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Universal Studios Escape

Universal’s second gate was, by all accounts, a marvel. Partially designed and built by Disney Imagineers (as we explored in our in-depth account of the park’s Lost Legend: The Lost Continent), Universal had assembled a world-class collection of intellectual properties, constructed some of the most technologically advanced theme park rides on Earth, and had wrapped it all in a package as beautifully detailed and landscaped as anything Disney had done. Thoughtful, musical, whimsical, legendary, and adventurous, the park seemed like a surefire hit, and just the thing to put Universal on the map as a real contender in Orlando’s family market.

So then why was Islands of Adventure the least-attended theme park in Orlando for years after its opening?

Simple: Universal botched the marketing campaign.

Image: Universal

When the entire re-organized complex was announced, it was to be called Universal City Florida. Ultimately, the name was deemed too unexciting, so before the official relaunch, the complex was named Universal Studios Escape Orlando with the second park officially joining Universal Studios Florida and the new Universal Studios CityWalk being named Universal Studios Islands of Adventure.

And therein lies the problem. Travelers might have been aware of Universal Studios – less than a decade old – as a single-day aside from a Walt Disney World stay. But what was Universal Studios Escape? Or Universal Studios Islands of Adventure? Or Universal Studios CityWalk? Was each a new park? A new land? A new ride?

Image: Universal

The marketing campaign was botched. The extravagant, cutting-edge, leading Islands of Adventure was mostly ignored as travelers failed to understand what – if anything – had changed at Universal Studios.

We can chalk the confusion up to the notion that Universal was the first to expand its single park into a full resort in a single blow. They were learning from the “school of hard knocks.” If it weren’t for Universal’s 1999 flub, we might’ve ended up with Disneyland Park and Disneyland Adventure Park at Disneyland California.

In 2002, the entire resort was renamed Universal Orlando Resort, and the second park became Universal’s Islands of Adventure – a much more logical organization. Even then, we know that Islands of Adventure was still not given its due credit until the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened in 2010 and re-catapulted the park – at last – into international headlines. 

Vol. 3-D

Before (1999) and After (2016). Images: Universal

Even after Potter's debut drew roves of new guests to Universal Orlando, Universal seemed to recognize that keeping them would require more than just the Wizarding World be in top shape. So on May 19, 2011 (a week shy of the park’s 12th birthday), Universal announced a major refurbishment that would re-master the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man in high definition.

The film projectors would be replaced with Infitec digital projectors, and the ride would recieve a new audio system, new lighting, and set upgrades.

Here's the thing: when the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man re-opened on March 8, 2012, it was brand spanking new. The spectacular fan-favorite had been completely revitalized. More than just new hardware or a "refining" of the original ride, every single animated scene was re-animated from scratch, adding immense detail and realism with vivid color. While it still feels as if you've stepped into a living comic book world, now there's appropriate depth and texture.

Spider-Man looks better today than it did in 1999. Its upgrade is the sincere definition of a "plus," super-charging the ride for another generation and ensuring it remains a marvel for all. The video and images we presented in our ride-through are all of the upgraded 2016 ride. You can see a side-by-side look at the original 1999 ride and the 2016 updated version here:

Getting the SCOOP(s)

The technology that powers Spider-Man – the roving, motion-based 3D dark ride that's often simply called a SCOOP – was a wonder, shaking the industry. Never before could projections, physical sets, and motion co-exist in a physical ride space to such a degree. And as you might imagine from such a stellar new precedent, the success of Spider-Man's SCOOP application is often imitated, but never duplicated...

Image: Thord Daniel Hedengren, Flickr (license)

...Er, duplicated once. In January 2004, Universal Studios Japan opened its own Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man in the park's New York (located behind the facade American fans know as the entrance to Universal's other Modern Marvel: Revenge of the Mummy and, before that, dearly departed Lost Legend: Kongfrontation). The ride is identical to Orlando's but for its Japanese-language dubbing. Japan's Spider-Man recieved the same 4K upgrade in 2013.

Most surprisingly, the technology's next application wasn't at Universal, Disney, or any other global destination park. Instead, it appeared at the regional, seasonal park Busch Gardens Williamsburg, whose themed lands are hamlets dedicated to European countries and the food, dance, stories, and legends of "the Old Country." There, the German-set Curse of DarKastle was – in the loosest terms – a haunted house. The ride recast the SCOOPS as golden sleighs carrying us through the frozen grounds and haunted halls of mad King Ludwig's castle – frozen in time – as his mother's spirit tries to save us, break the curse, and end her son's reign of terror at last. 

Image: SeaWorld Parks

The full-on family adventure ride sent guests spinning, flying, and – yes – falling as they faced Ludwig and the curse. But the park must've quickly understood why such technology had been exclusive to big-budget mega-destination parks. After about a decade of annually-reduced intensity seemingly to compensate for wear-and-tear, it became clear that DarKastle would need its own media upgrade and a whole lot of TLC to keep running. Owner SeaWorld Parks instead chose to shutter the ride entirely, as chronicled in our Lost Legends: Curse of DarKastle tour of the ride's story.

