Revenge of the Mummy

Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride
Universal Studios Florida
Park section New York City
Coordinates 28°28′36.84″N 81°28′11.59″W / 28.4769000°N 81.4698861°W / 28.4769000; -81.4698861
Status Operating
Opening date May 21, 2004 (2004-05-21)
Cost US$40 million[1]
Replaced Kongfrontation (1990–2002)
Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride at Universal Studios Florida at RCDB
Pictures of Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride at Universal Studios Florida at RCDB
Universal Studios Hollywood
Park section Lower Lot
Coordinates 34°08′26″N 118°21′24″W / 34.1406°N 118.3567°W / 34.1406; -118.3567
Status Operating
Opening date June 25, 2004 (2004-06-25)
Cost US$40 million[1]
Replaced E.T. Adventure (1991–2003)
Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios Hollywood at RCDB
Pictures of Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios Hollywood at RCDB
Universal Studios Singapore
Park section Ancient Egypt
Coordinates 1°15′18″N 103°49′20″E / 1.255002°N 103.822151°E / 1.255002; 103.822151
Status Operating
Opening date March 18, 2010 (2010-03-18)
Cost US$20 million[2]
Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios Singapore at RCDB
Pictures of Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios Singapore at RCDB
General statistics
Type Steel – Launched – Enclosed
Manufacturer Premier Rides
Designer Universal Creative
Lift/launch system Linear induction motors
Height 44.4 ft (13.5 m)
Speed 40 mph (64 km/h)
Inversions 0
Max vertical angle 50°
Height restriction 48 in (122 cm)
Universal Express available

Revenge of the Mummy, officially named Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride, are enclosed roller coasters based on the Mummy film franchise. The rides are located at Universal Studios Florida, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Universal Studios Singapore and use linear induction motors (LIMs) to launch riders from a complete standstill to a top speed of between 40 and 45 mph (64 and 72 km/h) in a matter of seconds.[2][3][4][5] All Revenge of the Mummy roller coasters have a minimum passenger height requirement of 48 inches (120 cm). Two versions of the attraction have the same track layout but different storylines, however the attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood has an original layout and storyline. All three attractions are manufactured by Premier Rides,[2][3][4] feature track switches by Dynamic Structures,[6] and are themed by Universal Creative and ITEC Entertainment Corporation.[1] Some of the alternate features of the Singapore version were designed by Adirondack Studios.

History

In 2002, Universal Parks & Resorts set about designing a dark ride based on the popular Mummy movie franchise. As part of this process, Universal Studios Florida closed Kongfrontation on September 8, 2002,[7] and Universal Studios Hollywood closed E.T. Adventure on March 14, 2003. On May 21, 2004, Revenge of the Mummy opened at Universal Studios Florida.[3] This was followed by the opening of the ride at Universal Studios Hollywood on June 25, 2004.[4]

In December 2008, Resorts World Sentosa, which now encompasses Universal Studios Singapore, announced a Revenge of the Mummy ride would be built at the park, due to open in 2010. Unlike the previous two installations, the one at Universal Studios Singapore was reported to cost only US$20 million instead of US$40 million.[8] On March 18, 2010, the ride officially opened to the public.[2][9]

Revenge of the Mummy was also destined for the new Universal Studios Dubailand theme park where it would exist in the proposed Legendary Heroes section of the park.[10] This has yet to take place, as the Universal Studios Dubailand project is indefinitely on hold.

Universal Studios Florida

Revenge of the Mummy's entrance at Universal Studios Florida.

Revenge of the Mummy opened on May 21, 2004.[3] This Revenge of the Mummy roller coaster uses three LIM launches to propel riders from a complete standstill. The roller coaster lasts nearly three minutes and features a top speed of 45 mph (72 km/h).[5] The track is 2,200-foot (670 m) long featuring no inversions, 80 degree banked turns, and a 50 degree angle of descent. At the end of the ride there is an area where guests may purchase a photo of themselves on the ride from a Mummy themed gift shop titled "Sahara Traders," which replaced Kongfrontation's "Safari Outfitters" gift shop.

