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60-545: The Incredible Hulk Coaster is a launched roller coaster located at Universal Islands of Adventure theme park within the Universal Orlando Resort . Designed by Werner Stengel and manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), the roller coaster is themed after the Hulk comic book superhero and opened to the public on May 28, 1999. It is the first B&M coaster themed to a Marvel Comics superhero character and

120-579: A zero-G roll , a cobra roll , two vertical loops , and two corkscrews . The ride features a maximum height of 110 feet (34 m), and a first drop stretching 105 feet (32 m). Riders reach a top speed of 67 miles per hour (108 km/h) on the two-and-a-quarter minute ride. Each of The Incredible Hulk's trains feature eight cars which seat riders four abreast, giving each train a maximum capacity of 32 riders. Riders, who must be at least 54 inches (140 cm) tall, are restrained with ratcheting over-the-shoulder restraints. This train configuration allows

180-527: A "new concept"-styled theme park geared towards families with children in Frisco, Texas , and Universal Horror Unleashed , a "horror-experience" in Las Vegas . On December 19, 2023, Universal confirmed it had "acquired land" near Bedford, UK , and is "at the early stages of exploring its feasibility for a potential park, and resort at this site". Universal Creative files numerous patents for new technologies with

240-403: A 105-foot (32 m) drop. The train then reached a top speed of 67 miles per hour (108 km/h), followed by a cobra roll over the park's main lagoon. The train then proceeded through a vertical loop , followed by a subterranean tunnel full of mist. Upon exiting the tunnel, the track encircled the station, sending the train into a corkscrew and a second vertical loop , which wrapped around

300-434: A 150-foot-long (46 m) tunnel, pulling 1  G . To power this launch the designers investigated a variety of systems ranging from hydraulic , pneumatic , cable, steam catapult , and conveyor belt . In the end a drive tire system was selected, where 230 electrical motors power a set of tires that pinch the train's underside to provide propulsion. As this system required eight megawatts of power to propel each train,

360-489: A 34-year-old from Jensen Beach, Florida , suffered a heart attack from an unknown heart condition while riding The Incredible Hulk coaster. She was rushed to Sand Lake Hospital in critical condition, but never regained consciousness and died shortly after being taken off of life support. Launched roller coaster Linear induction motor (LIM) and linear synchronous motor (LSM) coasters use propulsion via electromagnets , which utilize large amounts of electricity to propel

420-478: A brake run, while Kingda Ka, built in 2005, adds a 129 ft (39 m) airtime hill before the final brake run. Some hydraulic coaster layouts omit the top hat element altogether. Another manufacturer, Vekoma , began producing hydraulic-launched coasters in 2004 with the opening of Booster Bike at Toverland in the Netherlands , reaching speeds up to 47 mph (76 km/h). Using the same type of system as

480-786: A hydraulic launch, a pneumatic launch uses compressed air to launch the vehicle. The technology was developed by S&S as the Thrust Air 2000 model. The first coaster of this type was the Hypersonic XLC , opened at Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia, USA in 2001. This coaster closed in 2007. Another incarnation, the Ring Racer was open for only 4 days. Compressed air launches are able to provide more acceleration than traditional pneumatic launches, with Do-Dodonpa at Fuji-Q Highland in Japan having held

540-427: A joint venture with Resorts World Sentosa on Sentosa Island, was opened by Universal Creative in the same year. The company opened the world's first "Water Theme Park" in 2017 with the opening of Universal's Volcano Bay . In 2021, Universal opened Universal Beijing Resort , which was the first ever theme park to achieve a LEED Certification. The company's latest project is Universal Epic Universe , which will become

600-562: A maximum height of 155 feet (47 m). VelociCoaster features two high-speed launches powered by linear synchronous motors , a top hat, four inversions, and an over-water heartline roll . Universal Studios Japan contains the world's first Super Nintendo World area. This area contains dozens of interactive elements, as well as two rides that let guests experience the world of the Super Mario franchise. Universal Creative worked closely with Nintendo , including Shigeru Miyamoto , to create

