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
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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.

 

[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)

 

[Motherfletcher]

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

 

[pixiepower1971]

My DDs are sad. I am doing a happy dance!
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!!

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"

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.

 

[bubba's mom]

Who's betting that Jaws will be next?

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

 

[ChrisFL]

I'll take that bet.... I'm really hoping they go with a F&F ride 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 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