From Raul Araoz on February 3, 2009 at 9:49 PM
I always liked Backdraft better than the similar Twister attraction in Florida. I will miss it but the designs for the Transformers ride look tremendous.

From Joseph Staconis on February 4, 2009 at 1:42 AM
I must admit with Backdraft and Special Effects Stages closing at USH what is left
to go to the lower lot for Jassic Park (Maybe In The Summer)

The Mummy Ride ok I'll give you that one but With Transfromers not opening till 2011 here's what I think USH needs to keep people coming back until then

1. Waterworld is great (Main reason I go)

2 Simpsons (I can Do Without)

3 The Black Lagoon Musical (My Friend Loved It When It Was Spiderman so maybe it will be good)

4 Terminator 3D (This one is mostly a 3D movie Ok but not great

5 The Tram Stuido tour (Great until 85% of it buned to the ground) they better rebuild fast with a lot of new stuff for the tram

they also need to put something where the Wild Wild West Stunt Show Was

That said is four things enough to get people to come until 2011 when Transfromers is suppose to open

From Rob P on February 4, 2009 at 3:16 AM
Although I do take Robert's point about the sound effects studio being redundant in today's digital age I also think that there's enough here to educate and entertain. I quite like to see the old techniques of movie-making. In fact the modern " push-a-button" method has no entertainment value whatsoever. So witnessing, and participating in,the invention and ingenuity of those old methods is actually quite a lot of fun.

I do agree that Backdraft has seen better days and warrants replacing. But even this wasn't that bad either...in it's day.
Fact is : People do like Pyros !

Technologies like CGI are heaping ever more pressure on the Theme Parks. How do you make an interesting walk through when all the guy has to do is push a key on the computer or a button on a console ? Unless you're into computers it's going to seem more like a lecture than a fun demonstration.
So I prefer the more animated stuff with liberal amounts of contrived jokes and corn thrown in for good measure.

From Robert Niles on February 4, 2009 at 8:27 AM
With any tour, and that's what Special Effects Stages is, it's all about the host and his script. Make it engaging - draw out the conflicts, the resolutions and the narratives inherent with the work - and the tour will be a success. You can do that in a computer lab, just as well as on a Foley stage.

The current Special Effects Stages works on this count. There's no reason why Universal Creative can take its talent and build a new SPS for the digital age. I'm confident in them. But will Universal devote the resources to it? I hope that it does.

From Deidre Dennis on February 4, 2009 at 1:01 PM
My husband and I really enjoyed the special effects stage show. I really didn't care for the Tram Tour, though. We're hoping the attraction at Universal Orlando is similar to it. I remember when the werewolf thing "lost control", I freaked out. My husband cracked up laughing. I'm a big chicken anyway so it reallys spooked me! Too bad they're getting rid of it.

From Nick Markham on February 4, 2009 at 4:01 PM
I went to Universal Studios Hollywood for my first time last June and actually had a great time even though a small park. I rode The Mummy twice but am sa special effects sound stages will be going. I think they should add a Twilight Zone Tower Of Terror type ride themed to Incredible Hulk including an encounter with the big green guy himself!

From Joshua Counsil on February 4, 2009 at 7:52 PM
This is a damn shame. Backdraft was by no means a classic, but then again, neither is Transformers. And this furthers my belief that A.D.H.D. adrenaline-fueled mayhem is replacing actual informative attractions. Don't get me wrong, every park needs A.D.H.D. adrenaline-fueled mayhem, but to cut out two demonstrative attractions in order to make room for one that won't premiere for two years seems foolish. That is, unless Uni has some simple-to-build attractions that will appear before then to make up for this loss.

The real loss is The Special Effects Stages, one of the few remaining movie-making attractions. Reminds me of when Disney's Hollywood Studios lost their Foley stage to make room for a more popular-at-the-time fad, Drew Carey. I mean, I love Drew, but what a sad attraction. Please don't make the same mistake, Universal. If you're going to do this, Transformers had better be incredible.

From Joseph Staconis on February 4, 2009 at 10:51 PM
The Sad part about them making new things lately is why most things there now with WaterWorld being the lone man out sort of speak I would not come back for

Once you seen it you don't care or mind if you see it again i'm 31 now I remember when I was 10 or 11 and a class mate of mine was so happy because we went to Universal and his dad had worked on King Kong and he could tell us about it.

Before King Kong burned down I remember thinking this has been here a while when will they replace it.

Then I thought ok replace it but with what and here's something else to think about some of the stuff there now Universal does not even make movie-wise or TV Show-wise Ie The Simpsons

From Scottland Jacobson on February 5, 2009 at 1:33 AM
I love the special effects show! I've been chosen twice to be the guy on the wall that spins (it was previously the clock from Back to the Future and I was Doc Brown - now it's the Indiana Jones-type movie set). And coming back in screaming and then having my arm "cut off" was always hilarous! My niece loved participating in the sound effects part. I'll miss it...

From Rob P on February 5, 2009 at 4:00 AM
Although I do concur with Robert's comments about the script and it's delivery being important on shows like "Sound Stage" I don't agree that it would work so well without that interactive element. I still think that the part where we have audience participation is more fun when they're rattling sheets of metal or clanking some other apparatus to generate sound effects rather than simply pushing a button. People can do that now in the comfort of their own home whilst sitting at the computer with a beer and a sandwich.

It's only my opinion of course.No offence intended.

From Robert Niles on February 5, 2009 at 8:39 AM
Oh, I absolutely agree that the show needs audience participation. But I think there are many ways that can be done in the context of a CGI/computer lab show, too. In fact, if you equip the show theater with devices at each seat, or handheld devices for each viewer, or ask people to text in with the cell phones, you can involve the *entire* audience in designing and selecting show effects.

I'd still bring folks up front, but why not involve *everyone* in the theater, too?

From Rob P on February 6, 2009 at 2:10 AM
Good points / Well made

From Scottland Jacobson on February 6, 2009 at 6:36 PM
The Laugh Floor at MK incorporates texting - and it's just as awesome having your jokes delivered on "stage" even if you're not singled out by the monsters.

From Sheldon Gel on February 7, 2009 at 9:59 AM
i think they should replace shrek 4d instead.