Getting to Know Universal – The Incredible Hulk Coaster

Today in Getting to Know Universal, we are covering the ins and outs of Island of Adventure’s The Incredible Hulk Coaster. Hulk is located in Marvel Super Hero Island and opened with the park as a super headliner in 1999. With its launch tunnel, green track, and massive cobra roll above the lagoon, the Hulk is one of the most iconic attractions in the world.

Designed by Bolliger and Mabillard (B&M), a Swiss coaster design firm best known for its inverted and hyper coasters, the Hulk and debuted as their first launched coaster. Coaster fans around the world flock to this coaster for over 20 years.

The Experience

First things first, The Incredible Hulk Coaster requires guests to store all items in a locker, including bags, refillable cups, cellphones, keys, wands, and wallets. Lockers are located to the right approaching the attraction, across from the entrance. All riders must proceed through a metal detector prior to riding; see a Team Member for assistance.

General Thaddeus Ross is conducting experiments on civilians after the accidental creation of Bruce Banner’s Hulk. The experiments involve exposing subjects to gamma radiation to see if everyone has a Hulk. The queue winds itself through the test facility and up a ramp towards the launching platform. Once at the platform guests are assigned rows and board the coaster trains. Upon a final systems check the trains are loaded into the Gamma Core, where Bruce Banner first unleashed his Hulk.

Just like Bruce, guests also “Hulk out” and launch 40 mph out of the core and into a diving zero-g roll to the water. Guests then invert an additional three times, including an iconic cobra roll, over the Islands of Adventure lagoon before roaring behind the test facility. When all is said and done guests will have gone through seven inversions at speeds up to 67 mph, making Hulk the second-fastest ride in Orlando.

Hulk closed in September 2015 for a massive year-long refurbishment. Hulk’s coaster track was completely replaced, a new entrance plaza was built, the indoor queue was reworked to better accommodate Universal Express and Single Rider Lines, new lockers were installed, and new trains were commissioned featuring lighting. Also, a new onboard soundtrack was introduced, provided by Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump.

The Opinion

The Incredible Hulk Coaster proves the motto “What You See Is What You Get”: a massive, inverting, launched, steel roller coaster. This coaster is exhilarating, from the anticipation of the launch to seeing all of Islands rush by. But be warned, Hulk also eats unprepared adults for breakfast and is one of the most intense coasters in Florida. Thanks to its iconic design and euphoric ride experience Hulk remains one of the most popular and iconic rides in the world.

The Incredible Hulk Coaster remains a force of nature on the Islands of Adventure skyline, for better or worse. The rollercoaster track layout and over-the-shoulder restraints come straight out of the 1990s where as other rollercoasters have evolved. Jurassic World VelociCoaster throws guests through more acrobatic maneuvers while securing guests with a modern lap-bar restraint system that avoid the back-to-back “head banging” felt on Hulk. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure adds in unique coaster track elements with a silky-smooth ride. What you get is a ride from its time – one not bad, but not premier. The Incredible Hulk Coaster remains a beast to be ridden, never tamed, on the Islands of Adventure skyline.

Restrictions & Accommodations

• Guests riding The Incredible Hulk Coaster must be at least 54 inches tall to ride.
• Guests in wheelchairs and ECVs must transfer to the ride vehicle.
• Prosthetic limbs must be removed or secured during the ride; guests must be able to brace themselves while riding.
• Due to restraints guests with waistlines larger than 40 inches might not fit the over-the-shoulder restraints; use the test seat outside the ride entrance to ensure you can be accommodated.
• The Incredible Hulk Coaster requires guests to place all loose articles in a free locker prior to riding. Metal detectors are used in the queue.
• Rider Swap is offered for parties with members under the height requirement; see a Team Member at the entrance for assistance.
• This attraction is intense; it scares some adults.

When to Visit

The Incredible Hulk Coaster dominates the skyline at Islands of Adventure and is the first attraction when entering the park. Most guests head there or to Hogsmeade once entering the park. TouringPlans recommends visiting Hulk first thing at park opening or the last attraction before park close, although with the opening of Jurassic Park VelociCoaster, you may want to hit that brand-new coaster as the higher priority for your next trip and save Hulk for a end-of-the day adrenaline boost.

Universal Express Pass and Single Rider Line are available at this attraction.

First published March 26, 2020. Revised May 31, 2021.