The ride system was used again in Abu Dhabi Ferrari World's Speed of Magic ride (though to less creative success) and on the anime-stylized Tokyo Panic Cruise at the Tokyo Dome City indoor park. 

Image: Universal

In 2011, the SCOOP style technology was used on the new Transformers – The Ride at Universal Studios Singapore, based on the Transformers film franchise by Michael Bay. On board, the SCOOP was themed as a Transformer named EVAC that guests ride in as they race to save the life-giving AllSpark from the hands of the Decepticons desperate for its power. Interestingly, Transformers – The Ride is two stories, with EVAC carried via a concealed elevator to a second level so effectively, most riders don't even notice.

Given the ride's success (and the moritorium on Marvel west of the Mississippi), Transformers then made its way to Universal Studios Hollywood in 2012. Most surprisingly, the SCOOP came full-circle when Transformers was duplicated a third time at Universal Studios Florida, giving Universal Orlando two SCOOP-based dark rides.

As clever as each reinvention has been, few would argue that any subsequent installation is better than the original Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.

Innovating Onward...

In 1995, Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye upped the ante for themed entertainment design and ride system engineering.

In 1999, Universal stole back to the crown with The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. To this day, it remains cutting edge and astounding in its complexity, and in the effectiveness of the illusions it presents. The ride system feels both current and timeless… a tremendous credit to the innovators who made it possible. As a testament to its brilliance, the SCOOP made our countdown of the Seven Modern Wonders of the Theme Park World, too, earning a place alongside the Omnimover and the EMV that spurred its creation!

Image: Disney

And as you might imagine, it also kicked off another spree of innovation and engineering, moving 21st century theme park design to the next level. In 2000, Disney returned fire with the trackless, LPS (local positioning sattelite) technology in Tokyo Disney's Pooh's Hunny Hunt and 2001's Aquatopia at DisneySea next door. (The same technology is at use on SeaWorld's Empire of the Penguin, Walt DIsney Studios' Ratatouille: The Adventure, California Adventure's Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters, Universal's own Skull Island: Reign of Kong, and most famously in Hong Kong Disneyland's Modern Marvel: Mystic Manor.)

When Universal countered, it was with 2010's Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, unthinkably combining a KUKA robotic arm with a physical ride track. On board, guests twist, turn, drop, and flip through physical sets and past animatronic figures, then align with roving, all-encompassing projection domes as they "fly" through simulated scenes.

Image: Universal

2014's Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts somehow seemed to combine it all, effectively bolting SCOOP-style motion-simulating ride carriages to a roller coaster cart, with physical sets, trick track, full-dome projections, KUKA robo arms, and more combining into one of the most spectacular family adventure rides ever built.

Amazing Adventures

What's next? Well, that comes down to the rides listed above and the even-newer installations like AVATAR Flight of Passage at Disney's Animal Kingdom, the incredible Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Sunken Treasure that we analyzed in our In-Depth Walkthrough: Shanghai Disneyland, and whatever awaits in Disney's Star Wars themed lands.

New technology allows Disney and Universal to trade friendly punches, pushing the envelope and the industry with subsequent installations. Every year, the limits we thought we knew stretch. More seamless integration; more high-definition; more motion; more immersion. We can't begin to think of what "cutting edge" rides may debut a decade from today, using technology that hasn't even been imagined yet.

Image: Universal

One thing we do know? Even as technology races forward, rides like The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man remain favorites. These Modern Marvels are at once cutting-edge and timeless, still inspiring awe in riders. That's a sign of quality, and one of the reasons we inducted Spider-Man into our new series early.

And that's where you come in – are you amazed by the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man? Does this spectacular dark ride still convince you that you're racing through a comic book? Does your stomach still drop when you freefall 400-feet? What in the world could engineers be dreaming of next? What other "Modern Marvels" deserve in-depth looks in our new selection of stories?

 
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Comments

THE best ride! 4 trips to Orlando from the UK since 2005 and everyone there are only 2 things that were done on all trips. Spiderman, terminator 2-3D and A Florida airboat. The first time in '05 I queued for over 2 hours, though it mattered not, the whole experience of "the tour" and the cartoon intro, made the line seem like part of the ride (I went back and did it all again the next day). The Simpsons ride though (not mentioned above, is it not a "Scoop" car?) is really close behind Spidey!

This ride is one of my all time favorites. Ah the summer of 99. Amazing to me that as an annual passholder to Universal you were able to get into Island of Adventure for a measly $25. It was incredible and virtually empty. I never understood why it was so empty at first. I don't think there has ever been a park as innovative as Islands of Adventure. So many amazing attractions and right at opening day with The Amazing Spiderman taking the crown.

Great article! Only one correction, on page 3 it says "Intruders! If you think you're getting out of here," he laughs, "you're in for it!".....but he says "you're in for a shock!" unless that changed in the new version (?)

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