Reported By Nick VinZant
ORANGE COUNTY -- A new roller coaster is riding with rave reviews from visitors, while another is still stuck on the loading dock.
Universal Studios’ new roller coaster Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit isn't ripping, rocketing or even being ridden.
Anxious fans like Chris Kraftchick, who has ridden more than 300 coasters, are getting antsy.
"You know we go out there probably about once a week just to stare in awe at the coaster. Definitely, it something we are very much looking forward to," Kraftchick said.
Construction on the ride started in March 2008, with an original opening date of spring 2009.
Testing is now under way, but park employees and insiders said the ride has had problems with noise, cars not making it all the way through the track and the lift.
Park visitors who came to the park expecting the ride to be open said they feel that they've been taken for a ride.
"Yeah it does but there is plenty of other things to go on. So I'm not going to let it spoil my holiday," said Tom Green, a tourist.
The delays are doing more than just disappointing fans. It’s also costing Universal a lot of money because the new roller coaster Manta at SeaWorld Orlando can be a huge draw.
Manta was announced around the same time as Rip Ride Rockit, and opened to the public in May, just in time to capitalize on the busy summer crowds.
SeaWorld officials won't release attendance numbers, but they said the ride has been a huge success and fans agree.
But when will the Rip Ride Rockit open? Currently, the rumor is mid-August.
However, one thing is for certain -- when it does open, people will be lining up to ride it.
Experts said one reason for the delay is that Rip Ride Rockit is a new kind of coaster, so it takes longer to work the bugs out.
Universal officials did not return several calls for comment.
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