Men in Black Alien Attack! Universal’s Unforgettable Extra-Terrestrial Adventure
Don your darkest suit and your shadiest sunglasses – you’ve been hired by MIB to take care of the latest alien infestation!
Men in Black Alien Attack let’s you experience what it would be like to spend a day with Agent J and Agent Z, and as you might’ve guessed, it’s pretty exciting! Not only is this galactic attraction a thrilling ride, it’s also a game! Compete with friends, family, and fellow riders to shoot the most aliens as you zip through the streets!
Oh, and save the world while you’re at it. No big deal, right?
Into the Dark
Men in Black Alien Attack opened in the year 2000. It was the dawn of a new millennia, and Universal Studios Florida was setting the tone for the future by setting the bar high: Men in Black Alien Attack was the largest dark ride to date and unlike anything featured in a theme park before.1 It was advertised as the “world’s first life-size, ride-through, interactive video game experience.”2
Similarly, the queue for this interactive thrill ride also sets the tone for the ensuing experience. The exterior and initial interior design of the building evokes the 1964 New York World’s Fair – although here it’s called “The World Expo.” Supposedly you’re in attendance because you want to view an exhibit called “The Universe & You,” but it’s all just a recruitment front for MIB!3
After you and your fellow recruits are ushered into an elevator, you’ll descend 51 stories in only 3 seconds, then find yourself walking through the sterile, white hallways of a top-secret headquarters. There are closed doors labeled with things like “Oxygen Free Zone” and “Fingerprint Removal.” A voice on an intercom periodically calls out Agents who need to report for duty or respond to emergencies.
The biggest giveaway you’ve stumbled into a world hitherto unknown is the breakroom. With a kitchenette – complete with coffeemaker and microwave – as well as a table littered with coffee mugs, it looks like a scene from The Office. Except, leaning against the counter, chatting, and sipping a fresh cup of joe are a couple of aliens. (Specifically bugs.)
Oh, and speaking of The Office, down in the immigration room, the alien twins – Idikiukup and Bob – are hard at work filing paperwork for none other than Creed Bratton! Ask a Universal Team Member if there’s a free “backstage” tour that day so you can go down and see for yourself!4
After winding your way through the labyrinthian headquarters, you’re ready to embark on a training mission. It’s time to test your abilities and see if you have what it takes to survive a Men in Black alien attack!
Men in Black Alien Attack: Shoot Sharp to Score Big!
The Men in Black ride starts out unassuming enough – a slow, straightforward track with a few cardboard cut-out aliens sporting big, red targets. However, these are not the aliens referred to in the Men in Black Alien Attack title.
In seconds, alarms start blaring, your guns are set to “full power,” and you are informed that “this is not a drill.” Suddenly you’re zooming – sometimes spinning – through the streets shooting at real aliens! (Okay, they’re animatronics. But they’re still hostile! So, go get ’em!)
With 120 different, and often grotesque looking, aliens lurking in the dark, this ride is action-packed the entire way through! Although these aliens aren’t the friendliest, intrepid kiddos who meet height requirements probably won’t be too frightened. (As a motion-sick prone adult, enduring the strobe lights and spinning strikes more fear into my heart than the aliens, LOL!)
As you shoot the aliens, sound effects alert you to direct hits, and you can see your personal score being tallied up as you go. This makes it really fun to have personal contests going if you choose to ride with competitive family or friends! However, at the end of the ride, it’s the cumulative score of the entire ride-vehicle that is taken into consideration.
Will you pass and become an official MIB Agent. . .or will you fail, be neuralyzed, and turned back onto the street with no memory of the test?? Either one is a possibility, as the ride actually has different endings! With different tracks as well, you’re guaranteed a unique experience every time you ride.
You may have to ride several times – and practice hard – to earn the title of Agent. Even if you achieve the “success” ending, you can always continue to chase the gamer goal of maxing out your personal score at 999,999 points!5
Additionally, you may want to forget about shooting and just take a “sight-seeing” ride to try and spot all of the movie references – namely Frank the Pug.
This extreme re-rideability makes Men in Black Alien Attack one of Universal Studios Florida‘s best rides. It’s no wonder it hit the 100 million rider mark this past year!6
Overall, we think the dark ride is great because it’s just so fun to be immersed in this classic sci-fi movie! After all, it’s not everyday you get to talk to Will Smith via video-chat! (Even if he is just warning you to watch out for aliens. . .)
Alien Accessories
Once you make it through Men in Black Alien Attack, you might want to spend a few moments in the MIB Gear Shop – especially if you passed your test! Then obviously you’ll need a Frank the Pug shirt as part of the job. . .right?
You can also get a Frank the Pug plushie, a pair of iconic sunglasses, and even a neuralyzer! It’s everything you need for your new life as an Agent. But what would life as an Agent be without an alien encounter?
That’s right, you can even get an alien plush! This one’s mouth is open wide to display a red target, just like from the ride, making it a truly unique piece of MIB merch!
Men in Black Alien Attack at Universal Studios Florida is an awesome attraction to hit up for fans of the franchise or avid gamers alike! What’s your personal high score? Go ahead and brag in the comments below!
Cover Image
Photo: Tatiana T via Flickr
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