Universal has a new roller coaster ride called Rip Ride Rockit, which had a soft opening while we were in Florida in August 2009, but on our August trips to Universal, either the ride was closed, or the queues were two hours plus long, and we did not manage to ride. However, we were determined to ride this roller coaster this trip (Christmas 2009).
We arrived at the park at opening time, in order to be one of the first in line, but unfortunately, due to technical difficulties, the ride had not started running and the crew could not say when it would be working. We went back to the ride on our way out of the park, to find that the ride was still not up and running, so gave up for the day.
As we have an annual pass to the two Universal Parks, this also gives us free parking, so on our way back from a shopping trip we called in at the park, arriving at 6. 25, to discover the park was closing at 7. 00pm. We managed to park and route-march to arrive at the entrance of the ride by 6. 30, and the queue time showed 75 minutes. We joined the queue, not knowing whether we would be turned back. This was our 5th attempt overall to ride and we were hopeful that we would finally get the opportunity to do so. At 7. 00pm we were only half way along the queue, and luckily they closed the ride entrance, but allowed the people already queuing to stay to ride. While you are waiting, you can decide on what soundtrack you want to listen to while riding, as each seat pumps out your chosen track during the ride.
As we edged closer to the front of the queue, our excitement increased at the thought that we would finally be riding this long-awaited roller coaster. We decided against the front row seat, as the queue for this was enormous and there were 3 of us (there are only two people per row) and we wanted to ride at the same time. At last, it was our turn – we sat in our seats which had individual built-in speakers by our ears and once seated, the seat ‘arm’ comes across your body and holds you firmly in place. There is a monitor in the centre of the arm on which you choose your track for the ride – you make a choice and the ride finally takes off! The ride commences with a vertical climb and the adrenaline is pumping in time to the music blasting your eardrums. As you reach the summit there is a brief pause before plummeting downwards and into a loop, and the ride twists and turns and loops its way to the finish.
We all agreed that the ride was definitely worth the wait and we will be back again – perhaps to sample some other music tracks while riding.
We arrived at the park at opening time, in order to be one of the first in line, but unfortunately, due to technical difficulties, the ride had not started running and the crew could not say when it would be working. We went back to the ride on our way out of the park, to find that the ride was still not up and running, so gave up for the day.
As we have an annual pass to the two Universal Parks, this also gives us free parking, so on our way back from a shopping trip we called in at the park, arriving at 6. 25, to discover the park was closing at 7. 00pm. We managed to park and route-march to arrive at the entrance of the ride by 6. 30, and the queue time showed 75 minutes. We joined the queue, not knowing whether we would be turned back. This was our 5th attempt overall to ride and we were hopeful that we would finally get the opportunity to do so. At 7. 00pm we were only half way along the queue, and luckily they closed the ride entrance, but allowed the people already queuing to stay to ride. While you are waiting, you can decide on what soundtrack you want to listen to while riding, as each seat pumps out your chosen track during the ride.
As we edged closer to the front of the queue, our excitement increased at the thought that we would finally be riding this long-awaited roller coaster. We decided against the front row seat, as the queue for this was enormous and there were 3 of us (there are only two people per row) and we wanted to ride at the same time. At last, it was our turn – we sat in our seats which had individual built-in speakers by our ears and once seated, the seat ‘arm’ comes across your body and holds you firmly in place. There is a monitor in the centre of the arm on which you choose your track for the ride – you make a choice and the ride finally takes off! The ride commences with a vertical climb and the adrenaline is pumping in time to the music blasting your eardrums. As you reach the summit there is a brief pause before plummeting downwards and into a loop, and the ride twists and turns and loops its way to the finish.
We all agreed that the ride was definitely worth the wait and we will be back again – perhaps to sample some other music tracks while riding.