.gif){kind=spacer}
Transformers (ride)
Encyclopedia
Transformers: The Ride is a theme park ride
currently under construction at Universal Studios Singapore
and Universal Studios Hollywood
. It will be based on the film franchise of the same name
and will employ 3D high-definition video
and audio-animatronics
.
announced the addition of Transformers: The Ride at their Singapore and Hollywood theme parks. The ride is being designed by Universal Creative
and it is expected to open in December 2011 at Singapore, and in 2012 at Hollywood. At the time of the announcement, speculation gathered towards a ride which would feature an upgraded ride system, similar to that of The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
.
On 27 October 2011, Universal Studios Singapore announced that Transformers: The Ride will make its debut in Singapore on 3 December 2011. The ride will have its world premiere at an exclusive evening event on 2 December 2011 with director Michael Bay gracing the event. On 19 November 2011 Universal Studios Singapore opened the ride to the public for "technical rehearsals", it is expected to open intermittently until the official opening date.
and Special Effects Stages closed. The Special Effects Stages were relocated to the Upper Lot and renamed to the Special Effects Stage
on 26 June 2010. Just days after the closure of the two attractions, work began on stripping back the buildings. By June 2010, work had begun on removing the roof and of the walls of the former show buildings. One month later, the roof and front wall was completely removed. In August 2010, excavation inside the walls of the former buildings began. The excavation continued through September to a depth of approximately two stories. The below-ground level was sub-divided up into several rooms in October. In early November a large tower crane was erected inside the building. By the end of December, bracing was being installed for the walls and a second floor. Work continued on the walls, second floor and roof throughout January, February and March 2011. In early April, the tower crane was removed and work began on installing the track for the ride. With the floors and roof mostly complete in late March, work continued on the walls in April and May 2011. Additionally the elevator shafts and evacuation stairs were installed in May. In June 2011, the front walls of the building were completed. In September 2011, construction of the entrance archway and surrounding area began. In October and November 2011, the main facade was painted to look like an explosion where some Transformers are fighting.
, director of the Transformers film franchise, is collaborating with Universal on the ride, despite an earlier blog post that suggested otherwise: "I don't support it yet -- I'm not involved and [I'm] not sure the story of the ride works, and I know Optimus is not going to just show up to be directed by some new people that have never worked with him," he wrote. In a special for the The Wizarding World of Harry Potter on NBC
, the president of Universal Creative
Mark Woodbury mentioned working with directors like Peter Jackson
for Universal Studios Hollywood
's new King Kong: 360 3-D attraction
and Michael Bay
for Transformers. Bay also previously visited the Islands of Adventure
park for a behind the scenes tour of the park's The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
ride, which utilizes the same technology that Transformers: The Ride uses. Universal Creative's Thierry Coup is the Creative Director of the ride having worked on previous attractions including Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
, Shrek 4-D
, Revenge of the Mummy
and King Kong: 360 3-D
.
and Ratchet
who collectively explain how the Decepticons have came to Earth in search of the AllSpark. Optimus Prime
concludes the briefing by introducing all of the Autobot
s that will be featured in the ride. Towards the end of the queue guests are given pairs of blue 3D glasses for the ride. Once guests arrive at the loading station, they are grouped and loaded into an EVAC ride vehicle.
named Evac.
Each vehicle is mounted to a track-roaming platform that provides the forward motion to move the vehicle through each show scene. The vehicle is capable of moving 360 degrees and different angles thanks to the yaw motor and the six DOF motors attaching it to the platform. Each vehicle is outfitted with a motor that controls the right side door where guests board and dismount the ride vehicle.
