usrentacar.co.uk ® Car Hire USA Blog

Hi all,

Final day of my top 5 thrill rides in Florida. Monday featured the music loving Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios, Tuesday’s post was all about the unique riding experience of Manta at SeaWorld, Wednesday’s Coaster was the scream inducing Sheikra at Busch Gardens and Thrusday belonged to the big, green speed machine known as the Incredible Hulk Ride at Islands of Adventure.

Today’s ride is actually two rides… Dragon Challenge at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Dragon Challenge at Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The dragon challenge at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter places you right in the middle of the tri-wizard tournament.

Are you brave enough to ride one of the most ferocious dragons in the Wizarding World? Either the Chinese Fireball or the Hungarian Horntail!

Of course the dragons don’t want you on their backs, so they will try and throw you off by looping the loop, flying toward walls at break neck speeds and at one point playing chicken with each other.

The Dragon Challenge is the only dual inverted roller coaster in the World; each Dragon gives the rider a completely unique riding experience.

Roller Coaster Information

The Height Requirement for both Dragons on the Dragon Challenge is 54?

Chinese Fireball

Height: 125 ft (38.1 m)

Drop: 115 ft (35.1 m)

Length: 3200 ft (975.4 m)

Max speed: 60mph (96.6 km/h)

Inversions: 5

Hungarian Horntail

Height: 125 ft (38.1 m)

Drop: 95 ft (35. 1m)

Length: 3200 ft (975.4 m)

Max speed: 55mph (96.6 km/h)

Inversions: 5

Wizarding Tip – For the best ride experience try and get a front row seat when riding the Hungarian Horntail however for the Chinese Fireball try and get seats on the back row, the G-Force is increased at the back!

Wizarding Fact – When the trains are loaded, they are weighed as they are being dispatched in order to properly time the near-miss points.

The rides main talking point is the near miss part of the ride as competitors come within 18 inches of each other.

usrentacar.co.uk offer great rates of Florida attraction tickets the Orlando Flex Ticket or the Universal bonus tickets get you entry in to Universal Islands of Adventure for up to 14 days.

What’s your favourite ride?

regards,

James

Hi all,

Day 4 of my top 5 Thrill Rides in Florida, day 1 featured the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios, day 2 was dedicated too SeaWorld’s unique coaster, Manta and yesterday, Day 3 we popped down to Tampa to ride SheiKra at Busch Gardens.

Today’s roller coaster can be found at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in the Marvel zone and literally stands out!

The Incredible Hulk Coaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

It’s big, it’s green and it’s fast….

The Incredible Hulk Coaster is 110 feet high and features my favourite ever start to a ride. As per the origins of the Hulk, the ride begins in a Gamma tube, riders slowly begin to rise up the hill to the sounds of Dr Bruce Banner during testing.

“Everything looks good…I think…I think this time it’s…going to work!”

At this point a mechanical voice interrupts stating there has been an error, loud klaxon’s sound and Dr Bruce Banner can be heared screaming

No. No! No!!!…….Noooooooooooooo

and this is where it gets good….. the rider is then catapulted from 0-40mph in 2 sec’s up the 110ft hill, from the dark of the Gamma tube to the bright Orlando sun…

…straight  into a zero-g roll, down a 105-foot (32 m) drop, and into a cobra roll. Riders complete a vertical loop, then enter a tunnel full of mist. At this point of the ride, the train’s speed has reached approximately 65 mph. The train encircles the gamma tube and is sent into the back area via corkscrew. A smaller vertical loop wraps around the brake run, which is flanked by two over-banked turns. The coaster is slowed down by the brake run before being sent down another hill to a corkscrew and turn-around. Riders then travel sideways through an on-ride camera zone and then to the ride’s final brakes after a helix.

Ride facts

Height - 110 ft (34 m)

Drop - 105 ft (32 m)

Length - 3,700 ft (1,100 m)

Max speed - 67 mph (108 km/h)

Inversions – 7

Duration - 2:15

Capacity - 1920 riders per hour

Acceleration – 0 ? 40 mph in 2 seconds, producing 1.42 G’s

Max G force – 4Gs

Height restriction – 4 ft 6 in (137 cm)

The talking point of this ride is the beginning, for first time riders who aren’t expecting the sudden burst of power it will have you giggling while pinned to your seat.

usrentacar.co.uk offer great rates of Florida attraction tickets the Orlando Flex Ticket or the Universal bonus tickets get you entry in to Universal Islands of Adventure for up to 14 days.

