R.i.p. Bttf :(

[the Dark Marauder]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-universal0706sep07,0,4876192.story


End is near for Back to Future
Universal Orlando officials confirm the ride will be closed for a new attraction.


Scott Powers | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted September 7, 2006
PHOTOS
Back to the Future (UNIVERSAL)

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The future of the Back to the Future ride is short at Universal Studios.

After months of not commenting on rumors of the attraction's demise, Universal Orlando on Wednesday confirmed that the 16-year-old simulator ride will be closing to make room for an as-yet-undisclosed new attraction.

Universal spokesman Tom Schroder would not give a date for the ride's last run, though employees at Universal said they have been told it would close Oct. 1.

The ride uses simulator motion technology and a large-screen movie projection system to give visitors the illusion they are traveling in the DeLorean car/time machine featured in the movie franchise. The three movies, released in 1985, '89 and '90, star Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd.

Back to the Future funnels visitors into two identical domes that each have 12 vehicles, which each seat eight riders.

Schroder said one dome was closed recently so that attraction designers could explore possibilities for future rides.

"We've not formalized any plans but the creative process requires us to take some steps now," Schroder said.

Rumors among Universal staff members, fueled and circulated by the Internet, involve several possible replacements, including rides based on the Fast and the Furious movie franchise and one based on The Simpsons TV show.

Back to the Future was one of the original rides when Universal Studios opened in 1990 and for many years was considered among the most advanced simulator rides in the world. The anticipated closure has fueled an Internet petition drive to get Universal to change its mind.

"We know Back to the Future has an enormous following among our fans, and we know it has a significant history," Schroder said. "Any decision we make regarding Back to the Future is not taken lightly."

Scott Powers can be reached at spowers@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5441.


:sad1: :sad1: :sad1: :sad1: :sad1:

[damo]

It'll be okay DM.

[LEO_Magic]

I felt really bad & very upset when Universal closed down King Kong the ride! & I learned to live w/ it. I know how you feel & all I can tell you is; hang in there.

[aztecgoods]

Sorry man, but to me this was the least fav ride there. I would have much rather King Kong be re-vamped, particularly with the new movie. BTTF to me was practically the only ride I would skip at U, only did it one time. Sorry can't share your opinion on this, but personally I think if they had to get rid of one, thats the one to get rid of. Just didn't do anything for me. (Compared to everything else)

[Akdar]

I'm bummed I won't get one last ride on it the 3rd week in October :-(if the rumored close date of Oct 1st comes true) :confused3

[Motherfletcher]

We rode it Sunday and I told the kids it would be the last time. :guilty:

[pixiepower1971]

My DDs are sad. I am doing a happy dance! :banana:
I ALWAYS hit my head or hurt my neck on this ride! Its a neat ride but very rough! I can't wait to see what they are putting in.

[damo]

I hope they get rid of the one in Hollywood too. It made us all sick.

[silverangel879]

Yes it was getting old and make a lot of people dizzy and sick but we have to remember that it was an innovative ride 16 years ago, one of the kind (Like Kong). So, it deserves a Nice goodbye!! :rotfl:

Bye Bye DLorean!

[ChrisFL]

well I already posted my thoughts in another thread, I got my last ride in and honestly realized why they're taking it out. It just isn't as comfortable as we expect from rides these days

[aztecgoods]

Does anyone else beat your head against the wall thinkiing, why don't these ride designers simply use inclining seats with a lot of padding????? Very simple right? Seems like that would make so many more rides more smooth, but I don't know how many times I go to a park to do a new super coaster and its like 50ft taller than the last one 250ft or whatever, but still with the same ole lame A$$ hard plastic seats that have your back straight up that hurt your back. I can't believe this is not been the wave of the future. Also seems like a no brainer to me for a really fast ride to have an inclined seat like a fighter jet cockpit seat, inclined and padded?????? But still we get the same ole crap. I konw some of the new coasters are using padding but seems like not enough.