660-463: A new process they called "squinching", used to account for a viewer's moving sightline and distorting the animation to match. Created for the Islands of Adventure theme park that opened on May 28, 1999, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man won Amusement Today ' s Golden Ticket Award for Best Dark Ride for twelve consecutive years from 1999 through to 2010. In 2000, the ride won a Thea Award from

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720-453: A revamped launch tunnel and audio speakers integrated on-board each train. After walking through the queue, guests arrive at General Ross' launching platform. After boarding, the train departs the platform and enters an area themed as a gamma core. The train begins to ascend a launch tunnel, while a female voice recording announces, "Initiating Gamma Exposure. Hulk Transformation: Accelerating. Do not be afraid." Visual and audio effects portraying

780-550: A ride vehicle which are mounted on a track, to travel through the attraction while performing their movements in synchronization with the ride's show elements (animated props, projection surfaces, and so on). In Amusement Today 's annual Golden Ticket Awards , Harry Potter, and the Forbidden Journey debuted as the best new ride of 2010. It won the Best Dark Ride category for five consecutive years from 2011 to 2015. Due to

840-617: A segment. LIMs are mainly used in Premier Rides roller coasters and Intamin impulse and blitz coasters. However, LIMs can also be used for general transport, such as the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover in Magic Kingdom or monorail and maglev trains. Hydraulic -launched roller coasters, pioneered by Swiss manufacturer Intamin , give the riders greater acceleration with improved smoothness over

900-502: A series of boxcars welded together to form a launch tunnel. A track-mounted dune buggy was then propelled inside the tunnel through the use of a weight drop launch mechanism. The designers then experimented with different rates of acceleration, each emitting between one and five times the force of gravity . The final system which was implemented on The Incredible Hulk sees trains launch from 0 to 40 miles per hour (64 km/h) in 2 seconds. Riders travel at an angle of 30 degrees through

960-417: A video frame. Universal Creative partnered with Oceaneering International to create a 12-passenger motion-base simulator pod capable of six degrees of freedom (heave, sway, surge, yaw, pitch, and roll), and 360-degree rotation (achieved with a ring and pinion gear system), all contained in an angled shell to direct riders' view. Universal Creative's Phil Hettema and William Mason received inventor credits on

1020-522: Is capable of reaching 128 mph (206 km/h) in 3.5 seconds. The fastest roller coaster in the world, Formula Rossa , reaches 149 mph (240 km/h) in 4 seconds using the hydraulic method. Accelerator Coasters manufactured by Intamin commonly place a top hat element after the launch, which is a hill in the shape of a tower with a 90-degree ascent and 90-degree drop. Trains enter and exit this element in opposite directions. Top Thrill Dragster , built in 2003, includes this element followed by

1080-689: Is flat. Two operating examples of this technique are the Drifter at Sochi Park in the Sochi Olimpic Park and at FunWorks, Abu Dhabi (manufacturer I.E.Park ) In the catapult launch, a dropped weight winds a cable to pull the train until it accelerates to its full speed. Dropped weights were used in early installations of Shuttle Loop . These rides are often not very tall, and usually achieve speeds of 60 mph (96 km/h). Flywheel launches are used on some Anton Schwarzkopf designed shuttle loop coasters and Zamperla Motocoasters . A large flywheel

1140-671: Is in the process of developing Epic Universe , the fourth park to be added to the Universal Orlando Resort portfolio, which was announced in August 2019. It will feature an entertainment center, hotels, shops, restaurants, and more. It is expected to be located within a larger 750-acre site that will nearly double Universal's total available acreage in Central Florida . The park is set to open on May 22, 2025. On January 11, 2023, Universal announced two projects: Universal Kids Resort ,

1200-406: Is spun at high speeds and is attached to a cable that propels the train forward. Arrow Dynamics' Launched Loop coasters, which were popular in the 1970s and 1980s, use a powerful electric motor and tensioned springs to propel a launch car forward. The launch car pushes the train outward to a drop, and then returns to its position. After the train reaches the opposite platform, another catch car works

