NEW RIDES IN UNIVERSAL HOLLYWOOD 2013-2016 VIDEO TRANSFORMERS THE RIDE

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOODHollywood, CA (Abbreviation: USH) NBC Universal Click to buy Universal Studios Hollywood tickets ----    THE LATEST BUZZ    ----     (4/23/12) The Twitter reports from Universal Hollywood have been wild since Friday afternoon with all the praise and awestruck reports from those lucky enough to happen into a preview (MORE...)     (4/20/12) Preview rides for Transformers – The Ride have begin. Hit the park on any given day and you may be lucky enough to take a spin. (MORE...)     (4/16/12) The latest rumors seem in indicate that Despicable Me will indeed be coming to Universal Hollywood for 2013. The real question now seems to be “where?” (MORE...)     (4/16/12) While no one seems sure of the exact timetable here, if you visit the park this year to see Transformers (and you should!) also make sure to (MORE...) General Park News - (4/12/12) Heads up music fans, but a free concert will be taking place at the Universal CityWalk “5 Towers” concert venue by Carly Rae Jepsen and her hit single “Call me Maybe” on Saturday, April 14th at 9pm.     (2/2/12) One our a readers reports back that they were asked to take a Halloween Horror Nights survey for Universal Hollywood a little bit ago. In the survey they asked for opinions about various possible new maze themes which included questions about an AC/DC themed music maze, the new 2012 Texas Chainsaw Massacre in 3D, The Exorsist and a few other old-school Hollywood / Universal classic monster concepts. The survey also asked options about several other heavy metal / rock music bands (sorry, no names), as well as opinions on recent movie and tv shows as possible maze themes as well.     (1/31/12) The latest photo update from Universal Hollywood, including a look at Transformers and the other renovation projects across the park can be found at WestCoastThrills.     (12/15/11) Take a peek at Transformers along with Grinchmas over in the latest update at Westcoaster.     (11/23/11) Want to help shape the future of Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Hollywood? The park has now posted a survey online to get feedback about what kind of HHN ideas and themes you would like to see in the future.     One interesting question I noticed was asking for feedback about Terror Tram… and if they wanted to see it again as is, see it again stopping in an all new location instead of the War of the Worlds crash site, or if you would rather not have Terror Tram at all and instead have a 7th maze.     Other questions are about possible IP tie-ins for new mazes, as well as a list of possible celebrities they could possibly use to create another Alice Cooper style haunt or bring in to help bring their creations to life (like Rob Zombie and Eli Roth).     (11/24/10) According to the LA Times, Universal Hollywood has laid out a long term masterplan regarding the future development of the theme park over the next 20 years or so. This plan includes the addition of seven new unannounced attraction, and the removal or relocation of several others. Three attractions are specifically pointed out as being on the chopping block: Terminator 2:3-D, the Fear Factor Live theater and the WaterWorld stunt show. The plan also shows off four possible new attractions to be placed on the Backlot in various locations, with one near Jaws and another near the Fast & The Furious car scene. See our new rumor below about a possible replacement in the works for T2:3D. 2012 - Transformers: The Ride 3-D - (4/23/12) The Twitter reports from Universal Hollywood have been wild since Friday afternoon with all the praise and awestruck reports from those lucky enough to happen into a preview of Transformers – The Ride. A fairly detailed photo trip report from over the weekend into one of these “Technical Rehearsals” has been posted to Theme Park Review, where signs do warn that not all effects are up and running just yet, though from pleased rider reports, you wouldn’t know it.     Still want more?  Don’t care about Spoilers?  You’ve been warned… there is a POV ride video already onYouTube here. Be warned… the 3D footage is blurry, as you would expect, so your not going to see the action very clearly, but you can get a basic idea of the amazing experience ahead when you do ride.    Even more photos from Transformers can be found at Westcoaster this week.     (4/20/12) Preview rides for Transformers – The Ride have begin. Hit the park on any given day and you may be lucky enough to take a spin. Early word from those lucky enough to stumble into a preview ride (or be invited to a VIP sneak peek) has been utterly positive. People just seem to love it.     That said… lets take a look at a new preview video showing off a bit about the creation of Transformers – The Ride with Universal Creative.     (4/12/12) A bit of cool news has slipped my way regarding Transfomers The Ride. When it opens, you will be enjoying the awesome 3D action through the use of Dolby 3D, the same incredible 3D system we first saw used on Star Tours last year, and which Universal also just put to use on the upgraded Adventures of Spider-Man at Islands of Adventure last month.     