New construction photos of Universal Studios Florida's Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit coaster

April 27, 2009, 3:53 PM · With last week's news that Universal Studios Florida was pushing back the debut of its new roller coaster, Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit, I wondered how much work Universal still had to do. Well, Theme Park Insider reader Gareth H must have read my mind, because this afternoon he sent along these photos he snapped as he drove in to Universal.

Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit track
Track arriving at Universal.

Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit track
A crane lifts the main drop track into place.

Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit track
A view of the station

Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit track
A view from track level

(From the look of these, I'm thinking late June, early July. Anyone else want to take a guess?)

Thanks for the pics, Gareth.

Replies (26)

April 27, 2009 at 4:10 PM · Im hoping the Rip Rock It coaster will be ready before I go to Universal in July. Ive been looking forward to it since I last visited in November of 2008 and I have planned a trip from Rhode Island for 8 people and planning it around this coaster and Manta!
April 27, 2009 at 4:28 PM · I'm thinking later than that. But I gotta tell ya ... it is going to be THE premier coaster in Central Florida.

DHS needs to wake up!

April 27, 2009 at 4:57 PM · I am thinking later as well but they can really wrap these things up when they put their mind to it so we'll see. Looking good though.
April 27, 2009 at 5:00 PM · Yes, I am incredibly excited to ride a coaster that goes, then brake run, another element, brake run, element, brake run, element, brake run, element, brake run, etc. That sounds thrilling!

I do feel for those working in Guest Relations this summer, as I'm sure there will be many people who planned a 'summer' trip to experience the ride that would open in 'spring'.

April 27, 2009 at 5:21 PM · Good Stuff!
April 27, 2009 at 5:28 PM · Looking good! I think this just might become my new favorite coaster. I don't know why, but something about this coaster really makes me feel amazed!
April 27, 2009 at 6:52 PM · As long as RRR & the Harry Potter expansion are complete by the time I head back to Orlando in 2010, then I will be good. Universal has yet to build a bad coaster, so I am holding out high hopes for their latest creation.

My prediction: RRR will be complete before July 4th.

April 28, 2009 at 12:42 AM · I might be wrong, but I just drove home from my shift at the bar, and all of the remaining track stored along Turkey Lake Road has gone.

It also looks like the remaining track has been put in place (But my eyes do deceive me sometimes).

I'll check it out tomorrow late afternoon and take some fresh pics.

April 28, 2009 at 4:31 AM · Looks to me like they're way behind. I don't think it will open for summer.
April 28, 2009 at 5:14 AM · I was at Universal Studios March 14. The photos here look like the same unfinished work I saw.
April 28, 2009 at 5:25 AM · So Robert, maybe you should write a piece about construction delays. What's the longest? Test Track?
April 28, 2009 at 6:00 AM · Well some greaat shots of it thanks. But according to CFB in yesterdays Orlando Sential their looking at November. openning..And Manta is doing soft opennings the first week in May.
April 28, 2009 at 6:11 AM · I was just there yesterday and noticed a construction supervisor watching some work being done in the loading area. I decided to ask him about the lift hill and he told me that it was being redone and they were waiting on the five new pieces of track. He told me nobody is being allowed to take vacation time until the ride is done and that Universal is pushing to have it open for July 4th.
April 28, 2009 at 8:03 AM · It doesn't take a long time for a coaster track to be put together and tested. That to me raises the question as to why they are behind schedule. It appears that the track wasn't even finished as of those pictures, so maybe there was a design/fabrication issue. The reason could be one of several.

I do know that RRR is a little more than just a steel coaster. There are a lot of bells and whistles that need to be tested along with the trains.

I hate brakes on a coaster. There better be a good reason for them.

April 28, 2009 at 8:35 AM · The pictures were taken yesterday, all between 4.45pm and 6pm.

There certainly is remaining track (Back of truck) and there was some still on Turkey Lake in the afternoon, gone by evening. They were getting ready to lift the piece that was on the back of the truck into place by the time I left Universal at 6.

The track doesn't actually take that long to connect once the supports are in place. Half of the loop was completed in a 3 hour period while I was there one day.

