Update on possibilites of Transformers

[Metro West]

The space is big enough yes....Transformers is smaller footprint than Spiderman, and the Spiderman footprint fits in that space.

It certainly doesn't look big enough to me.

 

[damo]

This is from Orlando United...it fits perfectly

 

[DCTooTall]

The space is big enough yes....Transformers is smaller footprint than Spiderman, and the Spiderman footprint fits in that space.

I just compared the 2 buildings... Spiderman's main show building and Building 44, via Google's sat views. Building 44 is about 1/2 the footprint of Spiderman's show building.

That didn't include the areas in front of the Spiderman show building where the Queue's are contained.

 

[DCTooTall]

This is from Orlando United...it fits perfectly

Is that the Transformer's building in Cali?

I don't doubt so much with the 2 story layout that it could fit into the existing footprint. The issue I think both Metro and I has withe Chris's comment was that the Building 44 space was large enough to hold Spiderman, so of course it could fit Transformers.

out of curiosity (since I haven't paid a ton of attention to the Cali layout)... How is the queue laid out for Transformers? I'm a bit curious how traffic flow with such a major headliner in that spot in US florida would work out.

 

[damo]

Is that the Transformer's building in Cali?

I don't doubt so much with the 2 story layout that it could fit into the existing footprint. The issue I think both Metro and I has withe Chris's comment was that the Building 44 space was large enough to hold Spiderman, so of course it could fit Transformers.

out of curiosity (since I haven't paid a ton of attention to the Cali layout)... How is the queue laid out for Transformers? I'm a bit curious how traffic flow with such a major headliner in that spot in US florida would work out.

That's the Transformers building from Hollywood superimposed into the Orlando space using the proper proportions. The space isn't large enough to hold Spiderman. If you take a look at a satellite view in googlemaps you can see that there wouldn't be enough room unless the building is 2 stories like the Transformers ride is.

I have no idea about the queue....but there seem to be many options for an entrance.

 

[Metro West]

I wonder who started this whole Transformers rumor to begin with? I still say it's not Transformers and I'll believe it once it's been officially announced by Universal and not before.

 

[damo]

I think Spielberg saying that Transformers was coming to Orlando is part of the reason people think it may be Transformers. It is wishful thinking on the part of many.

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201109/2664/

 

[ChrisFL]

I just compared the 2 buildings... Spiderman's main show building and Building 44, via Google's sat views. Building 44 is about 1/2 the footprint of Spiderman's show building.

That didn't include the areas in front of the Spiderman show building where the Queue's are contained.

Ah, you are correct, I must have copied the wrong distance or something D'oh!

 

[RMulieri]

I wonder who started this whole Transformers rumor to begin with? I still say it's not Transformers and I'll believe it once it's been officially announced by Universal and not before.

I am firmly in denial I HATE HATE HATED the Transformer movies..heck I hated the cartoons growing up ( 2 brothers ) too...LOL

 

[truck1]

The same rules apply for Universal as they do for Disney. The people on the ground (team members, guest relations, etc), are often the last the know about what's going on. The fact there has not been any sort of official announcement means that their information is on the same level of a lot of the rumors you see here. The Front Line cast may get official word before the official press release, but only maybe by a day or 2 since such announcements tend to be big deals and they don't want to risk some guy working janitorial duty might leak the news early.

True, but it also depends on where they work, and literally who they know. I knew about the DCL ships long before they were publically announced, and the Texas and Miami ports long before they were announced last year. Also knew about the 2 new ships months before they were publically announced and cancled back in 2000. The main reason being that working in transportation, we did a lot of the high profile and executive tours. I had the cruise line letter in my hand in the summer of 2000, and talked with the execs who out right said that there are plans for 10 ships, and at least 6 of them for the east coast of the US, during there initial tour of the state for ports. Typically, working for a large park, the frontline cast will know long before official announcements are made. Alot of times, the front line cast wont even be told, but theyll know, usually after construction starts. Theres no way to hide a lot of things, and especially with interoffice/area romance, things get out long before they are intended. You just need to know where to look. Especially if the park is building parts of the new rides or attractions. Disney for example, builds a lot of the ride props on property, and you can see them if you know where to look. Universal I beleive does some of the same things, but probably to a smaller extent.

With that said, if it comes from a turnstyle greeter, or some one thats from attractions, Id take it with a grain of salt. But, if a lot of crew from different areas, or abnormally large numbers of them are saying 1 thing, Id put a little more faith in it, then normal.

 

[2girlsmom]

My source is in IT for Universal parks, so USUALLY has a pretty decent handle on what is going on ahead of official announcements. I honestly hope that she is wrong, I would prefer any number of things over transformers, too, but the word she is getting is Transformers, and is 2 stories.

 

[truck1]

My source is in IT for Universal parks, so USUALLY has a pretty decent handle on what is going on ahead of official announcements. I honestly hope that she is wrong, I would prefer any number of things over transformers, too, but the word she is getting is Transformers, and is 2 stories.

Exactly my point. Someone like that, usually has an inside track since there dept. is usually invovled somewhere along the lines in planning.

