BY SETH KUBERSKY RAGTIME GALS BARBERSHOP QUINTET | PHOTO BY SETH KUBERSKY
Last month, I began the first of
Race Through New York
three theme-park related columns with is a giant leap forward my rave review of Disney’s Rivers of Light, for crowd management, a show that greatly exceeded my tempered expectations. This week, we wrap up this a small step sideways attractions trilogy by taking a trip to the for simulators Big Apple – or at least Universal Studios Florida’s version of it – for a “technical rehearsal” sneak preview of that park’s big new summer addition, Race Through New you’ve never toured the building, like York With Jimmy Fallon. Kenneth from 30 Rock) assign guests a color-coded boarding group. When the lobby lights change to the proper hue, it FIRST IMPRESSIONS The new Tonight Show-themed expe- signals your turn to ascend to the buildrience, which replaced the cheesy ing’s second level. While you wait, there’s cult-favorite Twister walk-through, sits on a handsome exhibit to explore that pays the very same spot where I enjoyed my tribute to all Tonight Show hosts past and first employment in Orlando, as a tech- present, including Steve Allen, Jack Parr nician on the Ghostbusters show. So I’ll and even Conan O’Brien, complete with admit in advance to holding Universal’s a Triumph the Insult Comic Dog puppet. latest ride to an elevated standard, if only Take your time here to inspect the artifor sentimental reasons. After over a year facts, rather than herding in front of the of anticipating Fallon’s arrival, the affable staircase as many guests seem to do. Once upstairs, guests await their audiTonight Show host’s attraction turns out to be both a giant leap forward for crowd ence with Fallon in a plush lounge featuring management, and a small step sideways comfy couches, USB charging stations and touchscreen tables loaded with custom for simulators. As for first impressions, the new 8-bit video games and emailable “Thank building’s facade – an exacting scaled- You” notes. The highlight of this high-tech down replica of NBC’s historic offices holding pen is a replica of the Studio 6B at 30 Rockefeller Center, including the stage, which hosts live appearances by Art Deco bas-relief carvings and lighted accident-prone mascot Hashtag the Panda marquee – makes a far better anchor for and the Ragtime Gals barbershop quintet. Universal’s New York area than Twister’s Directed by Jason Horne, who has also bland, boxy soundstage did, and gets been pulling double duty directing the bonus points for window-dressing nods to Mardi Gras parade, the ensemble performs the late Bill Paxton. You may be tempted medleys of pop and rap hits with a capto charge through the front doors, but pella harmonies; just think of them as the slow down: In a first for a major Central Dirty Dapper Dans. With a wealth of bits Florida attraction, there is no standard in their repertoire – including classroom standby queue; instead, all guests (except instrument covers and lip-sync battles – those with Express passes) must first be this is the best new live musical show in assigned a Virtual Queue reservation time an Orlando park since Celestina Warbeck via Universal’s smartphone app or auto- debuted in Diagon Alley. mated kiosks that resemble Disney’s old FastPass dispensers. TONIGHT RIDING When it’s finally your turn to ride – about 20 minutes after entering the LEVEL UP At their appointed entry time, “NBC building once the attraction is at full pages” dressed like the real thing (or, if capacity, according to Universal Creative
designer Jason Surrell – you’ll grab your de rigueur dichroic 3-D goggles and line up for one of the attraction’s twin 72-seat simulators, each of which sports six 12-passenger rows with wood accents that mimic Fallon’s actual studio audience seating. Dubbed “the world’s first flying theater,” the DyMoRides-based motion platform has more in common with Universal’s Despicable Me and Shrek shaking seats than with Epcot’s Soarin, but it does generate remarkably smooth movement that most guests should be able to stomach. A four-story-tall curved screen provides razor-sharp visuals as you chase Jimmy’s juiced-up jalopy (named the “Tonight Rider,” natch) from Times Square to the Statue of Liberty, with a side trip to the moon. Unfortunately, the clarity highlights the rendering flaws in the ride film, which was produced by the usually reliable Industrial Light and Magic; Fallon and the other obviously green-screened live actors look like cartoonish Colorforms plastered atop hyper-realistic backdrops. A more fundamental problem is that, while devoted Fallon watchers may laugh in recognition at characters like the “Ew! Girl” and “Tight Pants,” as someone who quit watching the Tonight Show when Carson retired, I was left nonplussed by the jokes. Surrell says they can swap out the preshow entertainment over time to stay current, but Jimmy’s pre-recorded material already feels dated after only a few visits. Ultimately, Fallon’s new attraction is a E-Ticket wrapper surrounding a C-Ticket ride. Race Through New York’s real legacy won’t be clear until it officially opens and we see if it operates efficiently enough to fulfill its promise to eliminate the usual queuing that curses most theme park visits. If it can, look for similar strategies to spread to other new attractions, like 2018’s Fast and Furious ride. Then, the only question left for Universal’s designers to answer will be: What to do with all the guests who aren’t standing in lines? skubersky@orlandoweekly.com orlandoweekly.com
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MARCH 15-21, 2017
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ORLANDO WEEKLY
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