What’s your favourite ride?

regards,

James

Hi all,

Just a quick reminder that we still have some Universal 2-Park Bonus tickets available for the very attractive price of only £85.00 per adult this includes NO CC charges and FREE postage.

To take advantage of this great price please call our reservations department on 0845 226 8523.

About the 2-Park Bonus Ticket

Enjoy the best of Universal Orlando^® Resort! Receive admission to Universal Studios Florida^® andUniversal’s Islands of Adventure^® theme parks, plus all-club access to the live entertainment at Universal CityWalk^®, for up to fourteen (14) consecutive days.

Universal Orlando Resort^® offers not one, but TWO amazing theme parks side-by-side, non-stop nightlife, and world-class on-site hotels, all within easy walking distance. Jump right into the action of the movies at Universal Studios Florida^®, the world’s premier movie and TV-based theme park. Experience the thrills of Universal’s Islands of Adventure^®, where legendary stories and best-loved fictional characters come to life on the most innovative rides and attractions ever created. Enjoy live music, dining, dancing, shopping, movies and more at The Entertainment Capital of Orlando^SM,Universal CityWalk^® – home of the incomparable Blue Man Group.

Universal Studios
Go beyond the screen and jump into the action of your favourite films and TV shows at the world’s premier movie and TV based theme park. Careen and crash your way through Krustyland in the wild and hilarious The Simpsons Ride™.  Experience the fun and excitement of Revenge of the Mummy^®, Shrek 4-D™, MEN IN BLACK™ Alien Attack™ and more. Take your music for a ride^SM on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit^®, the most interactive and personalized roller coaster ever!

Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Take an unforgettable journey through remarkably themed islands where all your favourite myths, legends, comic books, cartoons and children’s stories come to life.  Experience innovative rides, shows and interactive attractions that challenge all your senses, including The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man^®, Jurassic Park River Adventure^® and The Cat in the Hat™.

Universal CityWalk —The Entertainment Capital of Orlando^SM
Enjoy the best in live music, casual and fine dining, dancing, shopping, movies and more at Universal CityWalk, The Entertainment Capital of Orlando^SM. Enjoy a range of cuisine from Emeril’s^® Restaurant Orlando to Jimmy Buffett’s^® Margaritaville^® and the world’s largest Hard Rock Cafe^®. Blue Man Group, of unique live music, unexpected humour, and lots of paint!

Regards,

James

Hi all,

Today featured the big announcement of the secretive and mysterious J.K. Rowling owned website pottermore.com.

The internet has been awash with rumours and idea’s of what the site could be and was a Worldwide trending topic on twitter last week.

Most Potter fans were hoping it was a site to announce a new book in the Harry Potter series… unfortunately this wasn’t so…

Pottermore

The site was revealed to be an online interactive Harry Potter experience which will become live in October, the site will also be the exclusive place to purchase the Potter series in digital format.

Remember here at usrentacar.co.uk we are currently selling the 2-Park Universal Bonus ticket for only £85.00 giving you unlimited access to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter over 14 consecutive days, to book call 0845 226 8523.

regards,

James,

Hi all,

Following on from yesterdays 2010 Top 20 USA Theme Parks By Attendance I thought I’d share with you the 2010 Worldwide theme park attendance figures.

Top 25 Worldwide Theme Parks

1. Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom
2. Disneyland
3. Tokyo Disneyland
4. Tokyo DisneySea
5. Epcot
6. Disneyland Paris
7. Disney’s Animal Kingdom
8. Disney’s Hollywood Studios
9. Universal Studios Japan
10. Everland, Gyeonggi-Do, South Korea
11. Disney California Adventure
12. Universal’s Islands of Adventure
13. Universal Studios Florida
14. Lotte World, Seoul, South Korea
15. Hong Kong Disneyland
16. SeaWorld Orlando
17. Ocean Park, Hong Kong
18. Universal Studios Hollywood
19. Walt Disney Studios Paris
20. Nagashima Spa Land, Kuwana, Japan
21. Europa Park
22. Busch Gardens Tampa
23. Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, Yokohama, Japan
24. De Eftleing
25. SeaWorld San Diego

Amazing to see how dominate Disney still remain, the Potter factor has obviously helped Universal in 2010 but how long can it continue?

What are your thoughts?

regards,

James

Hi all,

Apologies for the lack of posts recently, I’ve just returned from a great trip to Orlando, where I got exclusive access to some of the greatest parks and rides in Florida, I will be blogging about that later, however while I was away the 2010 USA theme park attendance results were posted.

