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Credit: Edited by Inside The MagicUniversal’s recent decision to remove its 3-D element may set an unfortunate and disappointing precedent for theme park rides going forward…or save them entirely.
Recently, Universal Orlando Resort quietly announced it would be removing the 3-D element of the Islands of Adventure attraction Skull Island: Reign of Kong. It is now entirely 2-D, a decision that has been considered controversial due to the ride’s mechanics and entertainment being built around its 3-D elements. Many blasted Universal for the decision, claiming it was a cheap way for Universal to try to save a couple of dollars. By removing the 3-D aspects, the park can do away with the necessary cleaning requirements for the 3-D glasses and reduce the amount of maintenance the ride needs overall. However, it may set an interesting trend in the theme park industry.
The slow shift from these dark and flat ride systems to 3-D and motion simulators has been controversial within the theme park community, with many disparaging the amount of them found at these major parks. However, not only has Universal removed a 3-D attraction, but Disneyland Paris has just announced they’re running a trial period for the same thing, removing the unpopular 3-D elements of Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy (also known as Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure), which may suggest an interesting reverse shift in the theme park space.
Universal’s Heavy Past With 3-D Screen-Based Rides
The Universal parks are well-known for featuring several 3-D and screen-based ridesseveral 3-D and screen-based rides alongside their iconic roller coasters. At Universal Studios Florida, for instance, the resort features coasters like Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and E.T. Adventure along with 3-D and/or screen-based rides like:
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
- The Simpsons Ride
- Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
- TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D
Over at Islands of Adventure, it’s a similar story, with the Incredible Hulk Coaster and Jurassic Park River Adventure existing alongside the following:
- Skull Island: Reign of Kong (now 2-D)
- The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
While technically, there’s a pretty decent down-the-middle split between the types of attractions at Universal Orlando, the 3-D screen rides really stand out to guests because they feel so immersive and entertaining. However, the resort has been called out in the past for featuring too many, with the 3-D elements often being more unpopular and screens often being seen as a poor replacement for highly detailed sets and props. Despite the controversial opinions about the reliance on screens and 3-D, the decision to remove the experience from Reign of Kong has gotten backlash online, with many saying it’s going to set a disappointing precedent for parks in order to cut costs.
While it’s likely that Universal is scaling back on its 3-D rides in order to help cut costs ahead of the opening of Epic Universe next summer, it raises questions about what type of attractions could be coming to the highly anticipated third park. However, the teaser that Universal Orlando released last month finally gave fans an idea of what guests can expect when the park officially unveils its five lands.
The Epic Future of Universal Attractions
The official reveal of Epic Universe cemented rumors and speculation that have been flying for month: the third Universal Orlando park will have four areas themed to existing Universal IPs and a fifth area based on an original concept. The released images of the detailed and immersive lands excited fans, with images closely matching the concept art that has been circulating for the last few years. This was a detail that wasn’t missed by fans who praised Universal for being able to stick to a promised design while Disney has faced continued backlash for its EPCOT Overhaul reveal.
Celestial Park is the original area of the park, inspired by the Zodiac, and will serve as the gateway to the other four areas. Celestial Park will feature Constellation Carousel, Starfall Racers, and Astronomica (an interactive water feature), along with restaurants and shopping opportunities.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will be inspired by the existing versions in Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Japan, bringing guests into a real-life Super Mario Bros. game. Featuring Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Donkey Kong, the area is expected to feature rides like Donkey Kong: Mine Cart Madness (a roller coaster), Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge, and Yoshi’s Adventure.
Perhaps the most exciting area is How To Train Your DragonHow To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk. Inspired by the popular How To Train Your Dragon franchise, guests can explore the Viking Village and ride the area’s roller coaster, called Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, a flat ride called Dragon Racer’s Rally, or Fyre Drill, an interactive boat ride.
The park will also feature an expansion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which will immerse guests in the era of the Fantastic Beasts franchise, allowing guests to explore the MACUSA building and 1920s environment in the Battle of the Ministry of Magic.Battle of the Ministry of Magic.
Finally, Dark Universe will be the park’s homage to the Universal Classic Monsters which will feature two rides: a rollercoaster called Curse of the Werewolf and a dark ride called Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.
Clearly, Epic Universe will feature a mix of various ride types, including outdoor roller coasters, flat rides, water rides, dark rides, and motion simulator/3-D attractions. However, it’s interesting that more of the expected attractions seem to lean away from the 3-D elements, with only a handful of them rumored to model rides like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey or The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.
As Universal looks to be moving away from the 3-D elements of existing rides, it remains to be seen if any of the attractions at Epic Universe will actually open with the controversial feature. While a handful currently seem to be geared toward that ride style, if the other parks are moving away from it (either due to the unpopularity or due to cutting costs), it’s possible they won’t open with the 3-D elements included at all. Epic Universe is likely to push the Universal Orlando Resort over the edge in the battle for best theme park, but it’s still likely that the newest park will be trying to cut costs and financial corners wherever it can.
What do you think about the future of 3-D rides? Is this Universal’s way of slowly phasing them out or are they here to stay?