These are videos of the interview of the comment: Balls of Steel.
We're on our way to the SheiKra as dad interviews me. Mom films dad starting on 1:03.
Rides in the background:
*Stanley Falls Flume
*SheiKra
*Skyride
1:13-1:17 part of the video cracked me up.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Balls of Steel
Attention commenters of "Through My Eyes" (listener and anomiverse), I have breaking news. I have... BALLS OF STEEL! I have TITANIUM TESTICLES! I bet you're all wondering why I'm saying this. It's because... I HAVE GONE ON THE SHEIKRA TODAY FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME! As part of my trip to Busch Gardens, I have gone on the SheiKra 3 times today for the first time ever! YES! That's one Thanksgiving gift I'll never forget! Here are the rides I have gone on today:
Day #1:
1. Montu (Steel/Inverted Coaster) - Egypt
2. Skyride (Sky Ride)* - Egypt/Stanleyville
3. Ubanga-Banga Bumper Cars (Bumper Cars) - Congo
4. Kumba (Steel Coaster) - Congo
5. SheiKra (Steel/Floorless/Dive Coaster)* - Stanleyville
6. SheiKra 2nd time (Steel/Floorless/Dive Coaster) - Stanleyville
7. Sandstorm (Orbiter) - Timbuktu
8. Land of the Dragons (Playground) - Bird Gardens
9. SheiKra 3rd time (Steel/Floorless/Dive Coaster) - Stanleyville
10. Gwazi (Lion) (Wooden/Dueling Coaster) - Morocco
11. Gwazi (Tiger) (Wooden/Dueling Coaster) - Morocco
Day #2:
1. Rhino Rally (Safari) - Nairobi
2. Scorpion (Steel Coaster) - Timbuktu
3. Carousel Caravan (Merry Go 'Round) - Timbuktu
4. Cheetah Chase (Wild Mouse Coaster)* - Timbuktu
5. Ubanga Banga Bumper Cars (Bumper Cars) - Congo
6. Jungle Flyers (Flyers)* - Jungala
7. Treetop Trails (Playground) - Jungala
8. Kumba (Steel Coaster) - Congo
9. Gwazi (Lion) (Wooden/Dueling Coaster) - Bird Gardens
10. Montu (Steel/Inverted Coaster) - Egypt
P.S.: Last time I went to Busch Gardens (last summer), the Skyride was closed for both days. This time, it was open. The water section of Rhino Rally was closed last time too, but this time it was open.
P.S.S.: Day #1: I've got a SheiKra shirt the first time I rode it. When I went on it the 2nd time, I bought the ride photo. When I went on it the 3rd time, the videos were out of order as it was dark, so I bought the video of us on it the 2nd time, despite the fact that the sun blocked the first part of the video as we looked down from the top.
P.S.S.S.: Day #2: We were supposed to leave by 1:00 pm. After we got off Kumba, it was nearly 1 pm. So I had to choose either SheiKra or Montu. Dad chose Montu (claiming that it was scarier), so I followed him. Still, I wish I have gone on the SheiKra a 4th time.
P.S.S.S.S.: Coming soon to my blog is:
*Photos from the trip.
*Video of me on SheiKra
*Main photo replacement. You notice the photo of me with the Horton vehicle on the Caro-Seuss-el. That's going to be replaced soon with a photo of me by the splash down of the SheiKra.
Day #1:
1. Montu (Steel/Inverted Coaster) - Egypt
2. Skyride (Sky Ride)* - Egypt/Stanleyville
3. Ubanga-Banga Bumper Cars (Bumper Cars) - Congo
4. Kumba (Steel Coaster) - Congo
5. SheiKra (Steel/Floorless/Dive Coaster)* - Stanleyville
6. SheiKra 2nd time (Steel/Floorless/Dive Coaster) - Stanleyville
7. Sandstorm (Orbiter) - Timbuktu
8. Land of the Dragons (Playground) - Bird Gardens
9. SheiKra 3rd time (Steel/Floorless/Dive Coaster) - Stanleyville
10. Gwazi (Lion) (Wooden/Dueling Coaster) - Morocco
11. Gwazi (Tiger) (Wooden/Dueling Coaster) - Morocco
Day #2:
1. Rhino Rally (Safari) - Nairobi
2. Scorpion (Steel Coaster) - Timbuktu
3. Carousel Caravan (Merry Go 'Round) - Timbuktu
4. Cheetah Chase (Wild Mouse Coaster)* - Timbuktu
5. Ubanga Banga Bumper Cars (Bumper Cars) - Congo
6. Jungle Flyers (Flyers)* - Jungala
7. Treetop Trails (Playground) - Jungala
8. Kumba (Steel Coaster) - Congo
9. Gwazi (Lion) (Wooden/Dueling Coaster) - Bird Gardens
10. Montu (Steel/Inverted Coaster) - Egypt
P.S.: Last time I went to Busch Gardens (last summer), the Skyride was closed for both days. This time, it was open. The water section of Rhino Rally was closed last time too, but this time it was open.
