My recent Back to the Future experience at Universal Orlando reminded me why non-ride attractions still matter

I don't know anyone else, but when I was a kid, going to theme park shows wasn't exactly a priority. In my opinion, this was a waste of really good ride time, especially since I grew up a fan of roller coasters and had to spend that time in line waiting for the ride.

However, as I grew up, I began to appreciate attractions without rides even more. So much so that on my last trip to Universal Orlando Resort, I was prepared for a week Back to the Future-related moment that blew me away. I want to share this moment with all of you, along with another magical theme park moment I experienced during the same visit that reminded me why character and show attractions are still important to the ecosystem we call theme parks.

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

How I met Doc Brown at Universal Studios Florida

Despite the fact that my beloved Back to the Future: The Ride closed to make room The Simpsons RideThere are actually still some remnants of this attraction at Universal Studios Florida. The more enduring parts are a replica of a DeLorean time machine and the actual locomotive used on screen, which Doc Brown himself was depicted piloting at the end Back to the Future: Part III.

But if you are as lucky as me and plan your visit for the upcoming one DreamWorks Land section. If you look closely at the park, you might see Doc Brown himself entering the park. Since I had just gotten off the ET Adventure at the time, I felt the classic Universal magic that I remembered from my last visit as well as countless years of advertising.

Even though it's not a photo in front of the clock tower, the resulting selfie from that moment is still something I'm very proud of.

A selfie with a Doc Brown actor at Universal Studios Florida.

(Image credit: Mike Reyes)

As the resident time travel expert here at CinemaBlend, there's also the chance to talk to Doc about how it's done Back to the Future The time travel work was too good to miss. And sure enough, after exchanging kind words, I told him that I would see him again in the future. To which he replied: “Or the past. You never know how time travel works.”

As if that wasn't enough proof that costumed performers are great, that day I saw a Beetlejuice actor chatting with passersby. He even made sure they took the right picture of him with their cell phones as he walked down the street. We may not be dealing with hugs here, but Universal Studios Florida's character moments are just as inspiring.

The Grinch at Universal Studios Hollywood

(Image credit: Universal Studios Hollywood)

The importance of appropriate character encounters in theme parks

Whoever played Doc Brown that February day at Universal Studios Florida deserves one hell of a raise, in my opinion. I know it's easy for an adult theme park enthusiast who doesn't have kids to dismiss character encounters because, again, ride time is crucial. But I saw a character I recognized from my fandom, decided to chat with him, and walked away feeling like I had actually met Doctor Emmett L. Brown.

Proper character work like this makes Universal Studios Florida or any other amusement park all the more entertaining. Artists who really know how to get into character by nailing the atmosphere of the parks can include a walk through the park or even a trip to a specific character meeting point where they interact with the Minions or various Meet Transformers, making it a worthwhile stopover. And anyone who's ever spent a day in the parks knows that amid the lines and hustle and bustle in the parking lot, any little bit of joy is enough.

While my encounter with Doc Brown didn't produce that Disney hug rule, a firm handshake from Hill Valley's own scientific genius was enough for me to go home happy. It's not every day you get to shake the hand of the inventor of the flux capacitor, and this was a nice reminder of what a moment like this can do for us adults who still believe in imagination.

In ¡Vamos-Bailalo, two very happy dancers perform in front of other dancers in the background.

(Image credit: Universal Orlando Resort)

My experience dancing at ¡Vamos! from Universal Orlando – Báilalo

Hanging out with Doc Brown wasn't the only off-ride experience that blew me away during my stay at Universal Orlando Resort. As I mentioned, another part of the theme park experience that I've discussed before is the usual selection of street shows and parades. If it was about the latter, mine first Universal Mardi Gras experience reacquainted me with what parades do to enliven a park experience.

However, it was the show titled “¡Vamos!” – Báilalo that made me look forward to trying more of this kind on my next trip to Universal or another major theme park. Held in the New York section of the Universal Studios Florida park and billed as a “high-energy Latin dance experience with a classical look and modern musical flair,” this show features dancers who not only have mastered moves but also enjoy attracting park-goers, as well as the fun.

To better sell what I'm talking about here, check out the video below:

Now I'm a OK Dancer, but to be fair, my wife always seems to think I underestimate my ability to easily demonstrate rhythm. During ¡Vamos! None of that mattered! – Báilalo, a very friendly dancer who helped me remember how to do the Electric Slide. When that part of the show was over, I walked away grinning and grateful that I had taken the chance to join in on the fun.

The Blues Brothers pose on their patrol car on a street at Universal Studios Florida.

(Image credit: Universal Orlando Resort)

Why show attractions are just as important as rides

I understand that not all show attractions at a park like Universal Studios Florida will be interactive. I actually witnessed the end of a Blues Brothers gig after walking out of Revenge of the Mummy on the same day I was on ¡Vamos! – Báilalo, and decided to check it out on my next visit.

Even though shows may not seem like the main attraction of a theme park, the right performances can still provide magical memories. Seeing shows like this reminded me of the summers I spent at Six Flags Great Adventure, where I almost always had to see the Lethal Weapon or Batman Stunt Spectaculars before leaving the park. I was very much reminded of this when I saw The Bourne Stuntacular, another innovative show that helps break up the day in novel ways.

The performances I saw at Universal Studios Florida were absolutely amazing. And although I would love it if Universal randomly announced a new stunt show based on it The MummyTo be honest, I would like to explore these experiences again. The show attractions add to the atmosphere of the park and make the breaks between rides fly by, as do the exciting rides scattered throughout the park.

An actor walking through Tej's war room in Fast and Furious - Supercharged.

(Image credit: Universal Orlando Resort)

How Show Experience could even improve passenger queuing

It's no secret that many people share my opinion on Fast and Furious: Supercharged. One of my least favorite entries in my Universal Studios Florida Ride Rankings, it's an attraction you can rely on, and for some pretty good reasons. However, thanks to the appearances of two actors employed at the park, I believe Universal needs to add more show experiences to the ride queues.

As you wait to board the “party bus” that will take you to Dom and his crew, you enter two separate meeting rooms. I assume that the actors stationed in these rooms rotate and have fairly free rein to improvise, as long as it's family friendly and fits in with the previously recorded videos.

Between the stubborn character who tried to get invited to the party Dom's family was throwing and the wannabe influencer who barely helped educate our crew on how to avoid Owen Shaw's goons, I really had to laugh. Which only made me compliment the latter performer on the way to the ride as her performance was really funny.

Now imagine such an experience in a long queue. Yes, I know, that's why they have pre-recorded videos and many attractions available to them. But if there's anything, other rides could be a lesson in what Fast and Furious: Supercharged does Right, It is this. And it's better to wait for it than for Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard to argue about how good a roller coaster built in a Raptor paddock really is. Not that I'm sick of this video myself, but I'm sure there isn't-law Universe fans who did it. You can't say that I don't pay attention to people.

While ride experiences at the major theme parks are still at the forefront, my trip to Universal Studios Florida gently reminded me why real human entertainment is so important to such a trip. They help sell the illusion of being transported to another world and are a nice distraction for people who don't like rides or want to get some air between death-defying experiences.

So keep that in mind the next time you visit a major theme park. For all you know, you make a costumed character's day by showing your enthusiasm, and maybe that will turn a good day into a great one.

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My recent Back to the Future experience at Universal Orlando reminded me why non-ride attractions still matter

How I met Doc Brown at Universal Studios Florida

Anna Harden

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How I met Doc Brown at Universal Studios Florida

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