[robvia]

The problem with the inclined seat would be handling all sizes of people. Superman is a flying coaster where you're on your stomach. It works, but takes a while to load the train. Space Mountain is probably what you're looking for. The new B&M speed coasters have inclined seats. Visit SFoG and ride Goliath, or Nitro at SFNJ and you'll be happy. You sit slightly tilted back, with a leg restraint that holds you in.

The problem with the simulator, is that half the people get sick from the tricks it plays on the brain. So I hope they do something else with the building, and not just make it a new movie.

[flortlebap]

I was upset when they closed King Kong, but this one wasn't quite as good. It looked old somehow - and you must admit, it's pretty dated. Kids these days have no idea about BTTF, and pretty soon we'll have caught up to the "future" :rotfl:

I loved it though same as I love the movies.

Who's betting that Jaws will be next?

[flortlebap]

Oh no, and we can't even ride it one last time - we're not there until early Oct!! :(

[Operamom]

We'll make it just under the wire. Our first trip to universal is Sept 21-25. I'll at least get the chance to make an opinion, good or bad. My son will be so happy, he was bummed when we heard it would be closed in Sept. :thumbsup2

[bubba's mom]

Who's betting that Jaws will be next?

I'll take that bet.... :thumbsup2 I'm really hoping :hyper: they go with a F&F ride :drive: vs. Simpsons.... but, I suppose that's another thread.... ;)

[ChrisFL]

I'll take that bet.... :thumbsup2 I'm really hoping :hyper: they go with a F&F ride :drive: vs. Simpsons.... but, I suppose that's another thread.... ;)


Im not, and Im an import car enthusiast. The first movie was a joke, the second one was ok, haven't seen the third one.

But the problem is that it's an even shorter lived idea IMO. Unless they only plan to have it for 5 years or less I really think it could seem outdated quickly to the public. Plus it doesn't exactly have overall appeal like most other attractions.

[LEO_Magic]

F & F......NOT!!! I hate those movies. ChrisFL don't even watch the 3rd one :sad2: I'm pulling for the Simpsons ride or something else!

[Don Pacho]

It was a very advanced simulator. It was an improvement over the ones such as Star Tours.
I hope the replacement ride is worth it...

[JulieWent]

Oh, DS is NOT going to be happy. He will mourn with you DM!

Julie

[bubba's mom]

I haven't seen ANY of the F&F movies... :rotfl: and I used to watch Simpsons all the time.....but, my gut tells me Simpsons....or, at least something "family" and not "thrill"...... :rolleyes:

[SpideyHulk24]

DM,

Thanks for the info. Sorry to hear about this, but excited about the possibilities. Can't wait to see what it will be.

[ChrisFL]

I haven't seen ANY of the F&F movies... :rotfl: and I used to watch Simpsons all the time.....but, my gut tells me Simpsons....or, at least something "family" and not "thrill"...... :rolleyes:

well, if they're making a simulator in the same building, a family ride might not be too bad (I.E. like Soarin') or they could make another bumpy jerky thrill ride.

But I could be wrong, they very well could make a thrill ride which isn't bumpy and make it fun. I wonder if there are any other popular tv shows/movies which could be done with that.....hmm......

[Stepharoonie!]

I'm sad about this as well! Lots of great memories when I was a kid!!

[Snoopymom]

aaahhhh, my stomach is starting to feel better already, :thumbsup2

I'm sorry for all of you that loved it, but now I won't have to be the meanie mom who doesn't want to ride it with her kid. :goodvibes

Can't wait to see what's going to replace it.

oh, and someone on the Community Board said they closed E.T.??? and then asked what did we expect since it was based on a movie...well, I think Universal knows this since their slogan is ride the movies. :rotfl:

[ChrisFL]

aaahhhh, my stomach is starting to feel better already, :thumbsup2

I'm sorry for all of you that loved it, but now I won't have to be the meanie mom who doesn't want to ride it with her kid. :goodvibes

Can't wait to see what's going to replace it.

oh, and someone on the Community Board said they closed E.T.??? and then asked what did we expect since it was based on a movie...well, I think Universal knows this since their slogan is ride the movies. :rotfl:


E.T. in hollywood was closed and replaced by the Mummy, Florida's is still open

[Snoopymom]

E.T. in hollywood was closed and replaced by the Mummy, Florida's is still open

oh good, that's another one of ds favorites, but I like it too. I guess it's possible it might close soon too then?