grabbing the canister containing the AllSpark. EVAC spins 180° to face the second screen where Bumblebee is fighting Sideways for the AllSpark which ends up in EVAC's possession. EVAC reverses into one of two elevator shafts which ascend to the second level of the attraction. During the ascent Optimus Prime battles Megatron
and Grindor. Megatron grabs EVAC and the two enter a struggle which concludes with Megatron breaking a water pipe which sprays riders with water. EVAC enters a dead end pathway before reversing and turning to face another 3D screen which shows Megatron firing a missile at EVAC. Hot air and fog generate the illusion of an explosion. EVAC then heads through the hole in a building which was caused by the explosion. Inside lies Devastator
who is attempting to suck everything out of the building. EVAC manages to reverse and escape the suction. Here the Autobot Sideswipe provides assistance in battling against the Decepticon Bonecrusher
. Devastator returns to the scene alongside Starscream
. EVAC manages to escape from Devastator a second time but Starscream is able to grab EVAC and throw it across several city blocks before coming to a stop in a construction site, smashing into some drums. These drums release clouds of fog resulting in EVAC asking if the riders are okay. Optimus Prime and Megatron continue their battle in the construction site as EVAC reverses away in an attempt to protect the AllSpark. Starscream appears for a second time but is destroyed by NEST helicopters. EVAC then returns to a second set of two elevators. During the descent to the ground floor, EVAC throws the AllSpark at Megatron causing both to freefall to the ground. Bumblebee saves the EVAC from destruction before congratulating EVAC and the riders on their mission.
Amusement ride
Amusement rides are large mechanical devices that move people to create enjoyment. They are frequently found at amusement parks, traveling carnivals, and funfairs.-Notable types:*Afterburner*Ali Baba*Balloon Race*Booster...
currently under construction at Universal Studios Singapore
Universal Studios Singapore
Universal Studios Singapore is a theme park located within Resorts World Sentosa on Sentosa Island, Singapore. It was a key component of Genting's bid for the right to build Singapore's second integrated resort. On 8 December 2006, the Singapore government announced that the consortium had won the...
and Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood is a movie studio and theme park in the unincorporated Universal City community of Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is one of the oldest and most famous Hollywood movie studios still in use...
. It will be based on the film franchise of the same name
Transformers (film series)
Transformers is an American film franchise directed by Michael Bay, and based on the toys created by Hasbro and Takara Tomy. The first film, Transformers, was released in 2007, the second film, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, in 2009, and the third film, Transformers: Dark of the Moon in 2011...
and will employ 3D high-definition video
High-definition video
High-definition video or HD video refers to any video system of higher resolution than standard-definition video, and most commonly involves display resolutions of 1,280×720 pixels or 1,920×1,080 pixels...
and audio-animatronics
Audio-Animatronics
Audio-Animatronics is the registered trademark for a form of robotics created by Walt Disney Imagineering for shows and attractions at Disney theme parks, and subsequently expanded on and used by other companies. The robots move and make noise, generally in speech or song...
.
Announcements
In 2007, early planning and design for the ride began. In October 2008, Universal Parks & ResortsUniversal Parks & Resorts
Universal Parks and Resorts is the theme park division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group and General Electric. The division is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the various Universal Studios resort properties around the world...
announced the addition of Transformers: The Ride at their Singapore and Hollywood theme parks. The ride is being designed by Universal Creative
Universal Creative
Universal Creative is the research and development group responsible for designing rides and attractions for Universal Studios Theme Parks.It is Universal's equivalent of Walt Disney Imagineering. From 1968 until 1997, Universal Creative was known as MCA Planning and Development...
and it is expected to open in December 2011 at Singapore, and in 2012 at Hollywood. At the time of the announcement, speculation gathered towards a ride which would feature an upgraded ride system, similar to that of The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is a theme park ride located in Islands of Adventure, in Orlando, Florida and Universal Studios Japan. Built for Islands of Adventure's opening in 1999, the attraction is a hybrid ride combining special roving motion vehicles with 3-D projection, elaborate...
.