The six story, 62,000 square foot building housing the roller coaster was previously home to one of Universal's landmark attractions, Kongfrontation. Homages to the Kong attraction can be found in several areas within Revenge of the Mummy, including a golden statue of King Kong in the second scene of the ride. The slabs used to construct the building were the largest of its kind ever used. Track pieces from Kongfrontation were built into the building during construction and parts of the track still remain within the building. In order to compensate for space, part of the building was excavated several feet deep for the ride's climactic drop.

Queue and pre-show

Guests enter the ride by entering the massive Museum of Antiquities facade, browsing through the film setup of a fictional sequel titled "Revenge of the Mummy". The film's props, molds, and concept drawings are on display inside. TVs around the studio play a video explaining how the original Mummy film was made, and most importantly how the film's fictional curse seemingly was proven to be real while filming, with various accidents and plagues striking the cast and crew. Brendan Fraser is skeptical, though, and refuses to wear the medjai symbol that the crew and locals are convinced will protect them from the curse. Brendan steals crew member Reggie's medjai necklace and demands a coffee (which craft services would not serve him before since he was not wearing the medjai symbol). Reggie injures himself in a freak accident later in the video, and then is seen being trapped inside a sarcophagus prop in the background near the end of the video. The inside queue morphs into a 1940s archaeological dig inside an Egyptian tomb, where guests climb to the second floor to board mine carts utilizing individual lap bars.

Ride

As the ride begins, the mine carts move into another room inside Imhotep's tomb, where Reggie (a "Revenge of the Mummy" crew member who was missing on the set) is seen partly mummified and warns the riders: "Are you insane?! Get out of here! The curse is real; this whole place is a trap! He is after your souls! Look for the medjai symbol. It's your only hope!" Before Reggie can finish his sentence, Imhotep then comes out of a sarcophagus, shouts, "Silence!", sucks out Reggie's soul, and reminds the riders, "With your souls, I shall rule for all eternity!"

The cars next move into a second room where there is treasure on the left and right sides of the car. Imhotep appears from the sand in front of a tomb mural and tempts the riders: "Serve me and savor riches beyond measure, or refuse and savor a more bitter treasure." Soldier mummies appear in front of the treasure. The cart then quickly moves into another room where the mine cart "hits" a wall and scarab beetles come "pouring out" of a wall in front of the riders. The cart then drops backwards into another room where it stops.

Imhotep appears again on a screen above the riders, moving across the screen to the back of the room, while the ride vehicle turns 180 degrees to follow him. Imhotep warns "Not even the medjai can save you now. There is no escape. Your end shall be my beginning. Behold your fate. Will this be your destiny?" Then the ride catapults guests to 40 mph while Imhotep shouts: "Your souls are mine!" The mine cart passes through Imhotep's skull (a fog display) and drops through various turns, while speeding past projections of mummies and fire.

The cart comes to a stop after this, and a female ride attendant appears behind a glassed control booth and thanks them for riding, but Imhotep sucks out her soul, breaks the glass, and sets the ceiling on fire while shouting "Prepare to forfeit your souls! Death is only the beginning!" The cart then drops down 39 ft (the highest drop in the ride) and goes down a winding drop until a medjai symbol appears while Imhotep shouts "NOOOOO!" as the vehicle passes through the medjai symbol.

Then passengers travel through a tunnel of flickering lights with a screen in front of them. Rick O'Connell (as portrayed by Brendan Fraser) appears and tells the riders, "Hey, welcome back! Hope you enjoyed yourself. I would have enjoyed this interview a lot more if I HAD GOTTEN MY CUP OF COFFEE!!!" Suddenly, a cape passes over the screen and Imhotep's arm offers Fraser a cup of coffee. As Fraser screams and falls back in his chair, the screen fades to black, while riders hear Imhotep roaring over Fraser's screams. Riders are then directed to exit through an actual unload station. At the exit of the ride, riders see a missing persons poster with a picture of Reggie on it.

