Photo and video courtesy Universal Orlando
Based on early reviews from Theme Park Insider readers, expect this third version of Universal's Transformers ride to be every bit as popular as its older siblings in Singapore and Hollywood, which together won last year's Theme Park Insider Award as the world's Best New Theme Park Attraction. Here's one reader's review:
Spider-Man on crack. Bigger, faster, more intense. Nonstop vehicle motion and an incredible sense of simulated speed. Larger-than-life screens with vivid and clear projections. Eye-popping 3D. An fantastic experience and a new standard for themed attractions.
If you haven't been following Theme Park Insider for long, we've been covering Transformers from the start, and we were the only U.S.-based news outlet to cover the ride's initial debut in Singapore, in December 2011. Take a look at some of our in-depth coverage of Transformers: The Ride.
Why does this talk about Disney pulling the Marvel characters from Universal continue?
Why is it so difficult to comprehend that Universal retains the right to use these characters in their Florida theme parks forever?
Disney doesn't need Marvel to succeed in Florida. Disney is already successful in that market and they've got plenty of creative options to keep their theme parks fresh for decades to come. Furthermore, if I were Disney I would be thrilled to have my competitor promoting my own creative properties!
It's really that simple - end of story.
I'm glad the Universal CEO basically just told the Disney fan boys to shut up!
Spidey is still my favorite ride of all time, but that may change.
I personally think the marvel land in IOA will come to represent the growing competition between Disney and Universal. I'm sure Disney would love to have its franchise back in order to translate some of their big screen domination into theme park sales, and Universal would love to stick it to them by holding onto the characters. The big sticking point is whether Universal's ownership of the characters use on the east coast will make Disney hold back from developing the characters elsewhere in the world. If this is the case, I wonder how much Disney would be prepared to pay to getthe characters back. Despite what Universal may be saying here, money talks and if Disney reached Universal's asking price they would make a deal. As the previous poster said though, Disney has the dominant market share and would be unlikely to spend the money on something it doesn't need.
Currently I believe the franchise is underutilised in IOA, with only one of the rides being truly themed, but I'm certain Disney will do everything it can to prevent Universal from developing marvel land any more.
Anyway, Transformers beat Spidey for my favorite theme park attraction (FJ is third). Truly a masterpiece. I've been on countless simulators and none have been as convincing to me as Transformers. To make me feel like I'm moving at 60MPH despite being mostly, or in the first elevator scene's case, completely stationary is an incredible accomplishment.
All TF is really missing is a wow-inducing practical effect like Spidey's fireball but I can't really fault it for that. Still 10/10 from me. Go ride it!
I read that article a year ago and didn't comment, but it was purely your own speculation. That's fine, but I think you misinterpreted the Dreamworks distribution deal with the Walt Disney Studios. It's a distribution deal between the studios, not an employment contract with co-founder Spielberg and chief executive officer Stacey Snider. Disney doesn't have to release them should they seek work elsewhere since that wouldn't change Dreamworks plans to distribute their films through the Walt Disney Studios. There is no bargaining chip for Marvel there.
Seriously, it's time to give up this nonsense. There is no evidence that Disney is seeking the rights to Marvel in Florida and Universal has made it very clear that they're not giving them up.
As for Transformers, I am definitely looking forward to riding this seemingly amazing, new attraction. So much so that I crossed Universal Hollywood off my list of parks to visit this fall when I head to SoCal. Can't see spending the $80/head now that I know the only attraction I really care to experience (besides the Studio Tour, I guess) is waiting for me when I visit Orlando in 2014/2015.
NB, looking forward to your trip report!!! Have a great vacation, bro!
As far as the whole Disney/Uni/Marvel thing...would not hurt my feelings a bit if Universal made a deal with WB and brought in DC Comics instead. With Man of Steel successfully kicking off the DC-movie-verse franchise and all.
I can't see Disney buying the rights back to Marvel from Universal anytime soon. Mainly cause Universal would want a king's ransom for them. I know, I know, Disney has the money, but do they want to give that much money to a competitor like Universal? Especially when, with Marvel rides at a Universal park, they get more brand saturation than if they got the rights back.
The main evidence of this is, seemingly, in the plans that Disney has to effectively rebuild a wide swath of DHS. I think we can all agree that DHS is the most natural home for Marvel. With the possibility that everything from Indiana Jones to the Backlot ride being replaced (with the exception of Star Tours), then they really can't put Marvel there. There is still room in the park for expansion (namely by Tower of Terror), but they won't touch that til after the Star Wars/Pixar stuff is done. They won't close 75% of the park for renovations.
Maybe if, at some point, the Marvel screen universe starts failing, they will try to get the rights back. Or maybe after DHS and DAK are finished with their major construction efforts. But soon? Nope. Can't see it happening.
Disney needs to concentrate on the SW and develop that. And quickly! I just hope the rumors of Cars and SW at WDW means the demise of Avatarland.
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