US TF Ride Grand Opening

[griffin]

At the start of the weekend just past, the US Transformers Ride (California Universal Studios) had its grand opening, and there was a big event featuring some big names in Transformers.

Peter Cullen, Frank Welker and Producer Steven Spielberg (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/steven-spielberg-to-attend-grand-opening-of-transformers-the-ride-today/24912/). Plus Bumblebee and Optimus Prime of course (vehicles and people in huge costumes).

A video clip can be seen here (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/universal-studios-hollywood-transformers-the-ride-3d-grand-opening-coverage/24913/), while a heap of photos can be seen here (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/additional-images-from-universal-studios-hollywood-transformers-the-ride-3d-grand-opening/24919/).

For those ever planning to go to a future BotCon, or ever thought about it, this gives you another reason to go, as most flights from Australia enter America at Los Angeles.... and with a 1 or 2 night stop-over, you can do the Universal Studios on the way to whatever city is hosting BotCon that year. (or wait until the next BotCon is in LA)

[griffin]

More images and videos (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/additional-footage-and-interviews-from-the-grand-opening-of-universal-studios-hollywoods-transformers-the-ride-3d/24952/) from the grand opening last weekend. (we don't usually get to see much of Frank Welker, as he doesn't usually do public or fan events)

[griffin]

Another video of the opening (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/universal-studios-hollywood-transformers-the-ride-3d-red-carpet-event-coverage/25189/)... don't know if it has anything new.

[Decepticon]

Video has been removed by user:confused:

[griffin]

That's weird... (I should probably look at the videos in future)

The official Transformers channel here (http://www.youtube.com/user/transformers), has several videos of the ride, so maybe the one above was replaced with one of the others now there.

[griffin]

The owner of the Seibertron website has posted up comprehensive details and images of his trip to the Universal Studios in California, which shows off how the themepark has adopted a temporary Transformers theme (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/seibertrons-tour-of-transformers-the-ride-3d-at-universal-studios-hollywood-part-1-the-main-attraction/25462/), and, shows off a huge amount of merchandise in the gift shop (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/seibertrons-tour-of-transformers-the-ride-3d-at-universal-studios-hollywood-part-2-stores-merchandise-and-products/25463/).

[Decepticon]

I am going to be sooo poor after visiting this shop.:eek:

[griffin]

Dammit... I worked it out as being possible to fly over to LA, go to the themepark for the day, and fly back without even staying the night (minimising cost, and time off from work)... if you are on the East coast of Australia.

It's best to be a Tuesday or Wednesday, to have the smallest crowd at the themepark.
So if you fly out Wednesday morning by QANTAS, it arrives in LA around 6-8am (the same day, because of the dateline).
Pre-organise transport to Universal Studios, and you have all day there, because the flights back to Australia leave LA at about midnight.... giving you at least 8 hours at the themepark.
The flight back would then have you arriving around 5-7am Friday morning... which would give me enough time to work that day (if I could only get two days off).

Costs:
- $1200-1500 return discount economy (Depending on sale fares)
- transportation to and from themepark
- entry to themepark
- food and merchandise at the themepark.

It's starting to have me obsess about doing it now. :(

Anyone ever done that, or would even consider it (fly to another country, but not even stay the night)? I think the greatest concern would be customs in both countries thinking I was a drug courier.

Would anyone else be crazy enough to consider this?
It is excessive, but considering how much I spend on TFs, especially with BotCon... the total expense of this idea would only end up costing about what I spent to fly down south to see the three TFs movies on IMAX. Sad to say it, but flying over to LA for the day would be better value than those three trips.

[Robzy]

Costs:
- $1200-1500 return discount economy (Depending on sale fares)
- transportation to and from themepark
- entry to themepark
- food and merchandise at the themepark.

That's one hell of an expensive theme park ticket :D



Anyone ever done that, or would even consider it (fly to another country, but not even stay the night)? I think the greatest concern would be customs in both countries thinking I was a drug courier.

