It's official - Back To The Future is closing

[crazy4wdw]

No Future for Back to The Future

posted by Scott Powers on Mar 21, 2007 11:28:00 AM

It's finally official: Back To The Future: The Ride is closing, soon. The simulator ride, once one of the big, signature attractions for Universal Studios, has been rumored to be closing, to make room for a new, fresher attraction, for almost a year -- Universal officials nearly closed it in October before unexpectedly dropping a deadline and giving it new life. Now, however, the Universal Studios website includes a notice indicating the ride will close after March 30. There is no word regarding what will go into the building next. To date, Universal has never responded to rumors that a replacement ride would be themed on anything from The Simpsons to The Fast and the Furious to Harry Potter.

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.

The ride was nearly original to Universal; the park opened in 1990, and Back to the Future: The Ride, in 1991. Since then it has drawn a huge, loyal following. But it also has been the subject of critics who've said Universal had neglected the stalwart in recent years.

 

[thefirebuilds]

probably the coolest ride when i was a little kid, and a giant leap forward. I always thought star tours was a ripoff in comparison.

but im sure it is very tired, i havent been there since it opened.

 

[EUROPACL]

probably the coolest ride when i was a little kid, and a giant leap forward. I always thought star tours was a ripoff in comparison.

but im sure it is very tired, i havent been there since it opened.

I hope whatever they replace it with, that the ride is a lot smoother then either Star Tours or BTTF. Both of those rides are rough on the back and neck. Still kind of sad though that ride is a classic

 

[thefirebuilds]

when youre 14 and your primary food group is mt dew theyre pretty cool

 

[EUROPACL]

when youre 14 and your primary food group is mt dew theyre pretty cool

I think it has more to do with the ride technology being really old. I have no problems with The Hulk, Dueling Dragons, The Mummy, Tower of Terror or any of the other thrill rides at Disney or Universal... heck Ceder Point doesn't offer me any problems....but those two rides are just plain rough.

 

[thefirebuilds]

wheres the poster who will tell me what to think about disney management because a ride is closing at a rival park?

 

[EUROPACL]

wheres the poster who will tell me what to think about disney management because a ride is closing at a rival park?

???? What are you trying to say?

 

[Camping Griswalds]

DH and kids went on it in Jan and said it was really run down and dirty, also too rough compared to other simulator type rides that are out there now. i agree it was awesome when first built. For those who are die hard fans I am sure they are sad to see it go, but maybe they could just update the technology? Who knows for sure??

 

[doconeill]

DW and I rode it once when we went to Universal about 10 years ago. Long wait as I think it was still the premiere ride there. We both hated it. I was sitting in the back to one side, and my head repeatedly struck the side of the vehicle, which had NO PADDING. I found it worse than Star Tours because of it.

We plan on going back sometime in the future (not this year though - when the DDs are older and can enjoy it more) but we had no reason to go on it again. If they "improve" it significantly we may go on it again.

 

[drdelsol]

DW and I rode it once when we went to Universal about 10 years ago. Long wait as I think it was still the premiere ride there. We both hated it. I was sitting in the back to one side, and my head repeatedly struck the side of the vehicle, which had NO PADDING. I found it worse than Star Tours because of it.

We plan on going back sometime in the future (not this year though - when the DDs are older and can enjoy it more) but we had no reason to go on it again. If they "improve" it significantly we may go on it again.

I agree completely. That head beating against the side of the car thing killed it for me.

 

[pavil]

Went on it last year......totally unimpressed with any aspect of it. Dated and Tired and not even very good on top of that.

 

[Lexxiefern]

I agree with the head beating comments. After doing that once, I always made sure to ride in the front row - wasn't a problem up there. I know that the ride and technology are dated, but I am sad to see it go. I am sure something great will go there, but I doubt it will be BTTF themed. Those movies are 20 years old now, they will probably put something more current. (But I love the movies - I own the trilogy!)

 

[wildviper]

I have officially reached "middle-age"; BTTF trilogy started when I was a freshman in HS and ended my senior year. The ride opened a year later and I was envious of a friend who rode it that year. In 2003, I finally took the trip to Orlando, WDW and US. My DDs thought the ride was 'boring' and 'lame'. I didn't really enjoy it either but trip down memory lane was worth the wait in line.

 

[MJMcBride]

I always thought star tours was a ripoff in comparison.

I'm not sure how you make that determination considering Star Tours preceeded it by quite a few years

 

[MALE*RN*777]

I won't miss it because it made me sick but I feel sorry for the rest of you that like it. It would be like closing the Peter Pan at Disney...

 

[bon1117]

Back to the Future was my favorite at Universal, I remember riding it for the first time, gettin off and running back in line to ride it again....I was in awe...thinking Star Tours was nothing compared to Back to The Future, (I remember thinking Universal definately had Disney beat on technology) my favorite part is crashing through the time clock and entering the dinosaurs mouth....am sad to hear they are closing it...I wonder if they are closing the one in California as well....I hope not.....