Incredible Hulk Roller CoasterMonstrous rage has never felt so exciting!In the slide show above, you're viewing pictures of the Incredible Hulk roller coaster at Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park in Orlando, Florida. As you suspected, this roller coaster is themed after the Marvel Comics' huge green monster, the Incredible Hulk. You might also secretly suspect that if Dr. Bruce Banner felt as great when he turns into the Hulk as the riders of this coaster do, then he'd absolutely QUIT trying to stop turning into The Hulk! He'd WANT to transform! On this page, you can see Hulk coaster pics and get the info you need to decide if you want to try it. But, if you're at all adventuresome, quit being GREEN with envy, and get on board! What's most fun about the Hulk coaster?Its blast-off speed? Its many inversions? Its devotion to the story line?
Anyone who knows the Incredible Hulk's basic story will recognize this coaster's plot instantly.Most riders already know that Dr. Bruce Banner turns into a huge green monster called the Incredible Hulk whenever he gets angry. He grows & bursts out of his clothes. As he stomps around in his clothing shreds, anyone around him just might get ripped to shreds, too, if the Hulk catches up with 'em. Most riders also know that nice-guy Dr. Banner wasn't born with this affliction...and that it happened because of a radiation overdose. And, most riders know that Bruce Banner HATES turning into the Hulk, and is always tinkering in the lab trying to reverse the embarrassing effects of his accident. So...riders aren't at all surprised when they discovered that the ride's boarding area resembles a lab. Or, that the first part of their journey will be through a giant-sized gamma ray tube. 
But, for riders, that purple tube signals the END of their "safe" and the "secure" little worlds...as they quickly catapult into a realm which is full of surprises! You didn't suspect that Dr. Banner's lab-tests-gone-wild would affect YOU, did you! Or that the twists, turns and upside-down inversions which look so TAME when other riders go through them would turn you into a screaming maniac, did you! Or, worst of all, that the roller coaster's first hill...which always gives you time to collect your thinking as it chugs along slowly upwards...isn't a typical "hill" at all. It's a launch pad! Gulp, just HOW fast does the Incredible Hulk roller coaster go?And how tall do I have to be to ride the Hulk coaster at Islands of Adventure?
The Incredible Hulk coaster reaches a speed of 67 MPH...but that's not really the part you have to worry about! It's that first blast which takes you from a dead stand-still all the way up to 40 MPH in the first 2 seconds of the ride that will make you scream without even wanting to. Er, IF you can get any sound to come out of your throat at all, that is! You'll almost have to remind yourself to breathe! Needless to say, this isn't a ride that youngsters should experience, then, is it? Therefore-- The Incredible Hulk roller coaster's minimum height is 54" tall. 
What other safety rules should you know about the Hulk coaster? Because the Incredible Hulk flies so fast and turns upside-down so many times---7 times, actually---there are rules everyone must follow to keep the riders (and the people walking beneath them!) safe. All bags, cameras, packages, sunglasses, etc must be placed in a locker. Inexpensive lockers are located near the attraction's entrance so that you may ride totally unencumbered and worry-free...and the guests beneath the ride won't get bonked on the head by your falling camera! Over-the-shoulder harness restraints must be worn, and if your body won't fit them properly, you won't be able to ride. Expectant mothers and people with certain medical conditions (such as heart trouble or neck/spinal problems) should not ride. Your touring plan for the Incredible Hulk roller coasterThe good, the bad and the downright ugly....
We all know the "Good:" the Incredible Hulk is great fun to ride.We all suspect the "Bad:" namely, that the Incredible Hulk builds up huge lines during the most popular months at Universal's Islands of Adventure Park. But you may not know the hideously "ugly" secret: ALL guests who stay at any of the 3 Universal Studios hotels currently get "front of line" passes as a perk! All day, every day of their stay! (Read about it, if you like, from Universal's own website; here's a link to the page which talks about getting a free express pass by staying in a Universal Orlando hotel. This is supremely unfair, and puts a line ahead of you...at least theoretically...even if you're one of the first people to reach the ride queue. Any time a hotel guest wants to stroll ahead of you, they can! It's not that any of us wouldn't WANT to stay at Universal's lovely hotels, but not all of us can afford it. We're lucky enough to be in Orlando at all, and staying in a plain-but-clean budget hotel (or campground) is the only reason we can be there. 
So, try one of several strategies---1.) Try to plan an off-season vacation. Lines are shorter during non-holiday weeks and during non-summer vacation months. 2.) For busy-season visits, get to Islands of Adventure early, then speed-walk to the Incredible Hulk attraction. 3.) Get Universal's Express Pass Plus, which means that...for a fee...you, too, can join the elite group swishing past the regular lines. The price can be reasonable (like during the off-season, when you might not need one!) but can rise into the "ouch" zone during busy periods. Still...Universal doesn't charge unreasonable admission prices; you may feel that the extra fee is worth it in exchange for attending a high-quality park...and saving your own valuable time along with it. If you need information about Universal Orlando's Express Pass Plus, here's a link to the park website's Express Pass Plus info page.
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