Rip Ride Rockit remix: Universal trims playlist to 5 songs
Universal Orlando has thinned the playlist for Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, a roller coaster at Universal Studios theme park that lets riders choose the song to listen to during the ride.
With the update, rockit passengers now select one of five songs representing different genres. Previously, there were six options within each genre for a total of 30 tunes. That list ranged from “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor to “Stronger” by Kanye West. In addition, there were dozens of other songs tucked away via secret codes featuring Muppets, John Mayer, Megadeth and more.
“Moving forward we will only feature one song per genre to simplify the selection experience,” a Universal statement reads.
After getting seated on Rockit, passengers use a small touch-screen built into ride vehicle’s curved lap bar to indicate which song to play through the coaster’s onboard speakers near riders’ ears. Each individual picks for themselves; people seated next to one another commonly select different songs yet do not hear the choice of others. The process is explained, along with safety measures, in endless-loop videos played in the queue.
The new playlist includes “Waterloo” by ABBA (pop/disco), “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” by Shania Twain (country), “Welcome to the Black Parade” by My Chemical Romance (classic rock/metal), “Humble” by Kendrick Lamar (rap/hip-hop) and “Sandstorm” by Darude (club/electronica). None of those five were previous options.
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The songs have changed, but the ride remains the same.
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, which debuted at Universal Studios in 2009, begins with a 17-story straight-up hill that falls into a loop that travels behind the stage of the park’s Music Plaza, then goes to the back side of the park, breaks through a New York set, returns toward the loading station but first makes a couple of circles near the former Blue Man Group soundstage before coming to a stop. Its top speed is 65 mph.
Before it opened, Universal touted some of the coaster’s musically inspired maneuvers, including the double take (the first not-quite-inverted loop) and the jump cut (a corkscrew move that also doesn’t go completely upside-down). The coaster’s track design, as seen from above, was said to form a treble clef.
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