Universal Studios Singapore
Construction started for the Singapore attraction in late 2009 in a back-of-house location adjacent to Sci-Fi City. Construction continued throughout the soft opening period of the park which began on 18 March 2010. By October 2010, some of the track for the ride had been installed. It was also discovered that the ride will be spread across two levels.On 27 October 2011, Universal Studios Singapore announced that Transformers: The Ride will make its debut in Singapore on 3 December 2011. The ride will have its world premiere at an exclusive evening event on 2 December 2011 with director Michael Bay gracing the event. On 19 November 2011 Universal Studios Singapore opened the ride to the public for "technical rehearsals", it is expected to open intermittently until the official opening date.
Universal Studios Hollywood
At Universal Studios Hollywood, Transformers: The Ride required the removal of two attractions. On 11 April 2010 both BackdraftBackdraft (film)
Backdraft is a 1991 action thriller film directed by Ron Howard and written by Gregory Widen. The film stars Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Scott Glenn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Rebecca De Mornay, Donald Sutherland, and Robert De Niro. Jason Gedrick and J. T. Walsh co-star in the film...
and Special Effects Stages closed. The Special Effects Stages were relocated to the Upper Lot and renamed to the Special Effects Stage
Special Effects Stage
Special Effects Stage is a new attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood. The attraction serves as a new version of the park's former Special Effects Stages show, which was located in the Lower Lot area and was closed to make way for Transformers...
on 26 June 2010. Just days after the closure of the two attractions, work began on stripping back the buildings. By June 2010, work had begun on removing the roof and of the walls of the former show buildings. One month later, the roof and front wall was completely removed. In August 2010, excavation inside the walls of the former buildings began. The excavation continued through September to a depth of approximately two stories. The below-ground level was sub-divided up into several rooms in October. In early November a large tower crane was erected inside the building. By the end of December, bracing was being installed for the walls and a second floor. Work continued on the walls, second floor and roof throughout January, February and March 2011. In early April, the tower crane was removed and work began on installing the track for the ride. With the floors and roof mostly complete in late March, work continued on the walls in April and May 2011. Additionally the elevator shafts and evacuation stairs were installed in May. In June 2011, the front walls of the building were completed. In September 2011, construction of the entrance archway and surrounding area began. In October and November 2011, the main facade was painted to look like an explosion where some Transformers are fighting.
Production
Michael BayMichael Bay
Michael Benjamin Bay is an American film director and producer. He is known for directing high-budget action films characterized by their fast edits, stylistic visuals and substantial practical special effects...
, director of the Transformers film franchise, is collaborating with Universal on the ride, despite an earlier blog post that suggested otherwise: "I don't support it yet -- I'm not involved and [I'm] not sure the story of the ride works, and I know Optimus is not going to just show up to be directed by some new people that have never worked with him," he wrote. In a special for the The Wizarding World of Harry Potter on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
, the president of Universal Creative
Universal Creative
Universal Creative is the research and development group responsible for designing rides and attractions for Universal Studios Theme Parks.It is Universal's equivalent of Walt Disney Imagineering. From 1968 until 1997, Universal Creative was known as MCA Planning and Development...
Mark Woodbury mentioned working with directors like Peter Jackson
Peter Jackson
Sir Peter Robert Jackson, KNZM is a New Zealand film director, producer, actor, and screenwriter, known for his The Lord of the Rings film trilogy , adapted from the novel by J. R. R...
for Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood is a movie studio and theme park in the unincorporated Universal City community of Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is one of the oldest and most famous Hollywood movie studios still in use...
