Best 3-D Film/ Motion Simulator Ever Made?

You definitely won't be riding DoT at PKI on Friday, it's been gone for over a month now.

Terminator 3-D. Nothing else I've ridden comes close.

Mission: Bermuda Triangle is my favorite ;).

---

Chaindog said:
Or maybe the thing with Martin Short that followed it. What was that? I seem to remember at some point riding around on some body's head.

---

Akbar's Adventure Tours -- or something like that.

I guess it's such a broad spectrum these days. Someone mentioned Soarin' and in terms of raw footage it is probably the most breathtaking but to me it suffers from the same shortcoming as Back to the Future -- unless you're sitting in the front and center it's too easy to get distracted from the dangling legs (or DeLoreans) out of the corner of your eye.

No one's mentioned Star Tours but I think it held up well. Another one that hasn't been mentioned yet that is pretty good is Jimmy Neutron -- if for anything else for the chicken dance sequence.

To make things interesting, here is my short list for the WORST simulators -- Body Wars at EPCOT, Pirates (at BGW -- among other places) and just about every Iwerks short.

Yes, Akbar closed post-9/11 (apparently, hasn't been open since then I don't think), and won't re-open. Rumor has it that the building will house a flat of some kind. Questor (which was Akbar in the pre-Akbar days)was an EVIL, ill-tempered, out-of-synch BEAST of a machine, worse even than Body Wars...easily the worst, with Dino Island being a distant second, tied with the Disney *Tummy Wars*....;)

Spiderman is really almost like X (except it's WAY more reliable, and has better capacity)....but it IS a totally new CONCEPT in 3-D/Sim, and doesn't really FIT the category neatly.

Soarin' is a MUCH better fit as a 3-D/Sim, and would probably make the top of my list if Spidey weren't an option.

Sadly, when WA got the very cool Spongebob in both Iwerks 12-seater theatres, they got rid of that AWESOMELY fun, and surprisingly well-timed Red Rock Run...which I believe was one of the ones showing at Buffalo Bill's when I was there...

Has Star Tours changed programs any since 2002?

I rode Mission: Bermuda Triangle and thought it was pretty mild, almost boring in some cases.

---

rollergator said:
Yes, Akbar closed post-9/11 (apparently, hasn't been open since then I don't think), and won't re-open. Rumor has it that the building will house a flat of some kind. Questor (which was Akbar in the pre-Akbar days)was an EVIL, ill-tempered, out-of-synch BEAST of a machine, worse even than Body Wars

---

I'll tell you what, Bill. In it's opening season, Questor was a joy to behold. Then again, so was Drachen Fire. :(

Back to the Future may not be the best but it is my personal favorite. It is also the rare simulator that doesn't make me sick.

The best actual *ride* with 3D effects is far and away Spiderman.

Then my favorite 3D theatre attractions would be:

1. Terminator
2. Muppets (This being one of the most underrated attractions anywhere)
and
3. Shrek

But then Soarin' also needs to be mentioned to in the non-3D category. Eh, this topic is a bit too broad.

For me it's a pretty close three-way tie between Spider-Man, Mission: Space and Soarin' Over California. They're three totally different rides - almost no similarities between the three. Soarin' might slip slightly behind, but that's probably more because it's more "majestic soaring" rather than XtReMe MeGa hang gliding.

Back to the Future is very good, certainly given that the other three I've mentioned came a good deal later. Hollywood's the definite winner for this. You wouldn't think that there'd be any difference between two idential simulators, but Florida's just shakes itself to pieces, whereas that in Hollywood is comparitively silky smooth.

I may be in the minority here (what else is new?), but I'd have to say that the now-defunct Race For Atlantis at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas was the greatest 3-D simulator I have ever been on. The ride made no sense whatsoever (you were supposed to be chasing the evil blue team to find the Lost Ring Of Atlantis), but the visuals were absolutely amazing. The IMAX 3-D goggles you were required to wear were a bit clunky, however the 3-D effects were literally in your face and made me jump off my seat on more than one occasion. Add in a killer soundtrack (which you were able to purchase in the ride's gift shop) and it made for an all-around incredible ride experience. Too bad Caesars felt the need to further expand the Forum Shops and closed it down back in March... but I guess they'll make more money in the shops than they did on RFA any day.

Ray P.

Definately Spiderman. The competition isn't even close.

As far as motion simulators AND 3D film is considered, none is better that Spidey. The overall ride experience just blows away any other simulator type ride around. The motion of the cars, the use of 3D images on top of real objects, and the sound quality, all create an attraction that truly puts you in the comic book story.

As far as 3D films, T2 definately ranks as one of the best, although Muppets 3D was probably the funnest one I've seen (Honey, I Shrunk The Audience was pretty fun too)

For the generic ride simulators, Star Tours, venerable as it is, is still my favorite. Akbar and Body Wars just made me sick.

For the WORST simulator, one needs to look no further than Six Flags Great America and all of the crappy simulations that have been in Space Shuttle America. TAER IT DOWN! Put up a B&M Floorless Inverted Dive Coaster. ;)

Spiderman is my favorite, and as silly as it was, Ackbar was my closest competitor. Star Tours was okay, but the stupid story line ruined it for me (the tour robot wants to joina firefight in an unarmed shuttle???? With passengers?????????) Back To The Future is close as well. Terminator 2: 3D and Shrek 4-D also get big kudos for different reasons.

Kind of on topic, the newest PKD newsletter announces that DoT is returning due to guest demand and the widespread popularity of stock car racing combined with the continued success of the nearby Richmond Intl. Speedway.

So you DoT fans just need to head to PKD to enjoy it. :)

I would say that the best 3D Show I'v ever seen is Mickey's PhilharMagic at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. There is just something about this attraction that I love, and well, how magical it is! Simulator.. hmmmm... either Mission: Space or the chairs in the Spongebob Squarepants 3D show! They rock!.. so... here's probably my top 5 list....

3D Shows

1) Mickey's PhilharMagic

2) It's Tough To Be A Bug

3) Spongebob Squarepants 3D

4) Muppet Vision 3D

5) Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!/ Hershey's Really Big 3D Show

Simulators

1) Mission: Space

2) Star Tours

3) Cyberspace Mountain

4) Corkscrew Hill (good 3D show too)

5) Spiderman

I haven't been on many. I liked Muppet Vision 4d and Star Tours, but I'd have to say my favorite was Corkscrew Hill. Only saw one mention of it just above^. I really hope to get to ride Spidey someday (same reason that Jeff gave that he liked it: it's Spiderman!)

Spiderman by far, mission space equal if not a close second, and shrek/ Jimmy neutron for a third. Days of Thunder, from what I remember (haven't been in like 10 years) was awesome, and you really feel like your on the track

I didn't even know they took it down, but it's good that they're bringing it back.

glad someone finally mentioned Muppets 3D...

cant wait to see that one again...i love the Muppets.

and ANYTHING that gets my MOM to use the word "wonderful" is WAY high up there on MY list. cos my Mom does NOT use te word WONDERFUL to describe ANYTHING...

I would have to go with Spiderman just like almost everyone else here. That ride just blew me away! Good stuff...