P.S.S.: Day #1: I've got a SheiKra shirt the first time I rode it. When I went on it the 2nd time, I bought the ride photo. When I went on it the 3rd time, the videos were out of order as it was dark, so I bought the video of us on it the 2nd time, despite the fact that the sun blocked the first part of the video as we looked down from the top.
P.S.S.S.: Day #2: We were supposed to leave by 1:00 pm. After we got off Kumba, it was nearly 1 pm. So I had to choose either SheiKra or Montu. Dad chose Montu (claiming that it was scarier), so I followed him. Still, I wish I have gone on the SheiKra a 4th time.
P.S.S.S.S.: Coming soon to my blog is:
*Photos from the trip.
*Video of me on SheiKra
*Main photo replacement. You notice the photo of me with the Horton vehicle on the Caro-Seuss-el. That's going to be replaced soon with a photo of me by the splash down of the SheiKra.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Universal Future #4 Timeline
This is the timeline of the Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Florida. Most of the info. was from IOACentral:
October 2, 2006 - Half of Back to the Future: The Ride in Florida closed, with closure on March 30, 2007.
October 2, 2006 - Half of Back to the Future: The Ride in Florida closed, with closure on March 30, 2007.
May 2007 - Construction began with the dismantle of the original Back to the Future concrete, and disposal of the Back to the Future sign.
July 16, 2007 - Simpsons characters were put on the walls and "El Barto" was put on the walls.
October 17, 2007 - Kwik-E-Mart opens.
December 2007 - Simpsons RV is starting to appear.
January 2008 - Outdoor painting begins.
February 2008 - Outdoor painting is finished. Exterior construction begins with the Krusty head.
March 7, 2008 - Circus tents are popping up. Krusty head is ready to go.
March 9, 2008 - Krusty head was put up.
March 15, 2008 - Krustyland sign was put up. Hot dog stand opens. Posters for attractions in Krustyland are coming up.
March 27, 2008 - Simpsons Ride sign and statue of Simpsons were put up. The exterior posters for the rides in Krustyland have gone up.
April 1, 2008 - Googly eyes for the Krusty head have been put up, as well as the banners.
April 10, 2008 - Carnival midway games have been put up.
April 23, 2008 - The Simpsons Ride opens for soft openings.
May 9-11, 2008 - Annual Passholder Previews took place.
July 14, 2008 - The Simpsons Ride in Florida had its 1,000,000th rider.
Busch Gardens Photos (August 1, 2008)
Day 2:
That's the SheiKra. Dad's on it.
That's dad's 2nd time on the SheiKra.
There's the Tidal Wave water ride.
There's us dropping on the ride.
That's dad and I after we dropped on Tidal Wave. I was in my bathing suit because I didn't want to get my other clothes wet.
This time, we noticed who took the picture and that was mom.
After I got off Tidal Wave, I put my regular clothes back on.
There's dad and I, while wearing silly hats, taking shelter in the Montu gift shop during a storm.
Mom's wearing another silly hat.
Goats...
...flamingos...
...bulls...
...rhinos...
...and crocodiles. All on Rhino Rally. Too bad the water section of the ride is closed.:(. Well, maybe the water section of the ride will be opened this Thanksgiving. I hope so, because that's the best part.
That's me with a statue of a turtle.
That's the Scorpion, the oldest still-operating roller coaster in Busch Gardens Africa. We're on the 7th row.
Here we are. Mom zoomed in and took a picture of us at the final brakes.
