps]

This is so weird.

I just read two pages of arguing about which rides are better in different parks.

Newsflash- You’re allowed to like more than one park, and more than one ride. You’re also allowed to think different rides (are parkd) are great for different reasons.

Sometimes I think people just need to prove how much they dislike Disney, and even weirder- have some kind of smug satisfaction about it. It’s the strangest thing.

 

[BlakeW39]

This is so weird.

I just read two pages of arguing about which rides are better in different parks.

Newsflash- You’re allowed to like more than one park, and more than one ride. You’re also allowed to think different rides (are parkd) are great for different reasons.

Sometimes I think people just need to prove how much they dislike Disney, and even weirder- have some kind of smug satisfaction about it. It’s the strangest thing.

Pointless, sure. Weird, not really.

 

[JohnyKaz2078]

Oh yeah, I agree that all of this is subjective. You can't value art objectively despite how much some want to believe that. Greatness of a ride like this depends on the person that rides it.

But when I'm talking about a ride, it should be inferred that I base that upon perception, as I only have access to that. Hulk is barely themed, I mean it's SeaWorld level theming and does not fit in with the comic book inspired New York Marvel Island. I have no doubt making a coaster on that "big loopy" scale well themed is difficult, but if they can't do it then that is still a flaw. Besides that, there just isn't anything that puts Hulk on the level of its neighbor, Spider-Man. Spidey is one of my favorite rides in Orlando and it is genius.

I've ridden the Hulk a couple of times and I enjoyed it. It's unfair though to compare it with Spiderman since they're completely different attractions (obviously) and a much better comparison would be with the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. I enjoy going around the Superhero Island much more than seeing the backlot soundstages from HRRR. In regards to that, the coaster fits quite nicely in the cartoony-style of the Superhero Island. The coaster ITSELF has minimal theming (the launch is quite cool though), like almost every outdoor coaster, but it doesn't need it because it blends well with the surroundings IMO.

 

[BlakeW39]

I've ridden the Hulk a couple of times and I enjoyed it. It's unfair though to compare it with Spiderman since they're completely different attractions (obviously) and a much better comparison would be with the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. I enjoy going around the Superhero Island much more than seeing the backlot soundstages from HRRR. In regards to that, the coaster fits quite nicely in the cartoony-style of the Superhero Island. The coaster ITSELF has minimal theming (the launch is quite cool though), like almost every outdoor coaster, but it doesn't need it because it blends well with the surroundings IMO.

That's fine, but I like to compare attractions regardless of what they do. I judge an attraction based upon how effectively they achieve their specific goals. Hulk want's you to feel like you're Hulking out and leaping around - does it do that?

 

[JohnyKaz2078]

That's fine, but I like to compare attractions regardless of what they do. I judge an attraction based upon how effectively they achieve their specific goals. Hulk want's you to feel like you're Hulking out and leaping around - does it do that?

Yep it does. At least for most people. It's quite an intense coaster (for Uni, Disney and Sea World standards). The loops, the speed, the launch and the surroundings make you feel that you're Hulk. If it was placed in an empty parcel of land in the countryside it would be a completely inferior experience. I consider the Hulk better than both Rip Ride Rockit and the former Dragon Challenge along with pretty much every single SeaWorld coaster that exists. It is just better.

 

[BlakeW39]

Yep it does. At least for most people. It's quite an intense coaster (for Uni, Disney and Sea World standards). The loops, the speed, the launch and the surroundings make you feel that you're Hulk. If it was placed in an empty parcel of land in the countryside it would be a completely inferior experience. I consider the Hulk better than both Rip Ride Rockit and the former Dragon Challenge along with pretty much every single SeaWorld coaster that exists. It is just better.

Well I don't think Rip Ride Rockit is a fair comparison, I genuinely think Universal Studios is bad and should be ashamed of themselves for charging so much to enter. IoA is good but Hulk is not anything thay special... seriously, it's a launch coaster, but no matyer how many times you say it's fun I won't honestly treat it as a feat of theme park design. It's fine... but if the loops were set out so that it was like giant jumbs and running then I might rate it a little bit higher.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

What on earth are you basing this on?

I like Thunder Mountain, it's a classic; but it has nothing on Hulk. The two rides really aren't comparable.

Hulk was ranked as a top 5/10 ride by ACE From 2000-2010...I think it was #1 steel once or twice.

Hulk is a fabulous designed and built roller coaster system. If I’m in Florida and you give me that, montu and kraken...I could be happy.

Big thunder is a 65 foot tall roller coaster with 3 lift hill. It’s ok...WDI tried.

But occasionally some non-disney bias is called for.

 

[HansGruber]

I'm basing it upon my own perception.

Furthermore, do you imply that The Incedible Hulk is a better ride than Big Thunder Mountain Railroad? And if so, how?

Visuals aside, Thunder Mountain is a generic roller-coaster and a benign one at that. It lacks any significant drops. It contains three uphill climbs and the front half of the train suffers greatly when released from the chain. The third leg of the ride is pretty uneventful.
While most children do ride it, it's really not targeted for children (the way SDMT does). It's a hybrid coaster for both children and adults.

While I firmly believe the ride credentials have higher priority over visuals, there really isn't much to compare in terms of visuals.

But as stated, I don't think this is a fair comparison. Hulk and RnR would be a much better comparison.

 

[matt9112]

Yep it does. At least for most people. It's quite an intense coaster (for Uni, Disney and Sea World standards). The loops, the speed, the launch and the surroundings make you feel that you're Hulk. If it was placed in an empty parcel of land in the countryside it would be a completely inferior experience. I consider the Hulk better than both Rip Ride Rockit and the former Dragon Challenge along with pretty much every single SeaWorld coaster that exists. It is just better.

i love hulks entire first half but IMHO the final loop and corkscrew are far too tight and rough even with new track. in hindsight that back portion should havhave been longer and smoother with wider turns and larger corkscrews. (im talking when park was first built) more room for the attraction would have been great to allow the rear section to flow better. also in hindsight seperate unload platform would have been good....