U.S. Top 20 for 2010:

1. Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, 16.92 million, -1.5%
2. Disneyland, 15.98 million, +0.5%
3. Epcot, 10.83 million, -1.5%
4. Disney’s Animal Kingdom, 9.69 million, +1.0%, up one position
5. Disney’s Hollywood Studios, 9.60 million, -1.0%, down one position
6. Disney California Adventure, 6.28 million, +3.0%
7. Universal’s Islands of Adventure, 5.95 million, +30.2%, up two positions
8. Universal Studios Florida, 5.93 million, +6.1%
9. SeaWorld Orlando, 5.10 million, -12.1%, down two positions
10. Universal Studios Hollywood, 5.04 million, +26.0%
11. Busch Gardens Tampa, 4.20 million, +2.4%, up one position
12. SeaWorld San Diego, 3.80 million, -9.5%, down one position
13. Knott’s Berry Farm, 3.60 million, +8.0%
14. Canada’s Wonderland, 3.38 million, +7.0%
15. Kings Island, 3.11 million, +3.7%
16. Cedar Point, 3.05 million, +3.7%
17. Hersheypark, 2.89 million, +3.0%, up one position
18. Busch Gardens Williamsburg, 2.80 million, -3.4%, down one position
19. Six Flags Great Adventure, 2.70 million, +2.5%
20. Six Flags Great America, 2.70 million, +10.2%

Having a quick look at these attendance figures the most striking statistic is the huge popularity of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which has helped Universal Islands of Adventure increase attendance by 30.2% to 5.95 Million.

Regards,

James,

Hi all,

As we reported on our facebook page yesterday www.facebook.com/usrentacar.co.uk Universal have released information regarding some new features they will be adding to Universal Islands of Adventure.

Despicable Me

The new Despicable Me ride, which will replace the Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast attraction, is due to officially open in 2012 and will use latest state of the art 3D technology.

Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative, said

“Gru, the world’s most wonderful supervillain, and his three adorable daughters are coming to Universal Orlando, and Gru has a new invention and needs some help getting it deployed, so he’s going to transform the whole audience into minions.”

The ride will transport guests in an eight-passenger vehicle through Gru’s home, laboratory and “an entire training process to become minions,” Woodbury said. That theming will extend to riders’ 3-D glasses.

“As a minion, you’re going to have to have minion goggles, the minions will follow folks after the ride at an “interactive dance party”

Spider-Man

One of the more popular rides at Islands of Adventure will get the full HD treatment.

“The characters will be so amazing in details. You’ll be able to see the details in the flames of Hobgoblin’s pumpkins; you’ll be able to see electricity arcing through Electro’s body, Spider-Man’s glove when he’s pointing at us; you’ll be able to see the stitching in his glove — down to that detail.”

The ride also will receive new 3-D “Spider-Vision” glasses with lenses made of dichroic filters to improve the attraction’s color and clarity, Universal said.

regards,

James

Hi all,

Just thought I’d let you know of a great offer we currently have running for the Universal 3-Park Bonus Ticket.

At present we are offer this ticket at 2010 prices and includes entry to Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Wet N’ Wild and Universal City Walk for 14 consecutive days.

Included in the Price

• Free delivery
• No Credit Card Fee’s.
• Real Tickets not vouchers.

For only £100.00 per ticket.

More information can be found here – http://usrentacar.co.uk/tickets/orlando/universal/3_park_bonus_ticket_info.aspx

2-Park Bonus Tickets are also available from £84.00.

To take advantage of this great deal call us on 0845 226 8523.

Kind regards,

James

Its competition time here at usrentacar.co.uk® and with Christmas quickly reducing all your cash we are offering a quick way to make some fast cash.

To enter our competition we are simply asking you to write a review on any of the following subjects

• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• Discovery Cove
• Universal Studio’s Orlando
• Busch Gardens
• SeaWorld
• Islands of Adventure

Your review can be as long as you like or a short as you like, and can be backed up with a picture. We are looking for entertaining but real life reviews on these subjects.

How do I enter?

To enter you can either fill in the form provided on our blog – click here

you can email in your submission via jamest@usrentacar.co.uk

or you can send it via post to this address – click here

What do I win?

First Place – £100 worth of  House of Fraser Vouchers.

Second Place – £50 worth of  House of Fraser Vouchers.

Third Place – £25 worth of  House of Fraser Vouchers.

When?

Entries can be submitted now until the 31st January 2011 and reviewers can enter as many reviews as they wish.