Incident

On September 21, 2004, a 39-year-old man fell four feet from the ride's loading platform onto the tracks below while boarding the front row.[11] He died the following morning during an operation to remove his spleen. The death was ruled accidental by the local Medical Examiner's Office.[12]

Universal Studios Hollywood

Revenge of the Mummy's entrance at Universal Studios Hollywood.

The ride opened on June 25, 2004. The roller coaster has a height restriction of 48 inches.[4] Revenge of the Mummy uses linear induction motors (LIM), a technology used to launch riders. The roller coaster lasts approximately 2 minutes and is housed in the building of the former attraction, the E.T. Adventure.

The ride features warrior mummies, treasures and tombs, a sudden launch, a scarab beetle attack, forwards and backwards motion and surround sound speakers inside the vehicles. Hollywood's coaster was built in the former E.T. Adventure building. Some support beams for the coaster were built by digging downward to accommodate space. The warrior mummies and treasures are replicated film props from The Mummy film series while some are actual props.

Queue and pre-show

Set in 1944, the queue provides riders with a brief backstory of Imhotep and the ride in general. Once guests enter the building's corridor in to the ride, they first see a hole which air will blast out of every 10 to 15 seconds (there are further traps along the corridor.) When guest move further in, the Book of the Dead is seen. A peep hole is also seen, fenced up by wires, containing a mummified man in his sarcophagus and other mummified remains of people whom Imhotep may have sucked their souls out earlier. The man's mummy is surrounded by carnivorous scarab beetles. When guests move deeper into the building (now appearing to be a tomb), they find an abandoned archaeological dig which is actually Imhotep's burial chamber. Looking up ahead in a giant mirror is a pictogram of Imhotep grinning at the guest followed by another pictogram of the guest being chased by Imhotep's army of mummy soldiers. Further in, riders find an archaeological dig set in a backdrop of 1944. The queue ends in an Ancient Egyptian themed loading platform, complete with hieroglyphs and a large statue of a scarab beetle, in which the riders board mine cart-type coasters.

Ride

The ride's layout at Universal Studios Hollywood.

As the ride begins, riders enter a dark tomb lit with dark green and red fluorescent lights, with a mummy coming to life to the left and hissing at riders. From above, Warden Gad Hassan, the prison archaeologist and Omid Djalili's character from The Mummy film (who was thought to have met his fate in the first film), warns guests "Run for your lives! The curse is real! Imhotep lives!" He screams as scarab beetles engulf him. The mine car continues through to a dark chamber, as drops of water fall on guests, and mummies stretch their arms out from each side of the cart while mummified arms appear from the ceiling, trying to grab riders.

The mine car slowly continues into the treasure room, filled with large amounts of golden yellow light, Egyptian hieroglyphs covering the walls, and two gigantic statues of Anubis stationed next to a projector screen, where Imhotep appears from sand in a mural and tells guests, "Serve me and savor the riches of eternal life." The mine car makes a sharp turn as the yellow room quickly turns a dark shade of green, Imhotep continues his monologue... "And join us in eternal death." The mine car moves into the grand gallery as an animatronic Imhotep continues to speak a curse in Egyptian language "Akum ra, akum de," before exclaiming "Now your souls belong to me... FOREVER!" At the same time, the grand gallery starts to collapse after Imohtep used the powerful curse from the Scroll of Osiris. A wall behind him collapses, forming an eclipse as four more mummy warriors drop down from each side of the track, holding cutlasses in their hands.

The car is then launched at a high speed into darkness as the ride photo is taken. The surround sound speakers in the mine cart provide riders with an added dimension of entertainment, as the sound score begins. The ride continues for 56 seconds in darkness, going around high banked turns and small drops. Various images of mummy warriors and Imhotep are illuminated with ultraviolet lighting as the car twists and turns. The mine car makes a sharp uphill movement and veers left, where the track viciously brakes in a corner. Scarab beetles appear on the walls with help of projectors, as the added special effects of air jets at riders' feet and a spray of water from above create the illusion of the vehicle being overrun by the bugs. The car moves backwards into the underworld as Imhotep's evil laugh roars on the soundtrack. The vehicle makes a few more twists and turns, while more images of Imhotep and the mummy warriors are lit up as it continues backwards and Imhotep reminds riders "There's no place to hide! Your souls are MINE!"