1260-631: The Themed Entertainment Association for outstanding themed entertainment, and experience design. It has also won numerous public-voted Theme Park Insider Awards, and Screamscape Ultimate Awards. The ride has been duplicated at Universal Studios Japan , which opened in January 2004. Harry Potter, and the Forbidden Journey opened in June 2010 as part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure. It features robotic arms as

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1320-576: The United States Patent and Trademark Office . In 2019, Universal Creative filed 43 patents. Some notable patents include the SCOOP ride vehicle designed for The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man in Universal Orlando Resort, interactive wand technology for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter , and moving portraits for the queue of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey . "We actually had to create

1380-411: The mid-course brake run and was flanked by two over-banked turns. This led into the mid-course brake run slowing the train before descending another hill into a second corkscrew and a turn-around. The train then tilted sideways during the final stretch of track as riders passed an on-ride camera and entered a helix, which ended at the coaster's final brake run . Following a major refurbishment that

1440-561: The Orlando ride was placed on two stories. Transformers: The Ride - 3D has won numerous awards, including the Thea Award for outstanding achievement, the International 3D Society Lumiere Award, and was named "best new attraction" from Theme Park Insider. Universal Creative's The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is a dark ride using advanced audio, with the sound accurate to 1 ⁄ 5 of

1500-519: The RMC Topper Track Coaster, Lightning Rod, at Dollywood, and B&M's wingrider, Thunderbird, at HolidayWorld. An example of an LSM launched roller coaster is Maverick at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. These launch systems transfer electricity through a motor on the roller coaster's track so that it controls the speed at which it will urge the cars and train either forward or backward on

1560-905: The Thea Award from the Themed Entertainment Association for outstanding achievement, the Best New Roller Coaster Award from Theme Park Insider, and was named "best new attraction installation of 2019" from the 2019 Golden Ticket Awards. Universal Creative, in partnership with Oceaneering International and Industrial Light & Magic , created Transformers: The Ride - 3D at Universal Studios Singapore, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Universal Orlando Resort. The attraction blends computer-generated imagery with reality, using 14 screens and physical props. Universal Creative opened this attraction in Singapore in 2011, Hollywood in 2012, and Orlando in 2013. Due to space constraints,

1620-474: The acceleration record from when it opened as Dodonpa in 2001 to its closure in 2024, launching passengers from 0 to 112 mph (180 km/h) in 1.56 seconds (it is now held by Stealth at Thorpe Park , UK). S&S has brought back pneumatic launches in China with OCT Thrust SSC1000 and Bullet Coaster at Happy Valley Wuhan and Happy Valley Shenzhen respectively. Maxx Force at Six Flags Great America marked

1680-416: The accumulators is used to drive a number of hydraulic motors (commonly 16 or 32), which spin a large winch drum that rewinds a cable attached to the lead car of the train, called the catch-car, in a matter of seconds. The cable runs under the launch track , and the catch-car moves along a groove in the track's center. The motor is positioned at the opposite end of the catch-car on the launch track. While

1740-592: The area. The rides in this land include Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge , an interactive dark ride with augmented reality based on the Mario Kart spin-off franchise. Super Nintendo World uses "Power-Up Bands" that allow guests to interact with certain elements in the land, such as the "Power-Up Band Key Challenges", and track high scores through the official Universal Studios Japan smartphone application. Universal Creative's Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure has 7 launches, more than most coasters, and contains

1800-566: The center of the park is "Krakatau", a 200-foot-tall (61 m) volcano. Its slides include water coasters , capsule plunge slides, and slides that drop riders four feet above the pool below. Similarly to Disney's MagicBands , Volcano Bay uses TapuTapu wristband technology, which was later used in the Super Nintendo World areas. VelociCoaster is said to be Florida's fastest, tallest, and most intense launch coaster, traveling at speeds up to 70 miles per hour (110 km/h), and reaching

