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Rating:
* * * *
Type: “Dark ride”
Time: 3.5 minutes
Kelly says: Kiddie ride with zip
Dr. Seuss’s most popular book tells the tale of what happens when two kids, home alone, allow the cat of the title to come in for a visit. Step through the doors beneath that giant red and white striped top hat and you will get your chance to relive the adventure.
This is a “dark” ride but perhaps one of the brightest and most colorful you’ll ever encounter. You and your kids climb into cars that are designed like miniature six-passenger sofas and set off through a series of 18 show scenes that re-create the story line of the book. Just don’t expect the static tableaux of the older generation dark rides.
One of the nicer touches on this one is something that Universal describes as “a revolving, wallpaper-peeling, perception-altering 24-foot tunnel.” The ride mechanism, too, is a step or two beyond the older generation of dark rides. Brace yourself for quick swoops, sudden turns, and a few 360-degree spins.
Along the way, the ride does a remarkably good job of telling the story of the book. The fantastic animated sculptures of the cat and his playmates, Thing 1 and Thing 2, spin and twirl while furniture teeters and topples. The wise fish, who is the tale’s voice of reason, cries out warnings and ignored advice until, miraculously, all is set to rights before Mom gets home. Kids familiar with the book will be delighted and those who aren’t will doubtless want to learn more. This is a must-do for little ones, although a few more timid tykes may find the swoops and spins of the ride vehicles a bit startling.
While you probably won’t care, this ride employs never-before-available computer systems to control the flow of 1,800 guests per hour and activate the innumerable special effects along the way.
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