Disaster a major motion picture ride opens today at Universal Orlando Resort

The new attraction features the first-ever use by a theme park of a high-tech virtual imagery technology called “Musion” and a special appearance by Hollywood actor Dwayne Johnson.

Disaster! replaces Earthquake and combines the best, most dramatic elements of Earthquake with an all-new storyline, top name celebrities, new “Musion” technology and all-new interactive elements. Park guests enter “Disaster Studios” and become part of the production action surrounding a “major motion picture.”

Johnson was at Universal Studios Thursday for the opening of the new attraction. In the attraction, Johnson plays a film hero who helps “save the day.”

Musion technology is a unique high-definition video projection system that transforms two-dimensional images into what seem to be live three-dimensional images. The Musion set in place at Disaster! is the first-ever use of the technology by a theme park and the largest permanent installation of that technology ever. Universal uses Musion technology to bring Disaster Studio Director “Frank Kincaid” to life as he explains the passion behind his work and recruits guests to take part in his next picture.

“The use of Musion technology in this attraction allows us to blend illusion with reality to surprise and entertain our guests,” said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative for Universal Parks and Resorts. “They are amazed by the effects we have created.”

Throughout the 15-minute attraction experience, guests are filmed as extras for different elements of Disaster Studios’ newest blockbuster film, “Mutha Nature,” taking direction from Frank Kinkaid and his production assistants. In the end, they are able to see the results of their work in a tongue-in-cheek trailer for the film, starring Johnson. Disaster! A Major Motion Picture Ride…Starring You! is located in the San Fransisco area of Universal Studios Florida.

Dwayne Johnson is best known for his roles in Universal Pictures’ The Mummy Returns, The Scorpion King and, most recently, The Game Plan. Now a firmly established presence in Hollywood, he can be seen in the upcoming Warner Brother’s comedy GET SMART opening in theaters June 20, 2008. Johnson is currently filming the family comedy Witch Mountain scheduled to be released in the summer of 2009.

Universal Orlando Resort (www.universalorlando.com). With Steven Spielberg as creative consultant, Universal Orlando has created some of the world’s most innovative theme park attractions based on pop culture’s most compelling films and stories.
Families will experience two world-class theme parks - Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure - a nighttime entertainment complex and magnificently themed on-site hotels. Universal Studios is a working film and TV production studio as well as a highly acclaimed motion picture and television theme park featuring attractions such as “Revenge of the Mummy—The Ride” and “Shrek 4-D.” Islands of Adventure is the world’s most technologically advanced theme park and features five uniquely themed islands that include Seuss Landing, Marvel Super Hero Island and Jurassic Park. Its marquee attractions include “Jurassic Park River Adventure” and “The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.”

In addition to its theme parks, Universal Orlando Resort also includes CityWalk, a 30-acre nighttime entertainment complex that features restaurants, shops, clubs, a 20-screen cineplex and live-entertainment. The destination’s three on-site Loews hotels include the Portofino Bay Hotel, the Hard Rock Hotel and the Royal Pacific Resort.