Thanks!

[bubba's mom]

hhmmm :scratchin ....i was thinking Jaws was next on "hit list", but if they already closed ET in California.....uh-oh.....

[Slacking]

hhmmm :scratchin ....i was thinking Jaws was next on "hit list", but if they already closed ET in California.....uh-oh.....

I think our E.T. is safe for now. Supposedly Spielberg was quite upset at the Hollywood removal.

About BTTF, I usually get upset when rides close, but for both BTTF and Python over at Busch, I'm quite happy. Both rides offer very unpleasant riding experiences.

[JLTraveling]

I'll mourn with you. Yes, it was a rough ride and not for everybody...when did that stop being okay? Who says that every ride needs to appeal to every person? One of the things that made Universal better than Disney for a lot of us was that it wasn't afraid to have certain non-family-friendly niche attractions. Yes, it was "dated"....why have we as a society decided to turn our backs on classics? Like Kong and Hitch before it, Universal has once again turned its back on something that has stood the test of time in favor of the "latest and greatest" fad. I strongly suspect that in five years, the Mummy, Shrek, and whatever replaces BTTF will be closed again, in favor of whatever the hot property of the moment may be. A real testament to our disposable society. Sad.

[PlutoLuvr]

I was talking with DH about this last night. We both hope USO does something cool with Delorian (sp?). I think they should hang it up next to the pink Cadillac over at HRC.

We both think they ought to replace BTTF with something that will appeal to the younger generation and will not be just a quick fad theme. What are all the kids and young adults into today? I'm thinking Harry Potter. It's been years now that folks of all ages, particularly kids, eagerly await the new books.

Figure you've got magic, suspense, drama, comedy and action with the movies/books. I think those could transfer nicely into a ride. Then, of course, after the ride, you're dumped into the HP (not Hewlett Packard) store.

And I'm not a Harry Potter fan -- I can't even get through one of the movies -- but, boy, anything with HP on it brings in the bucks and the masses.

I love Simpsons, but I think it hit its prime years ago. F&F? I'm willing to bet if you took 50 people and asked them if they even saw any of those movies, 40 hadn't.

Shall be interesting, no doubt, to see what goes in BTTF's spot.

[bubba's mom]

I too hate to see fav rides go, but in order to keep peeps coming back, they have to keep up. How many peeps have mentioned that UO needs some "new/fresh stuff"?? ....and that goes for Disney too...you have to keep up with the times and technology or it's going to get "old"...FAST...and peeps will take their money elsewheres......(JMHO--no flames please!)

[JLTraveling]

I too hate to see fav rides go, but in order to keep peeps coming back, they have to keep up. How many peeps have mentioned that UO needs some "new/fresh stuff"?? ....and that goes for Disney too...you have to keep up with the times and technology or it's going to get "old"...FAST...and peeps will take their money elsewheres......(JMHO--no flames please!)

No flames here, just thoughtful discussion of the issues. For the most part, obvious examples such as 20K and Mr Toad notwithstanding, Disney seems to have done a pretty good job of hitting that balance between keeping the classics and adding the fresh stuff. Can you imagine the outcry if Its A Small World were ripped out and replaced with something from a new, faddish film? (Just an example, I personally despise that attraction). So Disney balances it all out, sometimes they make mistakes, but usually they do pretty well.

Universal, on the other hand, seems to have ignored that equation completely. Need a new thrill attraction? Why not house it in the old Nickelodeon building, which is currently empty 90% of the time, except when pressed into service once a year as costume central for HHN? Why not put SOMETHING, anything, in the old Murder She Wrote theater that's been empty for years?

