|
|
Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit reviews
Theme Park Insider readers offer their ratings and reviews for Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit, a roller coaster in Production Central at Universal Studios Florida. (The minimum height to ride is 51 inches.)
Written by Robert Niles Universal's interactive outdoor roller coaster was supposed to debut in Spring 2009, but has been delayed due to construction difficulties. As of August 14, 2009, the ride was in previews for Universal Orlando employees, and on August 15 soft-opened to the public.
Riders will pick songs from one of five genres (classic rock, rap, country, pop and disco) that they want to hear while riding the coaster, which will have a top speed of 65 mph and go around and outside the entrance to Universal Studios Florida. Also while on your trip, on-board cameras will be recording your ride and will be making a music video of your ride for purchase. Here is the song selection list: Class Rock/Metal Rap/Hip-Hop Club/Electronica Pop/Disco Country
Readers' rating:
Rip Ride Rockit succeeds not only as a good thrill ride, but as a roller coaster that is just plain entertaining. Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure's famous indoor themed rides are usually at the top of an enthusiast's list, but the Rockit really makes a valiant effort for the top spot. The thrills are all there: the high completely vertical first hill climb and intense following drop, riding through a hole in a building, and a few other really good drops and weaves. This description may make it sound like any other thrill coaster, and definitely one not on the level of a Cedar Fair ride. The thrills though are only part of the enjoyment. Picking a song to rock out to while riding the coaster, really adds an element of fun. The quality of the speaker system built into the ride's chair is top notch. Before your song comes through the speaker, a narrator of sorts speaks through it first. He gives a quick introduction, then the rides starts and your selected music track kicks in. He also talks to you once the ride is over. It may seem like a petty feature, but in those brief segments he is encouraging you to enjoy the ride, to get pumped up. It works. Even though the queue line is boring, the few short videos they show, all have the characters onscreen pumping you up for the ride. This is different from most of these kind of attractions, where they are trying to maximize on your fears of the ride. It all works out very well, as the Rockit is a thrill ride you rock out to. The coaster is also very, very smooth. There isn't a lot of jarring like you might get in rides like the Hulk. This smoothness of ride elevates this coaster even more. If you are a rock music lover, let me suggest Motley Crue's "Kickstart My Heart". That is a track that really makes this ride fun. 8 out of 10. - Joshua Bixler Nice concept, but a bit rough and uncomfortable - Anthony Murphy My favorite coaster at Universal. The vertical lift hill is absolutely thrilling and the rest of the coaster is a high speed good time. The icing on the cake is the pick your own song option. If you want further song choices look into the special codes you can type in. - Jeff Moon Most people seem to think this coaster is really scary but it isnt. After you get through with the lift hill this ride really isnt so bad. Its a really fun coaster to ride. And the element of picking your song will insure multiple rides throughout the day. My 3 songs i love on the ride are Kickstart my Heart by Motley Crue, Bring Me to Life by Evanscence, and Sabotage by Beastie Boys. - Justin Knight A ride that I didnt want to try do to the first lift. The first part would seem to be crazy, but it is very smooth and you do feel the gravity! Close your eyes if you want but this ride is a thrill! - B Higgins It's a fun coaster and I like choosing my own songs. The ride is strong in the thrills and fun department, but the theming isn't the best. - Bryce McGibeny The music gimmick works well, and any ride that big is somewhat thrilling. That said it really suffers from poor ride design. There are way too many break stops meaning the ride struggles to keep any momentum so a lot of the potential thrill is lost. I also found the vertical hill climb physically uncomfortable. Overall, though, it's fun. 6/10 - Mark Doherty While it may look like a normal steel coaster on the outside, it's definitely unlike any coaster I've ever been on. Adding the interactive element of picking what music you hear while you ride and, if you pay for it, a music video of your ride, definitely adds to the experience. One downside is that the music cuts off abruptly once you brake for the loading station. Also, keep in mind there are lockers for your loose articles... definitely use them, because the ride attendants are rather strict about this, not to mention Rip, Ride, Rockit is one wild coaster! - Chris S The ride gets a bad rep for being unreliable, but when I've been able to ride it, RRR is definitely a fun ride. - Sean Huckel The ability to listen to music while riding made this my favorite roller coaster in the universal studios/IOA parks. The Hulk would be my favorite if not for the amazing music and riding experience provided on the Rip Ride Rockit. The first hill really gets your adrenaline pumping and I loved the loop that doesn't actually go upside down. The rest of the ride is not as intense but is still a blast while playing your choice of music. I give this a 9/10. - Alex Johnson Smooth coaster and choosing your own music is really cool. We give it an 8. - Rob Pastor the ride track layout definently did not impress me as i wishthe would have made the lift hill about 75 feet taller i know its alot to ask but it felt short the only thing that makes this coaster great is the music the music saves it every single songs fits perfectly with the coaster it actually feels like ur in a movie very unique ride 1st song-dont phunk with my heart black eyed pees 2nd song-stronger kayne west 3rd song- i will survive some lady - ed shaheen the ride track layout definently did not impress me as i wishthe would have made the lift hill about 75 feet taller i know its alot to ask but it felt short the only thing that makes this coaster great is the music the music saves it every single songs fits perfectly with the coaster it actually feels like ur in a movie very unique ride 1st song-dont phunk with my heart black eyed pees 2nd song-stronger kayne west 3rd song- i will survive some lady - ed shaheen More attraction and restaurant ratings: |
Plan your theme park vacation with our readers' travel guides: Top U.S. Theme ParksWalt Disney World's Magic Kingdom Other Top International ParksTokyo Disneyland Readers' Top Themed Rides
Journey to the Center of the Earth Top Roller Coasters
El Toro Top Theme Park Shows
Fantasmic! Features, News and Advice"Stories from a Theme Park Insider" 2013 Blog PostsJan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May
2012 Blog PostsJan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2011 Blog PostsJan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2010 Blog PostsJan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2009 Blog PostsJan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2008 Blog PostsJan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2007 Blog PostsJan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2006 Blog PostsJan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2005 Blog PostsDec.
2004-2005Staff column archive
|
©1999-2013 Robert Niles.
"Theme Park Insider" ® is a registered trademark of Robert Niles.
About Theme Park Insider - Rules for Writing and Rating - Privacy Policy - Contact the Editor