Universal
Studios: Earthquake...The Big One
- Type:
Moving Train Ride
- Height
Requirement - 34"
- Children
34" to 48" must be accompanied by an adult.
- Universal
Express Available
Guidelines
for this Attraction. Place your cursor over a symbol for
details:
Stage
One: Ride
Upon
entering the building, you will notice the walls of the
first room are lined with chilling photos from actual earthquakes
from the "Big One" of 1906. We will also find
matte paintings used during the making of Universal's Earthquake,
starring Charlton Heston A Universal attendant will take
their place at the podium and give you a little demonstration
on weather effects using three windows located to the podiums
left. Next will be an opportunity to take place in the special
effects portion of the attraction. The attendant will look
for four adults and a child to volunteer. With volunteers
chosen, it's time to make your way to the next part of the
attraction through the doors to the podiums right.
Stage
Two : Theater
As
you file into this room, you will stand in rows to watch
a short film on the techniques Hollywood uses to create
special effects. Your host, Charlton Heston As the film
ends, your attendant will show you a scale miniature of
the set used in Earthquake. You will notice the detail is
amazing. Plus, try to guess the three miniatures that were
also featured in the film you just watched.\
Stage
Three : Staged Effects
Here,
you'll have the opportunity to sit again. This time you'll
be entertained by the volunteers chosen at the beginning
of the attraction. There are two sets. The first involves
a conning deck from the U-571, the submarine of the same
movie name. Three of the adult volunteers and the child
volunteer are used to help demonstrate the use of a "blue
screen" (although green screens are more commonly used
today). But these volunteers are all wearing ponchos. Ponchos
plus submarines equals...hmmmm. The last volunteer is escorted
to a three-story set of a destroyed stairwell in a skyscraper.
Oddly enough, this volunteer will be placed in a safety
harness for their part in the three-story set.
With
the volunteers safely (for the most part) returned to their
families, it's on to the main attraction.
Stage
Four: The Ride
This
is really what you've been waiting for. You'll climb aboard
a San Francisco Rapid Transit subway train. You'll leave
from Oakland and arrive in Embarcadero station in San Francisco
Bay. As the train comes to a complete stop, a disturbing
rumble is felt. The P.A. system will inform you that you
have just experienced a mild tremor. But the rumbling starts
again, louder and louder. That's when things really start
to fall apart. The Richter scale meter is jumping! The ground
beneath you rattles your train back and forth. Sparks are
everywhere along the station. Remember, you're underground.
That's when you'll see the street above you open up to reveil
a propane tanker truck sliding right for your train. As
it crashes on the steal beam between you and the truck,
it bursts into flames. It doesn't appear that you were the
only subway train catch in the devastation. A second train
from the opposite side jumps the tracks and head straight
for you. Remember, we said San Francisco Bay...and ALL OF
IT comes careening down the stairs on the opposite side.
When the water recedes you'll have just experienced 8.3
of the Richter scale.
Discover
Universal Orlando: Earthquake...The Big One Tips
It
is our experience that the Express Pass isn't always the
best option for this attraction. If you notice a group entering
the building through the normal entrance and people standing
at the Express Entrance, that should inform you that the
room is almost full and those waiting at the Express Line
just got there. They will have to wait to be the first to
enter for the next showing. While it isn't a long wait,
when you have an Express Pass any wait feels too long because
you'll get spoiled with how well it works at other attractions.
If you're in a rush enter with the rest of the guest to
see the show a little faster.
When
entering the Theater Room and the stage it is a mass exodus
in. If you towards the front, hold back a little to let
other guests go first. Since these two rooms shuffled along
in straight rows, if your first in a row, you will be all
the way to the right. Hanging back for a few seconds will
help you get a more central position. If you happen to be
at the back of the Staged Effect set this comes in handy
as you are closer to the ride entrance. At the end of the
Staged Effects, you will enter the ride from the back of
the stage. The center doors offer closer access to the second
car, which is best for viewing.
The
ride portion really isn't scary at all. The rocking and
rolling is mild in comparison to some of the other attractions,
like Back to the Future. There are three subway cars. The
first used seat that are backwards so guest will not have
to turn around to see the effects behind them. The best
seats are located in the middle of the second car. This
will offer the best viewing of the propane truck and subway
car about to kill you. The right side is the best view of
the flood. The closest seat at the end of the row will give
you the feeling at you are about to be swept away as you
watch the water careens towards you. As mentioned about,
if your in the back of the Staged Effects set, you're closer
to this entrance. You can pick you seats, but it's first
come first served. Target that middle car in the middle
and let three or four people in your row ahead of you. You'll
get to stay on the left.
