Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Open – Video & Early Reviews
Last weekend, Universal Studios Orlando began a soft opening period for their delayed Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. With the ride’s uniqueness and many state-of-the-art features it’s no surprise that it took a little longer to get everything just right. Then on August 19th, the park sent out a press release stating that the ride was officially open.
Attraction Magazine’s Rip Ride Rockit Review
Ricky from Attractions Magazine has the first full-fledged review that I’ve found. Read his full Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit review. In his review he makes the case that while Rip Ride Rockit is a lot of fun, it’s not as thrilling as SeaWorld’s Manta or many other roller coasters. He also notes, what I also found out in my interview, that Universal’s goal was to create something that appealed to a wider audience. So basically, they were successful in creating a “roller coaster that can be enjoyed by more than just thrill-seekers.”
He goes on to say that Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is: ”fairly tame – perhaps on a thrill level just above Big Thunder Mountain at Disney’s Magic Kingdom one or two notches below Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.” He does also tout how cool the ride is with the music booming from the headrests and how you can’t hear the other riders music. He also has some good things to say about Rockit’s twisted layout and how it passes through the building.
Varying Experiences on Rip Ride Rockit
To be fair, this was only one person’s opinion and a few people sparred with him in the comments at the bottom of his review. Some disagreed with his review putting Rockit on the same level as Hulk and Kraken as far as thrills and some experienced airtime while Ricky did not. Lance over at ScreamScape has reported that the reviews he’s been receiving are all over the place. Some are proclaiming Rockit as their new #1 roller coaster while others are complaining of uncomfortable rides. Lance’s theory is that there may be ‘good’ and ‘bad’ trains. Also, JaMeS found an excellent video with a complete view of Rockit including trains being moved out of storage and some footage of the station at ParkSleuth.
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit = A Crowd Pleaser
I’m not surprised by Ricky’s review. Universal wasn’t aiming for the tallest, fastest, or most intense coaster with Rockit. Designer Louis Alfieri shared with me that they were looking for something that would suit their wide demographic of visitors. So Rockit really is more about the experience or complete “show”, for lack of a better word. It makes sense when you look at Universal Studios as a whole. I wish that I could ride Rockit myself, but for now other’s reviews will have to do. When I come across some more reviews worth sharing I’ll update this post.
What’s Your Take?
Have you ridden Rip Ride Rockit? Are you planning on riding Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit soon? How do you think it looks? Leave a comment or your own review below. Photo Credit – Attractions Magazine
August 22, 2009 at 05:18
C.C., when can u come back down? Ill meet u at rockit? maybe?
August 23, 2009 at 16:02
Unfortunately, I won't be back down this year. I can't afford to do Orlando twice in one year. Too bad HRRR wasn't open the same time as Manta. It looks like fun though. Even if it isn't the most intense ride around. If you ride it, definitely leave a review.
August 24, 2009 at 03:08
I did ride it
August 24, 2009 at 03:24
then you should give a review
August 24, 2009 at 13:22
ok so, 120 minuete wait. no express allowed yet. Single riders about to close. i tried my luck. IT TOOK ONLY 50 MIN! When on, the vertical climb was not 15 seconds, more like 5. When on top the view was amazing. Drop had MORE AIR TIME THAN APOLLOS CHARIOT! The loop wasn't all it was cut out to be. BUT THE REST OF THE RIDE WAS THE BEST ROLLER COASTER! After the loop, First of a million brake runs. Then a little drop through the building. (picture) rest later!
August 24, 2009 at 13:55
part 2:
High banked turn, up, almost upside down and dives. The dive is awesome! after that theres the brake run. Then, a probably 20 ft. drop, then a twist one way, then the other. tons of air. Then my favorite, THE CROWD SURFER! Im not sure if its 90 degrees or not, but it feels like it. You can put your hand down, and if its a long line, they'll try to jump and hit it. up by the station, and another brake run. then a twisty dive, turns, a 60 degree (i think) loop, then a brake run. A twisty drop and then comes up, and the entrance to the station is kind of a dive until the flats. MUSIC SOUNDS GREAT. CANT HEAR THE OTHER PPL MUSIC. Lights look awesome at night. GOT ON 2 DAYS BEFORE IT OPENED. I give it a 10. Smooth, thrilling, and is definitley in their line of family rides. BEST COASTER
August 25, 2009 at 04:45
C.C., I dont think this will be open for more than 10 years. There is too many tech problems, and thats what EVERYONE does.