The car slows suddenly under the last illuminated painting of Imhotep's outstretched grasp and moves slowly into another room. A turntable moves the car into a forward-facing position as fog machines and strobe lighting fill the blackened room. As the car faces forward once again, Imhotep appears as a projected image and screams "NOOOOO!" hauntingly at riders before vanishing. There is a second of uncertain silence before a floodlight hits riders, and as a wall lifts up into the ceiling to allow the car to pass through, a second strobe light blinds guests. Imhotep's curse is broken as the ride enters the loading platform.

Modifications

Originally, the ride featured faux-fire and projection effects during the final encounter with Imhotep, engulfing the ride vehicle in pressurized steam and specialized lighting.[13] The ride now uses strobe effects, with a brief pause before the false wall rises on the loading platform.[14]

Universal Studios Singapore

Revenge of the Mummy's entrance at Universal Studios Singapore.

Revenge of the Mummy was opened on 18 March 2010 with the soft opening of the park.[2][15][16] This Revenge of the Mummy roller coaster is nearly identical to the version at Universal Studios Florida.[17][18] However, the Singapore version includes new sounds and effects, as well as a new ending featuring Imhotep being sealed inside his tomb.[15][19] The ride's new theming was designed by Adirondack Studios, ITEC Entertainment Corp. and Universal Creative.[20][21][22]

Queue and pre-show

Unlike the Orlando version of the ride, guests enter an Egyptian tomb directly. Props from the Mummy film franchise and wall paintings of Imhotep's life as a high priest are featured in the inner queue areas similar to the Orlando version of the ride. At the loading station, guests board mine cars utilizing individual lap bars.[23]

Ride

As the ride begins with mine cars move deeper into the tomb. The words "Find the Book" are scrawled over the walls. As the mine car turns, riders see Evelyn's supervisor trapped on a table, who tells the riders: "Find the Book of the Living and kill Imhotep! It's your only hope!". Standing next to him is Imhotep, who then turns towards riders and sucks out the supervisor's soul. He is holding onto the Book of the Dead. Imhotep's voice echoes throughout the tomb when he warns riders that they will never find the other book and he will rule for all eternity with their souls. Outlines of the Book of the Living, on the walls at the left, glow in red. Almost identical to the Orlando version, the vehicle next move into a room with treasure all over. Imhotep appears from the sand in a tomb mural ahead and tempts riders with "Serve me and savor riches beyond measure". Light appears across the room, revealing treasure around the room. Imhotep also sternly states, "or refuse, and savor a more bitter treasure!", and utters an Egyptian curse: "Akudei makrraken ra!!".

The vehicle then quickly moves into another room and halts into a sudden stop, nearly "crashing" into a wall, causing scarab beetles to "burst out" from the walls in front and at the sides. Then the vehicle drops backwards and turns in a 180 degree circle and Imhotep warns the riders: "You will never find the book. Your end shall be my beginning. Behold your fate. YOUR SOULS ARE MINE!". At this instant, riders are accelerated from 0 to 40 miles per hour (64 km/h) in a matter of seconds. The vehicle accelerates up a hill as it goes through Imhotep's skull and drops through various turns past projections of mummies.

The vehicle comes to a stop after this, and riders will find the Book of the Living on a pedestal. Soon, Imhotep's voice is heard saying, "Without this book, you will never stop me! Prepare to forfeit your souls!" and he suddenly appears behind the book. The ceiling of the room is engulfed in flames as Imhotep threatens the riders once again, opening the book and causing the mummies to glow red as he activates the curse. The vehicle moves forward and drops down "into hell" (the camera is located here) and goes down a winding drop before the brake run. Further on, riders "pass through" a wall and will see a sarcophagus hanging from the ceiling with Imhotep trapped inside. As the eyes of his Sarcophagus glow red, he warns the riders that "Death is only the beginning!" followed by an evil laugh as the riders move on to the unload platform.

