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WHAT IT IS:
A first-of-its-kind psychological thrill ride, “Revenge of
the Mummy” taps into riders’ primal fears through immersion
in a total multi-sensory environment. Utilizing space age robotics,
sophisticated motion picture technology, state-of-the-art ride,
audio and special effects engineering, the ride plays upon common
human phobias: fear of the dark, fear of insects, fear of speed,
fear of heights, fear of devil spirits and fear of death.
Employing the same technology utilized in futuristic magnetic
levitation trains, “Revenge of the Mummy” marks a new
evolution in roller coasters by fusing an electro-magnetic propulsion
launch system with linear induction motor ride tracks.
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT:
With a combined ten years in research and development, “Revenge
of the Mummy” is the first indoor ride in history to fuse
state-of-the-art roller coaster technology with highly-themed dark
ride environments and Hollywood special effects.
THE HOLLYWOOD CONNECTION:
Universal’s attraction designers worked in close collaboration
with the filmmakers and stars of the highly popular “Mummy”
movies. This involvement includes: Stephen Sommers, director and
writer of “The Mummy” and “The Mummy Returns;”
Bob Ducsay editor of "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns"
and executive producer for "The Mummy Returns;" Brendan
Fraser and Arnold Vosloo, stars of “The Mummy” and “The
Mummy Returns;” Alan Silvestri, composer of the original score
for “The Mummy” and “The Mummy Returns.”
RIDE TRACK:
The revolutionary ride track features linear induction motors designed
to propel the ride vehicles through 2,200 feet of curves, drops
and sweeping turns, containing seven near “zero G” moments.
At one point, the vehicle falls 25 feet at a 50-degree angle, providing
the sensation of falling straight down. The ride tracks are strategically
filled with sand, which is designed to minimize sound and create
a noise-free ride… except for the screams!
THE BACKWARDS CHALLENGE:
It is the only indoor roller coaster to employ forwards and backwards
motion through the technique of track switching. During one particularly
hair-raising moment in the ride, the ride vehicle will come to a
halt, its way blocked by a dead-end wall, out of which will pour
thousands of hungry scarabs, heading straight for the riders. Just
in time, the vehicle actually switches tracks and slips backwards
down a steep drop before being launched into a high-speed escape.
EGYPTIAN ARTIFACTS AND AUTHENTICITY:
Themed elements of the ride are the most elaborate ever created
for a thrill ride experience. Universal Studios’ ride producers
traveled to London’s British Museum and worked with leading
experts in Egyptology from the Oriental Institute of Chicago to
assure the authenticity of the ride’s shadowy, curse-ridden
interior.
AUDIO SYSTEM:
“Revenge of the Mummy” surrounds guests with more than
18,000 watts of sound from over 200 speakers placed strategically
throughout the attraction. Aboard each individual mine-car ride
vehicle, guests are enveloped with sound from 22 speakers reverberating
over 350 watts of audio.
MINE CAR RIDE VEHICLES:
16 passengers will be secured into a mine car ride vehicle, with
up to five vehicles navigating the ride track at one time. The roller
coaster launch sends the vehicle climbing approximately 45 feet
at a 25-degree slope in 1.5 seconds with acceleration forces in
excess of 1 G, which is roughly the same acceleration performance
as a Porsche Carrera.
IMHOTEP’S MINION APPARITIONS:
25 30” X 20” black-light apparitions of Imhotep’s
ghostly minions are dispersed throughout the roller coaster portion
of the attraction. The “lost soul” apparitions emerge
from total darkness, and soar past, appearing to guests in flashing
split-second blinding images. This unique after-burn effect is perceived
on a near-subliminal level, helping to “sear” the haunting,
ghostly images into guests’ minds
LENGTH OF RIDE:
2,200 feet of dual rail track making up a four-minute experience
– the scariest ever experienced in an indoor roller coaster
thrill ride.
RAPID SPEED:
The ride catapults guests along a linear induction motor ride track
at rapid speeds through virtual darkness. At over 45 mph, “Revenge
of the Mummy” will be the fastest indoor thrill ride. It is
the first attraction to use linear induction technology to propel
vehicles through a themed environment.
EFFECTS:
At 6’8 and 650 pounds, the ride contains a robotic animated
figure of the Mummy that is the most realistic and fluid-moving
animated figure ever created.
The ride places “Brain Fire” flames directly over guest’s
heads, the first time an attraction has ever created a true immersive
flame effect, with temperatures at ceiling level exceeding 3,400
degrees.
A smoke curtain effect at the launch of the coaster consumes up
to 2,500 gallons of liquid nitrogen per day.
SCENICS:
More than 60,000 pounds of gypsum was used fabricate the “ancient”
slabs of stone making up the walls throughout the Mummy’s
tomb.
More than 3,000 sheets of gold foil were used to create the Mummy’s
gleaming treasure in the attraction - foil that is typically used
as wrapping paper for hamburgers.
The huge statue of the god Anubis hanging in the stairwell of the
attraction building weighs one ton.
Many of the hieroglyphics decorating the walls spell out real words
and warnings to the visitors.
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