The battle of theme park attractions continues in Central Florida and rockin’ thrill-junkies vacationing in Orlando are benefiting. Disney’s Hollywood Studios gave us the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith in 1999. The exhilarating attraction accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than 3 seconds and earns its name by having each car tripped out with a 125-speaker, 24 sub-woofer, 32,000 watt audio system pumping in an Aerosmith soundtrack.

Universal Studios Orlando’s answer to the Disney ride is set to open in spring 2009. Called Rip Ride RockIT, the 65 miles per hour attraction will definitely rival Disney’s Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster with its interactive features. Select a personal soundtrack and smile for the camera when strapping into this rockin’ ride. Your every move will be captured throughout the attraction and afterwards, create your own personalized music video. Universal Studios Orlando launched a Web site to launch the progress of the ride, view the site here. (Here’s a tip, if accessing this while at work, turn the speaker volume down.)

And what’s Disney’s response to Universal Studios Orlando’s new attraction? The American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios which opened in February 2009. It’s not a ride but a definite attraction.  Park visitors audition in front of a “producer” and a limited number are chosen to compete. Audience members determine the winner. Unlike the American Idol television show, judges don’t critique performances, suppose that’s up to the audience participants.