Comparison

Statistic Universal Studios Florida[3] Universal Studios Hollywood[4] Universal Studios Singapore[2]
Opened May 21, 2004 June 25, 2004 March 18, 2010
Length 2,200 feet or 670 metres 1,906 feet or 581 metres 2,200 feet or 670 metres
Speed 45 miles per hour or 72 kilometres per hour 40 miles per hour or 64 kilometres per hour 45 miles per hour or 72 kilometres per hour
Duration 2:57 2:00 2:57
Cost US$40 million US$40 million US$20 million

Awards

Golden Ticket Awards: Best Indoor Coaster
Year 2004 2007 2011 2013 2015 2016
Ranking 5 2 (tie)
1
1
 1[24] 1[25]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Schneider, Mike (30 May 2004). "An amusing summer". Deseret News. Associated Press. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Marden, Duane. "Revenge of the Mummy  (Universal Studios Singapore)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Marden, Duane. "Revenge of the Mummy  (Universal Studios Florida)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Marden, Duane. "Revenge of the Mummy  (Universal Studios Hollywood)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  5. 1 2 Universal Parks & Resorts. "Revenge of the Mummy ride at Universal Orlando". Retrieved 2009-01-17.
  6. ↑ "Portfolio". Dynamic Attractions. Retrieved August 3, 2014.
  7. ↑ Johnson, Robert (21 August 2002). "Universal Will Close King Kong Attraction". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  8. ↑ Resorts World Sentosa (26 December 2008). "Premier Rides tapped to build Mummy ride for Universal Singapore". CoasterBuzz. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  9. ↑ Ferroa, Susan (16 March 2010). "Miles of smiles and fun at Universal Studios Singapore". Channel News Asia. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  10. ↑ Hart, Lance (24 October 2008). "Universal Studios Dubailand". Screamscape. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  11. ↑ Mussenden, Sean (September 23, 2004). "Fun Day At Park Turns Tragic". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  12. ↑ Mussenden, Sean (September 24, 2004). "Death On `Mummy' Ride Ruled Accidental". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  13. ↑ "An Inside Look at Universal's Revenge of the Mummy". Theme Park Insider.
  14. ↑ "A closer look at: Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride – Inside Universal". insideuniversal.net.
  15. 1 2 Brown, Mr (19 March 2010). "It's finally open – First look (and ride) at Universal Studios Singapore". CNN. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  16. ↑ Xin Yi, Tho (12 February 2010). "Universal Studios Singapore promises thrilling fun for everyone". Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  17. ↑ "Revenge of the Mummy (Universal Studios Singapore)". Parkz. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  18. ↑ Universal Studios Singapore. "Resorts World Sentosa- Revenge of the Mummy, a thrilling indoor dark ride in Ancient Egypt, Universal Studios Singapore". Resorts World Sentosa. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
  19. ↑ Bernard, Jami (4 May 2001). "'Mummy' Swathed In Fx Action-packed Sequel Doesn't Preserve Original's Human Charm". New York Daily News. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  20. ↑ Wise, Jeff (17 March 2009). "Premier Rides' business is a roller-coaster – literally". CNN. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  21. ↑ "Amusement & Leisure Design | Attractions | Design & Installation | Revenge of the Mummy". Adirondack Studios. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
  22. ↑ Kuncman, Stefanie (11 May 2009). "Coan's next project: Revenge of the Mummy ride in Singapore". Orlando Business Journal. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  23. ↑ "Revenge of the Mummy Universal Studios Singapore". Video. YouTube. 26 March 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
  24. ↑ "Baltimore's Premier Rides takes home golden ticket for roller coaster design". ABC2News Baltimore. October 14, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  25. ↑ "Park and ride winners" (PDF). Amusement Today. 16 (6.2): 10. September 2016.
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