Having worked for Universal off and on since 1992, I've got a fair idea of what the "classic" attractions are/were: Kong, BTTF, Jaws, ET, Hitch. I'd add the original Earthquake to that list, though it's been so long since it was what it was designed to be, I doubt very many even remember its glory days.

That leaves an awfully long list of updatable attractions. I personally think it's criminal to have changed Hanna-Barbera to Jimmy Neutron (a classic to a fad), but I can understand the reasoning behind it. And in that case, all that was really altered was the film. The ride itself was tweaked but not destroyed. And I'd be willing to bet that somewhere in the Universal vaults resides the original film, just in case the Neutron fad crashes and burns. The Beetlejuice Graveyard Revue is another excellent example of updating without destroying. Although some of the incarnations have been awful, others have been well-done. That show is constantly revamped in an effort to keep it new, but without sacrificing what us old-school fans have come to expect. Same thing with the Horror Makeup Show. I'd be crushed if it went away, but I love watching the constant evolution. Same thing with Animal Planet Live, which replaced Animal Actors.

Some things can, and should, be shut down permanently to make room for others. I loved the old Murder She Wrote post-production show, but the series didn't become a "classic" in that sense. I'd love to have seen it revamped and based around a new property, but I understand that modern audiences don't care so much about how editing happens. Shutting down the Wild West Stunt Show and using the theatre for Fear Factor was brilliant. Same concept, new branding/audience participation element. Awesome.

So in essence, my opinion is that there is plenty of room for Universal to update/revamp/add on, but they need to keep an eye towards their audience. A big chunk of their audience are loyalists, who have been avid fans since the beginning, and getting rid of everything we held dear is not the best way to retain us, or encourage us to bring our kids into the parks.

Just my opinions, of course.

[damo]

No flames here, just thoughtful discussion of the issues. For the most part, obvious examples such as 20K and Mr Toad notwithstanding, Disney seems to have done a pretty good job of hitting that balance between keeping the classics and adding the fresh stuff. Can you imagine the outcry if Its A Small World were ripped out and replaced with something from a new, faddish film? (Just an example, I personally despise that attraction). So Disney balances it all out, sometimes they make mistakes, but usually they do pretty well.

Universal, on the other hand, seems to have ignored that equation completely. Need a new thrill attraction? Why not house it in the old Nickelodeon building, which is currently empty 90% of the time, except when pressed into service once a year as costume central for HHN? Why not put SOMETHING, anything, in the old Murder She Wrote theater that's been empty for years?

Having worked for Universal off and on since 1992, I've got a fair idea of what the "classic" attractions are/were: Kong, BTTF, Jaws, ET, Hitch. I'd add the original Earthquake to that list, though it's been so long since it was what it was designed to be, I doubt very many even remember its glory days.

That leaves an awfully long list of updatable attractions. I personally think it's criminal to have changed Hanna-Barbera to Jimmy Neutron (a classic to a fad), but I can understand the reasoning behind it. And in that case, all that was really altered was the film. The ride itself was tweaked but not destroyed. And I'd be willing to bet that somewhere in the Universal vaults resides the original film, just in case the Neutron fad crashes and burns. The Beetlejuice Graveyard Revue is another excellent example of updating without destroying. Although some of the incarnations have been awful, others have been well-done. That show is constantly revamped in an effort to keep it new, but without sacrificing what us old-school fans have come to expect. Same thing with the Horror Makeup Show. I'd be crushed if it went away, but I love watching the constant evolution. Same thing with Animal Planet Live, which replaced Animal Actors.

Some things can, and should, be shut down permanently to make room for others. I loved the old Murder She Wrote post-production show, but the series didn't become a "classic" in that sense. I'd love to have seen it revamped and based around a new property, but I understand that modern audiences don't care so much about how editing happens. Shutting down the Wild West Stunt Show and using the theatre for Fear Factor was brilliant. Same concept, new branding/audience participation element. Awesome.

