The Back to the Future Ride rumored to be closing

[kcnole]

(I mean, hey, the Monsters Inc show going in TimeKeeper hasn't been officially announced yet either...)

Yes it has. It's also not too much to let the fans of the ride know that it's being closed if they want to see it one more time. I also don't think it makes much sense to close a ride as popular as that one is if you don't have an answer to what's going there yet.

As to the rumor about the properties and aquiring rights, that's pure conjecture. It may prove true but those rumors are old. The rumor of the Simpsons has just popped up because it was an old rumor from IOA and the Fast and the Furious rumor has only popped up because posters on boards have said it would fit and some were hoping for it. There has been nothing of any real proof coming out at all.

Now it could be a Simpsons or Fast and the Furious ride, it could be a refurb, or it could be something no ones mentioned yet. None of those rumors have any more weight than any others right now. I think it's just best for us to wait and get some more info before getting all riled up.

 

[Legacy]

Yes it has. It's also not too much to let the fans of the ride know that it's being closed if they want to see it one more time. I also don't think it makes much sense to close a ride as popular as that one is if you don't have an answer to what's going there yet.

As to the rumor about the properties and aquiring rights, that's pure conjecture. It may prove true but those rumors are old. The rumor of the Simpsons has just popped up because it was an old rumor from IOA and the Fast and the Furious rumor has only popped up because posters on boards have said it would fit and some were hoping for it. There has been nothing of any real proof coming out at all.

Now it could be a Simpsons or Fast and the Furious ride, it could be a refurb, or it could be something no ones mentioned yet. None of those rumors have any more weight than any others right now. I think it's just best for us to wait and get some more info before getting all riled up.

I'm just reporting what I was told by my contact, who in general doesn't browse websites about theme parks.

The information was given to me about a month ago, including that one theater was already closed and gutted. They have vehicles and concepts already built for BOTH concepts... they know what they want. They are just still trying to get it.

And like I said... I got this info a while ago... I know everything is heresay on the internet... but I'm just trying to let what I know known.

 

[NemoRocks78]

including that one theater was already closed and gutted.

Both sides are still open, the first one isn't supposed to close until sometime after Rock the Universe. I'm still holding out for an HHN opening though.

 

[Legacy]

Both sides are still open, the first one isn't supposed to close until sometime after Rock the Universe. I'm still holding out for an HHN opening though.

It will either close after Rock or after HHN. Honestly, I think HHN would be smart... as it gives the attraction one last true hurrah before closing. Kong closing the day after Rock seemed... just... weak...

 

[NemoRocks78]

It will either close after Rock or after HHN. Honestly, I think HHN would be smart... as it gives the attraction one last true hurrah before closing. Kong closing the day after Rock seemed... just... weak...

:lol:

Closing after HHN would be the smart thing to do, they need as many attractions open as possible for that.

 

[speck76]

End is near for Back to Future
Universal Orlando officials confirm the ride will be closed for a new attraction.


Scott Powers | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted September 7, 2006


The future of the Back to the Future ride is short at Universal Studios.

After months of not commenting on rumors of the attraction's demise, Universal Orlando on Wednesday confirmed that the 16-year-old simulator ride will be closing to make room for an as-yet-undisclosed new attraction.

Universal spokesman Tom Schroder would not give a date for the ride's last run, though employees at Universal said they have been told it would close Oct. 1.

The ride uses simulator motion technology and a large-screen movie projection system to give visitors the illusion they are traveling in the DeLorean car/time machine featured in the movie franchise. The three movies, released in 1985, '89 and '90, star Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd.

Back to the Future funnels visitors into two identical domes that each have 12 vehicles, which each seat eight riders.

Schroder said one dome was closed recently so that attraction designers could explore possibilities for future rides.

"We've not formalized any plans but the creative process requires us to take some steps now," Schroder said.

Rumors among Universal staff members, fueled and circulated by the Internet, involve several possible replacements, including rides based on the Fast and the Furious movie franchise and one based on The Simpsons TV show.

Back to the Future was one of the original rides when Universal Studios opened in 1990 and for many years was considered among the most advanced simulator rides in the world. The anticipated closure has fueled an Internet petition drive to get Universal to change its mind.

"We know Back to the Future has an enormous following among our fans, and we know it has a significant history," Schroder said. "Any decision we make regarding Back to the Future is not taken lightly."

Scott Powers can be reached at spowers@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5441.

 

[Legacy]

End is near for Back to Future
Universal Orlando officials confirm the ride will be closed for a new attraction.

Well, now it hits that I will never be able to ride it again...

That actually really bites...

Oh well, hopefully Fish will be better.

 

[bayoutinkbelle]

Glad I got one last spin this summer. Damn ...

 

[meryll83]

Oh no, if only I'd know last time ould have been my LAST TIME.
We did get there on opening last time though and got a De Lorien to ourselves, we sat in the front by the controls, it was cool!!

 

[JCrane]

I can't believe that's it...

I can only hope that they'll extend the closure until after HHN as I'm not arriving in Orlando until the 26th October!!

A black day in the history of Universal Orlando!

 

[dolbyman]

man that sucks ... BTTF is among my favourite all time movies (together with jurassic park) .. just bought the triology super shiny pack special edition

hope they keep the Hollywood attraction open till next year. ..

(note to me)
must ride it .. must feel it .. must capture in HD sound and video :zipit:

 

[NemoRocks78]

I'll pay my final respects next weekend....

Universal just better not screw up with the replacement (ala SGE) and they HAVE to keep Hollywood's open (I'll go to freakin' Osaka if I have to, just to go on it again).

 

[Mark_E]

When i rode it the other week i was too busy looking around the theatre at the other two cars that were operating and missed half the show. Oh well, it was never one of my fave rides anyway.

 

[darthjohnny]

Screamscape.com confirms that Universal is closing the ride for good. It was in an Orlando Sentinel article I believe.

 

[ISTCrew20]

Over at Dr. Banner's Lab, the Gamma Technicians have recieved a generous grant from the Institute of Future Technology. It's a bit of a tribute until the ride closes for good.



The preshow will be missed...

 

[Julius & Boobah]

Is there a date on it's closing yet? 6 more days until our visit and I really hope we get to ride it one more time to say goodbye.

 

[coasterphil]

The article says that employees were told October 1st, and thats all we have to go on right now.

 

[MissM]

I'm going tomorrow specifically for a "last ride." It's been about eight years since I've been to Universal and BttF has always been my favorite ride there, bar none. I couldn't let it pass without one last chance to see it.

I'm so sad it's closing. I'm just glad I'll be able to see it again. I've heard it's in sad shape though since it desperately needs an overhaul but certainly won't be getting rehabed ever again.

Stupid park is only open until 6pm tomorrow, but since I'm going just for BttF, that's my focus. I just hate spending $50 a person (FL res online discount rate) for a park open only 9 hours. Lame.

Anyway, I'll be taking as many pictures as I possibly can.
-m

 

[diddy_mouse]

omg...this makes me so sad!

I remember begging my mom to ride it with me when I was a kid back in 1991. I thought everything about it was cool: the queue, the pre-show, everything!!! I'm glad I was able to take my best friend on it 6 years ago, we hit it twice in a row and did it once more that day (I think)

*sniff* You will be missed BttF...luckily you always managed to get that stolen DeLorian back from Biff...

 

[JROK]

Stupid park is only open until 6pm tomorrow, but since I'm going just for BttF, that's my focus. I just hate spending $50 a person (FL res online discount rate) for a park open only 9 hours. Lame.
-m

They're only open till 6pm because Halloween rehearsals begin at 7pm.