I'm starting a new series examining what I believe to be the top 50 most terrifying roller coasters ever built. We start with number 50:
50. HOLLYWOOD RIP RIDE ROCKIT
Known for: World’s first track
elements
Park: Universal Studios Florida
Location: United States
Type: Steel
Opened: 2009
Designer/Manufacturer: Maurer Söhne
Height (ft.): 167
Speed (mph): 65
Video: http://youtu.be/JjI2a8wRe34
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is a radically innovative steel
coaster that includes one-of-a-kind track elements, cutting-edge technology,
and an interactive audio element. Sprawling across a large section of the park,
the skyline of Universal Studios Florida was changed forever when the Rockit
began thrilling in August of 2009. Riders board a train consisting of two six
passenger cars before ascending the 167 foot tall vertical lift hill. After
reaching a speed of 65 miles per hour the ride soars into a mammoth
non-inverting loop (a loop that twists at the top so the vehicles never turn
upside down). This crazy maneuver is followed by the Treble Clef, where guests
burst through a building façade on track shaped like the music symbol; and
later followed by the Jump Cut, a spiraling, negative-gravity move. If nothing
else, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is surely one of the coolest looking coasters
around, especially at night when the lights on the vehicles are lit up.
The most unique aspect of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is the ability to choose your own song
to rock out to. That is if you can hear it over your own screaming. The music
selection is broken up into 30 songs in five categories; Classic Rock/Heavy
Metal, Club/Electronica, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, and Pop Music/Disco. In addition
to these 30 songs, Universal has also included a number of “hidden” tracks that
are accessible via entering secret codes into the ride’s touchpads before your
journey begins. A personalized take-home music video is also available for
purchase for those wanting to remember and share their terrifying ordeal with
their friends.