Los Angeles Times: The pandemic-forced closure of Universal Studios Hollywood last year came just before the grand opening of the park’s long-anticipated 2020 addition — a ride inspired by the two films in “The Secret Life of Pets” franchise. But after a pause of more than a year, guests attending the park’s reopening this week will be able to get their paws, which will be squirted by Universal staff with hand sanitizer just before boarding, on the attraction.
5 comments:
I wasn’t the biggest fan of the Secret Life of Pets franchise but this ride sounds interesting. The semi-immersive feel of being a pet meeting their adoptive family for the first time is super intriguing. Do they play with scale and your view of the world around you as it would be seen through the eyes of a dog? Do you feel like you’re engaging with the system or you’re just kind of along for the ride? I’ve never been to a Disney/Universal theme park so I have a very limited view of how these rides usually function and display surroundings. I enjoy the idea that this world is more an exploratory and “it’s what you make of it” kind of experience. It’s not so much about telling a story or experiencing something you’re already familiar with as it is you observing and finding a place of your own within the world.
This article was so much fun. I have not seen either of the movies but I am familiar with the concept. I really like how the ride looks from the outside I think amusement parks like Universal Studios and Disney have very clever ways of hiding the bulk of the ride in the back. I think they were also extremely successful in preserving the design aesthetic of the movie in the architecture choices and color of the ride entrance. The technology on these rides are always so remarkable, I don't even know how they would have the paw thing work, but it sounds really cool. I also think they did a really good job of making the animals on the ride still look cute but also be somewhat more realistic than the film, with their fur and everything. Sometimes an animated movie doesn't translate well to a real life object.
“Devastatingly cute”? And has to do with pets? Yes, please! I was very happy to come across this article; I’ve seen the movies (younger sister + many younger cousins.. hard to not watch it!). I love the idea of capturing the relationship between pet and human, and how Universal went for an experience that told a whole host of stories without being dependent on 3D effects or thrills. Instead, it sounds like a calmer experience: a version of New York from children’s books, as the article puts it. You can easily tell from this article that the designers and whole production teams put a lot of effort into this, as they do with all attractions in these theme parks; the alley cat playing piano being one example of this. I haven’t been to a theme park in over 10 years at this point, but I loved reading about this and maybe I’ll even go see it someday!
I wasn’t particularly attached to the Life of Pets movies, but I LOVE animals. Dogs, cats, guinea pigs, ferrets, you name it, i'll pet it. (Maybe not a snake, but that’s too reptilian for my taste.) Being from LA, I probably frequented Disneyland and Universal Studios more than most, and I love amusement parks and carnivals and rides. There are obviously some classics, but when these parks come up with new attractions and rides, it’s always a treat. The pictures attached in the article make the animatrionics look very well done and super complex. Probably more actually cute than scary cute like the “It’s a small world” at Disneyland. Once I can get back to LA I will definitely make a note to go to Universal Studios and go to this ride. I LOVE animals!!!
The Secret Life of Pets is really not on my radar at all. However, I am really a sucker for a new ride or attraction. Themed rides like these are truly one of my biggest joys in life. I used to make little walk through “rides” in my basement with blankets and tables I made my parents crawl under.
Personally I don’t have an opinion on animatronics. Like I don't really miss them if they're gone, but I am also happy to see them when they’re there. The things that really grab my eye in rides like these is how well a rider is transported to a new environment. The Peter Pan ride at Disney, if my memory serves me correctly, does this really really well. Every detail, from the type of ride vehicle, to the path you take through it, to the soundscape, are all accounted for, and all make sense within the story they are trying to tell. Honestly, some of my most magical moments from childhood took place in rides like this. I’m not sure if I'll fly out just for this The Secret Life of Pets adventure, but if i'm ever in town I'll be sure to check it out.
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