"Rockit" High-tech Coaster to be built at Universal Florida

[sanctumsolitude]

Puhlease, innovative? The only 1 of the new attractions that might be innovative is Potter. Rockit is a rollercoaster, plain and simple. Back to the Simpsons is a motion simulator that was innovative in 1989.

Rockit has many innovations that is sure to please guests beyond the traditional roller coaster experience. The choose your own song (although the same as USJ) and create your own video are sure to be appealling to many guests.

It's not a dramatic reinvention of the wheel, but it is still going to be a high quality roller coaster with enough technological innovations to heighten the experience.

 

[DisneyAnole]

I understand this is a WDW forum but what's with all the Universal bashing. I think the fact that Universal is opening 3 major attraction in these coming years is sending us Disney fans into a fit! Disney announces Toy Story Mania then Universal announces Harry Potter (which will include the first indoor darkride robocoaster to run on a trackless system). Disney announces American Idol then Universal announces the Rising Star (a karaoke club that features a live band and back-up singers) to open on March 21. Then to top it off they announce this new coaster. I don't care how big of a Disney fan you are, you have to give credit to Universal for putting up a DAMN good fight.

I think people were hoping that Potter would force Disney to respond with something BIG. And unless Night Kingdom is their response, there really hasn't been much response from Disney. I don't see the Rip, Ripe, Rap, Ride, Rode, Raid Rockit Rollercoaster giving Disney much incentive for one-upping Universal. That's why this new coaster sounds disappointing to me. Because I don't think Disney will organize any response to it.

 

[Figment1986]

My guess universal is going after the thrill seaking crowd and finding a way to entice people to visit USF when IOA opens harry potter in 2009... that and so much being added will entice locals to come and visit... then tell families who are not locals they might want to visit both parks for a day or 2 in adition to aquatica and sea world (who has their own 2009 project underway) and of course Walt Disney World.

 

[cmatt]

Huh?

Disney-MGM studios was NOT the first theme park with a hollywood studio theme (That would be Universal Hollywood). The studio backlot tour was most definitely a copy of Universal's

Animal Kingdom was NOT the first theme park with a lot of well done animal attractions (That would be Busch Gardens Tampa)

The first dinosaur themed attraction was Jurassic Park in 1995, again, not a Disney attraction, but they copied the idea.

Soarin' was not the first simuator using a large IMAX screen, in fact there have been many, including Back to the Future....also a Universal attraction.

missed the boat on the 'ol sarcasm there? :animwink:

 

[JT3000]

Rockit has many innovations that is sure to please guests beyond the traditional roller coaster experience. The choose your own song (although the same as USJ) and create your own video are sure to be appealling to many guests.

It's not a dramatic reinvention of the wheel, but it is still going to be a high quality roller coaster with enough technological innovations to heighten the experience.

Not to mention it'll have the world's first non-inverting loop.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Good move by Universal, I love anything that gets the fan boys knickers in a twist.

Its about time they had something new, without taking something else away. The thing is Im glad in a way that theyre not wasting millions and two years on putting in a theme that when you use fastpass you pay no attention to anyway.

 

[RSoxNo1]

I'm glad that we've got competition in the Orlando Theme Park world. Im eagerly anticipating the one upmanship anticipated over the next decade.

 

[darthjohnny]

Sounds cool.

The features of a "non-inverting loop" and "interactive music" sound really interesting.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

It's interesting to compare what Disney and Universal each are planning - especially when taking into consideration available funds and size of space to work with. Universal gets this new, impressive looking coaster, The Simpons, AND Harry Potter. Disney gets Toy Story Mania. Universal gets 3 new original, innovative attractions. Disney decides to do Space Ranger Spin with 3-D glasses. Nice job, Disney.

There's rumors of Magic Kingdom receiving the Parade of Dreams over from Disneyland in 2010. :shrug:

 

[dandaman]

Found an interesting article by the National Ledger...

It is brand new and a bit bizarre and will hit Universal Studios in Orlando next year. The Rockit Roller Coaster is billed as true high-tech, customizable, multi-sensory entertainment. According to a report from the Orlando Sentinel the exciting new roller coaster is planned to be big, bright and brash enough to become the new visual symbol for the theme park when the coaster opens in about a year.

A release notes that the exact layout of the track has not been revealed at this time, but the official announcement stated that the roller coaster track would be placed between two existing facilities, "Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast" and the "Blue Man Group at the Sharp Aquos Theatre" show in Universal CityWalk, and include track that crosses over portions of CityWalk itself.

According to Walt Disney World, guests can "customize their ride experience by choosing what song will play while they’re on the roller coaster. LED boards in the queue lines will display song options from five genres (classic rock, rap, country, pop and soundtracks). Once on-board, guests can choose their song or let the coaster’s digital sound system choose for them."

And get this, when the ride is over, guests will be able to customize footage from their experience and compile it into a take-home music video.

Aah... so close. :lol:

I just find it funny that they can get the "Sharp Aquos Theatre" right but they mix up the actual tourist destinations... maybe it's because they mentioned "according to a report from the Orlando Sentinel" earlier on? :lookaroun