1) The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
Hands-down still one of the best. The jewel of Islands of Adventure, the reason the whole Marvel theme park discourse is worth having is simply because of this ride. Like the E.T. Adventure ride, this is a classic that shouldn’t be touched at Universal Studios; both stand for the level of immersion promised. You’re in a Spider-Man story and get to spectate battles with some of his foes in a way that’s always purely timeless. One moment you’re flying through the city with Spider-Man, and the next you’re trapped by a baddie going through physical sets and screens with exciting motion. It feels like you’re on a true Spidey adventure more than an exhausting ride where you have to work out your arms to destroy spider robots (I said what I said). And it features Stan Lee in multiple cameos throughout—even his true last one. When you disembark from the ride vehicle, you get the legend doing a fun spiel he recorded just a few months before his passing. This one is for the true believers.
Thrills: 4.5 out of 5
Cinematic: 5 out of 5
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