There is little to no real plot to The Incredible Hulk Coaster, not like a roller coaster really needs a plot. For those who insist, the story of this ride runs something like this: Bruce Banner has recruited us to partake in a science experiment that, if all goes according to plan, could help him finally learn how to suppress the Hulk inside of him. The queue is sparsely themed to Bruce's lab, with tv monitors throughout that relay the story of Bruce Banner and The Hulk to those who (somehow) do not already know it. Let's face it: the plot doesn't seem all that well thought out. During the pre-show video Bruce doesn't seem to know how we gained access to his labs, mentions that he assumes we plan to attempt to recreate his experiment, and begs us to reconsider. Once we board our coaster car, it appears we are now part of a new experiment. It's all very scatter-shot, and ultimately the failings of the attempted plot really don't matter because the coaster itself is an absolute blast!
During the coaster riders are subjected to a zero G roll, a cobra roll, two vertical loops, a subterranean mist tunnel, and two corkscrews (that makes a total of seven inversions in case you weren't counting). The ride lasts around 2 minutes 15 seconds. The initial lift hill is different than most you have experienced in that mid-lift the coaster suddenly launches your car from 9 to 40 mph in a span of around 2 seconds (the force of the thing will push you back into your seat), after which you are immediately thrown into a zero g roll and down a 105 foot drop. You start the ride inside, and the lift hill launches you from indoors to outdoors. I would say some of the views are beautiful, but let's face it, you'll be too busy screaming to pay attention to your surroundings. This ride is indeed one of the big boys. It's intense, it's loud (the coaster is built by B&M and has those coasters' signature roar, which is fitting since this is inspired by the Hulk). After I rode it for the first time, I realized that if I could handle this (and come off loving it) then I could handle most of the big coasters.
Like most rides that take place outdoors, I'm going to say this one is best ridden at night (it's dark, the wind in your face is cooler, and the whole track is illuminated green at night...it's very pretty). This is likely the best coaster on Universal property, it's probably the most intense as well thanks to that thrilling initial launch (where riders experience around 1 g. The total G Force of the ride is 4). The first 30 seconds of the ride or so are the best (or as I like to say, the front portion or first half), with the rest of the ride ( aka the back portion or second half) managing to be thrilling but a bit slower. Expect long lines most of the time, so if you are ok with splitting up, the single rider line may be worth checking out. If you haven't ridden it yet, I'd say this one is a must-do. Due to it's intensity (and yes, as i said before several times THIS RIDE IS INTENSE. It easily earns its status as one of the big boys), I'm going to say exercise caution when deciding if your little ones should ride it (Gonna lean towards no on that one, unless they love coasters). The Incredible Hulk Coaster not only gives riders a small taste of what it must feel like to be The Hulk, the experience itself is thankfully quite intense, thrilling, fun and incredible as well.
8/ 10 STARS
FUN FACT: The amount of power needed to fuel that first launch would brown out the city of Orlando's power grid every time a coaster left the station, hence why a separate facility had to be built specifically for the ride.
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