 

[matt9112]

Hulk was ranked as a top 5/10 ride by ACE From 2000-2010...I think it was #1 steel once or twice.

Hulk is a fabulous designed and built roller coaster system. If I’m in Florida and you give me that, montu and kraken...I could be happy.

Big thunder is a 65 foot tall roller coaster with 3 lift hill. It’s ok...WDI tried.

But occasionally some non-disney bias is called for.

montu IMHO is a FAR superior roller coaster overall than hulk. so smooth and flowing it works so well with great elemental transitions. hulk gets too tight on the rear.

 

[JohnyKaz2078]

i love hulks entire first half but IMHO the final loop and corkscrew are far too tight and rough even with new track. in hindsight that back portion should havhave been longer and smoother with wider turns and larger corkscrews. (im talking when park was first built) more room for the attraction would have been great to allow the rear section to flow better. also in hindsight seperate unload platform would have been good....

Well I don't think Rip Ride Rockit is a fair comparison, I genuinely think Universal Studios is bad and should be ashamed of themselves for charging so much to enter. IoA is good but Hulk is not anything thay special... seriously, it's a launch coaster, but no matyer how many times you say it's fun I won't honestly treat it as a feat of theme park design. It's fine... but if the loops were set out so that it was like giant jumbs and running then I might rate it a little bit higher.

The first part of the Hulk is very good. The second part of the ride was build in a small size of land that can't accomodate such a long track. Although I don't have any problem with it I understand why some people find it rough or tight.

As far as theming goes as I said in my previous post Hulk isn't anything special but really benefits from its surroundings. As far as the track goes it's a good coaster. Definitely not a masterpiece but pretty good. I geniuely think that IOA is much better than USF right now (bigger variety of rides not just screens) and I agree that the prices for what it offers are quite high.

 

[BlakeW39]

Hulk was ranked as a top 5/10 ride by ACE From 2000-2010...I think it was #1 steel once or twice.

Hulk is a fabulous designed and built roller coaster system. If I’m in Florida and you give me that, montu and kraken...I could be happy.

Big thunder is a 65 foot tall roller coaster with 3 lift hill. It’s ok...WDI tried.

But occasionally some non-disney bias is called for.

Visuals aside, Thunder Mountain is a generic roller-coaster and a benign one at that. It lacks any significant drops. It contains three uphill climbs and the front half of the train suffers greatly when released from the chain. The third leg of the ride is pretty uneventful.
While most children do ride it, it's really not targeted for children (the way SDMT does). It's a hybrid coaster for both children and adults.

While I firmly believe the ride credentials have higher priority over visuals, there really isn't much to compare in terms of visuals.

But as stated, I don't think this is a fair comparison. Hulk and RnR would be a much better comparison.

This is the problem, Hulk has nothing on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, as it's a better ride than RnR or Hulk. It is an immersive and well themed coaster that accomplishes its goal very well. And that's key, each ride jas a goal, and the ride system should serve the goal of the attraction very well. Big Thunder's railroad track and train car is perfect for its goal of a wild ride through the desert wilderness. I couldn't think of a better system.

Hulk's goal is to put you in the place of the Incredible Hulk as you Hulk out and rage through New York. Is there a better way to do this? Yes, if its goal is to mske you feel likr a raging Hulk then it is best done through a series of leaps and strong turns, Hulk's ride doesn't do that, so if anything the ride would be better themed to make you feel like you're someone like Thor or the Silver Surfer.

My basic point is that Hulk, while bigger and faster than rides like Big Thunder, is not better, because being the biggest does not equate being the best. Cedar Point has roller coaster that in extremity put Hulk to shame - does that mean Millenium Force is better than Hulk? No. How a ride accomplishes its goal is how it should be judged - if it accomplishes what it seeks to in the best way possible. You can't penalize a ride for not having a different goal to be the biggest or fastest ride.

 

[BlakeW39]

The first part of the Hulk is very good. The second part of the ride was build in a small size of land that can't accomodate such a long track. Although I don't have any problem with it I understand why some people find it rough or tight.

As far as theming goes as I said in my previous post Hulk isn't anything special but really benefits from its surroundings. As far as the track goes it's a good coaster. Definitely not a masterpiece but pretty good. I geniuely think that IOA is much better than USF right now (bigger variety of rides not just screens) and I agree that the prices for what it offers are quite high.

I agree. Hulk is fine, I even might say good, but it does not accomplish its goal as effectively as Spider-Man next door or Big Thunder/Everest down the road. The visuals is one thing - but if it wants to make you feel like Hulk, then do that through lots fast turns and leaps. If it wants to make you fly then theme it to a character that flies. As far as Universal goes, I just feel bad for even going knowing that it is such a thematic mess with such little diversity.

 

[21stamps]

You can't penalize a ride for not having a different goal than to be the biggest or fastest ride.

This is why I think the past few pages are so odd.. my all-time favorite coaster is called The Beast... only at night though. This coaster is a wooden, opened in 1979.
I absolutely love the newer huge, smooth, crazy high, 90degree angle coasters. I also love flying coasters, and tons of inversions. I also love launch coasters. ..and I absolutely love 7DMT.
Each one for different reasons.. because of what they are, not how they compare to something in an entirely different style.

In my opinion, If someone doesn’t appreciate a ride like 7DMT or Big Thunder Mountain, then they probably should just skip Disney and head to IoA or an actual coaster park.