The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Universal's Islands of Adventure.
Spider-Man opened with Islands of Adventure in 1999 and immediately won praise as the world's most advanced theme park attraction. Blending flight simulator technology with a traditional track ride, 3-D film and stage effects, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man redefined what a themed ride could be, elevating a concept first expressed by Disneyland's Indiana Jones Adventure to the next level.
You're riding with the staff of the Daily Bugle in publisher Jonah Jameson's new SCOOP vehicles, tracking news that the Statue of Liberty's been stolen. (Forgive me an insider's moment here, but as a journalist, I have to give Spider-Man's designers huge bonus points for portraying the convergence of print and video journalism - something that was very cutting-edge in 1999.) The Sinister Syndicate's used its anti-gravity gun to swipe the statue, and Spider-Man's joined you in the chase.
One by one, Spider-Man fights the Syndicate's bad guys, Electro, Hydro-Man, Hobgoblin and finally, Doc Ock. In the final battle, Doc Ock attacks your SCOOP with the anti-gravity gun, setting up a 400-foot plunge off a skyscraper.
But, of course, Spider-Man saves the day.
With so much rich detail in each scene, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man rewards repeat visitors - you can't possibly catch all the detail in a single ride on this attraction. Despite the ride's immense popularity, its immense expense has kept it from being duplicated throughout the industry. A second version of the ride debuted at Universal Studios Japan in 2004. Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Curse of DarKastle (the 2005 Theme Park Insider Award winner for Best New Attraction) runs a similar system and the Transformers rides that will debut at Universal Studios Singapore in 2011 and Universal Studios Hollywood in 2012 are said to similar to Spider-Man, as well. But that's it.
The bracket's set, and tomorrow I will publish the schedule for the first-round match-ups. Let's hear your thoughts about The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, as well as your tournament picks, in the comments.
Tweet
It blends 3D movies, motion simulators, and classic dark rides!
I can't see anything beating it in this category.
The only themed ride I would take over Spiderman is the Tower of Terror, namely because its queue and pre-show are much more absorbing. Regardless, this attraction has achieved 10-Perfection in my books.
Still, I see this grouping to be extremly hard with this, Tower of Terror, Haunted Mansion, and Pirates all likely to go head to head. This seems to be the "heavy hitters" of theme park attractions.
You are right, I might give Tower of Terror a bit of an edge just because its line is one of the best in the business with the scenery,fog (which doubles as a cooling mist on a hot Flordia day), and the music! Not to metion, the occasional "ex employee" who is convinced that the Hollywood Tower Hotel is haunted. But why believe that old maid.........
Here are my picks:
Round 1
1. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Universal's Islands of Adventure16. SeaWorld Orlando's Journey to Atlantis
8. Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom9. Disneyland's Space Mountain
4. Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom13. Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Curse of DarKastle
5. Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean12. Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney's Animal Kingdom
2. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios15. Soarin' Over California at Disney's California Adventure
7. Disneyland's Indiana Jones Adventure
10. Toy Story Midway Mania at Disney's California Adventure
3. Universal Studios Florida's Revenge of the Mummy14. Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges at Universal's Islands of Adventure
6. Disneyland's Haunted Mansion11. Universal Studios Florida's Men in Black Alien Attack
Sorry, TH.
Quarters
1. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Universal's Islands of Adventure8. Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom
4. Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom
5. Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean
2. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios10. Toy Story Midway Mania at Disney's California Adventure
3. Universal Studios Florida's Revenge of the Mummy6. Disneyland's Haunted Mansion
Semis
1. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Universal's Islands of Adventure
5. Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean
2. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios3. Universal Studios Florida's Revenge of the Mummy
(I have a feeling the Disney fanboys will flood the tournament at this stage of the bracket.)
Finals
5. Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean2. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Winner: 5. Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean
I have a strong feeling fanboy presence will dominate those final rounds.
Over in themed ride, Spidey's 0-for-2 in tournaments so far. Since Universal PR has taken control of its Facebook page, I wonder if Universal fans will turn out for the vote this year like they did last year.
GOTV, people, if you want to see your favorites advance. GOTV.
Though, I think Disney and Universal has some pretty big supporters on this site.
I don't think Pirates will win though, but I do enjoy it fully!
Then there is the problem of the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Carribean. Is it fair to put "classic rides" up against modern technology? Both of those rides are masterpieces, but they can't move as fast or employ the digital visuals of the modern rides.
Maybe Forbidden Journey or Transformers will top Spider-Man, but the ride's technology holds up very well, even 11 years after its debut. By the way, Robert, in reference to its "immense cost"...I would be curious to hear just how much it did cost.
Given that we're talking about something as fantastic as an anti-gravity gun, I'll allow them that device.
I don't get the crazy love for Tower of Terror. I like it but better than Spidey? I mean i like it i really do. I think the presentation and the quality of everything it's great. Like everything else Disney does. But once you get really moving i'd take Spidey/Mummy/Expedition Everest before i take Tower of Terror.
This article has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.
I do like Tower of Terror better, but I still love AAoSM and fully-expect it to go far.