Most modern day amusement parks have enough bells and whistles to thrill guests of all ages. However, with the influx of high-tech toys hitting the market, some theme parks have felt the need to add some electronic wizardry to their collections of topsy-turvy roller coasters and splashtastic water rides.
For the summer of 2010 it’s all about special effects and hands-on fun at amazing new interactive amusement park attractions. Leading the pack is Universal Studios, which is debuting several new rides that immerse guests into another world.
At Universal Studios Hollywood visitors can get up close and personal with “King Kong 360 3-D.” The animatronic attraction, which was destroyed by fire in 2008, is back, and is bigger than ever. Guests encounter the high-tech ape during the studio’s tram tour, which also features a slew of other realistic stimuli, such as wind, water, and gorilla breath. The ride also comes with a ton of 3-D effects, from flying raptors to snarling dinosaurs. However, the highlight of the ride is watching King Kong do battle with an angry dinosaur who’s out for blood.
At Universal Orlando, the stage is set for Harry Potter fans. “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” is part of Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and you can expect big surprises from the moment you enter. The area’s entrance features a station archway named for Hogsmeade, the magical village near Hogwarts, and a plume of steam and a train whistle will sound the arrival of the Hogwarts Express.
The star attractions of the new $300 million Potter playground are the high-tech rides, such as “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.” The futuristic ride takes guests through scenes and rooms from all of the Harry Potter movies. The ride is housed in a highly detailed remake of Hogwarts Castle, which is made to look 700 feet tall. It includes advanced robotics and 360-degree filmmaking, which allows guests to feel as though they are in the middle of a hotly contested Quidditch match.
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