Since I last wrote my guide to the Rollercoasters and rides of Florida (back in 2005) there has been a lot of development and the inclusion of some World beating rollercoasters. What really impresses me with Florida is the way they re-invest a lot of the park fees to build new rides. And boy has there been a lot of development! ! !
Back in 2005 my top 4 rides were, 1st Duelling Dragons, 2nd Hulk, 3rd Tower of Terror and 4th Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster. All these rides are still great and worth the park entrance in their own right, but there are some new kids on the block that are all wanting to take the top slot.
First of the new rides is Rip Ride Rockit (Universal studios). Built near the entrance to Universal Studios the ride looks very imposing and certainly makes a statement. The ride itself starts with the normal queue, but this time you are shown various types of music you can choose while you are on the ride. Once actually on the ride, you are then allowed to choose your favourite tune before you are locked in. What is so impressive with this ride is the first near vertical drop. To say it takes your breath away is an understatement! Just make sure you don’t leave any loose change in your pocket! The rest of the ride is full of loops, twists and large banked turns. The ride last around a minute and a half in total.
The second new Ride is called Mantis (Seaworld Orlando). The ride gives people the feeling they are flying through the air like the great Mantis himself. Having already a great ride in the Kraken, Seaworld were looking to increase the quantity of rides in their park, this they have done by including the Mantis. Once locked into the ride the cars are then moved horizontal and then the fun begins. The feeling of lying down is a strange one and not to everyone’s liking, those who don’t mind will really appreciate the large loops and tight banked turns. To finish off you fly straight through a waterfall.
So there you have it, two of the new rides to be introduced into the Orlando Themed parks. So how do they compare with my old 1- 4 choices? Well here is my new verdict.
In 4th place I would have to say the Mantis is a great ride, the feeling of actually flying and looping horizontal is a great feeling. In 3rd Place is the Tower Of Terror at Hollywood studios. With more drops and more terror than 2005, this ride has tried to make itself even better and done a good job in the process. The feeling of falling 13 stories gets you every time you ride it. In 2nd Place is the Hulk at Universal Studios IOA. This ride is still in my view a fantastic ride and has all the hallmarks of one of the best rides in the world. In 1st place and my new top ride in Florida is the Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios. For sheer thrills and that first drop, not to mention the ability to play your own music during the ride really makes this one of the great rides. In one day I went on it 4 times and each time played a different tune!
Some others to look out for and not to be missed are Sheikra (Busch Gardens) and The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman (Universal IOA).
Back in 2005 my top 4 rides were, 1st Duelling Dragons, 2nd Hulk, 3rd Tower of Terror and 4th Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster. All these rides are still great and worth the park entrance in their own right, but there are some new kids on the block that are all wanting to take the top slot.
First of the new rides is Rip Ride Rockit (Universal studios). Built near the entrance to Universal Studios the ride looks very imposing and certainly makes a statement. The ride itself starts with the normal queue, but this time you are shown various types of music you can choose while you are on the ride. Once actually on the ride, you are then allowed to choose your favourite tune before you are locked in. What is so impressive with this ride is the first near vertical drop. To say it takes your breath away is an understatement! Just make sure you don’t leave any loose change in your pocket! The rest of the ride is full of loops, twists and large banked turns. The ride last around a minute and a half in total.
The second new Ride is called Mantis (Seaworld Orlando). The ride gives people the feeling they are flying through the air like the great Mantis himself. Having already a great ride in the Kraken, Seaworld were looking to increase the quantity of rides in their park, this they have done by including the Mantis. Once locked into the ride the cars are then moved horizontal and then the fun begins. The feeling of lying down is a strange one and not to everyone’s liking, those who don’t mind will really appreciate the large loops and tight banked turns. To finish off you fly straight through a waterfall.
So there you have it, two of the new rides to be introduced into the Orlando Themed parks. So how do they compare with my old 1- 4 choices? Well here is my new verdict.
In 4th place I would have to say the Mantis is a great ride, the feeling of actually flying and looping horizontal is a great feeling. In 3rd Place is the Tower Of Terror at Hollywood studios. With more drops and more terror than 2005, this ride has tried to make itself even better and done a good job in the process. The feeling of falling 13 stories gets you every time you ride it. In 2nd Place is the Hulk at Universal Studios IOA. This ride is still in my view a fantastic ride and has all the hallmarks of one of the best rides in the world. In 1st place and my new top ride in Florida is the Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios. For sheer thrills and that first drop, not to mention the ability to play your own music during the ride really makes this one of the great rides. In one day I went on it 4 times and each time played a different tune!
Some others to look out for and not to be missed are Sheikra (Busch Gardens) and The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman (Universal IOA).