Raff returns with another 'Ride the Movies' review, this time it's the turn of Transformers: The Ride at Universal Studios Orlando.
First Impression
My first impression of
the building housing Transformers was that it looked like a bit of a eye-sore. But, then I
looked in the direction of the old Jaws ride, where all the building
work for Harry Potter was taking place, and then I didn’t think it
looked so bad. Once you have looked at it for a few minutes, you
begin to wonder what was there before that.
The closer that I got
to the building, the anticipation levels grew. By the time I got
passed Mel’s Diner and reached the entrance, I was a little ball of
energy that needed to go on the ride...right that second...or I was
going to die!
Photos
I was lucky enough to
be in the Park during Halloween Horror Night and Transformers was one of the
rides that remained open. So, the park was dark and as I walked
around the corner I saw a flash of light, and then Optimus Prime was
standing right in front of me. WE COULD GET OUR PICTURE TAKEN WITH
HIM! I nearly collapsed with excitement. However, by the time I got
to the front of the queue, he had left. I guess he went back to his
dressing room or something.
After being the only
grown up surrounding the photographer in tears, he told me that
Bumblebee was on his way out. I brightened up because I secretly
liked him better anyway.
Check out the picture
below:
I am not going to lie,
I did want to get a bit closer and have a little cuddle, but I think
my friends had told the photographer to not let me get too close. I
have form for not letting go.
The only thing I didn’t
like about the photo section is that the park photographer, or the
queue ‘bodyguard’, will not take a picture on your camera. You
have to use their picture and buy it, or one of your friends has to
be a camera ninja and take the picture when they are not looking.
Luckily, my friends are
self-confessed camera ninjas and managed to take a pretty good
picture for me. Universal, the Disney photographers are better than
yours – yes, I went there too.
Inside
The queue for this ride
is one of the longest areas that I have ever seen. If you are unlucky
enough to join the queue when it is still outside, then you are
looking at a 2-3 hour wait, unless they have improved the system
since I was on the ride.
Theming of the queue
area was brilliant. They have done it up like a N.E.S.T holding area
and you are waiting to get your mission. There are weapons and
display cases all over the place and there are screens that give you
little messages from military personnel about your mission and how
you can cope with what is about to befall you.
Ride
Mission
As you get closer to
the front, Optimus Prime comes on the screens and gives you your
mission, which is to help EVAC protect the Allspark and keep it away
from the Decepticons.
Then it is time to get
into the vehicle and enjoy the ride.
The
Ride
The Transformers ride itself
utilizes 3D inside a moving vehicle, and sometimes things are thrown
at you, like water, or smoke. They're not going to throw Decepticons
at you! I would say that it is more like a 4D ride because you do
experience things that are not just shown on the screen.
I did enjoy the ride;
the use of 3D was amazing. People in my car were screaming and trying
to jump out the way. I would like to tell you that I wasn’t one of
them, but I would be lying. I totally screamed and grabbed onto the
stranger in front of me. The interaction between the vehicle and the
images on the screen is something that blew me away. It was flawless.
I will tell you that I
was a bit disappointed with the ride, but I guess that has more to do
with my expectations of it. I thought it was going to be a
completely new experience, when it is actually a lot like the Amazing
Spiderman Ride over at Islands of Adventure. So, if you have been on
that, the only thing that is going to be different for you is the 3D
and the main story of the ride.
I loved the interaction
between the characters on screen. There were times when they were
actually quite funny, and I especially loved it when Bumblebee appeared. He had
his music playing and was looking all cute. I LOVE HIM.
Staff
One thing I did notice
was that the staff seemed genuinely happy. I mean it must get boring
for them doing the same thing over and over again, and the staff on
Hollywood’s Rip Ride Rockit looked miserable. But, on Transformers: The Ride
they were cheering, and not to blow my own trumpet but one of them
tried to chat me up!
Rating:
Overall, I enjoyed Transformers: The Ride but it did not blow me away. So, I have
to give it an 8/10
Tune in next month,
when I will be telling you my thoughts on the Harry Potter ride at Universal!
Raff is a massive Disney Geek, Thrill Seeker, Gamer and Comic Book
reader.
Basically she's an all round massive geek!
When she isn't writing, watching movies and TV shows, she is busy traveling the world and riding as many theme park rides as she can.
Basically she's an all round massive geek!
When she isn't writing, watching movies and TV shows, she is busy traveling the world and riding as many theme park rides as she can.
Read more reviews from Raff at nerdasylumonline.com and follow her on
Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & YouTube.
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