That's dad and I on the Wild Surge in the new Jungala area, which used to be the Python which closed 2006. Wild Surge's like a kiddie version of Dr. Doom's Fearfall at IOA.
Here's a map of Jungala. This is the last picture mom took of Busch Gardens until 4 days from now.
That's the SheiKra. Dad's on it.
That's dad's 2nd time on the SheiKra.
There's the Tidal Wave water ride.
There's us dropping on the ride.
That's dad and I after we dropped on Tidal Wave. I was in my bathing suit because I didn't want to get my other clothes wet.
This time, we noticed who took the picture and that was mom.
After I got off Tidal Wave, I put my regular clothes back on.
There's dad and I, while wearing silly hats, taking shelter in the Montu gift shop during a storm.
Mom's wearing another silly hat.
Goats...
...flamingos...
...bulls...
...rhinos...
...and crocodiles. All on Rhino Rally. Too bad the water section of the ride is closed.:(. Well, maybe the water section of the ride will be opened this Thanksgiving. I hope so, because that's the best part.
That's me with a statue of a turtle.
That's the Scorpion, the oldest still-operating roller coaster in Busch Gardens Africa. We're on the 7th row.
Here we are. Mom zoomed in and took a picture of us at the final brakes.
That's dad and I on the Wild Surge in the new Jungala area, which used to be the Python which closed 2006. Wild Surge's like a kiddie version of Dr. Doom's Fearfall at IOA.
Here's a map of Jungala. This is the last picture mom took of Busch Gardens until 4 days from now.
Busch Gardens Photos (July 31, 2008)
Finally they're here. Four days before the Thanksgiving trip to Busch Gardens and the pictures of the July trip to Busch Gardens have arrived. I was hoping to do this before the trip and I did. Here are the pics:
Day 1:
That's me with a rain poncho. The reason why I'm wearing a rain poncho is because it initially rained when I got off the tram. The Montu was on-and-off opened. Speaking of Montu, there is a bus behind me called the "Montu Express Tour."
That's me "driving" a car with a lion on it! AHHH! lol. Anyways, this was in the Nairobi section of the park.
There's a donkey in the Clydesdale Hamlet, and its with me.
Finally, someone other than me! That's mom on the Serengeti Express.
There it is! SHEIKRA! America's first dive machine!
I cannot wait to go on this!
In four days, I shall return to go on it!
That's the Lion side of the Gwazi behind those trees. I think that's us on it.
As you can see, that's the Montu, my favorite ride in Busch Gardens other than the Kumba. It looks like its leaving the station. After I got off the Lion's side of the Gwazi, I rushed over to the Montu before it rains. I reached the station in time but it rained and I stayed there for 45 minutes or so. If you look more close through the light, you can see my dad and I.
There's the Hospitality House in Bird Gardens. After the Montu, I went to Bird Gardens after I ate at the Crown Colony restaurant (which I remember eating before when I was little). We took shelter there at first and later at the Montu gift shop next day. I love the topiaries. SheiKra's in the background.
Close-up on the sign. SheiKra's still in the background.
There is one of those Land of the Dragons attractions that made me feel a year younger, and my dad's on it.
Now I've joined his party.
Day 1:
That's me with a rain poncho. The reason why I'm wearing a rain poncho is because it initially rained when I got off the tram. The Montu was on-and-off opened. Speaking of Montu, there is a bus behind me called the "Montu Express Tour."
That's me "driving" a car with a lion on it! AHHH! lol. Anyways, this was in the Nairobi section of the park.
There's a donkey in the Clydesdale Hamlet, and its with me.
Finally, someone other than me! That's mom on the Serengeti Express.
There it is! SHEIKRA! America's first dive machine!
I cannot wait to go on this!
In four days, I shall return to go on it!
That's the Lion side of the Gwazi behind those trees. I think that's us on it.
As you can see, that's the Montu, my favorite ride in Busch Gardens other than the Kumba. It looks like its leaving the station. After I got off the Lion's side of the Gwazi, I rushed over to the Montu before it rains. I reached the station in time but it rained and I stayed there for 45 minutes or so. If you look more close through the light, you can see my dad and I.
There's the Hospitality House in Bird Gardens. After the Montu, I went to Bird Gardens after I ate at the Crown Colony restaurant (which I remember eating before when I was little). We took shelter there at first and later at the Montu gift shop next day. I love the topiaries. SheiKra's in the background.