's new King Kong: 360 3-D attraction
King Kong: 360 3-D
King Kong: 360 3-D is an attraction which is included in the Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood. The attraction takes guests to a recreated version of Skull Island from Peter Jackson's 2005 award-winning blockbuster remake King Kong. It employs audio animatronics as well as 3-D HD imagery...
and Michael Bay
Michael Bay
Michael Benjamin Bay is an American film director and producer. He is known for directing high-budget action films characterized by their fast edits, stylistic visuals and substantial practical special effects...
for Transformers. Bay also previously visited the Islands of Adventure
Islands of Adventure
Universal's Islands of Adventure is a theme park located in Orlando, Florida. It opened May 28, 1999 as part of an expansion that, along with CityWalk Entertainment District, the Portofino Bay Hotel, and Hard Rock hotel, converted Universal Studios Florida into the Universal Orlando Resort...
park for a behind the scenes tour of the park's The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is a theme park ride located in Islands of Adventure, in Orlando, Florida and Universal Studios Japan. Built for Islands of Adventure's opening in 1999, the attraction is a hybrid ride combining special roving motion vehicles with 3-D projection, elaborate...
ride, which utilizes the same technology that Transformers: The Ride uses. Universal Creative's Thierry Coup is the Creative Director of the ride having worked on previous attractions including Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is an attraction at the Islands of Adventure theme park in Orlando, Florida, United States. It is the signature ride of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter area of the theme park, and takes riders through scenes and environments in and around Hogwarts Castle...
, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is a theme park ride located in Islands of Adventure, in Orlando, Florida and Universal Studios Japan. Built for Islands of Adventure's opening in 1999, the attraction is a hybrid ride combining special roving motion vehicles with 3-D projection, elaborate...
, Shrek 4-D
Shrek 4-D
Shrek 4-D is a 4-D film at various theme parks around the world. Universal Parks & Resorts owns the main rights to the film which is currently shown at their parks in Hollywood, Florida, Japan and Singapore...
, Revenge of the Mummy
Revenge of the Mummy
Revenge of the Mummy is an enclosed steel roller coaster featured at Universal Studios Florida. The roller coaster is based upon the popular Mummy movie franchise directed by Stephen Sommers. It opened on May 21, 2004 and was built by Premier Rides. The ride was reputed to be built at a cost of...
and King Kong: 360 3-D
King Kong: 360 3-D
King Kong: 360 3-D is an attraction which is included in the Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood. The attraction takes guests to a recreated version of Skull Island from Peter Jackson's 2005 award-winning blockbuster remake King Kong. It employs audio animatronics as well as 3-D HD imagery...
.
Ride experience
The following details the ride experience at Universal Studios Singapore. This may or may not be the same for the Universal Studios Hollywood ride which is still under construction.Queue and preshow
Riders enter the queue from the Sci-Fi City themed area of Universal Studios Singapore. Riders with Universal Express, Single Riders and standard riders are split into separate queue lines at the entrance. Riders must be at least 122 centimetres (48 in) to ride alone or 102 centimetres (40.2 in) if they are with an adult. The first portion of the queue is a large collection of switchbacks which are housed behind some of the New York facades. The latter part of the queue is themed to be a Networked Elements: Supporters and Transformers (NEST) base. A series of signs and video screens are located within this area. The video screens plays briefings from General Morshower, BumblebeeBumblebee (Transformers)
Bumblebee is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. In most incarnations, Bumblebee is a small, yellow Autobot with the altmode of a compact car.- Transformers: Generation 1 :...
and Ratchet
Ratchet (Transformers)
Ratchet is the name of several characters in the Transformers universes. According to the original creator of the Transformers names, Bob Budiansky, Ratchet was named after the character of Nurse Ratched from the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The name Ratchet is almost always portrayed as...
who collectively explain how the Decepticons have came to Earth in search of the AllSpark. Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. Prime is the leader of the autobots, a faction of transforming robots from the planet Cybertron. The autobots are constantly waging war against a rival faction of transforming robots called Decepticons...
concludes the briefing by introducing all of the Autobot
Autobot
Autobot, a faction of sentient robots from the planet Cybertron, are usually the main protagonists in the fictional universe of the Transformers, a collection of various toys, graphic novels, paperback books, cartoons and movies first introduced in 1984. In all but one Transformer story, the...
s that will be featured in the ride. Towards the end of the queue guests are given pairs of blue 3D glasses for the ride. Once guests arrive at the loading station, they are grouped and loaded into an EVAC ride vehicle.