Judges

Winners will be judged by a panel of 3 including

Karl Hendrie – Managing Director of bargainvillas.co.uk

Gavin Boswell – Managing Director of usrentacar.co.uk®

Steve Harrison – Marketting Manager of compareattractiontickets.com

Terms

1. This competition is open to residents of the UK, Channel Islands Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland aged 18 years or over except employees of U.S. Rent A Car Ltd, their families, agents or anyone else professionally associated with this competition.

2. All information detailing how to enter forms part of these terms and conditions. It is a condition of entry that all rules are accepted as final and that the competitor agrees to abide by these rules. Submission of an entry will be taken to mean acceptance of these terms and conditions.

3. Late, incomplete, illegible, defaced or corrupt entries will not be accepted. No responsibility can be accepted for lost entries and proof of sending will not be accepted as proof of receipt. Entries must not be sent through agencies or third parties.

4. Entries must be received by midnight on 31st January 2010.

5. To participate in this competition, entrants must write a report on one of the subjects details above.

6. Entries must be the work of the individual submitting them and must not have been published elsewhere or have won a prize in any other competition. It is the responsibility of each entrant to ensure that no element of their entry infringes the copyright of any third party or any laws. Entries will be judged on which are the most original, interesting and entertaining.

7. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence shall be entered into.

8. Copyright in all submissions to the competition remains with the respective entrants. However, in consideration of their providing the competition, each entrant grants a worldwide, irrevocable, perpetual licence to U.S. Rent A Car Limited and any trading name to feature any or all of the submissions in any of its publications, its websites and/or in any promotional material connected to this competition. Entrants will not receive remittance for such publication, though their work will be credited.

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Hi all,

Orlando is an awesome place to visit, I’ve only been once on holiday to Florida but loved every moment. Here are my top 8 things to do in Orlando.

Discovery Cove

I took my girlfriend there on her birthday and we loved it. The whole day flew buy as their is so much to do, snorkelling in the coral reefs, feeding the birds, braving the sting ray pool and of course swimming with the dolphins. Discovery cove is an unforgettable experience which I highly recommend.

Universal’s Island of Adventure

Granted I went there before the Wizarding World of Harry Potter was launched but still loved every moment. This theme park in my opinion is aimed more at teenagers and above, so with the more adultly feel comes a lot more fun. I believe (and much to my girlfriends annoyance) I rode the Hulk ride at least 10 times, a brilliant high speed roller coaster that I loved. To be honest I loved all of the Marvel themed section of Islands of Adventure and possibly could have stayed there all day, the Spider-man  ride and Dr Doom’s Tower of Terror are must do’s…

Wonderworks Upside Down Museum

Found on International Drive, this is a quirky “theme park for the mind”.From the very start its something quite unique, walking on the path to the first room made me feel like I was walking on the walls! I had the strange experience of lying on a bed of nails and got to experience a 5.3 earthquake.

Busch Gardens

Granted not strictly in Orlando (more Tampa) however I drove from Orlando to reach it! (tedious link)Anyway Busch Gardens is a  great theme park, they have a lovely balance of thrill rides and animals.

For me (thrill seeker) I loved SheiKra, the 4 seconds you hang in mid air before dropping at 70 mph won me over, even if I did have to queue for over an hour.

SeaWorld

SeaWorld is a lovely park, with a lovely spacious feeling. Yes it has thrill rides but the stars of the park are definitely the animals, with the head-liners being the Killer Whales.

You must sit in the splash zones to really get the full effect. I’m not sure I have ever been so soaked by what looked like so little effort. A brilliant show from a brilliant park.

Wet N’ Wild

My favourite water park. Granted I haven’t been to Aquatic so my opinion could change however I really enjoyed Wet N’ Wild. I might have been lucky but the park didn’t have the cramped feeling of Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon and the rides are a lot more extreme. Visited this park 3 times while I was there and had fun every single time.

Medieval Times

Unfortunately its not exactly like the film the cable guy, but it is a lot of fun. Plenty of mead to drink, good food and a cracking atmosphere. The whole cast put on a great show and I’d recommend treating yourself to one night there. Cheering and booing is mandatory.

Hot Air Balloon Ride

Granted this is a bit pricey and you have to get up at stupid o’clock but the whole experience from putting the balloon together to seeing the Orlando in all its splendour is well worth the cash.

Orlando can truly be a magical experience, I haven’t even mentioned Disney or some of the great places to eat. Perhaps some of you can add to my experiences below?

If you’re heading out to Orlando enjoy it and take as many pictures as you can.

Regards,

James