Close-up on the sign. SheiKra's still in the background.
There is one of those Land of the Dragons attractions that made me feel a year younger, and my dad's on it.
Now I've joined his party.
The Adventures of Squanto
The Adventures of Squanto will be an attraction opening with a Universal-owned park called Islands of Discovery (a version of Islands of Adventure in Orlando, FL) at Plymouth, MA. It will be on Patuxet Island and will be a stunt show.
Queue: Guests walk through a building themed to an Indian village. Guests look down on the village (a similar thing with Men in Black: Alien Attack). What's included in the village are audio-animatronics of Patuxet. After a minute or two, the doors open.
Main Show: Guests meander to a theater room where they sit down on a row of wooden seats. The show begins with a Patuxet indian saying "You have heard of the Indian known as Squanto, but you do not know the actual history." The curtains open and it shows Squanto's childhood, the time he's captured by Spain and sent to England, the time he returns and gets captured again, and while he's gone the Patuxet indians died due to a plague. The story continues when Squanto returns and discovers that the Patuxet were dead, and how he helped the Pilgrims survive the winter. The show ends with the First Thanksgiving.
Queue: Guests walk through a building themed to an Indian village. Guests look down on the village (a similar thing with Men in Black: Alien Attack). What's included in the village are audio-animatronics of Patuxet. After a minute or two, the doors open.
Main Show: Guests meander to a theater room where they sit down on a row of wooden seats. The show begins with a Patuxet indian saying "You have heard of the Indian known as Squanto, but you do not know the actual history." The curtains open and it shows Squanto's childhood, the time he's captured by Spain and sent to England, the time he returns and gets captured again, and while he's gone the Patuxet indians died due to a plague. The story continues when Squanto returns and discovers that the Patuxet were dead, and how he helped the Pilgrims survive the winter. The show ends with the First Thanksgiving.
Universal Plymouth Resort
Islands of Discovery
I'm thinking of doing a different Islands of Adventure theme park. The Florida one consists of:
*Port of Entry
*Marvel Superhero Island
*Toon Lagoon
*Jurassic Park
*Wizarding World of Harry Potter
*Lost Continent
*Seuss's Landing
Now I'm thinking of doing another one near Plymouth. It should be called Islands of Discovery. The lighthouse will still be the icon. The island line-up will be different though:
*Port of Entry
*Seuss's Landing
*Jurassic Park
*Marvel Superhero Island
*Patuxet Island (instead of Lost Continent)
*Toon Lagoon
*The World of Twilight (instead of Harry Potter)
-The real jewel is the Patuxet Island. Most attractions and restaurants are versions of attractions and restaurants from the Lost Continent:
Rides:
*The Hunt of the Owl (a version of the Flying Unicorn)
*Dueling Serpents (a version of Dueling Dragons)
*The Adventures of Squanto (a version of the Eighth Voyage of Sinbad)
*Turkey Chase
*Plymouth Rock (a version of the Mystic Fountain)
Turkey Chase is the only attraction that does not have a version at IOA. It will be a Wild Mouse coaster themed to the First Thanksgiving.
Shops:
*The Serpent's Keep (a version of the Dragon's Keep)
*Treasures of Squanto (a version of Treasures of Poseidon)
Restaurants:
*The First Thanksgiving Feast (a version of the Enchanted Oak Tavern)
*Patuxet Grill (a version of Fire Eater's Grill)
Cartoon Network Studios
The only attraction that is announced at this time is Underfist: The Ride, a steel and floorless coaster in the Endsville section of the park.
Universal Studios Massachusetts
Hollywood:
*Back to the Future: The Ride
*Hollywood Blockbuster Coaster
*Terminator 2: 3D
*Shrek 4D
*E.T. Adventure
*Animal Actors
*Studio Tour
New York:
*Horror Make-Up Show
*Blues Brothers LIVE!
*Day After Tomorrow: The Ride
*Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride
*Beetlejuice
San Francisco:
*Earthquake: The Big One
*Backdraft
*Disaster: A Major Motion Picture Ride... Starring You!
