Introducing the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios

Did you ride the Rockit this weekend? Universal Studios started its "technical rehearsal" of its new Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster, and we'd like to hear the thoughts of folks who have been onboard already. We're especially interested in song selection -- did your music work especially well with the movements of the coaster? Share in this post's comments or email to dbevil@orlandosentinel.com and we'll use some of your observations in an upcoming story.

I rode yesterday afternoon, and I'll share some tidbits that didn't fit into today's story in a moment. But first, a reminder: In this phase of the coaster's life, there are no guarantees. There are kinks to be worked out, the occasional stoppage, a learning curve from the operators. But just because you go the theme park does not mean you'll definitely be allowed on the Rockit at this point. Parkgoers, beware.

Overview: I found Rockit to be a fun coaster. In fact, it exceeded my expectations in a few ways. First, I didn't think I cared about the soundtrack. Big woo, I'm all about the ride, right? But I actually quite enjoyed my first two selections ("Guitars, Cadillacs" by Mr. Dwight Yoakam and "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor) and it made me want to ride again and hear the other 28 selections that Universal makes readily available. Sneaky!

Secondly, there were more thrills and spills that I expected from my on-ground inspection of the track. It looks pretty standard: big hill, big loops, dips, spills, curves, etc. But the design and sequence of the events makes for constant entertainment and a good deal of air time. Lesson learned: don't judge a coaster from the ground.

Comparisons: Rockit is reasonably smooth with a pinch of rattle. It's not nearly as jarring as the Incredible Hulk, its sister coaster at Islands of Adventure. And the physical sensation is way different than on IOA's Dueling Dragons, which features riders dangling, inverting and corkscrewing. On Rockit, your legs are very secure and your arms are more free than on Dragons. I'd put Rockit ahead of Revenge of the Mummy, but maybe that's the new-toy effect? And in many ways, the ride is more like Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom than the similarly themed Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

The wait: On Sunday, folks were lined up at 9 a.m. though there was no movement on the ride. My friend Greg and I joined the line a little bit before noon -- once shade was thrown from the Music Plaza stage. A lot of folks around us were just accidental tourists who couldn't believe their dumb luck of being there on a day that the Rockit MIGHT open. Universal workers in Rockit attire came by on occasion to tell us they were trying their hardest, but there were no guarantees. They'd also tell people "there is no line" but those of us in line begged to differ. A water/beer cart was rolled out for our convenience.

About 12:30, we were allowed into the official line. Universal Express was not in effect (this brought cheers from the crowd), but they were doing single-rider line at that time.

The queue area is pretty basic back-and-forth routine but decorated in the establish Rockit rockin' motif and LED screens. Only a small part of the extended line is not under cover, and there were misting fans there to battle the heat. The screens feature animated characters who go through the safety rules (think Spider-Man pre-show) and explain how to lock in the song of your choice.

Another unexpected benefit: The snippets of the available songs almost create a dance party in line.

The queue snakes around a few areas on the ground floor, then goes upstairs to the loading platform. Up there is an offshoot line for folks who want to wait for the front row. Child swap is there too.

The restrictions: You must be 51 inches tall to ride -- but no taller than 6-foot-7. There's even a mark on a pole in the queue indicating "you can't be taller than this." The usual heart-condition restriction apply plus the unusual warning of "keep your flipflops on." They don't want you sitting on them.

The loading: Each train holds 12 passengers: six rows, two people across. It's a modified version of stadium seating. Row 2 is a little higher than Row 1, Row 3 is higher than both.

The seats are molded and surround your head a bit. After getting in, a Universal team member glides the large, curved lap belt into position. I would call the fit extremely snug. There's no way you're falling out of that baby. In the center of the lap bar is the touch-screen selection pad, about the size of an iPhone. The whole contraption looks like a chastity belt, Greg noted. I laughed.

Go ahead and make your soundtrack selection. Touch one of five genres (classic rock/metal, rap/hip-hop, club/electronica, pop/disco and country) as instructed by the animated characters in the queue. Then pick one of six songs that fall into that category.

If when you are seated, there's already a song on the screen, hit the BACK button to get back to the genre screen. There's not a lot of time to do all this, so it's best to make up your mind on the ground floor. (Right now, there's no video reminders or signage to remind you on the loading platform).

The ride: First thing, straight up, flat on your back. In fact, it may be a little past flat. Mainly you can only see sky, a bit of lift hill and hoops. The curved seat back (with speakers) gives an isolated feeling. The music starts during ascent. It's loud, but not painfully so. I could not hear any of my neighbors' choices.

What goes up then comes down and heads into the loop behind the Music Plaza stage. You never go completely upside down. Midway up the loop, the rail twists and shifts the car around to that passengers are sitting ATOP the loop and right-side up. It's twists back to "normal" on the way down.

You're heading for the back part of the ride now, including the bust-through of the New York movie set (smile, that's where the still-photography camera is) and the Treble Clef maneuver. This steers you back toward the station, over the queue and past the station again before heading through a low-lying bumpy area and a double curve near CityWalk.

Then coasting back to the station. The music ended abruptly. Remember the songs have NOT been rearranged for the ride. What you're hearing is a 95-second snippet from the originals, beginning where the designer felt would be most effective.

The team members at the loading station were appropriately enthusiastic, Lots of "ROCK 'N' ROLL!" hollering, some of it staged and themey, but much of it just happy to have "real" folks onboard.

The aftermath: Leave the car to the right, go downstair, land in a photo spot. Many kiosks to look at your photo and (eventually) sample the video on board. Photo prices begin at $16.95. The videos will got for $29.95, but there will be combo packages available.

The lockers where you really should leave your loose belongings (really, do it) are nearby. And if people will follow the signs to the exit back to park, the traffic flow shouldn't be bad.

Bottom line: Fun and freewheeling. Worth the wait.