This is also an extra upgrade over even the first version of Transformers – The Ride that opened in Singapore a few months ago. The Singapore version uses the same old-style 3D glasses and projection system that Spider-man used to use. So when Transformers opens… your in for a real feast for the eyes.     (4/11/12) Screamscape sources tell us that the employee preview of Transformers – The Ride is now set for Wednesday, April 18th and that we could see the first soft opening for park guests sometime on Thursday, April 19th. So if you visit the park, keep your eyes open for the window when they open the ride.     (4/10/12) According to the latest rumors buzzing around the Universal Hollywood backlot, we could see Transformers: The Ride soft-open for very limited periods of time as early as the end of this week or during next week if the final testing continues to go well. This will start with VERY limited testing… opening the ride for just an hour or two in the middle or late in the day to start with and expanding on as things get closer to the real opening date.     On a related note, a reader of ours who is close with Universal Studios tells us they have received an invitation to a preview ride session on Transformers on 4/25.  So it really does sound like everything will be coming together very quickly now.     (3/28/12) Universal Studios Hollywood has sent word to their annual passholders in the latest newsletter that they will be holding AP Previews on Transformers – The Ride on May 4-6th.  Meanwhile one of our readers has posted a quick video showing off the latest progress of the renovation work to the lower lot, as well as how the Transformers ride building looks up close.     (3/26/12) A reader visiting the park was kind enough to send in a couple of pictures showing off the entrance to Transformers – The Ride.  I can’t wa it for this one to open… and it may open much sooner than you think for soft opening if all goes well inside. This is also going to be quite an exicting ride for the Southern California market. For most SoCal park guests… they’ve never been to the Florida parks. The thought of traveling across the country to Florida to visit Universal Studios and Disney World seems like a waste to your average local guest, as they have had the original Universal and Disney parks in their back yards for as long as they can remember.     That said… your average guest to Universal Studios Hollywood is quite simply going to be as blown away by Transformers – The Ride as everyone was back in 1999 when they first experienced Spider-Man at Islands of Adventure. So essentially… the fact that the California market will finally be able to experience this amazing ride system at long last (after Florida and Japan have had it for years, plus Singapore since late 2011) will be quite the game changer, and really turn some heads at Universal Hollywood.     (3/22/12) Westcoaster has a new Transformers ride update for us this week as Megatron and Optimus Prime have now taken their place on the mural on the soundstage.  As for the ride itself… I’m hearing that things are goes extremely well inside those walls.     (3/9/12) Apparently Universal Hollywood has posted their own Viral video attempt to promote the soon to open Transformers ride. This video (with an attempt to look like an amateur iPhone camera video by holding the camera the wrong way) gives us a painfully narrow view of two boys who sneak into the ride building and through some of the queue before security chases them out. (Of course it has to be viral… because Universal put their own copyright and credits at the end! Oops! Faux Pas?)     Now if I was making the video… those kids would have never made it out of the building. The camera would drop and you would hear the ‘transform’ sound effect in the back ground followed by the kids screaming as they get lifted in the air by a giant hand before it goes black. But that’s just me.     (3/2/12) Today we get a look at Universal Hollywood, checking in on the latest updates and progress over at the Transformers building and elsewhere thanks to our friends at Westcoaster. Looks like things have been moving full steam ahead there…     (2/17/12) Time to check in with the NEST base to see what’s going on with Transformers: The Ride this week, thanks to our friends at Westcoaster. They also poke around to see the latest reworking going on a the Tram station, Shrek 4D and more.     (2/7/12) Transformers fans… you can catch the Transformer’s special Superbowl ad below in case you missed it on Sunday.     (2/3/12) I’ve been informed that the previously rumored May 25th grand opening date is incorrect, and that as of this time Universal Studios Hollywood has not settled on an actual target opening date. For now, they can only say that they are hoping to open sometime in May 2012.     (2/1/12) Universal Studios has confirmed to Screamscape that they will run a 30-second commercial to promote the new Transformers: The Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood during the Super Bowl Pre-Game Coverage on February 5th on NBC. “The spot will culminate with a call to action, challenging viewers to enlist atPrepareForBattle.com  as N.E.S.T. volunteers within an elite AUTOBOT –human combat force.”     