The Incredible Hulk Coaster is a launched steel roller coaster located in the Marvel Super Hero Island section of Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida. Designed by Werner Stengel and manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), it opened on May 28, 1999, and holds the distinction of being the first B&M coaster themed to a Marvel Comics character and the first B&M to use a launch system.
What sets the ride apart from the moment you board is its tire-propelled launch, developed by Universal Creative and MTS Systems Corporation, which hurls riders from a standstill to 40 mph in just two seconds — simulating the sensation of the Hulk’s explosive transformation. The coaster then rockets through seven inversions at up to 67 mph before returning to the station, delivering one of the most intense and relentless layouts in Florida.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Orlando, FL
- Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M)
- Opened: May 28, 1999
- Height: 110 ft (34 m)
- Top Speed: 67 mph (108 km/h)
- Length: 3,700 ft (1,100 m)
- Inversions: 7
- Launch: 0 to 40 mph in 2 seconds
The Ride Experience
After a brief queue through a military-themed lab, riders board trains and are pulled into a dark launch tunnel. In an instant, the tire-propelled system fires the train skyward, hitting 40 mph before the first hill crests at 110 feet. From there, the Hulk delivers a relentless sequence of seven inversions — including a zero-G roll, a cobra roll, two vertical loops, and two corkscrews — spread across 3,700 feet of track. Maximum speed tops out at 67 mph, and sustained G-forces of up to 4 G keep the intensity high throughout the ride.
A major refurbishment between September 2015 and August 2016 replaced most of the track and all the trains, adding on-board audio that syncs a thundering score and roar effects to the ride’s key moments. The updated queue also introduced a reworked narrative featuring General Thaddeus Ross, deepening the Marvel storyline without slowing down the pacing of the attraction.
Legacy and Influence
When it debuted in 1999, the Incredible Hulk Coaster was a landmark attraction — proof that a themed launch coaster could anchor an entire land and draw guests back repeatedly. As the first Bolliger & Mabillard coaster to feature both a Marvel license and a launch mechanism, it paved the way for a generation of story-driven thrill rides at major theme parks.
More than two decades after opening, the ride remains a marquee attraction at Islands of Adventure and a benchmark against which new coasters at the resort are measured. Its combination of an immediate, aggressive launch, sustained inversion count, and immersive Marvel theming continues to earn it a place among the most celebrated roller coasters in Florida.
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The Incredible Hulk Coaster FAQs
When did the Incredible Hulk Coaster open?
The Incredible Hulk Coaster officially opened on May 28, 1999, as part of the launch of Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida. It underwent a major refurbishment and reopened on August 4, 2016.
How fast does the Incredible Hulk Coaster go?
The coaster reaches a top speed of 67 mph (108 km/h). Its launch system accelerates riders from 0 to 40 mph in approximately two seconds before the train crests the 110-foot lift hill.
How many inversions does the Incredible Hulk Coaster have?
The Incredible Hulk Coaster features seven inversions: a zero-G roll, a cobra roll (which counts as two), two vertical loops, and two corkscrews, all packed into its 3,700-foot layout.
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Photo: Lawrence Rayner from Bracknell, United Kindom / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.