So in essence, my opinion is that there is plenty of room for Universal to update/revamp/add on, but they need to keep an eye towards their audience. A big chunk of their audience are loyalists, who have been avid fans since the beginning, and getting rid of everything we held dear is not the best way to retain us, or encourage us to bring our kids into the parks.

Just my opinions, of course.

I think the difference is though, that the Disney classics are all still watched by the kids and the Universal Classics really aren't. Universal seems to be the place to go for modern stuff.

[F-L-A]

^ That has to change.

[bubba's mom]

I personally think it's criminal to have changed Hanna-Barbera to Jimmy Neutron (a classic to a fad), but I can understand the reasoning behind it. And in that case, all that was really altered was the film. The ride itself was tweaked but not destroyed. And I'd be willing to bet that somewhere in the Universal vaults resides the original film, just in case the Neutron fad crashes and burns.

Note: We were at PKD this summer and saw/did that Hanna Barbera show/ride. Let me tell you....Universal did a good thing by updating it with JN. Having been on JN in July and on HB in August, i was more impressed with JN than HB. Altho HB being a classic, it did seem better to update w/ JN, the HB was "less thrilling/fun" than JN.......I did remember the seats at HB tho....2 individual seats (slightly reclined) together with a seatbelt that came across your lap and they buckled in the middle console....yep, I remembered them! Anyhows, it's interesting to read everyone's opinions and how each has a different perspective......

[Don Pacho]

I loved the old Murder She Wrote post-production show, but the series didn't become a "classic" in that sense. I'd love to have seen it revamped and based around a new property, but I understand that modern audiences don't care so much about how editing happens.




I liked Hercules / Xena better...
Same script, different actors

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/4344/usfproduction005dm6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

:thumbsup2


.

[Amity 3]

I think US has done probably the best job of the Orlando parks as far as evolution goes. Hitchcock, HB, Murder She wrote...we're better off not having them. my grandparents watched Murder She Wrote. I want the Lucy Tribute out of there as well.

I would like them to bring back more of a Studios feel, though. the Boneyard, props, and actual production.

[JLTraveling]

Well...I have to disagree with you about being better off without Hitch. Universal is known for its horror background, and Alfred Hitchcock is still the gold standard of the horror industry. I think it's good for kids to be exposed to the work of the master.

I'll agree with you on bringing back production though. Way back when, wasn't Orlando being billed as Hollywood East? Lots of production at both Universal and MGM. Now neither park has got much to speak of. Sad really.

[MartDM]

Although it seemed like a really cool ride when I first rode it in 1992, now it's just a killer. Ride technology has advanced so far beyond BTTF that the ride now seems like punishment rather than enjoyment...then again, , maybe I'm just too old to handle being tossed around like that anymore ;)

Either way, I won't be sorry to see it replaced.

[Amity 3]

Well...I have to disagree with you about being better off without Hitch. Universal is known for its horror background, and Alfred Hitchcock is still the gold standard of the horror industry. I think it's good for kids to be exposed to the work of the master.

I'll agree with you on bringing back production though. Way back when, wasn't Orlando being billed as Hollywood East? Lots of production at both Universal and MGM. Now neither park has got much to speak of. Sad really.

good point about the Hitchcock attraction, and his influence. I didn't like Van Helsing, but the props and the storyboards in the park is what I like to see. the same thing at MGM...sketches, maquettes, props.

it was so cool to line up in the morning at US not to be first in line for a ride, but to get a shot to be on a Nick TV show taping that day.

[bubba's mom]

Although it seemed like a really cool ride when I first rode it in 1992, now it's just a killer. Ride technology has advanced so far beyond BTTF that the ride now seems like punishment rather than enjoyment...then again, , maybe I'm just too old to handle being tossed around like that anymore ;)

Either way, I won't be sorry to see it replaced.

I agree....BTTF was "top-notch" in it's day....ahead of it's time. But when we rode it this summer, it seemed "jerky" and the video quality was not good at all. The age of computers, "high-def" and "digital" have spoiled us all!