 

[Badge]

Well, I just got back from my Universal Hollywood trip and rode Transformers a few times.

For the person that asked about the line, it is VERY well themed, but not big enough to hold a 75 minute wait. I don't think the line is even big enough to hold a 50 minute wait. They have a HUGE overflow line on the side of the building.

As far as the ride itself, I personally hope Orlando DOES NOT get Transformers...it is just to much of the same thing. My sister rode it once and didn't like it because she didn't like how it was basically a total copy of spiderman (even using some of the same effects). While it is good for the parks without Spiderman, having two of the same ride system doing basically the same type of ride is just not a good idea. Hopefully something else takes this lands space.

 

[damo]

Latest construction permit information refer to ride lifts....hmmmm....Transformers has ride elevators....




Maybe they will make sure this isn't too much like Spiderman. I sure hope so...although a Transformers ride is certainly better than Soundstage 44!!!


There are lots of rides with similar ride systems in other parks...Dumbo, Astro Orbitter and Magic Carpets of Aladdin... Winnie the Pooh, Little Mermaid (coming soon), Haunted Mansion, Finding Nemo, Imagination, Spaceship Earth ...It's a Small World, Mexico Ride, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise...Maelstrom, Splash Mountain...Buzz Lightyear, Toy Story...Micky's Philharmagic, Captain EO, Bug's Life...World of Energy, Great Movie Ride.........and so on and so on.

 

[ChrisFL]

Ok, I took the Spiderman and Transformers ride videos and put them next to each other...honestly, besides a few similar effects the overall pacing of the attraction felt a lot different.

Heck, if we're going to compare experiences, is there REALLY a big difference between the flight simulators in The Simpsons and (now) Despicable Me, difference between Shrek 4D and T2-3D? There's lots of differences, but in general they're the same KIND of attraction, and they're all in the SAME park.

 

[JessicaR]

although a Transformers ride is certainly better than Soundstage 44!!!

Isn't that the truth!

My husband and I were trying to work it out. It seems so odd to have a ride that duplicates Spiderman. I know different parks...but still?

 

[kenban]

I'm not sure how you came up with your information, but I don't believe the drop has anything to do with the elevators. The elevator scenes are used for the larger city scenes. The elevators move so smoothly, you don't even notice them. The drop is simulated, just like in Spiderman.

Also, the track layout of Dinosaur is nothing like the layout of the Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland. IJA, is on multiple levels and moves through much larger set pieces. Dinosaur is a single level.

The location of the drop was actually from riding transformers in Hollywood 6 times around a week or two before the official opening while it was in previews. I was able to easily figure out where the elevators were in the attraction and if I remember right the elevator down is during the drop in the video.

I don't really want to get into how close the layouts of Indiana Jones and Dinosaur really are so I will leave an image which I found in a thread on micechat.

As you can see Dinosaur is also two stories. There are a few turns which are different but its not by much. You ride Indiana enough times and go ride Dinosaur and you can figure out where you would be in the temple of the forbidden eye.

 

[Badge]

The thing is, with both Indy and Dino, while the ride vehicle is the same, the experience is TOTALLY different. Same goes for other rides that use the same ride system like Haunted Mansion and Nemo...same ride system, two totally different rides.

With Spiderman and Transformers, there is not enough difference between the two. In fact, Transformers to me feels like a weaker experince overall with less effects (no real fire elements which was a huge letdown...I mean, things are blowing up all over the place! Where is the real fire?!?!) Sure the concept of it being on two stories is different, but the normal rider will never even notice you are moving up and down a lift...it is perfectly seemless.

While riding Transformers this past week I heard countless people ask what the story was because the ride is not easy to follow. Also, the lack of real set pieces really takes away from the ride as well because in some scenes, you are watching the transformers fight outside, yet here you are in a building and the physical space does nothing to make it feel like you are outside.

Personally, when you have such a unique ride system, I think it should be exclusive to one resort per type. Thats why Disney has (and they have said never will) bring Indy to Orlando, because even though the experince is totally different from Dino, it is still close to the same. It would be like if they took the ride system from FJ and started using it on more rides...suddenly FJ doesn't seem ask cool and unique because every park has a ride that gives you the same ride experience.

While I am glad the building is gone and being replaced with something else, I really hope it is not Transformers. Will I ride it? Sure. But I personally feel like the space could be used SOOO much better. Once Transformers enters that building, it is there for at least 10 years. I would much rather have a new ride system so I can get a totally different ride experience than a copy of Spiderman with fewer effects, a lot less theming, and an overall same ride motion and experience.

 

[ChrisFL]

Thats why Disney has (and they have said never will) bring Indy to Orlando, because even though the experince is totally different from Dino, it is still close to the same.

Do you really believe that? It was because of cost, nothing else. CTX/Dinosaur cost a LOT less to build than Indy did, and that was the era of cheaper=better at Disney

 

[damo]

Do you really believe that? It was because of cost, nothing else. CTX/Dinosaur cost a LOT less to build than Indy did, and that was the era of cheaper=better at Disney

I agree. There are tons of rides that are very similar at Disney.