The Incredible Hulk Coaster Review
Hulk continues smashing even after two decades in Islands of Adventure
For more than twenty years, this ride was THE star of the show at Islands of Adventure, and an amazing roller coaster which could be seen (and heard) from anywhere in Marvel Island.
It’s easy to see why. The Incredible Hulk Coaster is just imposing, a vast maze of green tracks and loud screams that became synonymous with one of the best theme parks in the world. It wasn’t that long ago that you could easily stand in line for more than 70 min just to ride this monster once, and it was well worth it.
With the introduction of the Velocicoaster and Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventures, interest in the Hulk Coaster has (thankfully) diminished a fair bit, so it’s not uncommon to come here in the afternoon and see the queue going up and down the 20 min mark, which means that you can easily ride it twice.
The Good
Let’s get one thing out of the way: the Hulk Coaster isn’t as good as the newest offerings like Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure and the VelociCoaster, but that is perfectly fine. Hulk is still a pretty fun time, and certainly a roller coaster that really brings that 90s feel. What do I mean by that? This coaster is all about sharp turns, a lot of loops and corkscrews. I think that roller coasters in the past prioritized shaking you up way more than nowadays, when roller coasters are more about speed, great drops and air time.
There are a lot of sections in this ride that still manages to impress. The initial launch is amazing, followed by a top tier 105-foot drop that will leave you speechless and ranks amongst my favorites of all time.
In fact, the Hulk Coaster has one of the most classic coaster launches in Florida, right up there with Hollywood Studios Rock N’ Roller Coaster. You start by going up a tunnel, then you hear Dr.Banner talking about his experiment… and then it’s time to be catapulted outside, immediately enter an inversion, turn around and dive just under the Marvel Island bridge. It’s great. You will often spot guests lined up on the bridge with their cameras in hand, awaiting the perfect shot as the coaster zooms beneath them.
The Bad
Twenty years is a long, long time when it comes not only to us poor humans, but the technology used in roller coasters as well. One easy thing to notice about the Hulk when compared to most recent roller coasters is that the ride is just not that comfortable. The seats feel stiff and your head might act like a pinball as you are shaken left and right with so many inversions. Still, it’s nowhere near as disorienting as some of the rides at Busch Gardens like Kumba and Montu.
Remember that this coaster is less about speed and more about loops and multiple inversions. Guests that easily feel dizzy may want to skip this one and try their luck with the VelociCoaster. I can usually ride the Hulk twice before getting a small headache. Not sure if it’s because of the track layout, the vehicle or that I am nearing my forties. Probably a mix of all of that :(
Will Kids enjoy it?
The Hulk Coaster has the highest height requirement in all of Universal Orlando: 54 inches! This means that your children probably need to be older than 11 years old to ride this one. Keep in mind that this is an intense roller coaster, with a fast launch, lots of inversions, corkscrews and loops. Before bringing your children here, it’s a good idea to take them to (slightly) less intense coasters like the VelociCoaster or even Expedition Everest in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Teenagers who love roller coasters will definitely enjoy this one. Plus, with shorter queue times now, nobody gets too bored waiting for their chance to become the Hulk.
