| Transformers: The Ride | |
|---|---|
| A piece of early concept art released in 2008 | |
| Universal Studios Singapore | |
| Area | Sci-Fi City |
| Soft opening date | 19 November 2011 |
| Opening date | 3 December 2011 |
| Universal Studios Hollywood | |
| Area | Lower Lot |
| Opening date | May 2012[1] |
| Replaced | Backdraft Special Effects Stages |
| General Statistics | |
| Attraction Type | 3-D Special Effects Ride |
| Designer | Universal Creative Industrial Light & Magic[2] |
| Theme | Transformers |
| Riders per vehicle | 12 |
| Rows | 3 |
| Riders per row | 4 |
| Duration | 4:30 |
| Height restriction | 102 cm (3 ft 4 in) |
| Universal Express available | |
| Single rider line available | |
| Amusement Parks Portal | |
Transformers: The Ride is a theme park ride at Universal Studios Singapore and currently under construction at Universal Studios Hollywood. It is based on the film franchise of the same name and employs 3D high-definition video and audio-animatronics.[3]
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In 2007, early planning and design for the ride began.[4] In October 2008, Universal Parks & Resorts announced the addition of Transformers: The Ride at their Singapore and Hollywood theme parks.[5] The ride is being designed by Universal Creative and it is expected to open in December 2011 at Singapore, and in 2012 at Hollywood.[6] At the time of the announcement, speculation gathered towards a ride which would feature an upgraded ride system, similar to that of The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.[7]
Construction started for the Singapore attraction in late 2009 in a back-of-house location adjacent to Sci-Fi City. Construction continued throughout the soft opening period of the park which began on 18 March 2010.[8] By October 2010, some of the track for the ride had been installed. It was also discovered that the ride will be spread across two levels.[9][10]
On 27 October 2011, Universal Studios Singapore announced that Transformers: The Ride will make its debut in Singapore on 3 December 2011.[11] On 19 November 2011 Universal Studios Singapore opened the ride to the public for "technical rehearsals", it is expected to open intermittently until the official opening date.[12] The ride had its world premiere at an exclusive evening event on 2 December 2011 with director Michael Bay and Universal Parks & Resorts CEO Tom Williams gracing the event.[13][14] The ride officially opened to the public on 3 December 2011.
At Universal Studios Hollywood, Transformers: The Ride required the removal of two attractions. On 11 April 2010 both Backdraft and Special Effects Stages closed. The Special Effects Stages were relocated to the Upper Lot and renamed to the Special Effects Stage on 26 June 2010.[15] Just days after the closure of the two attractions, work began on stripping back the buildings.[16] By June 2010, work had begun on removing the roof and of the walls of the former show buildings.[17] One month later, the roof and front wall was completely removed.[18] In August 2010, excavation inside the walls of the former buildings began.[19] The excavation continued through September to a depth of approximately two stories.[20] The below-ground level was sub-divided up into several rooms in October.[21] In early November a large tower crane was erected inside the building.[22] By the end of December, bracing was being installed for the walls and a second floor.[23] Work continued on the walls, second floor and roof throughout January, February and March 2011.[24] In early April, the tower crane was removed and work began on installing the track for the ride.[25] With the floors and roof mostly complete in late March, work continued on the walls in April and May 2011.[26] Additionally the elevator shafts and evacuation stairs were installed in May.[27] In June 2011, the front walls of the building were completed.[28][29] In September 2011, construction of the entrance archway and surrounding area began.[30] In October and November 2011, the main facade was painted to look like an explosion where some Transformers are fighting.[31]
Michael Bay, director of the Transformers film franchise, is collaborating with Universal on the ride, despite an earlier blog post that suggested otherwise: "I don't support it yet -- I'm not involved and [I'm] not sure the story of the ride works, and I know Optimus is not going to just show up to be directed by some new people that have never worked with him," he wrote.[32] In a special for the The Wizarding World of Harry Potter on NBC, the president of Universal Creative Mark Woodbury mentioned working with directors like Peter Jackson for Universal Studios Hollywood's new King Kong: 360 3-D attraction and Michael Bay for Transformers.[33][34] Bay also previously visited the Islands of Adventure park for a behind the scenes tour of the park's The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ride, which utilizes the same technology that Transformers: The Ride uses.[12] Universal Creative's Thierry Coup is the Creative Director of the ride having worked on previous attractions including Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Shrek 4-D, Revenge of the Mummy and King Kong: 360 3-D.[35]
The following details the ride experience at Universal Studios Singapore. This may or may not be the same for the Universal Studios Hollywood ride which is still under construction.