August 25, 2009 at 12:47
10 years meaning open till 2019
September 3, 2009 at 04:58
Going again in 2 weeks! Not doing single riders
September 3, 2009 at 05:28
JaMeS, when you talked abou HRRR`sloopabove you saidits loop wasnt all cut out for what it was meant to be, and when you commented about it during the new ride at ceadar point for 2010 page you said the loop was amazing Please dont send conflicting information it confues people.(and i dont mean conflicting whith other people i mean yourself)
PS- the x-cars HAVE been used before this is the first time in the US, thats it, theres one in canada, and one in euroupe.im not good whith names but ive seen videos of them, also they ARE desinged to go upsidedown, one of their chain lifts (and its a slow one) lifts you in a loop! as i said, i cant remember the name but i do remember it was a bad one, it was the greatcoaster or something.
September 26, 2009 at 15:47
Well, the Dive after the loop was amazing, not the actual thing. Im going tomorrow, and staying at the Hard Rock Hotel, and Ill give my second review Monday or Tuesday
September 27, 2009 at 13:16
JaMeS when you ride it make sure you do a secret song and try and see if they will let you make a video of it. I know it says you can't but you never know!
September 29, 2009 at 09:51
Well, when I was at Universal again, I rode Rockit again (of course), and on days where five minutes after the park opens, we walked right on 2 times in 10 minutes! First run was good, but the second, I got the ONLY BAD TRAIN. It wasnt as bad as the other people said it was, but not smooth either. I stayed at the Hard Rock, and I couldnt fall asleep until about 3:00, and all that time Rockit was testing the lights and the trains and lights. Also, this doesnt have anything to do with the coaster, but if anyone goes to USF anytime, you NEED TO SEE BLUE MAN GROUP! Best show ever! It is so funny, and they use the audience alot.
September 29, 2009 at 09:52
where it says the 5 min. thing, i meant to say it would be a 120 min. wait after it opened
September 30, 2009 at 16:54
Do you know what number train is the bad train? I was there on Monday and walked right up, it only took about 5 minutes. I was next in line, and then the ride was delayed due to technical difficulties. I waited another 40 minutes and gave up. My friend said the ride was shut down for a while on the Saturday before. Have there been a lot of issues that anyone knows of? I'm going back next week and don't want to get my hopes up that I'll get to ride this time….
October 1, 2009 at 04:46
I think it was train 4, but Im not sure, and good luck trying to get that info from the park.
October 5, 2009 at 04:56
well, dont count on many problems, cause they've been testing all night for a while.
October 12, 2009 at 07:11
rip ride rockit is deffintley not what it was made out to be!! i checked the website nearly every day from april until the day it opened, i was that exicited and couldnt wait for it to open. when i was the on holiday for a month we went and queued for 60mins for it and we all got of and were like is that it….. it was over in no time, there was no point on it that got ur adrenaline pumping!!! to me, my partner and my inlaws it was crap!! NOT WORTH THE WAIT!!!!!! i was so disappointed. the dvd is a full rip of $30 EACH and it only gets in the 1 rider who sits in front of it and the rider sittn next to them gets half in the video… what a pile of crap about "personal dvd" the camera should be placed in the middle to see BOTH riders!!!! manta is 10 times better than rip ride rockit…. waste of money building that ride..
October 12, 2009 at 17:44
I rode it about 4 times in the day I was there. The first ride was pretty smooth. After that I rode the single lines which took almost 50 minutes to ride compared to 75. Not bad. The problem is I rode on the very back of it,it whips you around pretty good. Came home now back is hurting ouch. It looks very attractive but I think from now on I'll save my back and go on the hulk,it's smoother. Maybe they should put over the lap bars on it that way it is not so jerky..
October 13, 2009 at 03:41
1: this is not crap.
2: the dvd does show both ppl, at least now it does cause I got one
3: Not short, and alot smoother than the hulk
4: New app looks awesome for it.
5: I love it being jerky.
6: Front is a lot more jerky that the front
ROCKIT ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!