Amity Village:
*Jaws
Nickelodeon Studios:
*Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
Krustyland:
*Simpsons Ride
Woody Woodpecker's Kid Zone:
*Fievel's Playland
*A Day in the Park with Barney
*Curious George
*Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster
Water World:
*Water World: A Live Sea War Spectacular
New England:
*Mamma Mia LIVE!
*1776: The Musical
*Journey to the Center of the Earth: The Ride
*Transformers: The Ride
I'm thinking of doing a different Islands of Adventure theme park. The Florida one consists of:
*Port of Entry
*Marvel Superhero Island
*Toon Lagoon
*Jurassic Park
*Wizarding World of Harry Potter
*Lost Continent
*Seuss's Landing
Now I'm thinking of doing another one near Plymouth. It should be called Islands of Discovery. The lighthouse will still be the icon. The island line-up will be different though:
*Port of Entry
*Seuss's Landing
*Jurassic Park
*Marvel Superhero Island
*Patuxet Island (instead of Lost Continent)
*Toon Lagoon
*The World of Twilight (instead of Harry Potter)
-The real jewel is the Patuxet Island. Most attractions and restaurants are versions of attractions and restaurants from the Lost Continent:
Rides:
*The Hunt of the Owl (a version of the Flying Unicorn)
*Dueling Serpents (a version of Dueling Dragons)
*The Adventures of Squanto (a version of the Eighth Voyage of Sinbad)
*Turkey Chase
*Plymouth Rock (a version of the Mystic Fountain)
Turkey Chase is the only attraction that does not have a version at IOA. It will be a Wild Mouse coaster themed to the First Thanksgiving.
Shops:
*The Serpent's Keep (a version of the Dragon's Keep)
*Treasures of Squanto (a version of Treasures of Poseidon)
Restaurants:
*The First Thanksgiving Feast (a version of the Enchanted Oak Tavern)
*Patuxet Grill (a version of Fire Eater's Grill)
Cartoon Network Studios
The only attraction that is announced at this time is Underfist: The Ride, a steel and floorless coaster in the Endsville section of the park.
Universal Studios Massachusetts
Hollywood:
*Back to the Future: The Ride
*Hollywood Blockbuster Coaster
*Terminator 2: 3D
*Shrek 4D
*E.T. Adventure
*Animal Actors
*Studio Tour
New York:
*Horror Make-Up Show
*Blues Brothers LIVE!
*Day After Tomorrow: The Ride
*Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride
*Beetlejuice
San Francisco:
*Earthquake: The Big One
*Backdraft
*Disaster: A Major Motion Picture Ride... Starring You!
Amity Village:
*Jaws
Nickelodeon Studios:
*Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
Krustyland:
*Simpsons Ride
Woody Woodpecker's Kid Zone:
*Fievel's Playland
*A Day in the Park with Barney
*Curious George
*Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster
Water World:
*Water World: A Live Sea War Spectacular
New England:
*Mamma Mia LIVE!
*1776: The Musical
*Journey to the Center of the Earth: The Ride
*Transformers: The Ride
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Universal Future #3 timeline
This is the timeline for Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit.
October 26, 2007 - Rumors begin to rise that Universal Orlando Resort will get a version of Universal Studios Japan's Hollywood Dream: The Ride, a B&M hypercoaster, by 2009.
December 5, 2007 - Survey markers begin to appear around the Boneyard area, a possible location for the version of the Hollywood Dream coaster. It is also rumored that Twister will close to make room for the new coaster.
December 24, 2007 - The coaster is rumored to be made by Maurer Söhne and is rumored to have a vertical lift. Screamscape revealed the layout of the rumored coaster:
January 11, 2008 - Universal Parks & Resorts filed a Notice of Commencement with Orange County, Florida indicating that they were to construct a ride system that they have code-named "Project Rumble." Its manufacturer would be Maurer Söhne.
March 19, 2008 - "Project Rumble" was announced under the name Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit. The entire track layout wasn't revealed yet but it says that you'll listen to music while on board (like Hollywood Dream: The Ride at Universal Studios Japan). The coaster will start with a 167 ft. vertical lift hill, making it the tallest coaster in Orlando. Then you drop 167 ft. from the air. It won't be vertical though. You then enter a double take. It will look like an ordinary vertical loop but the track twists around such that the train is right-side-up at the top of the loop. You descend and twist around again then climbs to reach the first of many block brakes. You drop back towards street level and go through an element called treble clef. You then go through a building next to Twister. You climb again to another block brake. Now returning to the station, you go through a series of sharp turns. One turn is nick-named the jump cut and the other is named the crowd surfer over portions of the queue lines. You then go through another block brake before exiting the park grounds. You then encounter a drop tuning, a quick drop into the landscaped area in front of the Blue Man Group theater. Emerging from the ground, you enter a 540 degree helix called the plot twist and return to the station, thus ending the ride.
