There are just so many wonderful things about the new “Transformers” ride at Universal Studios that you experience right off the bat that you barely have any time to fully grasp it’s greatness until after the ride is over. It’s one amazing thrill ride placed within the walls of a sound stage, one that used to house the “Backdraft” show to be exact. But how exactly does a 3D ride not only keep you engage but perfectly use the latest state-of-the-art 3D technology to good use? Keep reading and we’ll explain it to you.

First you have to go all the way down to the bottom of the Universal Studios amusement park. Nestled in between Jurassic Park: The Ride and Revenge of the Mummy is Transformers: The Ride 3D. Instead of decorating the outside with overly detailed sculptures of the “world” you’re about to enter, they spell out exactly what you’ll be experiencing from their large picture above the entrance: Optimus Prime and Megatron fighting each other. You don’t need anything else to articulate what you’ll be seeing in the ride. That explains all you want to see/will see, and it is a wonderful sight to behold.

As you walk inside towards the start of the ride, you’re brought through a secret military base. Several of the Autobots, including the main one that you end up being a part of, explain the back story of the All Spark and how they need to transport it to the other end of town without it falling into the grasp of Megatron and the Decepticons. Then we’re ushered into the slightly bullet-shaped ride vehicle where we’re informed to put on our 3D glasses right away. Then the fun begins.

One of the brilliant things about the Transformers ride that people will notice right off the bat is that they aren’t exactly being moved around too much through the duration of the experience. It’s the 3D and the CG environment combined perfectly with motion stimulation that gives you the feeling that you too are being thrown across this random metropolitan city, trying to escape the Decepticon’s attacks. There are a couple of instances where some of the robots actually get in your face which includes Optimus Prime, Megatron and Bumblebee. They really give you the wonderful sense that you too are a part of the story, something that makes adults and children alike giddy with excitement. Another great thing about the Transformers ride is that it’s an actual contained story, some could argue that it’s what the Transformers movies should have been in the first place but let’s not get into that. By the time you get off of the ride, you definitely want to go again. Note: if you do ride this anytime soon, be sure you get seats in the front. It’s the best way to experience it.

“Transformers” The Ride 3D manages to properly merge together the sharp CGI and 3D technology of today with the same thrill that you get out of any sort of top notch amusement park ride. It’s currently going through a soft opening right now, so if you’re anywhere near Universal Studios we encourage you to ride it right away.