The Incredible Hulk Coaster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Incredible Hulk Coaster |
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Attraction logo (above)
Attraction (below) |
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| Universal's Islands of Adventure | |
| Location | Universal's Islands of Adventure |
| Park section | Marvel Super Hero Island |
| Coordinates | 28°28′16″N 81°28′06″W / 28.471168°N 81.468424°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Soft opening date | March 27, 1999 |
| Opening date | May 28, 1999 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel – Launched |
| Manufacturer | Bolliger & Mabillard |
| Designer | Werner Stengel |
| Model | Sitting Coaster – Custom |
| Lift/launch system | Tire propelled launch |
| Height | 110 ft (34 m) |
| Drop | 104.9 ft (32.0 m) |
| Length | 3,700 ft (1,100 m) |
| Speed | 67 mph (108 km/h) |
| Inversions | 7 |
| Duration | 2:15 |
| Capacity | 1920 riders per hour |
| Acceleration | 0 to 40 mph (0 to 64 km/h) in 2 seconds |
| G-force | 4 |
| Height restriction | 54 in (137 cm) |
| Trains | 8 cars. Riders are arranged 4 across in a single row for a total of 32 riders per train. |
| Theme | Hulk |
 Universal Express Pass available |
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 Single rider line available |
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 Must transfer from wheelchair |
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| The Incredible Hulk Coaster at RCDB | |
The Incredible Hulk Coaster is an exciting launched roller coaster found at Islands of Adventure theme park. This park is part of the Universal Orlando Resort. This amazing ride was designed by Werner Stengel and built by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M). It's based on the famous Hulk comic book superhero. The coaster first opened on May 28, 1999.
It was the very first B&M coaster to be themed after a Marvel Comics superhero. It was also the first B&M coaster to have a special launch system. This launch system was created by Universal Creative and MTS Systems Corporation. The Incredible Hulk Coaster's unique launch system shoots riders up to 40 miles per hour (64 km/h) in just two seconds! The coaster eventually reaches a top speed of 67 miles per hour (108 km/h).
The ride has seven inversions (upside-down sections) along its 3,670-foot (1,120 m) long track. When it first opened, people really loved the ride. In September 2015, the coaster closed for a big update. This update included a new waiting line, small changes to its theme, new parts of the track, and new ride trains. These new trains even have music playing on board! The ride reopened on August 4, 2016.
Contents
History of the Hulk Coaster
How the Ride Was Planned
In 1991, people started planning a new theme park next to Universal Studios Florida. By the end of 1993, they decided that one part of the new Islands of Adventure park would be about Marvel Comics. They chose the Hulk as the theme for a thrilling ride. The designers wanted the ride to feel like you were being shot out of a cannon! So, they started working on a special launch system.
Building and Opening the Coaster
By January 1995, Universal Creative and MTS Systems Corporation had a working test version of the launch system. They spent a lot of time figuring out how to make this fast launch happen. Building of Islands of Adventure started in 1997. On May 28, 1999, Islands of Adventure officially opened. The Incredible Hulk Coaster was one of the main attractions that opened with the park.
Big Updates and Changes
On August 14, 2015, Universal announced that the coaster would get a major upgrade. The ride closed on September 8, 2015. It reopened to the public on August 4, 2016, after some test runs. The update included big changes to the waiting line and entrance. It also added a new story to the ride.
To make the ride smoother, parts of the track were replaced. The ride trains were also replaced and improved. The new trains have music playing on board and cool lighting effects. The outside of the launch tunnel was painted black. The old track and trains were recycled.
Other Hulk Coaster Plans
In 2015, some early pictures for the new Universal Studios Beijing park showed a ride that looked like the Incredible Hulk Coaster. However, Universal later said in 2019 that this coaster would actually be themed to the Transformers movies instead.
What Makes the Hulk Coaster Special?
Ride Type and Features
The Incredible Hulk is a steel sitting coaster made by the Swiss company Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M). The ride is 3,670 feet (1,120 m) long. It has seven inversions, which means you go upside down! These include a zero-G roll, a cobra roll, two vertical loops, and two corkscrews.
The ride reaches a maximum height of 110 feet (34 m). The first drop is about 105 feet (32 m) tall. Riders reach a top speed of 67 miles per hour (108 km/h) on the two-and-a-quarter minute ride.