Ride vehicles
Transformers: The Ride utilises several ride vehicles. Each ride vehicle seats twelve riders in three rows of four. Each row of riders is restrained by a single lapbar. The ride vehicles are modelled after the AutobotAutobot
Autobot, a faction of sentient robots from the planet Cybertron, are usually the main protagonists in the fictional universe of the Transformers, a collection of various toys, graphic novels, paperback books, cartoons and movies first introduced in 1984. In all but one Transformer story, the...
named Evac.
Each vehicle is mounted to a track-roaming platform that provides the forward motion to move the vehicle through each show scene. The vehicle is capable of moving 360 degrees and different angles thanks to the yaw motor and the six DOF motors attaching it to the platform. Each vehicle is outfitted with a motor that controls the right side door where guests board and dismount the ride vehicle.
Ride
The ride begins with EVAC moving out of the loading station and making a turn. The vehicle approaches the first 3D screen which depicts RavageRavage (Transformers)
Ravage is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. Due to the inability to trademark the common word "ravage", he is sometimes called Battle Ravage, Command Ravage or Tripredacus Agent...
grabbing the canister containing the AllSpark. EVAC spins 180° to face the second screen where Bumblebee is fighting Sideways for the AllSpark which ends up in EVAC's possession. EVAC reverses into one of two elevator shafts which ascend to the second level of the attraction. During the ascent Optimus Prime battles Megatron
Megatron
Megatron is a character from the Transformers franchise, created by toy companies Hasbro and Takara. He is the primary antagonist and leader of the "evil" faction in most of the various Transformers universes.-Design:...
and Grindor. Megatron grabs EVAC and the two enter a struggle which concludes with Megatron breaking a water pipe which sprays riders with water. EVAC enters a dead end pathway before reversing and turning to face another 3D screen which shows Megatron firing a missile at EVAC. Hot air and fog generate the illusion of an explosion. EVAC then heads through the hole in a building which was caused by the explosion. Inside lies Devastator
Devastator (Transformers)
Devastator is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. For legal-political reasons, Hasbro now adds a modifier to the character's name on newer toy packages, such as Constructicon Devastator....
who is attempting to suck everything out of the building. EVAC manages to reverse and escape the suction. Here the Autobot Sideswipe provides assistance in battling against the Decepticon Bonecrusher
Bonecrusher (Transformers)
Bonecrusher is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Bonecrusher is a member of the Constructicons. He is a brawler by nature and specialises in demolitions work...
. Devastator returns to the scene alongside Starscream
Starscream
Starscream is a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. He is one of the most prolific characters in the Transformers fictional work, appearing in almost all incarnations of the story. Starscream is usually portrayed with the same characterization...
. EVAC manages to escape from Devastator a second time but Starscream is able to grab EVAC and throw it across several city blocks before coming to a stop in a construction site, smashing into some drums. These drums release clouds of fog resulting in EVAC asking if the riders are okay. Optimus Prime and Megatron continue their battle in the construction site as EVAC reverses away in an attempt to protect the AllSpark. Starscream appears for a second time but is destroyed by NEST helicopters. EVAC then returns to a second set of two elevators. During the descent to the ground floor, EVAC throws the AllSpark at Megatron causing both to freefall to the ground. Bumblebee saves the EVAC from destruction before congratulating EVAC and the riders on their mission.
Exit
Once the ride is complete, riders will dismount the EVAC vehicle at the unload station which is directly adjacent to the load station. They will follow a path which leads into the Transformers Supply Vault retail outlet. This outlet sells a variety of items from the Transformers film franchise, Transformers: The Ride merchandise as well as a variety of vintage Transformers.External links
- Transformers: The Ride at the official Universal Studios Singapore website
- Official Blog for Transformers: The Ride at Universal Studios Singapore