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May 10, 2008

King of the Theme Park Graveyard: Back to the Future

By Robert Niles Congratulations to our "King of the Theme Park Graveyard" tournament winner:

Back to the Future (Universal Studios Florida and Hollywood)

Back to the Future at Universal Studios Hollywood

Just closed last year, these attractions, based on the popular Michael J. Fox movies, placed you in eight-passenger flight simulators, made up to look like the film's DeLorean time machines. You "flew" in front of a massive, Imax-style screen, as you chased bad guy Biff Tannen through time to reclaim his stolen DeLorean.

Back to the Future cruised to the victory, in a tournament where the higher seed won ever contest. Readers nominated dozens of now-defunct theme park attractions for the tournament, and the 16 receiving the most nominations faced off in reader votes each day this week.

  • Day one, attraction descriptions and results
  • Day two, attraction descriptions and results
  • Quarterfinal results
  • Semifinal results
  • Final results

    Thanks, again, to everyone who participated. Here's what coming up in the next week on Theme Park Insider:

  • Editor Robert Niles' interview with Six Flags Magic Mountain President Jay Thomas.
  • TPI's first look and review of Toy Story Mania, opening to the press this week at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
  • On-site coverage of the media event for the official opening of The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Florida.
  • The return of the Vote of the Week, on Friday.

    Readers' Opinions

    From Dan Rosenberg on May 10, 2008 at 5:57 PM
    Even though we all knew this would be the outcome, I do feel bad for Kongfrontation for some reason. I mean, Kongfrontation was a great ride and should have made it further in the contest. I'm happy for BTTF and all, but my heart goes out to Kongfrontation.
    From James Rao on May 10, 2008 at 6:13 PM
    Next up we should vote for attractions that SHOULD be in the theme park graveyard.

    I nominate and vote for Stitch's Great Escape.

    From Anthony Murphy on May 10, 2008 at 9:56 PM
    This was fun! I agree with the results even though I voted for Alien Encounter. It was a tough choice!
    From Manny Barron on May 10, 2008 at 10:12 PM
    Back to the Future is the best!!! The Simpsons have some big shoes to fill.
    From Brandon Mendoza on May 11, 2008 at 6:55 AM
    Congrats to BttF! Hopefully the parks maintain the new Simpsons ride better. Does anyone know if the show is digital or IMAX film? I'd hate for the film to tear or get damaged because of an underpaid projectionist. I don't know how the ride is run, but if it's film, I'm sure they have someone to monitor the film itself. I can only hope that they use some sort of secured digital file or something like that so there's less moving parts.

    The BttF Ride reminds me of Star Tours as it's aging technology and tons of wear and tear on the film and screen.

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