Theme Parks and Movie Rides

 

We all have our favorite theme park rides that we’re more than willing to brave high speeds, being tossed upside down or get water logged for.  What are some of the popular movie related theme park rides and where can you find them?

 

Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

This 3-D experience makes you feel you’re right in the middle of all the action.  Based on the Marvel Comics created by Stan Lee and the subsequent movies starring Tobey Maguire, the “Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man” is a located at Universal Studios!

 

Back to the Future

Travel through time in the infamous De Lorean on this Universal Studios ride based on the “Back to the Future” movies starring Michael J. Fox, Lea Thompson and Christopher Lloyd.  With the help of Doc Brown (Lloyd), riders try to stop Biff (Thomas Wilson) from altering the future.

 

Backdraft

Straight from the big screen film starring William Baldwin and Kurt Russell, comes Backdraft.  It’ll be hard to keep your cool at this attraction at Hollywood’s Universal Studios as park goers experience the fire, heat and explosions from the movie.

 

Borg Assimilator

One of the first amusement park rides based on the Star Trek movies is Borg Assimilator at Paramount’s Carowinds in Charlotte, NC.  This unique roller coaster reaches speeds over 50 miles per hour with a height of 115 feet.

 

Disney-MGM Studios Backlot Tour

Visit the world of movies on Disney’s MGM Studios backlot tour at Disneyworld.  After experiencing the making of a stunt show straight from the movie Pearl Harbor, park goers ride a tram through various movie props and try to survive as a wave of water and an exploding trailer truck careen towards them!

 

Dr. Doom’s Fearfall

Watch out when you’re on this Universal Studios attraction!  Dr. Doom, the infamous villain from the Fantastic Four comics and movie, has a 150 foot fall just for you! 

 

Dudley Do-Right Ripsaw Falls

Prepare to get wet on this ride!  Universal Studio’s “Dudley Do-Right Ripsaw Falls” plunges park goers 75 feet into the water.  The 1992 movie version of “Dudley Do-Right” starred Brendan Fraser and Sarah Jessica Parker.

 

E.T.

Can you help E.T. find his way home?  This attraction at Universal Studios is fun for kids of all ages as they ride by scenery with everyone’s favorite alien.  The ride is based on Steven Spielberg’s 1982 blockbuster.

 

Earthquake

You’re caught in the middle of an earthquake on this Universal Studios ride.  Based on the 1974 film starring Charlton Heston and Ava Gardner, park goers will feel the earth rumble in a subway and other situations.

 

Great Movie Ride

Experience some of the greatest moments in cinema history on this Disneyworld MGM Studios excursion.  See various movie scenes from such greats as “Casablanca”, The Wizard of Oz and Raiders of the Ark.  Also be sure to visit the AFI Showcase of cinema’s best villains!

 

Haunted Mansion

Before it became a movie starring Eddie Murphy, the Haunted Mansion was first a family ride in Disneyworld’s Magic Kingdom.  Keep your eyes peeled for the ghosts that haunt the mansion as you’re riding through and watch out for things that might be sitting next to you!

 

Hurler

Another popular roller coaster found at Carowinds is The Hurler.  Based on the popular “Wayne’s World” movies starring Mike Myers and Dana Carvey, the Hurler towers over 80 feet and reaches speeds near 50 miles an hour.

 

Incredible Hulk

This Universal Studios roller coaster is based on the comics and subsequent movie with Eric Bana.  Reaching speed of almost 70 miles per hour, this green monster has a 150 foot drop and inverts passengers along the route.

 

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

See the action first hand in this stunt show!  Based on Raiders of the Ark starring Harrison Ford, relive the action and explosions of the blockbuster movie!

 

Italian Job Turbo Coaster

One of the newest additions to Paramount’s King’s Dominion in Doswell, VA is this coaster inspired by the movie “The Italian Job” (2003) starring Mark Wahlberg, Donald Sutherland and Charlize Theron.  Riding in a smaller version of the Mini Cooper used in the film, coaster enthusiasts (and film fans) can experience the film’s climactic finale by racing through a series of explosions, a garage and tunnel and skimming through water at almost 40 miles per hour along a track that’s almost 2,000 feet long.

 

Jaws

Are you afraid to go in the water?  Visitors to this Universal Studios ride must fend off attacks from the Great White while traveling through the waters on a boat.  The ride is based on the infamous movie, Jaws by Steven Spielberg.

 

Jurassic Park River Adventure

Try to escape from the vicious T-Rex and raptors in this Universal Studios attraction.  The water ride, based on the 1993 adventure, Jurassic Park, ends with an 85 foot plunge into the depths below.  While drying off, be sure to visit the park’s nearby dinosaur exhibit.

 

Men in Black: Alien Attack

Do you have what it takes to become one of the Men in Black?  This interactive ride, based on the “Men In Black” movies starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, allows you to shoot laser guns at deadly aliens and score points while riding through different scenarios.

 

Pirates of the Caribbean

Experience the ride that started it all!  Now the center of two major motion pictures (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and the current, Dead Man’s Chest) starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley, this family ride was first found at Disneyworld’s Magic Kingdom.  Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyworld and Disneyland have been updated to include the swashbuckling Captain Jack Sparrow.

 

Revenge of the Mummy

Re-live the excitement of mummies and scarabs in Universal Studio’s “Revenge of the Mummy” ride based on the 1999 blockbuster The Mummy starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz.  This indoor roller coaster reaches speeds up to 45 miles per hour.

 

Star Wars – Star Tour Ride

Travel through the galaxy and fight the bad guys on this ride simulator.  The Star Tour Ride, found at Disneyworld’s MGM park is based on the classic Star Wars movies.

 

Tomb Raider: Firefall

Park goers looking for a unique “thrill ride”, have been flocking to the new Tomb Raider: Firefall ride at Paramount’s King’s Dominion which is based on the “Lara Croft: Tombraider” movies starring Angelia Jolie,  Those who are brave enough to venture on this ride will be cast 60 feet into the air, with inverted twirls over water, fire and various props from the movies.

 

Top Gun: The Jet

Experience all of the excitement from the high flying movie “Top Gun” starring Tom Cruise at Carowinds.  This coaster not only features an inverted track but speeds along at over 60 miles per hour with a drop of over 110 feet.

 

Twister

Experience the winds, the storm and even the flying cow on this Universal Studios attraction based on the 1996 blockbuster “Twister” starring Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt.  Watch out for the surprise ending!

 

Van Helsing: Fortress Dracula

Can you survive a visit to the ominous castle of Dracula?  This family ride at Hollywood’s Universal Studios is based on the film Van Helsing starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale.

 

Waterworld

This show lets you experience fun, stunts and plenty of water!  Waterworld, at Hollywood’s Universal Studios, is based on the movie starring Kevin Costner.

 

Have you visited one of these parks/attractions?  Let us know in the forum!

 

For these rides and plenty more, visit these websites:

Disneyworld

Paramount’s Carowinds

Paramount’s King’s Dominion

Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Orlando

 

These movies are available at:

 

 

See Also:

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 2006 Inductees

Movie Characters and Halloween Costumes

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© 2006 by Tammy Cordani.  To use the above content you must first obtain written permission.  Please contact Tammy Cordani.  All rights reserved.

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