Would anyone else be crazy enough to consider this?
It is excessive, but considering how much I spend on TFs, especially with BotCon... the total expense of this idea would only end up costing about what I spent to fly down south to see the three TFs movies on IMAX. Sad to say it, but flying over to LA for the day would be better value than those three trips.
Well, I don't think it's crazy... if you can afford it. ;) I'm sure you could make it work... plus it's a pretty cool story - flying to LA for a day to basically go on one ride. I like it!! :)

I'm gonna hopefully be in LA later this year, and this was one of the things I've already put down as "must do". If you do go on a Wed, it's a shame you couldn't take the Fri off too... then, with the weekend, you'd have 5 days in a row. Maybe you could stay an extra day?

[griffin]

At my work, it is easier to get mid-week days off, but not easy to get friday off... which was why I was formulating the idea around only being able to get two days off.
But yeah, the craziness of the idea makes it a more interesting story to tell others.

[jazzcomp]

how about mondays off?

I like this
http://www.seibertron.com/images/events/258/r_DSC03738.jpg

[Spiritprime]

Damn you, Americans...

[tinyJazz]

I want to buy so many things in that store, do they have the same stock at the singapore park? :D

[UltraMarginal]

Anyone ever done that, or would even consider it (fly to another country, but not even stay the night)? I think the greatest concern would be customs in both countries thinking I was a drug courier.


Especially since you'd have two empty suitcases on the way in and two full suitcases on the way out:D

Seriously though, if I were to do a trip like that, I'd stretch it to at least a week to do some other stuff as well.

and in your case Griffin, since you'll be flying to the states next year for BOTCON, why wouldn't you just make sure you were stopped over in LA for a day along the way. that way you're adding value to your Botcon trip. Unless of course you can't wait.

I must admit, I'm starting to think of good excuses to travel to the states some time in the next year or so, potentially adding it to another Botcon Trip is something I'm thinking about. I'll just suggest to Mrs UltraMarginal that we should take another trip to Canada :D

[griffin]

Unless of course you can't wait.

Yes, that's the problem... :o

(I almost booked a flight a week ago for later this month... and had the plans there all worked out.... just didn't get a reply back from the travel agent.)

[griffin]

My own review of the American Universal Studios Ride (http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/universal1.html).

For those who have seen the videos and photos in the posts above, there probably isn't anything spectacular in my photos, so don't expect to see anything news-worthy. Just a lot of commentary, and quite a bit of non-Transformers stuff done as well on the day.

Note - the second page is still currently being typed up, but all the photos are there. By the time most of you see this and get to it, I might have it finished... but if you see it before then, you will know why it looks unfinished.

[jazzcomp]

No photos of you griff?

[Decepticon]

That's a good effort Griffin. Very detailed blog also. I wouldn't do it myself (mainly cos I'm going there in just over a months time....all for free!):D

[griffin]

The second page is now finished (http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/universal2.html).
It took longer to type up than the day itself.


No photos of you griff?

Nah, I don't photograph well. :o

Besides, Dispensor is the photo-hog. :p

[orionpax1]

just finished reading your universal trip (crazy, but i love it that you went for one day, just awesome and what a story to tell people) an awesome read as normal.

[Robzy]

Griffin - great review. Thanks for that. I'm actually heading to New York (possibly gonna be there for NYCC) in a couple of weeks, and will be heading back through LA. I'm going to Universal Studios for this ride too!! Your review was most helpful!! :)

[griffin]

If there was something in there that was useful, I'm glad I could be of help.

Post up your thoughts and some pics when you get back.

[Robzy]

Just left Universal Studios Hollywood... Wow! The TF ride is awesome! :cool: In fact, the WHOLE place is brilliant. Today was an awesome day too, because during Oct they're having special Halloween Horror Nights at the theme park... So, I've spent the whole day there, business as usual, then went back tonight for horror themed attractions, zombie and chainsaw-wielding killer clowns, and Halloween mazes/rides - all of which are awesome.

But, yeah, that TF ride is pretty damn sweet... Definitely one of my favourite rides here. And the merchandise... Oh, the merchandise! :eek:

[griffin]

Another satisfied (and poorer) customer... :p

[Robzy]

So true Griffin :D I had a blast, I'll write more when I get back, but man you could spend hundreds of dollars on TF merch :eek: I wish I could have bought more, but I wouldn't have been able to fit it in my bag. Maybe next time, as I'm sure I'll be going back!!

I did pick up Evac though, which I only found out about by reading your write up, so thanks for that :) I got the Deluxe and Legends sizes, and the guy there said they're making yet another version, which, from his description, seems like it will be Leader class sized :eek: