One complaint that we’ve heard many times over the years is that theme parks (especially Universal) are becoming too reliant on 3D screen-based simulator rides. And while opinions about the quality of this type of attraction are divided, the fact is this technology has been both popular and cost-effective, making it an easy choice for attraction development, not only at Disney and Universal, but at other theme parks as well, with SeaWorld, Six Flags and more using 3D screens in recently constructed attractions.
However, some interesting things have happened in the last week that could indicate that major theme parks could be ready to take a step back when it comes to 3D screen-based simulation attractions.
1. Ratatouille goes 2D at Walt Disney Studios Paris theme park
Image: Disney
Last week guests who visited Walt Disney Studios Paris were surprised to find that the 3D effect in the Ratatouille attraction had been completely removed. All on-ride video footage has now been converted to 2D, and no 3D glasses are being distributed to guests in the queue.
This was quite a shocking change for this attraction, as it doesn’t seem to have been previously announced, and Disneyland Paris‘ Ratatouille ride has only ever been offered in 3D since its opening in 2014. However, the removal of the 3D effects in this attraction and conversion to 2D video could be a sign of things to come, as it could be a sign that the Ratatouille attraction that is currently being constructed at Epcot could opt to use the 2D format now in effect at Walt Disney Studios Paris.
Image: Disney
Then again, this could just be a limited time test to see which version of the attraction guests seem to prefer before the decision is made to make the Epcot version of this attraction 3D or 2D. However, though this is all just speculation, there’s something else that happened this week on the other side of the world that could hit at the end of another 3D simulator attraction in Orlando…
Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem to go 2D at Universal Studios Hollywood
According to Screamscape the Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem ride at Universal Studios: Hollywood has also dropped the use of 3D glasses and revised the attraction’s pre-show to omit any mention of wearing the glasses during the ride. And according to rumors, this change could eventually be coming to the version of Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem at Universal Studios Florida as well, sometime before the end of the year!
The downgrading of 3D to 2D for both Ratatouille in Paris and Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem in California both have interesting implications for the Florida counterparts of these attractions, but thinking more broadly, we have to wonder if the removal of 3D features will become its own larger trend. After all, Universal declined to include the 3D effects in Fast and the Furious: Supercharged as well as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (both of these are 3D at Universal Studios: Hollywood), and if both Disney and Universal parks are now looking at removing these effects (or not including them in cloned attractions, like with Ratatouille), could we be seeing the beginning of the end of this type of ride?
Image: Universal
Of course, it’s impossible to see into the future, but with criticisms of this type of attraction growing, and new audio animatronic technology powering attractions like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Hagrid’s Magical Motorbike Adventure, it seems like screens and 3D effects could be on their way out. Now whether or not that is a good thing, we’ll leave up to you to decide!
