Thursday, November 24, 2011

Universal Studios Islands of Adventure: Hulk Roller Coaster

You'll hear a loud noise as you enter Super Hero Island. You'll wonder if you're imagining things, could that be roaring? In case you're wondering what it is:

It's the rage of the Hulk roller coaster at Islands of Adventure!

You've come face-to-face with one of the most popular Islands of Adventure rides.

You want to know what's going on? Then enter Bruce Banner's lab to see what all this noise is about.

Islands of Adventure Hulk

Doctor Bruce Banner's got quite a set-up: you'll walk past power generators, Towers of Power and a Gamma Core, all of which he's set up to conduct his experiments on himself... and you.

He's trying to reverse the effects of the gamma radiation that turns him into the Hulk. Upon entering this Islands of Adventure attraction, you've volunteered your body to help him find a cure.

Television monitors are set up throughout the lab as you head toward the Hulk roller coaster's boarding area.

These monitors show you an animated history of how Dr. Bruce Banner became the Hulk, and what effects it's had on him, and what the Hulk's effects have been on the rest of the world.

Watch his story, because you'll be left to decide whether the Hulk is an evil monster that should be destroyed, or whether the Hulk is a true hero.

You'll see the green, glistening Hulk coaster pull up to the platform as you approach the boarding area. You'll also see the tunnel that your car will take you through when it's you're turn to participate in this experiment.

That tunnel is the entrance to the Gamma tube. Dr. Banner's intent is to use the tube to bombard himself, and you, with gamma particles.

He hopes to find a way to rid himself of the Hulk's rage forever, without evoking his own transformation into the Hulk once again.

So have a seat, pull the lap bar down over your head and strap yourself in - I'm sure nothing will go wrong with this experiment.

Tip: If you don't mind waiting an extra half hour, you'll find a" front row only" line to the left of the regular line when you get close to the Hulk Ride boarding area. It's worth the wait to sit in the front row at least once for this ride.

As your car begins to move into the Gamma tube, you'll set off on a normal climb up a typical roller coaster incline - seemingly. You'll hear Dr. Banner reassuring you that everything looks good and the experiment is going well.

It just might work this time.

If all goes well, you really have nothing to worry about.

If the experiment starts failing... well, without giving away too much information, let's just say that by the time you get to the Gamma tube's exit 150 feet away, you'll be moving at around 40 mph.

Welcome to the Hulk, Islands of Adventure-style. Get ready for high-speed twists, sharp turns, huge drops and plunges into misty tunnels.

If you survive the Hulk at Islands of Adventure, you'll be able to view photos of you and your party screaming while you were on the roller coaster.