The year 2017 is shaping up to be a dream at Universal Orlando Resort. Along with a new hotel, a new water park and a new fast and furious ride opening soon, the theme park complex will give “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon his own 3D ride at Universal Studios Florida.
According to Universal, Fallon wanted a fun and fun adventure that would also be a tribute to his adoptive hometown of New York City (it’s actually from Saugerties, which is a stone’s throw from the hippie mecca of Woodstock), and so he and the folks at Universal came up with a new ride called “Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon,” now open at Universal Studios Florida.
The 3D ride was inspired by the outrageous celebrity races that have become one of the most popular recurring segments of Fallon’s “Tonight Show.”
First, the tail
The fun begins long before you board the trip. You’ll enter the legendary Studio 6B for a special recording in which Fallon challenges his studio audience to the ultimate race through the city that never sleeps. At Studio 6B Club, you will see a live performance of the Ragtime Gals barbershop quartet or you can watch some of the classic bits from the “Tonight Show”, from History of Rap to Lip Sync Battle, and meet the show’s mascot, Hashtag the Panda.
Ever dreamed of sending your own personalized “Tonight Show” note? You’re lucky! You can be the host at your own interactive desk in the Studio 6B Club. Here, you can send Jimmy Fallon’s famous thank you notes to friends and family, prepare for your career with a retro-style video game ‘Jimmy Drive’, and watch your favorite videos.
Then The Ride
After a short briefing at Lobby Studio 6B, you’ll board the world’s first flying theater for an exciting run alongside Jimmy Fallon through the streets of New York. You and the other members of your studio audience will pass iconic New York City landmarks in an action-packed race with lots of twists and turns along the way.
Be sure to keep an eye out for cameos from familiar characters like Sara from “Ew,” Jimmy on “Tight Pants,” and “Tonight Show” host Steve Higgins. All the sweet sounds of New York will come to life with the help of Grammy award-winning band The Roots, the musical masterminds behind the attraction’s original score.
During the challenge, you’ll traverse the streets and skies of New York City, from underground subway tunnels to the heights of the tallest skyscrapers, encountering colorful characters, famous landmarks, and more.
To make way for this new experience, Twister… Ride It Out closed in November 2015. (Not much of a loss. The old-fashioned ride has definitely sold out its welcome and something else.)
Watch this space for updates.