Speaking of NEST, as another emergency transmition has leaked through from General Morshower, warning of the impending Decepticon attack.     (1/27/12) Westcoaster stops by Universal Hollywood this week and checks in on Transformers.     (1/25/12) NEST HQ made contact tonight with Intel Communique 02 on the subject of taking tactical maneuvers versus Decepticons.     (1/10/12) A new video transmition from General Morshower and NEST has gone live, which ends with an interesting message that the “Game Begins February 4, 2012”. So check out the video below and get yourself over to PrepareForBattle.com to get the latest updates as they come out.     (1/6/12) Lets review the year in construction on Transformers the ride at Universal Studios Hollywood over atWestcoaster.     (12/30/11) I’ve been told that the planned “Grand Opening” date for Transformers is Friday, May 25th…sometime in May 2012. However… this is just the planned Grand Opening date. If all goes according to schedule, they are looking to have the ride soft open for guests several weeks in advance of this to give them time to work out all the bugs and get the ride crew up to speed.     (12/22/11) Westcoaster has posted a new look around Universal Studios Hollywood this week, checking on the latest changes around the Transformers ride building as well as some Grinchmas action.     A new updated teaser trailer for the Transformers ride has been posted by Universal this week which includes a good amount of on ride footage as well as confirming a May 2012 opening date in the description. They also give out the URL for a new promo site for the ride at PrepareForBattle.com.     (12/12/11) A reader has sent in two new pictures of what seems to be the finished painted exterior to the Transformers attraction building. The metal figures of Optimus Prime and Megatron will go up very soon to finish it off.     In other news, while there is still a lot of work left to do before Transformers is ready to roll, and anything can happen between now and then, I’ve heard that there is a good chance we will see some quiet soft-opening runs to the public well ahead of the grand opening if all goes well inside.     (12/8/11) Westcoaster takes a look at the latest Grinchmas and Transformers construction updates from Universal Hollywood.     (12/1/11) According to this news report, Hasbro is working on creating an official EVAC Transformers toy.     (11/18/11) Westcoaster drops by Universal Hollywood to check out the new Christmas decorations as well as to check on the progress of the painting over at the Transformers NEST base building… cleverly disguised as the side of an 70’s stoner van painting.     On to a more positive subject... if you want to read a scene by scene run-down of what you can expect to find once on the ride, then check out our Universal Singapore page where a lucky preview rider tells all.     (11/15/11) From what Screamscape sources tell us, the exterior “change” going up on the Transformer’s ride building apparently was an 11th hour decision made by park management as a cost cutting measure. The exterior of the ride was indeed intended to be themed, much like the interior queue, as a NEST base facility. Instead the exterior will now feature this bright explosion painting now, with an image of Megatron and Optimus Prime battling it out.     (11/14/11) To be honest, I’m not sure what they were thinking here… but a huge and very colorful “mural” is being painted on the front of the Transformers ride building at Universal Hollywood.  I’m a bit confused, as I had heard previously that it was to have looked like a “NEST” base building and not a movie poster.     (11/8/11) Our Spybot tells us that the first car is expected to be installed onto the Transformers ride track before the end of the month to begin the initial test runs for the ride track system.     (9/9/11) Westcoaster drops into Universal Hollywood to check on the progresss at Transformers as well as Halloween Horror Nights.     (9/1/11) A reader has sent in a picture of what looks like the future entrance area for the Transformers attraction in Hollywood.     (7/25/11) Universal Hollywood previewed some actual Transformers: The Ride footage at ComiCon the other day. Check out the preview video embedded below! The early footage of a blue car transforming into a robot is a new character designed for the ride named EVAC, which is actually the car you ride in during the ride. Look carefully at the car-mode and you can see the three rows of seat inside the frame.     An official teaser site set up to promote the Transformers ride has also launched this week at NESTNeedsYou.com.     (7/1/11) A new Universal Hollywood update has been added to WestCoaster featuring a good look at the Transformers building. Speaking of Transformers, a brief article about the Michael Bay film trilogy and how the ride has spawned off from there, has also posted what may be our first look at a frame of actual 3D animation from the ride.     (6/24/11) A new Transformers construction update has been posted to Westcoaster this week and as you can see, all the walls are now up and we no longer can peek into the building’s innards. Speaking of innards, I’m told that while there is still a long list of things to do, the ride is still on track to open in Spring 2012.     (6/20/11) According to one insider, the construction schedule for Transformers in Hollywood has it listed to begin test cycles of the ride vehicles starting September 1st, if everything remains on schedule at least.     (6/6/11) SlashFilm has posted leaked concept artwork images showing off the queue for the new Transformers ride.     (5/12/11) A new construction update from the Transformers show building and the rest of Universal Hollywood has been posted to Westcoaster this week. It seems that the big hardware we saw earlier going into the building is for the elevator shafts.     (10/21/08) The big news today from Universal Studios and Resorts World at Sentosa was the unveiling of the plans to build a major theme park mega-attraction based on the Transformers film series that will open first at the new Universal Studios Singapore theme park, to be followed by a copy at Universal Studios Hollywood by 2011. While there are no solid details about the exact ride system itself, I’ve got to wonder if this may be the next evolution use of the ride system used on the award-winning Spiderman dark rides in Orlando and Japan. Certainly the omission of those two popular markets for the attraction does raise an eyebrow, though Orlando currently has it’s hands full with Harry Potter. Still... if there was any other movie theme that would really warrant the use of the Spiderman ride system, Tranformers would be it, allowing for a mix of real in your face special effects mixed with giant 3D projection technology to bring the giant battle-bots to life.     According to the article in Variety, the Hollywood version of the ride will replace Backdraft and the Special Effects Soundstages attraction with construction set to begin ‘after Labor Day”, which I assume is Labor Day in 2009.     Now for some quotes from the press release as well as an impressive piece of concept artwork.     “The attraction will fuse 3D-HD media, mega special effects and stunning robotics with a ride system that will transform perceptions of theme park experiences. The rides are scheduled to make their debuts first at Universal Studios Singapore and then at Universal Studios Hollywood, both prior to summer, 2011.”     In "Transformers," Earth’s humans are caught in the middle of an intergalactic war between the friendly Autobots and the evil Decepticons, which are able to change into a variety of objects, including cars, trucks, planes and other technological creations.     Tom Williams, Chairman and CEO, Universal Parks & Resorts, said: "Transformers will be a jewel in our collection of world-class rides based on great movies. We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Hasbro, DreamWorks, director Michael Bay and the film’s executive producer, Steven Spielberg, who has been responsible for so many of our signature rides and attractions."     Tan Hee Teck, Chief Executive Officer of Resorts World at Sentosa, the mega resort that is home to Universal Studios Singapore, said: "It is great that Asia will be the launch pad for the first Transformers attraction. Transformers was introduced to the United States in 1983 but traces its roots to Asia. Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Megatron are familiar names to Asian audiences, who grew up with the robot toys and love the movie. When Transformers opens in Universal Studios Singapore in 2011, it will be the first of its kind in the world. We may see a surge of Transformers mania.’’     Larry Kurzweil, President and Chief Operating Officer, Universal Studios Hollywood, said: “Transformers represents a perfect match for our theme park: an exhilarating blockbuster with a great story, clever humor, non-stop action and flawless special effects. It has all the elements necessary to become one of the world’s most exciting theme park rides and a centerpiece attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A." 2013 - Despicable Me - Rumor - (4/16/12) The latest rumors seem in indicate that Despicable Me will indeed be coming to Universal Hollywood for 2013. The real question now seems to be “where?”  We know Universal Hollywood is always strapped for space, so something is going to have to go on the upper lot to make room. Apparently they did consider replacing Shrek for it, but instead we may likely see it either replace Terminator 2 - 3D or perhaps replace the Curious George play area if they opt to build a new theater. I’m kind of surprised they haven’t tried to shove it into the Special Effects Stage attraction myself.  More on this as it leaks out...     (2/20/12) While we wait for more information about how the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be coming to Universal Hollywood, while Transformers is counting down the days until it is ready to open, we’ve gotten word about a possible new attraction that may be in development for Universal Hollywood.  I don’t know the details, but I’m hearing that the feedback so far from Universal Creative about the new Despicable Me attraction going into Orlando has been so positive, that there are tentative plans in the works to try and bring a copy of it to Universal Hollywood as well. With Despicable Me 2 hitting the theaters in Summer 2013, I can only assume that they would be smart to push for a Spring/Summer 2013 opening date if approved. Anyone know more?