Universal Orlando Resort Dazzles With its New Transformers Ride

Universal Orlando Resort opened its latest new attraction, Transformers: The Ride 3D with quite the fanfare last Wednesday. Armed forces were on hand, the voice actors for Optimus Prime and Megatron, even Director Steven Spielberg joined in the action. I was able to preview the ride Tuesday night, and let me say, the hype and excitement was totally worth it. I am not a huge thrill-ride person – I will go on most coasters, but the fear of the unknown always makes me a little anxious. I had been on The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman when it opened at Islands of Adventure and loved it, but was a little concerned that the new Transformers ride would be a little scary for me. I was nervous for nothing, it was non-stop fun! 

The first thing you notice as you approach the N.E.S.T. headquarters is the 20 foot statue of Optimus Prime, pointing to the sky and ready to protect the land. I had seen many photos of this statue, but it is awe-inspiring in person, so huge – a really cool welcome to the ride area. Inside the queue, you feel as though you are part of the story with the endless array of buttons and levers and official N.E.S.T. paraphanelia about. Because the space within the ride building is so compact, the winding through the various rooms in the queue really disorients you and puts you into the world of the Transformers. I loved it. Along the way, we learn about the purpose of N.E.S.T and what our role will be on this mission. We then reach the ride loading area, where we are organized by the number in our party and sent to a vehicle with our "battle glasses" (3D glasses). As with their other thrill rides, Universal has a great "Child Swap" room, where parents can comfortably wait with little ones that are too small to experience the ride. 

From the very start, the Transformers ride is action-packed at every turn. I don't really want to give any spoilers away, but you must experience this ride in person, it is amazing!  For fans of the Transformers movie series, you will not be disappointed, all of your favorites will be there, battling before your eyes. Bumblebee is my personal favorite, and I was thrilled with his part in the ride. The technology and ride itself is very similar to the SpiderMan attraction, but I feel it works so much better in this ride, perhaps because it is so close to the actual movie series vs. being animated villains in the Spiderman ride. In any event, as soon as the ride ended, our entire car full of guests cheered and I wanted to instantly ride again. You exit into a merchandise shop, where they have some really fun shirts for little guys through adult sizes along with toys, mugs and more. 

Here's a gallery of Transformers: The Ride photos –  (click to enlarge) 

Transformers: The Ride is a spectacular edition to Universal Studios Florida and definitely worth a trip down to Orlando or over to Universal Orlando Resort to check it out. While you are there, be sure you check out the new Springfield expansion area with Moe's Tavern too. So fun. If you need help planning your Orlando vacation to Universal, check out UniversalFanTravel.com for a free no obligation quote and signature service! Now let's Roll Out!