1860-507: The coaster train along its track into the ride elements (e.g. inversions, twists, turns and short drops). Ten design companies managing these types of rides are Vekoma , Intamin , Gerstlauer , Premier Rides , Maurer , Zierer , Mack Rides , Bolliger & Mabillard , Rocky Mountain Construction and S&S Worldwide . Both Rocky Mountain Construction and Bolliger & Mabillard established their first LSM launched coasters recently with

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1920-691: The company operates at Universal Parks & Resorts locations around the world in the United States , Singapore , Japan , and China . Universal Creative often collaborates with entertainment design companies, such as Forrec , THG Creative, and P+A Projects. In December 1958, MCA Inc. purchased the Universal City Studio Lot in California . After MCA and Universal merged in 1962, MCA-Universal expanded into recreation. In 1964, MCA-Universal officially opened Universal Studios Hollywood . As

1980-533: The development of Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, Universal's Aventura Hotel, Universal's Endless Summer Resort – Surfside, and Universal's Endless Summer Resort – Dockside. Universal Creative's other resorts include The Universal Studios Grand Hotel, and the NUO Resort Hotel – Universal Beijing Resort at Universal Beijing Resort . Universal Creative designs, and develops

2040-439: The electromagnetic and catapult launch mechanisms. The acceleration from a hydraulic launch is greatest at the beginning and dies off rapidly, but the acceleration from a LIM/LSM launch remains fairly constant throughout the duration of the launch. The core of the system involves powerful hydraulic pumps, usually eight, that are each capable of producing approximately 500 horsepower (373 kW). In Kingda Ka 's configuration,

2100-502: The first to feature a launch design, which was primarily implemented by Universal Creative and MTS Systems Corporation . The launched lift hill of the Incredible Hulk Coaster accelerates riders up to 40 mph (64 km/h) in two seconds, and the coaster eventually reaches a maximum speed of 67 mph (108 km/h). It features seven inversions throughout the course of the 3,670-foot-long (1,120 m) ride, which

2160-476: The fourth park at the Universal Orlando Resort. Universal Creative also has offices in Osaka and Beijing . By December 13, 2022, several individuals had retired from Universal Creative as part of an NBCU-wide retirement initiative. Universal Volcano Bay is Universal's first attempt at developing a water theme park. This project, the third park at Universal Orlando Resort, replaced Wet 'n Wild Orlando in 2017. At

2220-465: The future Islands of music theme park would be themed after Marvel Comics , with a Hulk theme being selected for a thrill ride. The designers of the ride wanted to simulate being fired out of a cannon and subsequently set about prototyping a launch system. Universal Creative and MTS Systems Corporation had a working prototype in January 1995. Methods to achieve this acceleration were investigated into mid-1996. On-site construction of Islands of Adventure

2280-549: The generator, the gamma core and the towers of power. Guests waiting in line were also able to see the roller coaster through large holes in the walls as well as listen to the ride as it did a number of passes. After boarding, the train moved into another area of the station themed as a gamma-ray accelerator, while a recording of Dr. Bruce Banner was played anxiously stating, "Everything looks good...I think...I think this time it's...going to work!" A female voice then exclaimed, "Warning! Coolant levels dropping!" and announced that there

2340-491: The longest coaster track in Florida, measuring approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) in length. The ride has a free-fall vertical drop of 17 feet (5.2 m), and it catapults guests 65 feet (20 m) in the air at more than a 70-degree angle before immediately dropping them back down in one movement. The construction of this attraction also included planting a forest of 1,200 trees. Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure won

2400-579: The old track and trains were recycled for scrap. Concept art released in 2015 for the upcoming Universal Studios Beijing showed that the park would include a clone of the Incredible Hulk Coaster. However, Universal later clarified in 2019 that the roller coaster clone, Decepticoaster , would instead be themed to the Transformers franchise. The Incredible Hulk is a sitting coaster by Swiss firm Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M). The 3,670-foot-long (1,120 m) ride features seven inversions including

2460-418: The park built several customized motor generator sets with large flywheels to reduce the risk of browning-out the local energy grid with every launch. The launch system made The Incredible Hulk the only B&M ride to feature a launch, until Thunderbird opened at Holiday World in 2015. Unlike The Incredible Hulk, Thunderbird uses a linear synchronous motor (LSM) launch system. In the original version,

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2520-472: The park grew, Universal Creative was founded in 1968 under the name MCA Planning, and Development as part of MCA-Universal's recreation division. Universal Creative continued to operate through 1996 as MCA Planning and Development, opening Universal Studios Florida in 1990 and creating attractions such as Jaws and E.T. Adventure . In 1996 MCA was sold to Seagram , which changed the company name to Universal Studios, Inc. In 1997, MCA Planning and Development

2580-410: The popularity of the ride, it was duplicated at Universal Studios Japan (which opened on July 18, 2014), and Universal Studios Hollywood (which opened on April 7, 2016). The Universal Creative Resort Development team designs, and develops resort, hotel, restaurant, and retail experiences for Universal Parks & Resorts. Universal Orlando Resort's long-standing partnership with Loews Hotels led to

2640-404: The public on August 4, 2016, after several days of technical rehearsals. The refurbishment involved heavy modifications to the line queue and entrance, along with a storyline theme. To improve the smoothness of the ride, sections of track were also replaced along with the trains, which were enhanced with on-board audio and special lighting effects. The launch tunnel's exterior was repainted black and

2700-456: The queue began with the science laboratory of Dr. Bruce Banner with many televisions showing a cartoon about the story of Hulk, featuring appearances from Bruce, General Thunderbolt Ross , Betty Ross Banner , and the Rhino . Bruce tried to find a way to reverse the effects of gamma mutation, which the guests were about to take part in. While walking through the lab they encountered items including

2760-413: The reaction of a gamma accelerator are activated, as a tire-propelled launch mechanism sends riders catapulting out of the launch tunnel. Riders experience the same track layout from the original Hulk ride that was rebuilt with new track pieces. An original score composed by Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy is played over the on-board speakers. The Incredible Hulk has been well received. In its debut year,

2820-624: The restaurants inside Universal's theme parks, as well as their Universal CityWalk shopping, and restaurant areas. Restaurants within the parks include Mythos Restaurant, The Leaky Cauldron, and The Three Broomsticks at Universal Orlando Resort. Restaurants in Universal CityWalk Orlando include The Cowfish, Vivo Italian Kitchen , Toothsome Chocolate Emporium, and Savory Feast Kitchen. Other restaurants shared between several Universal CityWalk areas include Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, Bubba Gump, and Voodoo Doughnut. Universal Creative

2880-472: The return of pneumatic launches in the United States. Magnets are placed under the cars and a series of flywheels coupled to aluminum discs is in the launch zone: there is no contact between the two. The system can be used also for speed up intermediate launchers, and for braking, with static aluminum blades, at the end of the ride. Thanks to the energy stored in the flywheels, the power demand for launching

2940-469: The ride is "too intense to take back-to-back trips. It rattles our nerves, in a good way." Arthur Levine of About.com gave the ride 9 out of 10 stars. Levine describes the ride as "both terrifying and exhilarating" and "not for the faint of heart". In Amusement Today 's annual Golden Ticket Awards , The Incredible Hulk was consistently ranked until 2013. It debuted at position 19 in 1999 before reaching its peak ranking of 9 in 2001. On September 23, 2003,

3000-466: The ride system patent, known as the SCOOP. Universal Creative employees Scott Trowbridge and Thierry Coup storyboarded a scene-by-scene breakdown of the ride that would be projected onto thirteen 30-foot-tall projection screens integrated with physical sets. Since guests would be moving toward, away from, or past these 3D screens, animators had to consider the perspective shift that viewers would actually encounter if these really matched. They developed

3060-427: The ride to achieve a theoretical hourly capacity of 1,920 riders per hour. The ride features two subterranean dives, is partially built over water, and is illuminated green at night. A unique launch system propels riders up the 110-foot-tall (34 m) hill. The system was developed by Universal Creative and MTS Systems Corporation . A prototype launch system was designed by January 1995. The prototype consisted of

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3120-559: The ride was voted the best roller coaster by Discovery Channel viewers and appeared on the Thrills, Chills and Spills documentary. Amusement Business described The Incredible Hulk as one of Islands of Adventure's two world-class roller coasters (the other being the now-dismantled Dueling Dragons , later known as Dragon Challenge). Dewayne Bevil of the Orlando Sentinel rated the ride as his eighth favorite attraction in Orlando. He states

3180-686: The same way. An example of this is Irn Bru Revolution . Another type of launch is by friction wheels . The launch track consists of a series of horizontal tires that pinch the brake fins on the underside of the train. One example of this is the Incredible Hulk Coaster at Universal's Islands of Adventure . Universal Creative Universal Creative is the division of Universal Destinations & Experiences responsible for designing, developing, engineering, and producing themed attractions, rides, and, resorts. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida ,

3240-413: The system can produce a peak power of up to 20,800 hp (15.5 MW) for each launch. Hydraulic fluid is pumped into several different hydraulic accumulators – energy storing devices – containing two compartments that are separated by a piston . As the incompressible hydraulic fluid is pumped into one compartment, nitrogen in the other compartment is compressed. At launch, the fluid under pressure from

3300-432: The train inches forward into a ready position, the pusher mechanism moves back from the motor toward the train. Once the pusher connects, the anti-rollback braking system drops beneath the track, giving the train the green light to be launched. The first hydraulic launch coaster was Xcelerator reaching 82 mph (132 km/h) in 2.3 seconds. The world's tallest roller coaster, Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure ,

3360-422: Was a malfunction. Alarms began to go off inside the accelerator as Dr. Banner screamed in terror, "No! No! No! No!" The last "No!" was synchronized with the tire-propelled launch mechanism, which propelled the train from 0 to 40 mph (0 to 64 km/h) in 2 seconds at an upward angle exiting the station. Immediately after exiting the tunnel, the train entered a zero-g roll inverting element and plunged down

3420-737: Was completed in 2016, a new, original storyline was added with a completely redesigned queue experience that places guests inside a perilous scientific experiment led by General Thaddeus Ross . The entrance features a statue of Hulk holding one of the ride's vehicles over his head, and arching tracks passing over him. These arching coaster tracks came from the original Hulk Roller Coaster. The televisions now show CGI animations of test subjects being exposed to gamma radiation and being transformed into Hulk-like creatures. As of April 2015, riders must pass through metal detectors and security personnel and must rid themselves of all loose items from their pockets. The refurbishment added new, immersive elements such as

3480-456: Was positively received when it opened. A major refurbishment began in September 2015, which included an updated queue line, slight theme modifications, new sections of track, and new trains that feature on-board audio. It reopened to the public on August 4, 2016. In 1991, planning began for a new theme park adjacent to Universal Studios Florida . By the end of 1993, it was decided that one area of

3540-399: Was renamed Universal Creative. Two years later, Universal Creative opened Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando Resort . The company moved to Universal Orlando Resort in 2001, the same year it opened Universal Studios Japan . In 2011, Comcast purchased NBCUniversal , incorporating Universal Parks & Resorts and Universal Creative into its portfolio. Universal Studios Singapore ,

3600-437: Was underway in 1997, with Superior Rigging & Erection being responsible for erecting the supports and track of the roller coaster. On May 28, 1999, Islands of Adventure officially opened to the public, with The Incredible Hulk being one of its debut attractions. On August 14, 2015, Universal announced that the coaster would undergo major enhancement and refurbishment work. The ride closed on September 8, 2015, and re-opened to

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