Ride Trains and Capacity
Each of The Incredible Hulk's trains has eight cars. Each car seats four riders side-by-side. This means each train can hold up to 32 riders. Riders must be at least 54 inches (137 cm) tall. They are held in place by over-the-shoulder restraints. This design allows the ride to carry up to 1,920 riders every hour. The ride goes through two underground sections. It is also partly built over water and glows green at night.
The Unique Launch System
A special launch system shoots riders up the 110-foot (34 m) tall hill. This system was created by Universal Creative and MTS Systems Corporation. They tested many ideas, including dropping weights to launch a car. The final system on The Incredible Hulk launches trains from 0 to 40 miles per hour (64 km/h) in just 2 seconds! Riders travel at a 30-degree angle through a 150-foot (46 m) long tunnel. They feel 1 G of force during the launch.
To power this launch, the designers chose a drive tire system. This system uses 230 electric motors to power tires that grip the bottom of the train. These tires push the train forward very quickly. This system needs a lot of power for each launch. So, the park built special generators with large spinning wheels (flywheels). These help make sure the local power grid doesn't get overloaded with every launch. The Incredible Hulk was the only B&M ride with a launch system until Thunderbird opened in 2015. Thunderbird uses a different type of launch system.
Ride Experience
The Original Ride (1999–2015)
Waiting in Line
In the original version of the ride, the waiting line started in the science lab of Dr. Bruce Banner. Many TVs showed a cartoon about the Hulk's story. You could see characters like Bruce, General Thunderbolt Ross, Betty Ross Banner, and the Rhino. Dr. Banner was trying to find a way to reverse the Hulk's effects. Guests were about to take part in his experiment. As you walked through the lab, you saw things like the generator and the gamma core. You could also see and hear the roller coaster through big holes in the walls.
The Ride Begins
After you got on the train, it moved into another area. This area was designed to look like a gamma-ray accelerator. A recording of Dr. Bruce Banner played, saying, "Everything looks good...I think...I think this time it's...going to work!" Then, a female voice said, "Warning! Coolant levels dropping!" and announced a problem. Alarms started ringing as Dr. Banner screamed, "No! No! No! No!" The last "No!" happened just as the launch system shot the train forward. It went from 0 to 40 miles per hour (64 km/h) in 2 seconds, launching up and out of the station.
The Coaster's Path
Right after leaving the tunnel, the train went into a zero-g roll, which flips you upside down. Then, it dropped down a 105-foot (32 m) hill. The train reached its top speed of 67 miles per hour (108 km/h). Next, it went through a cobra roll over the park's main lagoon. The train then went through a vertical loop and into an underground tunnel filled with mist. After leaving the tunnel, the track went around the station. It then sent the train into a Roller coaster elements#corkscrew and a second vertical loop. This loop wrapped around a section where the train briefly slowed down. After that, it went down another hill into a second Roller coaster elements#corkscrew and a turn. The train then tilted sideways as riders passed a camera. Finally, it entered a helix (a spiral turn) before reaching the end of the ride.
The New Ride (2016–Present)
Waiting in Line
After the big update in 2016, a new story was added to the ride. The waiting line was completely redesigned. Now, guests are part of a dangerous science experiment led by General Thaddeus Ross. The entrance has a statue of the Hulk holding one of the ride's cars over his head. The old coaster tracks arch over him. TVs now show computer-generated videos of people turning into Hulk-like creatures after being exposed to gamma radiation. Since April 2015, riders must go through metal detectors and security. They also need to empty all loose items from their pockets.
The Ride Begins (New Version)
The update added new, exciting parts, like a redesigned launch tunnel and speakers inside each train. After walking through the waiting line, guests arrive at General Ross's launch platform. Once you are on board, the train leaves the platform and enters an area that looks like a gamma core. The train starts to go up a launch tunnel. A female voice says, "Initiating Gamma Exposure. Hulk Transformation: Accelerating. Do not be afraid." Lights and sounds show the gamma accelerator reacting. Then, the launch system shoots riders out of the tunnel! Riders experience the same track layout as the original Hulk ride, but with new track pieces. Music composed by Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy plays through the speakers on the train.
Images for kids
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The "gamma-ray accelerator" launch tunnel, viewed from the outside
