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Orlando/SoCal Theme Park Showdown: Revenge of the Mummy vs. Revenge of the Mummy

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Published: October 12, 2011 at 12:14 PM
Theme Park Insider Orlando/Southern California Showdown isn't just for Disney theme parks. Our third match-up pits two Universal attractions against one another: Mummy vs. Revenge of the Mummy. Which is your favorite between the two versions? Consider whatever details you'd like - setting, decor, ride, narrative, or whatever petty individual bias you'd like to throw into the mix. The vote will be open for 24 hours.

Universal Studios Florida's Revenge of the Mummy: New York

Universal Studios Florida's Revenge of the Mummy

Universal Studios Hollywood's Revenge of the Mummy: Lower Lot

Universal Studios Hollywood's Revenge of the Mummy

The differences? Universal Florida's Revenge of the Mummy opened in May 2004, in the old Kongfrontation building on New York street. Set amidst the filming of the fictional "Revenge of the Mummy" sequel to 1999's The Mummy and 2001's The Mummy Returns, the ride features an elaborate pre-show narrative starring Brendan Fraser, star of The Mummy films. The Hollywood version opened a month later in the old E.T. soundstage on the park's Lower Lot. Ironically, the Hollywood version skips the Fraser narrative "wrap" around the ride, despite the fact that the Hollywood park, unlike its Orlando sibling, actually is a working daily film studio.

On both versions of the ride, you are tempted by the evil Imhotep with a room filled with treasure before mummy soldiers attack to claim your souls for all eternity. In the Hollywood version, you launch then into the roller coaster portion of the ride, which is interrupted in the middle by the scarab attack before you plunge backward into the darkness. In Florida, you move first to the scarab beetle attack, then your car drops and turns around before launching into the coaster portion of the ride.

In Hollywood, you encounter Imhotep one final time before the curse is broken with fog and fire and you return to the living. In Florida, well, let's just say you get to see Imhotep a couple more times. Perhaps that's the biggest difference between the two rides. The Orlando version might be a bit longer, and include the Fraser overlay. But in Hollywood you know that Imhotep is defeated. In Orlando? You're not so sure...

Feel free to further break down the match-up in the comments.

Other Showdown winners:

Readers' Opinions

From Randall Peek on October 12, 2011 at 1:05 PM
This pretty much proves that it is not the ride itself in most cases that make an attraction great, but the additional details. Here we have the Florida version, which has been plussed in many ways, getting a HUGE victory over its West Coast counterpart, mainly due to the additon of the Brendan Fraser wrapper and some things I would rather not 'spoil.'
Another example would be Rock N' Roller Coaster. I've seen a video of an identical outdoor version of this ride, and it seems... meh. Put it inside, give it the Aerosmith overlay and the on-board soundtrack, throw up some fun and funky black light scenery and voila! Instant crowd-pleaser.
From Jorge Arnoldson on October 12, 2011 at 1:41 PM
What about Imhotep's bits of "poetry" in the Orlando ride? ;)
From Manny Barron on October 12, 2011 at 2:25 PM
Of the previous showdowns this was going to be the most lopsided. I like both RotM's but the East Coast fake ending and better setting seal the deal. The Hollywood version does have a longer backward portion going for it though.
From Will Chilcote on October 12, 2011 at 3:25 PM
I was very disappointed in this ride. I have only been on the Florida version. I didn't like it. It is way too short.
From TH Creative on October 12, 2011 at 3:46 PM
YESSSSSSSSS! My mummy beats their mummy!
From Sylvain Comeau on October 12, 2011 at 5:08 PM
This was no contest. The Orlando version is just a great ride from beginning to end. Tremendous atmosphere, superior Imhotep AA, etc.
From Tracy Bates on October 13, 2011 at 10:03 AM
Along with everyone else, the florida version is way superior. Longer ride with a twist, better flame effects. Just all around better.
From Andrew Carrieri on October 13, 2011 at 10:27 AM
Florida's by a mile. It is a longer ride with more surprises and better effects. The only edge Hollywood's version has is, as Manny stated, the longer backwards section towards the end.

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