[aztecgoods]

I think US has done probably the best job of the Orlando parks as far as evolution goes. Hitchcock, HB, Murder She wrote...we're better off not having them. my grandparents watched Murder She Wrote. I want the Lucy Tribute out of there as well.

I would like them to bring back more of a Studios feel, though. the Boneyard, props, and actual production.

I totally agree, the Lucy thing is lame if you asked me. Even peeps that are old enough to have seen her in her hey-day could probably care less. They need cutting edge stuff. There is another thread on here about what would you like to see that's pretty good ya'll should check out and add what you think a good film or other thing is that they could base a new attraction on. I had a few ideas on there including something based on Gladiator, and Dracula, like a Draculas Castle haunted house type of attraction.

I think peeps are going to be more into action oriented, cutting edge and maybe horror stuff. I'm thinking Murder She Wrote was a good move to 86 that out of there, glad I missed that, sounds like a real yawner. Just glad they aren't considering something based on Matlock.

[the Dark Marauder]

I agree....BTTF was "top-notch" in it's day....ahead of it's time. But when we rode it this summer, it seemed "jerky" and the video quality was not good at all. The age of computers, "high-def" and "digital" have spoiled us all!
The new attraction will use digital projectors...

[ChrisFL]

The new attraction will use digital projectors...


Hmm, do you know more that you're not telling us?

[the Dark Marauder]

Possibly. :darth:

[Amity 3]

Possibly. :darth:

you're a bigger tease than a high school girl.

[BikeFan]

Possibly. :darth:

Can you give any time frames? I'm thinking about a trip back, and if there's a new ride coming, well, :woohoo: that's all the more reason I need! Thanks!

[fccabs]

IWho's betting that Jaws will be next?


I hope not as if the day they get rid of Jaws will be the day they lose me as a customer.

[the Dark Marauder]

Can you give any time frames? I'm thinking about a trip back, and if there's a new ride coming, well, :woohoo: that's all the more reason I need! Thanks!
May 2007, possibly.

[BikeFan]

May 2007, possibly.

First, thanks!
Second, wow, that's fast!! Considering that they're going to close BTTF in Oct., if they get a new ride up and running by May 2007, I'll be amazed, considering how much work goes into rides at world-class parks like USO. Need to start planning a trip!!

[the Dark Marauder]

Don't be too surprised. Hanna-Barbera and Hitchcock both closed in early 2003. Both Shrek and Jimmy Neutron were open before June 2003. A short turnaround is feasible with simulators/3-D films.
How? Simple: the SFX have already been determined. The ride film is already made. The ride vehicles have been made or are ready to be made. The audio tracks have been made. The queue video has been made. The new ride's programming is being tested. The only thing that will take time is restructuring the insides and revamping the outside.

[fccabs]

Does the October 1st cosure date for BTTF mean it wll be open on that day?? We're sceduled to visit US on October 1st so would ike to get a last ride in before it closes. :guilty:

[BikeFan]

Don't be too surprised. Hanna-Barbera and Hitchcock both closed in early 2003. Both Shrek and Jimmy Neutron were open before June 2003. A short turnaround is feasible with simulators/3-D films.
How? Simple: the SFX have already been determined. The ride film is already made. The ride vehicles have been made or are ready to be made. The audio tracks have been made. The queue video has been made. The new ride's programming is being tested. The only thing that will take time is restructuring the insides and revamping the outside.

Good point. Can't wait for the 'official' word! And thanks for the 'insider' info. ;) I'm definitely going to come back once or twice in '07!

[i<3Disney]

My DDs are sad. I am doing a happy dance! :banana:
I ALWAYS hit my head or hurt my neck on this ride! Its a neat ride but very rough! I can't wait to see what they are putting in.

Not only do simulators make me ill but I also hurt myself badly every time I ride this! Does anyone else's hair get eaten? lol I am surprised I don't come out bald!

