Robert Niles
Editor
Robert Niles

Tuesday round-up: Fast & Furious delayed, plus roller coaster karaoke

June 21, 2016, 8:23 PM · The new Fast & Furious ride at Universal Studios Florida won't be opening next year, after all. Universal delivered the news today via... graffiti.

Fans immediately noticed the "2018" on the signboards outside the former Disaster! ride, which is being gutted to make way for Fast & Furious: Supercharged. The delay, which has been confirmed by Universal Orlando spokespeople, means that next year's additions to the resort will be the Volcano Bay water park and the Jimmy Fallon: Race Through New York ride, which replaces Twister.

A better way to Uber at Disney World?
Uber is changing the way that it matches drivers with riders at the Walt Disney World Resort. As explained in this story from the Orlando Sentinel, Uber will no longer assign passengers to their nearest driver when they hail a ride. Instead, Uber will break areas around popular pick-up locations into "zones" and assign passengers to the Uber driver who's been waiting in the zone the longest. Apparently, this is the system that Uber uses in other popular tourist destinations and should help cut down on traffic from Uber drivers cruising around, jostling for position with each other, trying to get into the best position to get a fare.

From a rider's perspective, though, nothing changes. You use the app to call a car, just like before. This simply is a backend change that affects how Uber assigns drivers to requests for a ride.

Roller Coaster Karaoke
Speaking of getting rides, James Corden followed up his recent gig hosting the Tony Awards to give Selena Gomez a ride in the latest installment of his "Carpool Karaoke" bit. But Selena decided to shake things up with a little detour to... Six Flags Magic Mountain. How about some "Roller Coaster Karaoke" instead?

Replies (16)

Anonymous878
Anon Mouse
June 21, 2016 at 9:14 PM · I wonder if the delay is caused by how Kong is being received. Not so great. The one year delay shouldn't mean a big change. Maybe just more time to refine it.
anonymous
108.30.91.103
June 21, 2016 at 9:22 PM · Kong is actually being received quite well... by guests who have actually ridden the attraction. It is a very, very, VERY vocal minority of uber-biased Disney kooks that have flooded comment sections on YouTube and such that have made it seem the opposite.
rcdude
Writer
AJ Hummel
June 21, 2016 at 11:21 PM · I've been hearing for a few months that Fast & Furious was pushed back to 2018 and that it has nothing to do with Kong. Not a surprise, and it honestly makes more sense...why open two unrelated rides in one year and nothing the next when you can open one each year and get the bump of a new attraction multiple years in a row?
anonymous
76.167.101.89
June 22, 2016 at 12:22 AM · But the real question is .... What does universal have planned for 2019, 2020, and 2021? ??
anonymous
82.132.218.110
June 22, 2016 at 1:02 AM · It's essentially just going to be the Hollywood video with a glossier exterior. Lame. Another screen attraction. Whilst you have to applaud Universal for investing in their parks there is this elephant in the room that all attractions are screen based. I'd love some physical experiences - not scary physical, just something I can see. Jaws was the perfect example - a great family physical attraction.
anonymous
131.111.27.50
June 22, 2016 at 1:06 AM · I agree with AJ, there's nothing planned for 2018 so it makes much more sense to spread these out to give the PR something to do in 2017 ready for the following year.
gunta
grant crawford
June 22, 2016 at 1:39 AM · Wow, 108.30.91.1103, you sound very balanced and unbiased. Based on the YouTube video I was unimpressed by the ride (I'll happily admit that you can't get a true take on a ride from a YouTube video). Does anyone with a negative opinion of the ride have to be a "uber-biased Disney kook"?
cumpuperboy
Jaiden
June 22, 2016 at 3:12 AM · Roller coaster karaoke? Geez I hate seeing the general public/talk show hosts/celebrities on coasters now they gotta sing on one?
anonymous
71.180.157.13
June 22, 2016 at 4:09 AM · Completely silly to judge a theme park attraction from a YouTube video. Would you buy a new car without test driving it ... only making your new car decision based on a video???

I have actually experienced Kong. It was immersive, entertaining and a great attraction. That was also the overwhelming concensus of the other 71 people on the ride vehicle experiencing the attraction.

ChadH
Chad H
June 22, 2016 at 4:20 AM · Well, in the UK we had "Scream if you know the answer" (a quiz show on Roller coasters)....
anonymous
165.138.9.50
June 22, 2016 at 5:37 AM · I am so tired of people on Youtube reviewing attractions.
anonymous
192.91.171.36
June 22, 2016 at 7:17 AM · I rode the new Kong ride on a Saturday during the soft opening. The people waiting in line were very ecstatic, and the atmosphere was great. Very fun. The queue is very good, especially one hallway and one room that I don't want to spoil for anyone reading. The ride itself is impressive, but too short. My only complaint is that, because it is short, it left me wanting MORE. Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing is up to you to decide.

-a local Orlando annual passholder for both WDW and UO

anonymous
149.39.250.11
June 22, 2016 at 8:10 AM · AJ: completely agree. Seems like a smart way to smooth out capital expenditures and likewise have something new to talk about year after year.
Lameformer
Juan Hamilton
June 22, 2016 at 12:17 PM · *Driving through LA*
"We'll take a little detour"
"But I really can't be late"
"Don't worry it'll be fast"
*Drives an hour to SFMM to ride one ride and drives an hour back*
THCreative
Writer
TH Creative
June 22, 2016 at 2:43 PM · I am guessing that TFATF is being pushed because a 2017 opening puts it in the shadow of PTLOA ... In the summer of 2017, all eyes are going to be focused on DAK.
anonymous
107.167.108.72
June 22, 2016 at 4:13 PM · I will reserve judgement on Kong until I ride it, but that said the Hollywood version left me very disappointed compared to the original Kongfrontation. From what I have seen thus far the new Kong at IOA seems to be a downgrade as well. I hope I am wrong.

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