Men in Black: Alien Attack

Image: oliverfoto, Flickr (license)

When you’re trying to build a timeless attraction that will last well-past its expected sell-by date, a great place to start is by aping the architecture of the 1960s.

Predating the Mad Men-inspired love affair with mid-century modern design by about 10 years, Men in Black: Alien Attack is the rare combination of a great ride, exciting queue, and beautiful show building. Universal’s headlining attraction — Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey — gets all of the ink for great show building design, but Men in Black is nearly its equal.

Evoking the 1964 World’s Fair in Queens, New York, this attraction begins with a fake presentation about your place in an uncaring, lonely universe. It’s clever, and it helps transition the rider into the world of the attraction — which, even though the film it’s based on is itself 20 years old, never feels confusing or out of date.

Most of all, the ride is modern and fun — a clever shooter that progresses well and stays fresh. It opened just two years after Buzz Lightyear: Space Ranger Spin at Walt Disney World, and yet, it feels light years ahead. It’s a modern classic in every sense of the word.

The Cat in the Hat

Image: rain0975, Flickr (license)

Universal eventually found its voice in producing high-octane thrills with high-tech ride systems - a kind of classed-up Six Flags, with roller coasters that bring in the thrill seekers but with high theming to keep families interested.

But, around the turn of the century, the company still had its little brother complex with Disney. And, as such, they tried their best to do what Disney did and win the game that Disney designed. They never quite beat Disney at their own game — opting instead, eventually, to change it altogether — but their noble attempts are still great to enjoy. The Cat in the Hat, like E.T. Adventure before it, is a family ride through-and-through. Using clever lighting, animatronics, and a fancy-free ride system, The Cat in the Hat brings the Dr. Seuss story to pulse-pounding life.

The namesake book is, obviously, hardly a page-turner, but Universal cleverly brought it to life in a fun and memorable way. The ride does border ever-so-slightly on being too thrilling for some, and was in fact toned down from its rowdier first incarnation over a decade ago. That’s just a fun sign of what was to come for Universal’s ride designers. It’s still no less classic.

Hard Rock Hotel

Image: scmikeburton, Flickr (license)

Disney gets all of the credit for hotels, and with good reason. Recently, Universal has made a strong play at Disney’s crown with clever budget options like Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Universal’s Endless Summer.

But, it’s easy to forget that back when Universal was shifting to phase two just before 2000, they built a few of the best hotels in Orlando. One of those, the Hard Rock Hotel, is the definition of a classic.

With its Spanish/California architecture, its playful musical design motifs, its showpiece swimming pool and its proximity to Universal Studios Florida, the Hard Rock Hotel is absolutely the definition of a deluxe experience. It’s been around long enough that guests who stayed there as kids when it first opened can go there on their own with friends and family. And, it’s still as popular today as it was then.

That’s the sign of a true iconic resort.

Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges

Image: rollercoasterphilosophy, Flickr (license)

Admit it: If you had to pick just one between Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges and Kali River Rapids, you’d pick Popeye.

That, on its own, speaks volumes about this incredible river rafting ride. Additionally, the hours-long lines it can experience on the hottest summer days provides further evidence of its excellence.

Universal cleverly made a themed river rafting ride that doesn’t forget the principal point of a ride like that is to get its guests very, very wet. On other similar rides, there’s a Russian Roulette-type game of “who will be the one to get the worst of it?” On Popeye, there is no such game — just grim acceptance of the entire raft’s fate.

There is no better raft ride anywhere in the world. It’s length, its theming, and its commitment to get you drenched elevate it to a classic in its genre.