Apollo 13 attraction - CoasterBuzz

I was just at Universal and IOA this last week and asked around about Kongfrontation which to my wonderful suprise was open. I talked with two seperate people at the Kongfrontation attraction and one employee at IOA(working dragons). I first asked about the demise of Kong and the two employees that worked at Kong felt that the Mummy attraction will be built where the Hanna Barbara attraction is now and that Kong was not closing. Further questions about Apollo 13 yielded that they were DEFINATELY building this attraction at Islands. I confirmed this at IOA talking to a ride op there. No one was sure how the ride would fit into the current Islands setup, where it would go, if they would add another island ect...

Just some info gathering I did. Take it for whatever you want.

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I know I saw a US patent for the ride...but I forget exactly what type of ride it is. Can anyone fill me in?
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Skater for life!

Here is the patent:

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/search-bool.html&r=2&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=ft00&s1=Universal&s2='roller+coaster'&OS=Universal+AND+%22roller+coaster%22&RS=Universal+AND+%22roller+coaster

How would an Apollo 13 attraction fight into any island at IOA? I could see the ride concept, but not themed to Apollo 13 unless it was at USF.

so let me get this straight, you board a car looking like a space craft that is fully enclosed exept for a port hole, you strap in and go through a roller-coaster coarse with loops and the like, thats pretty awsome!
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Is there somthing more, then what I've been handed, I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answers!- Hoobastank

While I am in no way desputing what you are saying (I could easily see this happening), remember ride-ops cannot 'confirm' anything. They simply park in a back parking lot (paved with the same asphalt as the other parking lots), check in, and enter a gate (yes, very similar to the one you enter except they do not pay :P), head to their ride, and operate it for 6 bucks an hour. Occasionaly they may hear a little something from someone in the employee lounge or something, I guess.

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|| Jonathan Hawkins ||
http://www.starcoasters.com
http://www.thrillspot.com

Like I said, take it for whatever you want...

I mentioned on another thread that I recently got a VERY different story from someone in Guest Relations at IOA...the ride mentioned (on front of several co-workers, I might add) was NOT based on Apollo 13. I think perhaps they take a slightly diferent approcah at IOA/USF, and let their employees "tell stories" about potential future attractions. I was also directed to contact them via e-mail, and their response was speedy, but basically said "we'll keep you posted". So, if I ever hear anything via passholders' stuff they send out frequently, or via their website (which they DO keep updated), I'll submit it as news....

BTW, no offense at all Kick the Sky...I've just gotten SEVERAL different stories down there, definitely the opposite of PKI's "keep mum" approach...LOL...
Oh, and I did grab a ride on Kong last time, just in case THAT part turns out to be prophetic...seems to be the ONLY common thread among the interesting "fabric"...

*** This post was edited by rollergator on 2/24/2002. ***

Yes. Ride ops generally know nothing about the park future, unless it directly involves the closing or modification of their ride. The theme park business is incredibly secretive, so it is not wise to let a plethora of people know what is planned for the future... secrets get let out that way. That would be a very bad thing.

The only people that know anything are the suits... and there is no way that they are going leak information.

I highly doubt that Apollo 13 will be making an appearance at Universal. Why? What would they do for the story of the attraction? We don't want another Twister, afterall!

In my own opinion and logical placement, The Mummy would be positioned in the old Kong building (it will be closing... ) or between BttF and MiB. Another attraction that could be very fun in the Kong building would be a Seizmic (remember that?) themed to the Fast and the Furious... perhaps the long rumored launched coaster?

As for the patents, one can only guess as to what that odd coaster would be used for... I could also see it going toward the Fast and the Furious... or anything for that matter. It is very... varied. There are also other patents that you can find on that site for Universal (I found the Spider-Man ride pattent and read up on it a few weeks ago), such as a simulated rafting ride with 3D movie elements.

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I like fun. DO YOU?!

The ride will be going on the side of Universal. It is currently being built (as of right now) in a building between BTTF and MIB...if you dont believe me, take a look, there is a building being built there. It should be open end of 2002 early 2003... and no, this is not from a ride op (which as other people have said know nothing)...its from an enclosed source.

SiDeWiNdErCSC said:
its from an enclosed source.

I want to know who it is, why they told you, and why you are telling us. If you have a source, why would you jeopardize it?

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If the shoe fits, find another one.

Ill check out the "building" ill be at US at the end of march.
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Joey Ciborek
FLCC Member
www.FloridaCoasterClub.com
"WE RIDE ALL YEAR!"
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