Transformers ride coming to Universal Orlando, says Spielberg

in Disney, Entertainment, Theme Parks

The future of Universal Orlando may be more than meets the eye, at least according to famed Hollywood director Steven Spielberg. “Transformers: The Ride – 3D” is currently under construction at Universal Studios Hollywood in California as well as Universal Studios Singapore. But Spielberg hinted to the Orlando Sentinel that more “Transformers” fun may be on the way.

In an interview with movie critic Roger Moore, Spielberg said:

“I always like to hear that people are still coming to the attractions we already have in the park. I know everybody’s going to Harry Potter right now. But we think Transformers is going to pretty amazing. We’ve been working on that for about three years now. It should be ready soon. I don’t have an announcement, yet, but it should be coming there soon.”

Is Spielberg really talking about a third Transformers ride to be built at Universal Orlando? Or is he just getting his parks mixed up, thinking of one of the other two? Universal Orlando isn’t making it any clearer, with nothing new to share. But beyond the ongoing changeover from Jimmy Neutron’s Nick Toon Blast to a Despicable Me-based attraction, not much else is currently announced to be coming to Universal Orlando.

A Transformers-themed attraction, or perhaps a whole theme park area, would certainly add excitement to one of Universal Orlando’s two parks. In Hollywood and Singapore, the motion-based thrill ride will tell a new “Transformers” story using photo-realistic 3D-HD media and special effects surrounding a roaming flight simulator ride system. The ride system is similar to Islands of Adventure’s “The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man,” which itself is soon receiving an HD upgrade.

With Disney now owning Marvel, some might be quick to think that Transformers will take over Marvel Superhero Island at Islands of Adventure, replacing the Spider-Man ride with the robots in disguise. However, the “Transformers” rides in California and Singapore are much more vertical in nature than Spider-Man is, with the motion simulators traveling several stories into the air inside a tall building. And with the upcoming upgrades to Spider-Man, as well as its ongoing popularity, it’s unlikely that attraction would be replaced. Moreover, the Incredible Hulk coaster would need to be re-themed as well. Transformers certainly could fit into some areas of Universal Studios Florida, but all of this is pure speculation at this point, based on one short quote from Spielberg.

It’s certainly not clear as to whether Spielberg truly meant Transformers is coming to Orlando’s parks, or if he was mistakenly referring to one of the other parks, but it’s fun to imagine how it would fit in to the Universal Orlando landscape. Either way, the ride will definitely be rolling out by the end of the year in Singapore and in Hollywood in Spring 2012.

Video: Transformers ride teaser shown at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con

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