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TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D to open in 2013
at Universal Orlando Resort
Update : 17/02/13 - 19h27Published by François Mayné the 5 November 2012, New.
In 2013 Universal Studios Florida (Orlando, USA) will become the third theme park of the Universal Parks & Resorts group to open TRANSFORMERS: The Ride - 3D, a highly-technological dark ride based on the science-fiction action film series TRANSFORMERS.
Originally developed in partnership with Hasbro (licence holder) and director Michael Bay for Universal Studios Singapore and Universal Studios Hollywood, the first two versions of this ride opened respectively in December 2011 and May 2012. According to the scenario drawn up by Universal Creative, the artistic department of Universal Parks & Resorts, guests will be invited to "join the battle'' and protect the Earth alongside the Autobots from an invasion of Decepticons, both humanoid-robots creatures that can transform into various type of vehicles and machines.
"TRANSFORMERS: The Ride - 3D is the perfect addition to Universal Orlando's thrilling theme park experiences," said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative. "The ride has already proven to be a hit at our Hollywood and Singapore parks, and we're excited that Universal Orlando guests will soon be able to join the Autobots in the fight to save the world."
Just like The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man dark ride at Universal's Islands of Adventure, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride - 3D combines a mix between various patented technologies including simulators in motion, high-definition 3-D CGI projections on giant screens and numerous special effects.
The ride course will be built on two floors, with the use of two vertical lifts to move from one level to another. Each vehicle, a hybrid technology combining a propelled ride system guided by a rail and a rotating platform fixed on hydraulic jacks, will load 12 passengers divided into 3 rows of 4. Finally, the 3D CGI animations will be created by the motion pictures visual effects company Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) which has already worked for Universal Creative on several projects including Spider-Man and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
With a scheduled opening of next summer, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride - 3D will be built in record time: a little over 12 months! It will be a first for Universal Orlando Resort and a real tour de force for the technical crews that have been working days and nights for five months now. The new building replaces another unoccupied one in the center of the park.
On the communication side of the campaign, Universal has updated the promotional website set up originally for Hollywood. Visitors can find there all kinds of information about the ride as well as making-of videos and special offers.
This year, Universal Studios Florida has opened a new ride based on the cartoon "Despicable Me" and launched a daily parade and a nighttime show celebrating 100 years of Universal movies memories. In early January the park also closed and razed the Jaws boat ride and Amity Village themed area for an upcoming expansion for which no details have yet been revealed at the present time.
NewsParcs will do a full coverage of the IAAPA Attractions Expo 2013 in Orlando to have a look at the latest trends and developments of the global theme park industry.
