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UNIVERSAL
CITY, Calif. -- “Transformers: The Ride 3D”
is a new attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood. For those
who have visited this theme park before, it is very similar to
the Simpsons Ride, but it is based on the “Transformers”
movies instead. I really enjoyed the new ride and invite you to
give the newest addition to the theme park a try.
I visited
Universal Studios Hollywood on Friday, Aug. 3, about two and a
half months after it opened to the public on May 24, 2012. The
new ride is located on the lower lot. That requires guests to
walk throughout the entire upper lot and then take four escalators
down to the lower lot.
I arrived
at approximately 1 p.m. and the lines were already long. However,
an express pass and a single rider line are both available for
Transformers: The Ride 3D. There was a 90-minute wait for the
regular line, but only a 20-minute wait for the single rider line
so I got in that one.
The entire
ride takes place inside a large building otherwise known as a
sound stage. Each ride vehicle holds 12 passengers, four in each
of the three rows. Visitors must be at least 48 inches tall to
ride alone or 40 inches tall with an adult. It lasts four minutes
and 30 seconds long.
First,
riders will notice video screens with briefings from General
Morshower, Bumblebee and Ratchet who collectively
explain how the Decepticons have come to Earth in search
of the AllSpark metallic cube. Optimus Prime concludes
the briefing by introducing all of the Autobots that will be featured
in the ride. Guests are given a pair of blue 3D glasses before
boarding a ride vehicle.
The ride
begins by moving out of the loading station and making a turn.
It stops at the first 3D screen, which shows Ravage grabbing
the canister containing the AllSpark. Next, the vehicle spins
180 degrees to face the second screen where Bumblebee
fights Sideways. It continues moving thru several different
3D screens. Riders will get sprayed in the face with a mist and
will get warm air and some fog blown on them to simulate an explosion.
“The
waiting is real nice,” said Kristin Vuitton, a visitor from
Geneva. “They said it was 45 minutes, but I only waited
20 minutes. The ride is nice. I’m impressed by the American
way. I paid $80, it’s a little bit expensive. A lot of people
probably cannot afford it.”
After
getting off the ride, visitors will walk past the gift shop, which
is appropriately titled the Transformers Supply Vault. It offers
action figures, t-shirts, coffee mugs and much more. The little
ones can even get their photo taken with Optimus Prime
and Bumblebee outside the gift shop.
“It’s
fun, my head hurts a little bit,” said 15-year-old Isabelle
Vuitton. “I don’t know if it’s worth the 70-minute
wait. I’ve never seen any of the 'Transformers' movies.
It’s my second time here, my first was two years ago.”
Transformers:
The Ride 3D was built at a cost of $100 million. It required two
other attractions to be removed—Backdraft and the Special
Effects stage (now located on the upper lot). Construction on
the new ride began in June 2010 and wrapped up in March 2012.
“I
really enjoyed it, the technology was really good,” said
Ingmar Saul, a visitor from Portland, Ore. “It was very
convincing. I’ve seen all of the 'Transformers' movies.
I don’t know if there was much difference from the movies.
The lines keep moving. I thought it was on the high side. I bought
just a regular pass. It is my first time here. I’ve been
to Universal Studios Orlando before.”
Since
my last visit to the park in Nov. 2010, I decided to see if any
new items were added the "NBC Universal Experience."
The answer is yes! New additions include an Emmy award for "30
Rock," a wedding album from "Monk," a bridesmaid's
dress from "The Office," a football and trophy used
in the filming of "Friday Night Lights," a yearbook
from the 2012 film "American Reunion," a lipstick gun
from the 2011 movie "Johnny English Reborn" and a newspaper
baton from the 2011 film "One Day." In addition, there
is a special exhibit on the world of "Paranorman," a
new stop-motion animated feature film from the creators of "Coraline."
I particularly enjoyed the props from "American Reunion"
since it is one of my favorite movies this year.
Later
on, I took the escalators back to the upper lot. I decided to
walk through the "House of Horror’s" attraction.
It is similar to a haunted house with "a winding maze of
terror" as it is described. Visitors will encounter Frankenstein,
The Wolfman, Chucky and more. Some of the characters
will come out with a fake chainsaw, broken legs and saws to scare
visitors. It will give you quite the thrill.
Finally,
I wrapped up my visit by going to the "Terminator 2: 3D"
attraction. During the set up, a woman named Kimberley Duncan
appears from up above with a very funny voice. She explains the
rules and what is going to happen in the ride. It is all about
a technology company, Skynet, and its plans to take over the world.
I enjoyed it because there was a reference to Detroit in the pre-show.
Then, visitors are given 3D glasses and were invited to take a
seat in a large auditorium. Duncan appears on stage again and
the place is taken over by John and Sarah. A shootout takes place
between The Terminator (a man who looks like Arnold Schwarzenegger)
and T-1000. It was very exciting!
Overall,
there are a lot of new things to see at Universal Studios Hollywood.
It should be a must on your list of things to do in southern
California. You will not be disappointed.
The theme
park will get even larger in less than five years. The Wizarding
World of Harry Potter will open in 2016, which will feature the
“Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” ride. Don't
worry, nothing will be removed to make way for that new attraction
-- it is being built from the ground up.
Special
thanks to the great folks at Universal Studios Hollywood for allowing
me to visit their park and write this review.
For
more information or to order your tickets online, visit www.universalstudioshollywood.com.
Universal
Studios Hollywood is located at 100 University City Plaza in Universal
City, Calif. 91608. General admission tickets are $80 each or
$72 for children under 48 inches tall. If you order your tickets
online, you can get a second day free! Front of the line passes
require an extra charge unlike other theme parks. Priority passes
are $159 for everyone from now until Aug. 12. From Aug. 13 to
Sept. 3, front of the line passes will be discounted by $10 to
$149 each. VIP Experience passes, which include a visit to Universal’s
closed sets are $269 until Sept. 3. From Sept. 4 to Dec. 20, those
experience passes will drop by $20 to $249 each.
Related
Story: 'King
Kong 360 3-D' to open as new attraction on Universal Studios Hollywood
Studio Tour
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com
There was a 90-minute wait for the new ride during
my visit to the theme park.
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com
General
Morshower, Bumblebee and Ratchet will give riders
a briefing as they wait in line.
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com
Kids
can get their photo taken with Optimus
Prime and Bumblebee outside the gift shop.
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO
/ ©AMERICAJR.com
A
sign directing visitors to "Transformers: The Ride 3D"
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com
New
ticket prices for Universal Studios Hollywood
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