Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: "Back to the Future" ride heads into the past...

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Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 09-04-2007, 06:29 PM:

"Back to the Future" ride heads into the past...

How sad. Over the years, I rode that ride umpteen times and did many behind-the-scenes of the ride, motion bases, and IMAX projection.

While the subject may be out of date, the technology of the attraction was and still is 1st class.

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"Back to the Future" ride heads into the past
Associated Press
Contra Costa Times
Article Launched:09/04/2007 03:01:42 AM PDT

LOS ANGELES -- A ride that took theme park visitors "Back to the Future" is about to be relegated to the past.
The Universal Studios Hollywood ride based in the film trilogy starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd was taking its final passengers Monday, before it closed to make room for a new "Simpsons" attraction.

"Back to the Future -- The Ride," was the theme park's first high-technology thrill ride when it opened in 1993.

Passengers were strapped into a moving carriage -- modeled after the film's DeLorean time machine -- in front of a film projected on a domed screen, which gave the illusion of flight.

A new ride based on "The Simpsons" TV series, which will debut next year, will replace the "Back to the Future" attraction, theme park officials said.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 09-04-2007, 06:44 PM:

That's one of the few rides at Universal I was never all that impressed with. Maybe I just wasn't in the proper mood or something when I rode it, but it just didn't thrill me at all. The Spider-Man ride stands tall over it, in my opinion.

On the other hand, I'm curious how a Simpsons ride will be...it could be an excuse to make it really tacky on purpose.

I'd like to see Disney do a water ride based on the sewer scene in Ratatouille, myself. It should be built in the France area of Epcot and exit into a restaurant instead of a gift shop.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 09-04-2007, 06:52 PM:

Dunno Mike... if "Back to the Future" wasn't popular it wouldn't have lasted 14 years...

Did a lot of work on the "Spider-Man" ride... was not impressed...

I agree with your suggestion of a "Ratatouille" attraction.

The ride that I wanted to barf at was that hokey "E.T." ride. Gawd! I HATE that POS thing!

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 09-04-2007, 07:26 PM:

Oh come on...the Barf ride was "KING KONG" at Universal/Florida. Think about how long the waits were when it opened to essentially "ride" in a hanging car on a VERY small oval track!

Future was definately a decent enough attraction for its time. Considering how long the film series lasted and the attraction, I'd say it did quite well. I doubt the Simpsons will have the same sort of staying power. Then again, the Jimmy Neutron refit of Hanna-Barbara was a good one.

As for Spiderman...I was none too impressed with it...despite the numerous 70mm film projectors in use. I felt like I was watching the same "trick" over and over again.

Now MIB was a real decent attraction.

Steve

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 09-04-2007, 08:06 PM:

Personally I like the "Shindler's List" ride the best.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 09-05-2007, 12:39 PM:

quote: Phil Hill
Dunno Mike... if "Back to the Future" wasn't popular it wouldn't have lasted 14 years...

It's been too long to remember exactly, but I do remember we got a car that was not the "ideal" car for viewing the screen. And I kept getting "taken out" of the experience by peripherally seeing the other cars around our car. I like "Spider Man" because since the vehicles are independent of each other, you get more of a one-on-one experience. The "fall" at the end is my favorite bit. We took the Universal IOA "backstage VIP" tour a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 09-05-2007, 12:54 PM:

..yet some guy in Texas has returned the DeLorean back to the public. He bought up all of the remaining parts so that the car can be made again.

The car will have some serious modifications available and will be pricier than the original $18,000, 1981 to '83 sticker price - more like into the mid 50's.

Fellow employee of mine in the mid 90's had a "D" and let me drive the thing - Fun to Drive and comfortable! Sad though, in as much as that car was so well designed, the cockpit layout was on the bland side - just didn't have the 'sporty' feel and look of a true sports car. But, that was the design and look of the early 80's.

"88mph" RULES again! - Monte

Posted by Will Kutler (Member # 770) on 09-05-2007, 07:52 PM:

Joe, that is not funny at all...and quite tasteless/tactless!

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 09-05-2007, 08:36 PM:

Will, you just described Joe!

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 09-05-2007, 09:20 PM:

quote:
Joe, that is not funny at all...and quite tasteless/tactless!

So? Do you expect me to feel bad about saying it or something?

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 09-06-2007, 10:00 AM:

Congratulations, Phil, on the longevity of your work!! [thumbsup]

BTTF is one I wanted to ride.

quote: Will Kutler
quite tasteless/tactless

I didn't take it that way at all. It struck me as he just chose that title because it was a serious film, not to make light of the tragedy in the story. I laughed out loud when I scrolled down and saw Joe's comment...

Surprise and incongruity often equals humor, and Joe's a master of that, IMHO.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 09-06-2007, 12:28 PM:

Yeppers, you've gotta be quick with Joe, or you'll fall flat on your face.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 09-06-2007, 05:26 PM:

Tim's right on. I was basically making fun of rides based on movies.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 09-06-2007, 07:46 PM:

Tim, point of clarification: I had nothing to do with the design or commissioning of the BTTF attraction. Also, I didn't specifically work with Doug Trumbull on that particular attraction/pic but I did on several others.

On BTTF, I only did many behind-the-scenes tours and engineering suggestions when the motion-bases welds started to fail.

I did do a lot on Superman at Universal Orlando, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Universal Studios Japan...and my favorite...T2-3D. That still is a great attraction!

Posted by Bruce Hansen (Member # 281) on 09-07-2007, 04:58 PM:

quote:
A new ride based on "The Simpsons" TV series, will replace the "Back to the Future" attraction.

DOAH!

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 09-07-2007, 08:30 PM:

quote:
my favorite...T2-3D. That still is a great attraction!

I've always wanted to ride that! The one time we were at Universal in Florida, T2 was closed for some kind of techno-work.

We're going to Fla. again in October, so hopefully I'll get another chance to ride it.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 09-07-2007, 11:39 PM:

Phil, you are still my hero! [Big Grin]