Will Universal Hollywood New "Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor's Quest" Attraction Use Dynamic Attractions Stunning Motion Theatre ?

A new rendering was released three days ago for Universal Studios Hollywood newest attraction which will open June 15 - "Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor's Quest" - starring the beloved Panda from Dreamworks animated films and cutting-edge projection-mapping that will place guests in the middle of an action-adventure happening in China. It's a theater experience "featuring seats that gyrate and shift to bring the story to life — with water, smoke, wind and other effects to boot". Okay, that means another projection attraction for Universal and it looks like a 4D theater like "Honey i Shrunk the Kids" but in fact it's may be not really. First, it replaces the Shrek 4D theatre attraction which was already a projection attraction, so it's not really like if Universal was destroying a ride with plenty of Audio-Animatronics to replace it by a projection-only attraction. Yes you'll have the usual "water, smoke, wind and other effects" but technically it might be much more sophisticated.

The real star of "Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor's Quest" will be in fact the seven high-definition projectors that will project moving images on a 180-degree surface. The mapping technology has become popular everywhere but the tech that should wow the guests should be the theatre itself. I'm not totally "dead sure" that it will use this but Universal may use the new Dynamic Attractions incredible Motion Theatre, see rendering below.



Dynamic Attractions unveiled this new motion theatre in 2016 at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions and it was a game changing concept. Back in November 2016, TPU did an article about it, describing the system as "a large circular theater of seats that can not only spin 360 degrees, but can also pitch and tilt as well. What makes the Motion Theater, created by Dynamic Attractions, really spectacular is the ability to combine movie screens with practical effects. Imagine entering a circular theater that is completely surrounded by movie screens. The seats can pitch and turn with the action on film. However, those screens can be wheeled away at key moments revealing practical sets filled with lighting, special effects and animatronics, if you choose."

As you can read, if Universal newest attraction use the Dynamic Attractions motion theatre, it should be a totally new kind of experience for Universal Hollywood guests. Nothing is better than a video to understand perfectly, so here is the official one from Dynamic Attraction presenting their motion theatre.




Looks cool, right? Now, we'll know in less than a month if this motion theatre will be used for "Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor's Quest", but if it is not there is high chances that this new motion theatre will be used ( though some are saying that Universal won't use it to meet deadline ) for the other new attraction coming at Universal Orlando replacing the great Terminator 2 3D attraction, which should be the next big announcement for Uni Orlando and should have a new theme based on the Jason Bourne license movies. In this case this new motion theatre would be perfect for a Jason Bourne attraction, with action probably close visually to the kind of scene we can see on the above Dynamic Attractions rendering and video!

Pictures: copyright Universal, Dynamic Attractions

Universal Studios Hollywood : Harry Potter Diagon Alley Construction to Start Soon, Hogwarts Express Envisioned, More Wizarding World Soft Openings...

Soft openings have already started for Universal Hollywood Wizarding World of Harry Potter as you can see in the Mice Age pictorial report HERE. During March more soft openings - or technical rehearsals - will happen both for both USH guests and cast-members as well as families of the ones who built it.

Now, a few weeks ago in a post related to the Star Wars land coming to DL - and WDW of course - i was saying that now Universal Hollywood and Disneyland were rushing to be the first to open the big one. Some were surprised as they were thinking about USH Potter Wizarding World which open in six weeks and Star Wars land won't open before at least two years - no official opening date was announced yet. But i was NOT referring to Wizarding World but about Universal Hollywood next move, i.e Harry Potter Diagon Alley.

Yes, Diagon Alley is coming for sure to Universal Studios Hollywood, and even sooner than you may expect as not only they've already cleared the land where it will be built but apparently the construction will begin anytime soon, may be even before Wizarding World open on April 7. If not, it will be soon after as they'll need also two years to build it, and that's where the "rush" is between USH and Disney to open "the big one".



You can expect exactly the same Diagon Alley than in Florida with the same amount of details and of course the fantastic and award winning Escape from Gringotts ride but the big question is: will they build too the Hogwarts Express? In Florida, it was not only that they wanted to built it but they needed to build the Hogwarts Express to transport guests from Universal Studios to Islands of Adventure, the two lands being in two different parks. Now, and although Wizarding World and Diagon Alley won't be stuck one to each other at Universal Hollywood they don't really need it as much as in Florida, but they know that guests will expect the Hogwarts Express and would be disappointed if it was not there.



A few weeks ago, Lance on Screamscape said that the Hogwarts Express may "not move anywhere this time around" but could be a "simulated Hogwarts Express ride" meaning that the train will be built but not really "move". Well, from what i've heard this shouldn't be the case and Universal is thinking to add a moving Hogwarts Express although the track length might be less long than in Florida. As we know, the ride in the Hogwarts Express is an attraction in itself thanks to the movie and others visual effects happening during the ride and all the question is to know if they will reduce the length of the movie - or only the speed of the train so the length of the ride can match the one of the original movie.

Anyway, South Cal Harry Potter fans and USH guests will be happy to learn they won't have to go to Florida to experience the two Harry Potter lands and basically everyone will be happy about this news... except probably Disney which will see with more worries the opening of Diagon Alley - with one of the best ride in the world - at the same time than Star Wars land. A titanic battle is coming and we wouldn't miss it for anything in the world, would we?

Pictures: copyright Universal Studios

Transformers The Ride 3D Making-of Video

Transformers The Ride is undoubtedly one of the two best "E-Ticket" rides of the year - the other one being of course Radiator Springs Racer. Although, as i i've said before, i'm not a big fan of the movies or the Transformers mythology i have to admit that the ride is fantastic and those of you living or going to California or Singapore must not miss it, really.

Now, Universal had the good idea to put on You tube the 22min Transformers The Ride Making-of special that was aired recently on NBC and it'll give you the chance to have a look at how this great ride was done! Don't miss it!



Video: copyright Universal Studios