Future Universal Projects and Parks

[maxairmike]

Converting to a floorless is a huge job, The work and space needed in he station alone makes this scenario unlikely to me.

@maxairmike Not sure why you think it unlikely that a track piece could be replaced, A replacement piece cou;d easily be machined and used to replace the existing. I know for a fact that Gerstlaur track is just bolted together so as easy as building mecanno really, as long as you got big tools .

Oh I know whole pieces of track can be replaced (I watched it happen with an Intamin), but rails alone being replaced I had never heard of.

Here is the discussion regarding rail replacement back in 2010. So there, and two pair of pants.. maaa, maaa.

http://www.orlandounited.com/forums...dible-Hulk-Roller-Coaster?p=121473#post121473

Have fun reading! Oh, and the beginning of the conversation:

http://www.orlandounited.com/forums...dible-Hulk-Roller-Coaster?p=120615#post120615

How mature.

So it sounds like Universal really took this on themselves and has been teaching the procedure to other parks. Interesting. I won't say thank you, though.

EDIT: Also before my time here.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Wasn't there a story about how Universal denied the addition of sand to the ride track to 'mute' it to recreate the roar of the Hulk? Maybe that's the point of replacement? /speculation

 

[TJwny]

The RIDE isn't leaving.

So are we talking re theme to Ironman flying Coaster?

 

[Teebin]

Wasn't there a story about how Universal denied the addition of sand to the ride track to 'mute' it to recreate the roar of the Hulk? Maybe that's the point of replacement? /speculation

When was this?

 

[maxairmike]

They usually fill the supports with sand to dampen the sound, as adding it to the track would add substantial weight, but there may have been sand added to a B&M's spine. The idea of sand in the spine is sticking in my memory, just can't remember if it's because the spine has been filled on one before, or if it was because that was the original theory and it was clarified that it was in the supports.

 

[Mad Dog]

When was this?

I recall reading that account also. Can't remember when & where though.

 

[Teebin]

Oh, so back in 1999 Universal requested that no sand be added to the park side supports of Hulk so that it would make more noise? Is this what you were saying testtrack? I had never heard that one.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Oh, so back in 1999 Universal requested that no sand be added to the park side supports of Hulk so that it would make more noise? Is this what you were saying testtrack? I had never heard that one.

That's the story/internet legend i heard.

 

[MillenniumDragons]

Kraken has sand filled supports so I assume Hulk has none, or very little sand. Since were being nostalgic on the green machine, does anyone know if Hulk ever got stuck in the zero-G-roll or is that not true? I heard it happened early on in it's history. :hulk:

 

[JungleSkip]

So are we talking re theme to Ironman flying Coaster?

Maybe a retheme. No Iron Man.

 

[Teebin]

Kraken has sand filled supports so I assume Hulk has none, or very little sand. Since were being nostalgic on the green machine, does anyone know if Hulk ever got stuck in the zero-G-roll or is that not true? I heard it happened early on in it's history. :hulk:

I recall that it did, if only a partial, but I am not sure how that is even possible. I believe it was in the backstage portion. I think I recall it from a news report I saw at the time.

 

[Mad Dog]

It would make economic sense to retheme the Hulk if they're going to put considerable money into it. They could do a different Hulk theme and then it would give marketing a reason to advertise it as a semi new attraction to increase attendance. Not much reason to spend a ton of money on it and receive nothing, in the way of increased attendance, in return.

 

[AK-Jake]

If they're changing the ride experience, I don't see them going with a floorless B&M. First of all, there's a floorless B&M 3 miles away (Kracken), second the track is the same size, so the work to convert from a sit-down to a floorless shouldn't involve major track replacement (largely work in the station to put in the retractable floor). If they're just replacing some/all of the rails (which is also a new thing to me that I've never heard of that happening before, generally, they just replace an entire segment of problem track...very educational to hear about that!), that tells me they're just doing some maintenance to the ride. If a new experience is coming with new style trains but they're not replacing the actual track itself (so no Flyer, in other words), I'm wondering if they're converting The Hulk to a wing coaster?

Spitballing here.

 

[MrRoamer]

I always thought the hulk'S roar was because the rails themselves were hollow.

 

[shiekra38]

If they're changing the ride experience, I don't see them going with a floorless B&M. First of all, there's a floorless B&M 3 miles away (Kracken), second the track is the same size, so the work to convert from a sit-down to a floorless shouldn't involve major track replacement (largely work in the station to put in the retractable floor). If they're just replacing some/all of the rails (which is also a new thing to me that I've never heard of that happening before, generally, they just replace an entire segment of problem track...very educational to hear about that!), that tells me they're just doing some maintenance to the ride. If a new experience is coming with new style trains but they're not replacing the actual track itself (so no Flyer, in other words), I'm wondering if they're converting The Hulk to a wing coaster?

Spitballing here.

That would be the first Florida Winged Coaster and I've always wanted to ride one, but...I think for Hulk's theme a floorless or classic sit down works better

 

[Disneyhead]

Heck, how about a winged flyer? A launched winged flyer? Maybe a red and gold launched winged flyer. Would that be worth losing Hulk for?

Just spitballing here.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

Heck, how about a winged flyer? A launched winged flyer? Maybe a red and gold launched winged flyer. Would that be worth losing Hulk for?

Just spitballing here.

Very Much so.ray:

 

[TJwny]

Heck, how about a winged flyer? A launched winged flyer? Maybe a red and gold launched winged flyer. Would that be worth losing Hulk for?

Just spitballing here.

I was thinking the red and gold too but according to Jungle Skip

"Maybe a retheme. No Iron Man."

:shrug:

 

[Disneyhead]

I was thinking the red and gold too but according to Jungle Skip

"Maybe a retheme. No Iron Man."

:shrug:

Yeah, I know.

 

[AK-Jake]

Heck, how about a winged flyer? A launched winged flyer? Maybe a red and gold launched winged flyer. Would that be worth losing Hulk for?

Just spitballing here.

I think they should go all-out and build a launched floorless standup coaster myself! THAT would bring the tourists through the gates in droves!

I like Hulk as-is and would hate to see it go. If they replace it for something even better, well, I could get behind that too. Now that Thunderbird (world's first launched B&M wing coaster...with a B&M "designed/built" launch system) is open and getting rave reviews, I wouldn't be surprised if we see more launched B&Ms popping up in the near future!

Anyway, spitballing done. I look forward to seeing what's coming...even if it's nothing major outside of an infrastructure upgrade. Anyone have a rough timeline on this project?