2013 Theme Park Insider Tournament: Transformers: The Ride vs. Men in Black Alien Attack

March 7, 2013, 10:44 AM · A motley collection of evil aliens has invaded Earth, and now it's up to an unlikely, top-secret alliance of friendly aliens and highly-trained human beings to defend the planet. But they can't do it alone. They'll need your help in battling the aliens and saving Earth. But are you up to the challenge?

That's the premise for both of today's contestants in the 2013 Theme Park Insider Tournament: Transformers: The Ride

Transformers: The Ride

and Men and Black Alien Attack.

Men and Black Alien Attack

We've covered both of these rides extensively over years on Theme Park Insider. We attended the world premiere of the Transformers ride in Singapore in December 2011, then walked through the then-under-construction Hollywood version early last year. And we talked with ride designer Thierry Coup in Singapore about the attraction, as well. Dave Cobb, who headed the team that created Men in Black, also talked with us about his ride.

Transformers will be joining Men in Black at Universal Studios Florida this summer. But if you've not yet ridden both of these great attractions by visiting LA or Singapore in addition to Orlando, please read those posts linked above for background to help you make a decision. Which one of these rides would you want to hit up first on a visit to USF later this year?


What do you think of these rides? Tell us your thoughts, in the comments.

Tomorrow: Radiator Springs Racers vs. Splash Mountain

Replies (21)

March 7, 2013 at 11:49 AM · MIB is maybe the most interactive ride at any park and since they recently changed the scoring it allows for a variation for return visits.

Also love he option to get the suit or you need to zig or zag.

March 7, 2013 at 11:55 AM · Both are excellent, but I voted for MIB just because it is more unique than Transformers. Transformers has the same track as Spider-Man, whereas MIB is the only shoot-em-up attraction that I know of with both AAs and sets.
March 7, 2013 at 12:01 PM · Seeing how Transformers diesn't open for another couple months, going with MiB for now, mainly because of it's themeing and the fact MiB movies are better than the Transformers movies.
March 7, 2013 at 12:20 PM · I think MIB is the best theme park attraction in the world. It is highly themed, still relevent, fun, re-rideable, and brings out those competetive juices. I finally got to ride Transformers last week, and do get the Spiderman comments, but I really liked the use of elevators and how they seemlessly integrated into the ride. The first time I rode, I didn't even notice them because I was paying so much attention to the screens. The next time, I specifically looked for them, and admired their use and integration into the ride. I'm also a sucker for the old-school Transformers look, so I'm not really into ILM's reimagining of the characters. I do, however, love the meet-and-greet characters just outside the ride that are probably some of the best looking walk-arounds I've ever seen.

Nonetheless, MIB takes this one for me by a mile.

March 7, 2013 at 12:34 PM · I voted for Men in Black: Alien Attack. It still has to be one of the best rides in the world. I love the idea of the queue, and how it ties so easily into the World Expo. The sets on the ride are fantastic, and so many audio-animatronics are used. It's just generally a very fun ride concept made even stronger by the fantastic theming used throughout the ride, the facade and the queue. The re-rideability seems to be also much stronger, as you want to re-ride trying to get that higher score.

Though, I have not yet ridden Transformers: The Ride. It seems like truly a fantastic attraction, but I don't think it can hold a candle to the substance that Men in Black offers. Men in Black is just classic. Though I sure can't wait to ride Transformers when it's done here in Orlando!

March 7, 2013 at 12:57 PM · The Men in Black ride wasn't operating normally during the ride so it ruined the experience. Transformers.
March 7, 2013 at 1:26 PM · Full disclosure: I have never ridden Transformers.

Honestly, though, I just do not see the love for Men in Black. I just don't like it, it does nothing for me. So, being a long time Transformers nerd, I will go with that (even though it should have the G1 Transformers, Optimus should not have flames!)

March 7, 2013 at 2:32 PM · While MIB is an OK attraction, there is no way it is the best in the world.

And No Hippos…? (I am using the Trade Mark of TH, all rights reserved)

Forbidden Journey is much better.

March 7, 2013 at 2:36 PM · Transformers vs. Spiderman will be an interesting tournament to watch.
March 7, 2013 at 2:58 PM · ^^^^
Daniel, I have a feeling Spider-man will beat Transformers.

Because they are so similar (and Transformers hasn't opened in Orlando yet), the autobots are at a disadvantage.

Plus, even if people like the attractions equally, it might just come down to the respective franchises & which one folks prefer (and "Mr. Bays Transformers" aren't exactly as high as that marvel comics spidey)

But for MIB vs Transformers, I voted Transformers. I even like the mock way the Nest people yell at the riders!

March 7, 2013 at 3:21 PM · MIB is an excellent attraction. Definately the best shooter out there. I rode & enjoyed it many times. Haven't done Transformers yet. I'll catch it in the fall, while on vacation. While I hesitate to vote for an attraction that I've only seen on You Tube, & reading about it and it's comparisons to Spider Man, it seems that it is a step above MIB. My vote narrowly goes to Transformers. But I don't think it will do well in this tournament's final match ups. Probably not enough TPI readers have experienced the attraction yet. It's time will probably have to wait till next years' tournament, after it receives more wide spread exposure.
March 7, 2013 at 4:00 PM · Transformers! I can't wait.
March 7, 2013 at 10:36 PM · Just a thought in comparing rides is how far superior they are to other rides in their genre

How far Superior MIB is to other shooter games that it makes this field and raises the bar to being an E ticket caliber attraction.

The same can be said for Popeye from IOA when compared to other rapid rides

March 7, 2013 at 8:08 PM · RobertMorris: You make some good points.
March 7, 2013 at 9:25 PM · Voted for MIB just because TH Creative helped build the darn thing. I am sure I will ultimately like Transformers better, but for the $50 he pays me each week to be his friend (incidentally, I pay him $100/week to be mine), I gotta do the right thing.
March 7, 2013 at 10:36 PM · Hmmm... who's getting the better deal there?
March 8, 2013 at 5:18 AM · I love getting good deals... just the other day in the store they had apples for a nickle a piece or three for a quarter. Picked up three of them and smugly went on my way! ;)
March 8, 2013 at 9:16 AM · Ugh...NICKEL. I am too cheap to pay for a good "edjumacation".
March 8, 2013 at 11:37 AM · I wasn't expecting to be insulted by Will Smith at the end of MIB, due to my poor accuracy. Despite the fun queue and interactive attraction features, it's the insult that stuck with me. Transformers gets my vote!
March 9, 2013 at 11:58 AM · Actually, James, both spellings are acceptable. "Nickle" may be somewhat archaic, but it's legit.
March 11, 2013 at 1:02 PM · I'm sure Transformers will be great, but the comic book-ish parts of Spider-Man make the ride so unique. I will have to wait and ride Transformers before I can say it is every bit as good as Spidey.

MIB will always be our favorite.... I'm sure most of you have read the stories I post becuase we ride MIB so much during every visit to Universal.

Still no 999,999 yet, but I have come so close.... 925,000 and change.

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