April 25, 2008 - Markers have gone up in front of the Blue Man Group theater preparing for construction on Rockit. This is how the markers look like:
May 11, 2008 - Markers have been added in the New York section in front of the library facade. The markers are these:
May 15, 2008 - Groundbreaking begins on Rockit starting with the area that is to be the station and queue lines. It will be between the Blue Man Group theater and Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast. Here is a picture of the groundbreaking:
May 29, 2008 - Construction walls have gone up where the queue and station. Here are the walls:
July 17, 2008 - Construction walls have gone up in the New York section of the park from the entrance to Twister to the library facade. This is how they look like:
Rumors state that the coaster will go through this window of the firehouse facade:
July 28, 2008 - Construction walls have expanded to the area that leads to the TNA Wrestling soundstage. Themed signs have been placed on the construction walls. Here are the signs:
August 9, 2008 - New walls have gone up in the Boneyard. This area will be home to a new ampitheater themed to Hollywood Bowl once Rockit opens:
September 2, 2008 - The Rockit area has been leveled. Construction became more apparent as a crane is now in the site:
September 8, 2008 - Boneyard closes to make room for a new ampitheater themed to Hollywood Bowl.
September 10, 2008 - Construction walls have expanded around the Boneyard area:
September 18, 2008 - The first steel supports have arrived. They're painted in a cream/light-brownish color. Here are the supports:
September 23, 2008 - Construction walls have expanded to the right-side of the pathway leading to the Blue Man Group theater:
October 6, 2008 - A ton of new supports have arrived at Universal's storage field:
October 30, 2008 - The Blue Man Group pathway is being moved to give the coaster some space:
November 3, 2008 - The Blue Man Group pathway moved:
November 4, 2008 - Rockit is expected to open late May 2009.
November 10, 2008 - The first load of red track for Rockit has arrived:
November 19, 2008 - Construction on the building where the station and queue lines are begins with steel support beams:
November 25, 2008 - A large hole has been cut out of the firehouse facade in which Rockit will pass through:
December 7, 2008 - Construction on Rockit's station progresses quickly. The supports are already in place. Here are the supports:
December 10, 2008 - Rockit track has began to go up beginning with a part of the treble clef in front of the New York Library facade near the Twister queue. Here is the track:
December 16, 2008: The track in the tunnel through the firehouse facade over the Twister queue has been installed as well as some of the treble clef:
December 20, 2008: Construction on the lift tower begins:
January 4, 2009: Construction walls for the ampitheater have expanded leaving a narrow path by the Monsters Café:
The treble clef seems to be complete:
January 15, 2009: Trees are in place for the stage area:
The first two block brakes have gone up, and as you can see on this photo, they're gigantic and can be seen from Seuss's Landing, Toon Lagoon, CityWalk, and even the parking garage:
January 22, 2009: Work on the plot twist (CityWalk portion of the coaster) begins:
January 23, 2009: Drop tuning and the rest of the plot twist has gone up. The supports for the third block brake above the other exit from the park to the Blue Man Group theater have gone up:
January 29, 2009: The ampitheater seems to be complete:
February 1, 2009 - Automatic stage lights have gone up on the ampitheater:
February 6, 2009: The third block brake has gone up:
February 15, 2009 - The Hollywood Bowl Theater opens to the public with a concert from the Village People:
February 17, 2009 - After a bit of hiatus, construction began on Rockit again with expanding the lift tower:
February 19, 2009 - The station's roof is painted red:
February 22, 2009 - Lift tower begins to get topped off:
February 26, 2009 - The lift tower finishes its topping off:
March 1, 2009 - The crowd surfer begins work:
March 3, 2009: The jump cut has gone up:
March 4, 2009 - The supports for the double take have gone up behind the Hollywood Bowl Theater:
March 6, 2009 - Work on the double take begins:
March 11, 2009 - The double take is complete:
March 12, 2009 - The crowd surfer is complete:
March 14, 2009 - The first drop is complete:
March 17, 2009 - Track is in the maintenance building, and framing begins on it:
March 20, 2009 - Hollywood Bowl Theater appears on the map. For some reason, Universal has fallen behind, and construction stopped on track:
March 28, 2009 - Framing continues on the maintenance building:
April 1, 2009 - The opening for Rockit is delayed until Summer 2009, because the lift tower was in the wrong place. It is rumored that the tower will be demolished and rebuilt. That explains the halt in construction. A catwalk has gone up in the station:
April 4, 2009 - Scaffolding begins on the tunnel:
April 10, 2009 - The track leading to the station has been installed and the bottom of the station roof is painted red:
April 14, 2009 - It is said that there is a problem with the lift motors.