[powerranger]

Does the October 1st cosure date for BTTF mean it wll be open on that day?? We're sceduled to visit US on October 1st so would ike to get a last ride in before it closes. :guilty:


I am making US our 1st theme park on this trip 1st day is 1st OCT will it be open does anyone know??? :confused3

[Amity 3]

I'm very surprised UO hasn't sent out a final invitation and warning to AP holders the ride's taking a dirt nap.

[F-L-A]

The new attraction will use digital projectors...

Please don't tell me they're simply replacing the film & ride programming and passing it off as a new attraction. Again. :badpc: If they're going to do that, they might as well keep the BTTF theme.

[the Dark Marauder]

Okay, I won't tell you that. :p

I will tell you that Co$t and Budget are the Driving Factors as to what can and cannot happen within an attraction.

[MantaScorp]

My wife and I just got back yesterday (9/17) from a week at Universal Orlando, and all signs point to the ride closing September 18th. Every employee we spoke to mentioned the 18th as the day the ride would be done.

I wore my BTTF T-shirt to US and I literally had employees approaching me to make sure I knew to ride BTTF before it closed.

It was very bittersweet. The ride is still my sentimental favorite, but with fantastic new rides like Mummy and MiB (I hadn't been to US in 13 years, so a lot of new stuff has been built), BTTF felt dated. The lack of dry ice smoke effects definitely hurt the overall ride experience.

But one of the attendants was very nice and actually pulled some strings and got us on good ol' Car 6, even though only Cars 7 and 8 had been running.

Whether the ride runs one more day or has ceased operation already, I say farewell and thank you, BTTF. :sad:

[Queenie]

Can anyone confirm if the ride did close today? We're in Orlando from Saturday so I was praying for the oct 1st closure date.

[keishashadow]

BTW, The Simpson's is still a ratings generator & is very popular with pre-teens/teenages & young adults.

Do a search, for those of us who have watched it for years, the staying power is rather amazing.

Matt Groening is a master of merchandising, can easily see him granting the rights to a ride. All my DSs but, especially the youngest is obsessed with "where in the world is Springfield".

This ride would be a perfect fit for Universal's demographics, easily recognizable to a multi-generational audience, while appealing to hard-core fans.

We haven't visited Universal since 2/05, just the rumour alone is enough to pencil it in for our late summer trip next year:thumbsup2think it would draw in quite a few others who don't visit every time too.

[MoreorlessaDisneyfan]

Well, it will be sad to see the BTTF ride go, but I still think that the movie is liked by young audiences. I'll visit YouTube and check out the various BTTF videos on there (scenes, spoofs, trailers of all kinds)...There's plenty of them and many of them get good reviews, not just from people who saw it the first time out, but also from teenagers who weren't even born when the movie was made. If you visit MySpace and run a search on "Back To The Future", you'll see that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of young people who like the BTTF movies.

Okay, the ride had to go, but the movies still appeal to audiences to this day. It's a true classic, and I hope that they can still do something to keep BTTF in the park somehow. I was thinking that perhaps they could do some sort of show where Marty and Doc traveled through the past 5 decades and got involved with the best music from each decade (the 50s, the 60s, the 70s, the 80s and the 90s). Dancers, medleys, a humorous script...Too bad "Beetlejuice's Graveyard Review" pretty much has that concept locked up.

Sincerely,

John "MoreorlessaDisneyfan" Kilduff

[nogooddeed]

I was at US on Sat the 16th and the line for BTTF was the longest I had seen it in a long time. When we walked by Doc Brown was standing by the line entrance talking with people...usually he is over by the car.

