Transformers 3-D ride at Universal

By: Lynn Barker

If you are a fan of the Transformers movies or just like to go to amusement parks to ride really fun rides, Universal Studios Hollywood is opening “Transformers: The Ride-3D” on the 25^th and Kidzworld got to ride it early!

Put yourself in this scene: While you stand in line to board the ride, you are inside N.E.S.T. (Nonbiological Extraterrestrial Species Treaty) H.Q. and Optimus Prime himself and other “officers” welcome you on various video screens as a recruit or “Freedom Fighter” in the fight to safeguard earth from attack by Decepticons. In addition, we will be joining the Autobots to protect the very last All-Spark shard.

We are told that Autobot Evac is a stealth-transport robot assigned to protect both humans and the “Spark”. Of course all heck breaks loose with lights blinking and sirens blaring when the Spark is stolen by the bad ‘bots and we are rushed by “military personnel” aboard Evac and recruited into immediate battle. Woosh!  And we’re off and riding…uh fighting.

We appear to be in a subway system and then outside in a city while Autobots battle Decepticons literally all around us (as HD-3D visuals on ginormous screens. There are 14 of these with 34 projectors working. The images are so sharp and all around us that we could swear we are in the middle of the action, not just observing it!). As a rider, you also feel like you are moving really fast but it’s just an optical illusion. You are moving on a track through the ride and tilting at times but not at 60 mph.

You are not just an observer but a participant in the fight as Evac’s “arms” seem to come out of your vehicle and do some damage. You rise, fall, duck 3-D missiles and seem to be “eaten” by a big grinding Decepticon. At one fun point, it seems you are falling and Bumble Bee is there to catch you! In real life, as practical effects on “set”, you literally feel the heat and wind as steam and some water vapor hits your face. The sound of battle etc. is also great and “real”.

At the very end, Optimus Prime, full sized, kneels down in front of you and gets up close and personal to thank you for saving the universe. Cool!

We rode the attraction twice during the shakedown trials. The experts were still working out the kinks. At one point, the ride stopped in the middle in a cave like setting. One younger visitor in our “car” said. “Uh, is this part of the ride?” I told him “Don’t think so but isn’t it a cool adventure”? The kid grinned and agreed.  

Autobots included in the ride/fight are:

Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Ironhide, Sideswipe, Ratchet, Wheelie and Evac.

Decepticons are:

Megatron, Grindor, Starscream, Ravage, Skorponok, Devastator, Sideways and Bonecrusher

 

We have nothing negative to say about this new, highly exciting ride experience except, like all fun and good things, it’s too short and if it wasn’t too dark and smoky in the ride, maybe they could take your picture while you “fight” and you could buy it later at their gift shop which is BTW, stocked with fun Transformer goodies.

If you, family or friends are in Los Angeles, be sure to check out this fun and exciting new ride experience!