Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
275
fog), any of which can spin you out of control. Your laser tag-style gun fires infrared
bullets. Earn a bonus by hitting Frank the Pug (to the right, just past the alien ship-
wreck). The 4-minute ride relies on 360-degree spins rather than speed for its thrill fac-
tor. At the conclusion, you're swallowed by a giant roach (it's 30 ft. tall with 8-ft. fangs
and 20-ft. claws) that explodes, spraying you with bug guts—okay, it's just warm water—
as you blast your way to safety and into the pest-control hall of fame—maybe. When you
exit, Will Smith rates you anywhere from galaxy defender to bug bait. (There are 38
possible scores; those assigned to less than full cars suffer the scoring consequences.)
Guests must be at least 42 inches tall to climb aboard this $70-million ride.
Note:
Men in Black often has a
much
shorter line for single riders. Even if you're not
alone but are willing to be split up, get in this line and hop right on a vehicle that has
fewer than six passengers.
Revenge of the Mummy
Frommer's Ratings:
A+
Recommended Ages:
10 and older
Ten years in the making, the $40-million Revenge of the Mummy made its debut in
2004. The indoor roller coaster uses a sophisticated propulsion system to hurtle riders
through the shadowy, darkened tombs of ancient Egypt (all spectacularly re-created)
while trying to escape the curse of the Mummy. The sound system (enhanced by 200
speakers and surround-sound technology in the coaster cars) will spook you, too. Highly
advanced robotics are used to bring to life some pretty scary-looking skeletal warriors,
one of whom jumps aboard your car; even Imhotep makes an appearance. Overhead
flames, fireballs, and creepy creatures all combine with surprising twists, turns, stops, and
starts to make for a thrill like no other in the park. And just when you think it's over . . .
well, I have to leave some surprises for you.
Shrek 4-D
Frommer's Rating:
B+
Recommended Ages:
All ages
Universal Studios' other (relatively) new ride is a 20-minute show that can be seen, heard,
felt, and smelled thanks to film, motion simulators, OgreVision glasses, and other special
effects, such as water spritzers. The attraction picks up where the movie left off—allow-
ing you to join Shrek and Princess Fiona on their honeymoon (at least the G-rated por-
tions of it). After one of the most amusing preshows in the park (featuring a ghostly Lord
Farquaad, the Three Little Pigs, Pinocchio, and the Magic Mirror), you're settled into
specially designed seats in the main auditorium and then transported to the fairy-tale
realm of Duloc as the screen comes alive. The theater's seats are pneumatic air-propulsion
nodules that are capable of turning and tilting (though not dramatically). Again, if your
kids don't like touchy feely special effects, they may get upset at certain points while
experiencing this attraction.
The Simpsons
Frommer's Rating:
A+
Recommended Ages:
10 and up
Universal's
Back to the Future
ride, suffering from the ravages of time, went the way of the
DeLorean and closed its doors for good in 2006. But with Universal real estate at a pre-
mium, the
Simpsons
wasted no time moving in, in 2008. Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and
Maggie join in on all the fun and excitement, riding along (at top speed, I might add) on
a hysterical adventure through a wild and wacky Krusty the Clown-created carnival.
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