Backdraft (attraction)
| Backdraft | |
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Backdraft at Universal Studios Hollywood
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| Universal Studios Japan | |
| Area | San Francisco |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | March 31, 2001 |
| Universal Studios Hollywood | |
| Area | Lower Lot |
| Status | Removed |
| Opening date | June 1992 |
| Closing date | April 11, 2010 |
| Replaced by | Transformers: The Ride |
| General statistics | |
| Attraction type | Fire Effects Show |
| Manufacturer | Universal Creative |
| Theme | Backdraft |
| Duration | 8:00 |
Backdraft is a fire special effects show at Universal Studios Japan, and formerly Universal Studios Hollywood theme park. The show is based on the film of the same name. Visitors can learn how the pyrotechnic effects were created and experience some of them first hand. The Hollywood attraction was supposed to officially close after Labor Day 2009 to be replaced by Transformers: The Ride in 2011 but remained open to appease the temporary closures of other attractions for annual refurbishment. The Hollywood attraction officially closed on April 11, 2010. The attraction remains part of the Osaka park. A similar styled show demonstrating storm effects, Lights! Camera! Action! Hosted by Steven Spielberg, opened in Universal Studios Singapore in 2010.
The show at Universal Studios Hollywood has guests begin by entering a sound stage. Some elements of this description may not be accurate for the Japan installation.
For the Hollywood version, guests entered a soundstage where Backdraft was being filmed. For the Japan version, guests enter a San Francisco building facade and into a building where Backdraft is being filmed.
As guests walk into the "Backdraft filming center", Ron Howard appears on a video screen and talks to the guests about making Backdraft. For the Hollywood version, guests enter another soundstage. For the Japan version, guests enter a set of a city alley, where the fire is burning the building. The stars from the film, Scott Glenn and Kurt Russell appear on the video screen and talk about the fire. The moment they finish, the fire surprises the guests. They are finally led onto a set resembling the warehouse scene in the movie.
The guests line up on a tiered observation platform, overlooking a simulated warehouse scene. Suddenly, the fire burns the warehouse, causing a Backdraft. The explosions makes more fire. As the "fire" dies, the dying fire makes a final explosion, giving guests a final scare. Participants are then directed to exit through the building. An interesting note: the fire is actually created by gas flame, which is nearly silent. Without the fire audio track, the only fire sound you hear in real life is the sound of gas jets turning on and off. The sound of the fire is actually an audio recording, which includes all the sounds you hear while inside the attraction show building.
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