April 17, 2009 - The chasm with the plot twist is dug:
April 19, 2009 - The construction wall in front of the library facade has gone down and only surrounds the firehouse facade:
The crane has returned to the lift:
April 22, 2009 - Scaffolding is complete and the walls surrounding the firehouse facade have gone down:
April 27, 2009 - Rockit is delayed until June 2009.
Those are all the pics and updates I got so far. I think Rockit's lift will be topped off, landscaping will begin in front of BMG, lift chains will be installed, and test runs will begin May 2009. June 2009 will finish landscaping, and soft openings will begin. The grand opening I think will be on July 2009 just in time for Independence Day.
October 26, 2007 - Rumors begin to rise that Universal Orlando Resort will get a version of Universal Studios Japan's Hollywood Dream: The Ride, a B&M hypercoaster, by 2009.
December 5, 2007 - Survey markers begin to appear around the Boneyard area, a possible location for the version of the Hollywood Dream coaster. It is also rumored that Twister will close to make room for the new coaster.
December 24, 2007 - The coaster is rumored to be made by Maurer Söhne and is rumored to have a vertical lift. Screamscape revealed the layout of the rumored coaster:
January 11, 2008 - Universal Parks & Resorts filed a Notice of Commencement with Orange County, Florida indicating that they were to construct a ride system that they have code-named "Project Rumble." Its manufacturer would be Maurer Söhne.
March 19, 2008 - "Project Rumble" was announced under the name Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit. The entire track layout wasn't revealed yet but it says that you'll listen to music while on board (like Hollywood Dream: The Ride at Universal Studios Japan). The coaster will start with a 167 ft. vertical lift hill, making it the tallest coaster in Orlando. Then you drop 167 ft. from the air. It won't be vertical though. You then enter a double take. It will look like an ordinary vertical loop but the track twists around such that the train is right-side-up at the top of the loop. You descend and twist around again then climbs to reach the first of many block brakes. You drop back towards street level and go through an element called treble clef. You then go through a building next to Twister. You climb again to another block brake. Now returning to the station, you go through a series of sharp turns. One turn is nick-named the jump cut and the other is named the crowd surfer over portions of the queue lines. You then go through another block brake before exiting the park grounds. You then encounter a drop tuning, a quick drop into the landscaped area in front of the Blue Man Group theater. Emerging from the ground, you enter a 540 degree helix called the plot twist and return to the station, thus ending the ride.
April 25, 2008 - Markers have gone up in front of the Blue Man Group theater preparing for construction on Rockit. This is how the markers look like:
May 11, 2008 - Markers have been added in the New York section in front of the library facade. The markers are these:
May 15, 2008 - Groundbreaking begins on Rockit starting with the area that is to be the station and queue lines. It will be between the Blue Man Group theater and Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast. Here is a picture of the groundbreaking:
May 29, 2008 - Construction walls have gone up where the queue and station. Here are the walls:
July 17, 2008 - Construction walls have gone up in the New York section of the park from the entrance to Twister to the library facade. This is how they look like:
Rumors state that the coaster will go through this window of the firehouse facade:
July 28, 2008 - Construction walls have expanded to the area that leads to the TNA Wrestling soundstage. Themed signs have been placed on the construction walls. Here are the signs:
August 9, 2008 - New walls have gone up in the Boneyard. This area will be home to a new ampitheater themed to Hollywood Bowl once Rockit opens:
September 2, 2008 - The Rockit area has been leveled. Construction became more apparent as a crane is now in the site:
September 8, 2008 - Boneyard closes to make room for a new ampitheater themed to Hollywood Bowl.
