More news on HRRR at Universal Orlando!

Adrenaline pumping and music thumping, you head straight toward the sky. Suddenly, you’re doing 65 mph, 17 stories over the streets and buildings of Universal Studios^®. Gasping with excitement, you rock out to the song YOU picked before strapping in. And, best of all, every scream-filled moment of your aerial adventure has been caught on video.

Get ready to put music into motion on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit^SM, the world’s most technologically-advanced roller coaster. On this groundbreaking thrill ride, you pick the soundtrack while on-board cameras capture your pulse-pounding flight in, around, and over Universal Studios. Back on the ground, you can customize and purchase a music video of your ride. The “never been done before” elements extend to the track itself with several unique moves, including the world’s first non-inverting loop.

Scheduled to open in Spring 2009, Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit will be the most personalized and immersive roller coaster experience in the world!

Source: Universal Orlando

Posted by: Michael Crandell

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Get ready for Manta! Only at SeaWorld!

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Photos of Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit Coaster going up (fast!) at Universal Studios

Made the cycle yesterday at Universal Studios and was pleased to see visible, vertical progress on its Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit roller coaster, which is scheduled to open this spring. It's going to have impact on the landscape, for sure, with that reddish rail and bright yellow supports visible from the far side of Universal CityWalk. Here are a few pictures.

This looks to be bumpy ride so all you coaster enthusiasts get your rear ends ready because this is going to be one long summer!

Tickets for Universal Orlando can be purchased by calling Kissimmee Guest Services at: 877.273.5636 or going online at: www.kgstickets.com

Posted by: Michael Crandell

Sources: Universal Orlando, The Orlando Sentinel

Universal Mardi Gras - 2009

Universal Orlando has announced its lineup of entertainers for this year's Mardi Gras celebration, which kicks off Feb. 7. There's a twist to the scheduling. Instead of the usual Saturdays-only routine, one Sunday (Feb. 14) and one Friday (March 27) has been added to the mix. The event runs through April 18 at the Universal Studios theme park.

UPDATE: Where will these concerts be held, you might ask. I did. After all, the usual "boneyard" location has spent a good deal of time behind construction walls for months. Here's the park's official stance: "Universal Orlando will debut a new, permanent live-performance venue during this year's Mardi Gras season. More details, along with the venue's opening date, will follow soon." So they have a plan, but won't give dates yet. Stay tuned.

Anyway, the diverse list of performers is includes an American Idol winner, country artists, back-in-the-day acts, rap and pop.

Feb. 7: KC and the Sunshine Band

Feb. 14: Frankie Valli & the Four Season

Feb. 15: The Village People

Feb. 21: Ne-Yo

Feb. 28: Pat Benatar (featuring Neil Giraldo)

March 7: Barenaked Ladies

March 14: Montgomery Gentry

March 21: Collective Soul

March 27: Boys Like Girls

March 28: Kelly Clarkson

April 4: MC Hammer

April 11: Trace Adkins

April 18: Nelly

As in the past, New Orleans bands will play in the theme park's French Quarter replica. They are:

Big Red and the Zydeco Playmakers (Feb. 7), Lil Malcolm and the House Rockers (Feb. 14-15), Daddy Mac Blues Band (Feb. 21), Chris Klein and the Boulevards (Feb. 28), Rockin Jake (March 7), Mem Shannon and the Membership (March 14), Honey Islands Swamp Band (March 21), Jumpin Johnny Sansone (March 27-28), Soul Project (April 4), Lil Nathan and the Zydeco Big Timers (April 11), Lil Brian and the Zydeco Travelers (April 18).

Multi-day tickets can be purchased in advance by calling Kissimmee Gust Services at 877.273.5636 or by going online at: www.kgstickets.com