VIDEO: Universal Orlando designer talks new Jimmy Fallon ride – Virtual queue, 3D screens, and Hashtag vs Triumph

in Movies & TV, Television, Theme Parks, Universal Orlando

This morning Universal Orlando officially unveiled their newest attraction, Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, to the press. Not quite a grand opening just yet, this preview offered us a chance to get a closer look at the new ride while simultaneously learning new details from one of its creators.

On hand was Universal Creative’s writer and producer Jason Surrell. Longtime Disney fans will recognize Surrell from his work at Walt Disney Imagineering on various theme park attractions as well as the author of a popular series of books.

The first assignment Surrell was given after hopping over to Universal was to create an attraction based on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” He admitted the assignment was a surprise, as a late night talk show doesn’t exactly scream “theme park ride.”

In our interview below, hear directly from Surrell as he gives our reporter JeniLynn Knopp the inside scoop on how this ride was created, why they chose to make it a 3D motion simulator, and what we can expect from the future of virtual queues like the one featured within the new attraction. Oh – and he also kindly humors us as we ask how well Hashtag the Panda and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog would get along.

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