Universal Studios - New Coaster for Spring 2009

Universal will be unveiling a brand new roller coaster for 2009. Called “Rip, Ride, and Rockit,” this coaster is said to be the most technologically advanced coaster in the world, and will be the tallest coaster in Orlando when it’s completed.

From the official Universal press release:

“Adrenaline pumping and music thumping, you find yourself heading straight toward
the sky. Suddenly, you are doing 65 mph, 17 stories over Universal
Studios. Gasping with excitement, you rock out to a song you picked before
strapping in. And, it’s all on video. Once the adventure is over, you edit the
video to send to your friends.
This is true high-tech, customizable,
multi-sensory entertainment. Scheduled to open in spring 2009, Hollywood Rip,
Ride, Rockit will stake its claim as the most technologically advanced roller
coaster in the world. The Universal Creative team is combining audio and special
effects engineering, sophisticated on- and off-board video and one-of-a-kind
guest personalization to create a roller coaster experience unlike any
other.
“This is the perfect intersection of the digital age and theme
park entertainment,” said Mark Woodbury, President of Creative for Universal
Parks & Resorts. “Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit blends roller coaster
intensity and guest interaction in a way where no two experiences will be the
same.”
Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit touts six near-miss moments and
first-ever thrills including a record-breaking loop. Ride vehicles feature the
brightest and most innovative color changing LEDs in the world. High-energy
visual displays fill the queue line. With up to four ride vehicles on the tracks
at any given time, and with concert lighting and special effects mixed in,
Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit will be a true high-intensity, multi-sensory
experience that is unmatched.
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 disco). Once on-board, guests can choose their song or let
the coaster’s digital sound system choose for them. When the ride is over,
guests will be able to customize footage from their experience and compile it
into a take-home music video.
Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit will be located
near the Jimmy Neutron attraction traveling the southern perimeter of the
Universal Studios theme park, over to the CityWalk lagoon and
back.”

What is really unique about this ride is that it will be a world class metal coaster with no inversions. Instead, there will be lots of banked turns, and a vertical loop with a twist, literally. The track twists as it goes around so you are never actually upside down.

We’re curious to see how they will allow guests to email the video of their ride to friends back home. Let’s hope they keep this free, because it’s a cool concept.