September 10, 2008 - Construction walls have expanded around the Boneyard area:
September 18, 2008 - The first steel supports have arrived. They're painted in a cream/light-brownish color. Here are the supports:
September 23, 2008 - Construction walls have expanded to the right-side of the pathway leading to the Blue Man Group theater:
October 6, 2008 - A ton of new supports have arrived at Universal's storage field:
October 30, 2008 - The Blue Man Group pathway is being moved to give the coaster some space:
November 3, 2008 - The Blue Man Group pathway moved:
November 4, 2008 - Rockit is expected to open late May 2009.
November 10, 2008 - The first load of red track for Rockit has arrived:
November 19, 2008 - Construction on the building where the station and queue lines are begins with steel support beams:
November 25, 2008 - A large hole has been cut out of the firehouse facade in which Rockit will pass through:
December 7, 2008 - Construction on Rockit's station progresses quickly. The supports are already in place. Here are the supports:
December 10, 2008 - Rockit track has began to go up beginning with a part of the treble clef in front of the New York Library facade near the Twister queue. Here is the track:
December 16, 2008: The track in the tunnel through the firehouse facade over the Twister queue has been installed as well as some of the treble clef:
December 20, 2008: Construction on the lift tower begins:
January 4, 2009: Construction walls for the ampitheater have expanded leaving a narrow path by the Monsters Café:
The treble clef seems to be complete:
January 15, 2009: Trees are in place for the stage area:
The first two block brakes have gone up, and as you can see on this photo, they're gigantic and can be seen from Seuss's Landing, Toon Lagoon, CityWalk, and even the parking garage:
January 22, 2009: Work on the plot twist (CityWalk portion of the coaster) begins:
January 23, 2009: Drop tuning and the rest of the plot twist has gone up. The supports for the third block brake above the other exit from the park to the Blue Man Group theater have gone up:
January 29, 2009: The ampitheater seems to be complete:
February 1, 2009 - Automatic stage lights have gone up on the ampitheater:
February 6, 2009: The third block brake has gone up:
February 15, 2009 - The Hollywood Bowl Theater opens to the public with a concert from the Village People:
February 17, 2009 - After a bit of hiatus, construction began on Rockit again with expanding the lift tower:
February 19, 2009 - The station's roof is painted red:
February 22, 2009 - Lift tower begins to get topped off:
February 26, 2009 - The lift tower finishes its topping off:
March 1, 2009 - The crowd surfer begins work:
March 3, 2009: The jump cut has gone up:
March 4, 2009 - The supports for the double take have gone up behind the Hollywood Bowl Theater:
March 6, 2009 - Work on the double take begins:
March 11, 2009 - The double take is complete:
March 12, 2009 - The crowd surfer is complete:
March 14, 2009 - The first drop is complete:
March 17, 2009 - Track is in the maintenance building, and framing begins on it:
March 20, 2009 - Hollywood Bowl Theater appears on the map. For some reason, Universal has fallen behind, and construction stopped on track:
March 28, 2009 - Framing continues on the maintenance building:
April 1, 2009 - The opening for Rockit is delayed until Summer 2009, because the lift tower was in the wrong place. It is rumored that the tower will be demolished and rebuilt. That explains the halt in construction. A catwalk has gone up in the station:
April 4, 2009 - Scaffolding begins on the tunnel:
April 10, 2009 - The track leading to the station has been installed and the bottom of the station roof is painted red:
April 14, 2009 - It is said that there is a problem with the lift motors.
April 17, 2009 - The chasm with the plot twist is dug:
April 19, 2009 - The construction wall in front of the library facade has gone down and only surrounds the firehouse facade:
The crane has returned to the lift:
April 22, 2009 - Scaffolding is complete and the walls surrounding the firehouse facade have gone down:
April 27, 2009 - Rockit is delayed until June 2009.
Those are all the pics and updates I got so far. I think Rockit's lift will be topped off, landscaping will begin in front of BMG, lift chains will be installed, and test runs will begin May 2009. June 2009 will finish landscaping, and soft openings will begin. The grand opening I think will be on July 2009 just in time for Independence Day.
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