Riders enter the queue from the Sci-Fi City themed area of Universal Studios Singapore.[12] Riders with Universal Express, single riders and standard riders are split into separate queue lines at the entrance.[36] Riders must be at least 122 centimetres (48 in) to ride alone or 102 centimetres (40 in) if they are with an adult.[36] The first portion of the queue is a large collection of switchbacks which are housed behind some of the New York facades. The latter part of the queue is themed to be a Networked Elements: Supporters and Transformers (NEST) base. A series of signs and video screens are located within this area.[12] The video screens plays briefings from General Morshower, Bumblebee and Ratchet who collectively explain how the Decepticons have came to Earth in search of the AllSpark. Optimus Prime concludes the briefing by introducing all of the Autobots that will be featured in the ride.[37][38][39] Towards the end of the queue guests are given pairs of blue 3D glasses for the ride. Once guests arrive at the loading station, they are grouped and loaded into an EVAC ride vehicle.[12]
Transformers: The Ride utilises several ride vehicles. Each ride vehicle seats twelve riders in three rows of four.[12] Each row of riders is restrained by a single lapbar.[12] The ride vehicles are modelled after an Autobot named Evac.[40]
Each vehicle is mounted to a track-roaming platform that provides the forward motion to move the vehicle through each show scene. The vehicle is capable of moving 360 degrees and different angles thanks to the yaw motor and the six DOF motors attaching it to the platform. Each vehicle is outfitted with a motor that controls the right side door where guests board and dismount the ride vehicle.[12]
The ride begins with EVAC moving out of the loading station and making a turn. The vehicle approaches the first 3D screen which depicts Ravage grabbing the canister containing the AllSpark. EVAC spins 180° to face the second screen where Bumblebee is fighting Sideways for the AllSpark which ends up in EVAC's possession. EVAC reverses into one of two elevator shafts which ascend to the second level of the attraction. During the ascent Optimus Prime battles Megatron and Grindor. Megatron grabs EVAC and the two enter a struggle which concludes with Megatron breaking a water pipe which sprays riders with water. EVAC enters a dead end pathway before reversing and turning to face another 3D screen which shows Megatron firing a missile at EVAC. Hot air and fog generate the illusion of an explosion. EVAC then heads through the hole in a building which was caused by the explosion. Inside lies Devastator who is attempting to suck everything out of the building. EVAC manages to reverse and escape the suction. Here the Autobot Sideswipe provides assistance in battling against the Decepticon Bonecrusher. Devastator returns to the scene alongside Starscream. EVAC manages to escape from Devastator a second time but Starscream is able to grab EVAC and throw it across several city blocks before coming to a stop in a construction site, smashing into some drums. These drums release clouds of fog resulting in EVAC asking if the riders are okay. Optimus Prime and Megatron continue their battle in the construction site as EVAC reverses away in an attempt to protect the AllSpark. Starscream appears for a second time but is destroyed by NEST helicopters. EVAC then returns to a second set of two elevators. During the descent to the ground floor, EVAC throws the AllSpark at Megatron causing both to freefall to the ground. Bumblebee saves EVAC from destruction before congratulating EVAC and the riders on their mission.[12][41]
Once the ride is complete, riders will dismount the EVAC vehicle at the unload station which is directly adjacent to the load station.[12] They will follow a path which leads into the Transformers Supply Vault retail outlet. This outlet sells a variety of items from the Transformers film franchise, Transformers: The Ride merchandise as well as a variety of vintage Transformers.[36]
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