[CJN]

I'll do a little mourning for the loss of BTTF, too, even though I never ride it. But it is responsible for one of my favorite trip memories:

Years ago, I went to Orlando with my mom and 10 year old niece. First trip, woowhee! I was expected to be the tour guide so ahead of time I devoured every bit of available info. Al Gore hadn't quite perfected the internet yet so no disboards in those days, just guide books and a few brochures from the travel agent. Worried about mom on rough rides, I used a red marker to note anything questionable that she should probably skip. She thought It's a Small World was darn near nirvana, btw. Every night in our room we'd check over the notes and make plans for the next day. So here we go into Universal (thinking we're well-informed) and come to BTTF. I'd forgotten to take along the guidebook that day and for the life of me couldn't remember anything the book had said about it, which I translated in my head as "Well then it must be fairly tame or I would've remembered to skip it." So like innocent lambs to the slaughter we walked in, cheerfully ignoring a bazillion warning signs, all because "I would've remembered to skip it" if the guidebook had thrown up a red flag.

I'll never forget the look on her face when we walked out of there (more like staggering than walking :tilt: ). She'd turned an interesting shade of I'm-gonna-puke-green and needed a little help getting to a bench to sit down. I didn't feel so great myself but barely noticed because I was too busy sputtering, "But I didn't mark it, I didn't mark it so I thought it would be okay". It took a while to walk that off, I tell you. The first thing we did when we got back to the hotel was check the guidebook and, yep, right there it said "considered probably the roughest ride in all of Orlando." But I hadn't marked it in red and still don't know how I missed it. She absolutely loved telling that story afterward, always with a twinkle in her eye as if I'd deliberately suckered her in that day.

Anyway...we lost mom in a car accident not long after that and so she never made it back to Orlando. But every trip for me since always meant stopping in front of BTTF long enough to smile at that memory. Darn, it'd be nice to see it one more time but we won't get there until February!

[bubba's mom]

I'll do a little mourning for the loss of BTTF, too, even though I never ride it. But it is responsible for one of my favorite trip memories:

Years ago, I went to Orlando with my mom and 10 year old niece. First trip, woowhee! I was expected to be the tour guide so ahead of time I devoured every bit of available info. Al Gore hadn't quite perfected the internet yet so no disboards in those days, just guide books and a few brochures from the travel agent. Worried about mom on rough rides, I used a red marker to note anything questionable that she should probably skip. She thought It's a Small World was darn near nirvana, btw. Every night in our room we'd check over the notes and make plans for the next day. So here we go into Universal (thinking we're well-informed) and come to BTTF. I'd forgotten to take along the guidebook that day and for the life of me couldn't remember anything the book had said about it, which I translated in my head as "Well then it must be fairly tame or I would've remembered to skip it." So like innocent lambs to the slaughter we walked in, cheerfully ignoring a bazillion warning signs, all because "I would've remembered to skip it" if the guidebook had thrown up a red flag.

I'll never forget the look on her face when we walked out of there (more like staggering than walking :tilt: ). She'd turned an interesting shade of I'm-gonna-puke-green and needed a little help getting to a bench to sit down. I didn't feel so great myself but barely noticed because I was too busy sputtering, "But I didn't mark it, I didn't mark it so I thought it would be okay". It took a while to walk that off, I tell you. The first thing we did when we got back to the hotel was check the guidebook and, yep, right there it said "considered probably the roughest ride in all of Orlando." But I hadn't marked it in red and still don't know how I missed it. She absolutely loved telling that story afterward, always with a twinkle in her eye as if I'd deliberately suckered her in that day.

Anyway...we lost mom in a car accident not long after that and so she never made it back to Orlando. But every trip for me since always meant stopping in front of BTTF long enough to smile at that memory. Darn, it'd be nice to see it one more time but we won't get there until February!

:sad1: what a touching story...so sorry you lost your Mom....but, it is a wonderful memory to have, and smile, each time you go back to Universal to the BTTF area....that's what we're doing...livin' life and makin' memories!

[Amity 3]

there's an idea being kicked around to suspend the closing until after HHN. there's still a lot of behind the scenes work going on, and it would help to pull crowds back to that corner of the park during the event.

[disneyfreek1]

i loved this ride when we went. this was one of the better rides at universal (better than jaws that's for sure).

[Lizzybear]

Very sad news for me. I loved the ride and my bf will never get to ride it :sad1: Whatever replaces it better be good!!