I will check it out later and update tonight!

(I posted previously but forgot to log in, so shos as my IP)

April 28, 2009 at 9:08 AM · Derek, brakes are due to the confined space, but also allows 4 cars to run on the track at the same time, meaning higher capacity, taking pressure of Harry Potter when it opens.

Also opening at night once the park is closed for CityWalk guests to pay to ride (Hoping park ticket holders get to ride at no additional cost)..

I think its a great $$$ making idea, especially in this economy, although it raises the question of how much up-chuck they'll be cleaning up from drunk CityWalk party go-ers, gross!!

April 28, 2009 at 9:38 AM · Here's to hoping that they finish up everything by late July, when my friends and I head out that way. It looks great so far, and I love my rollercoasters, so I'll definitely jump on there!
April 28, 2009 at 9:53 AM · Just as an FYI, MANTA starts soft openings this weekend. I'll be there Sunday, WOOOOHOOOO!

Staff have already ridden it and word is they love it!

If anyone else fancies a meet up after 4pm get in touch!

April 28, 2009 at 10:45 AM · I was talking about the continuity of the ride. Brakes provide for more capacity, but a lot of times they end up being a wet blanket. My personal opinion is that I would rather wait longer in line for a great ride than go through the line a little faster for a so-so ride, and sometimes brakes become a huge let down when a ride gets going. I just didn't know if there was some kind of visual or whatever at each brake run. That to me would be a better cause.

It's still up in the air if I will get down there this year. I do have that free ticket from the Super Bowl, but who knows.

April 28, 2009 at 12:45 PM · Here's a link I followed from screamscape.com. This was posted on April 23, 2008.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/travel/attractions/orl-story-universal-hollywood-rip-ride-rockit,0,4440636.story

Seems to me that it won't open until mid to late Summer. Oh well.

April 28, 2009 at 2:42 PM · BIG UPDATE - Track will be completed tonight.

Last 2 sections will be installed by tonight. Second to last one is being installed as I post this.

Pics have been taken, anyone on my FB can see them (Or Robert may post on here if he wishes).

Will "Try" and head over there tomorrow evening after park closes and get some more!

April 28, 2009 at 2:56 PM · BTW, again, I'd love to get a write-up, with photos, of Manta from readers just as soon as they get on during the soft opening. (Since I'm in LA, I won't be able to get out there.)

Post write-ups to the Blog of Discussion Forum, and photos to the TPI Facebook group. Thanks!

April 29, 2009 at 9:05 AM · Can't make it over there today, maybe tonight, but last night as I was passing at 4am I saw that the track is COMPLETED!!!!!

Goood news, now to finish the landscaping, Station, fencing around CityWalk and then test it.

6-8 weeks for Soft openings is my guess!!

April 30, 2009 at 8:47 AM · OK, so talked to a park insider last night and can confirm that the initial lift did have to be moved ever so slightly because the track didn't fit correctly.

Rather than shipping some track pieces back over to Germany, which would have taken a very very long time, it was decided to just lift it and shift it.

The was another option of a replacment part being made and shipped over also, but the time frame on it was way to long and would have set back construction even more than it is now.

But hey, its all fixed and testing should begin in the next 2-3 weeks. :D

April 30, 2009 at 1:47 PM · yeah, about the puking on roller coasters...it doesn't happen from having too much to drink...trust me.

It mainly a weak stomach thing...the booze won't help, but not the cause

The issue with coasters and being drunk is that the adrenaline that runs through your system on a coaster is natures only known cure for drunkness. A stomach pump and a shot of synthetic adrenaline they would give you at the hospital is the only other cure...again, you are just gonna have to trust me; I know these things

Try eight Maragrita's at Buffetts and one ride on the Hulk.
No more drunky...had to leave the park to drink again. Then I went back after three more and the same thing. No more drunky.

May 2, 2009 at 11:45 AM · I suggest you try the "Olympia Looping" at the Oktoberfest after having a liter of Munich's finest. You'll wonder where the loops went!

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