Transformers 3-D opens at Universal Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. — Thursday marked the grand opening of the highly anticipated Transformers 3-D ride at Universal Studios.

The theme park has been hyping the ride for months.

The time has come for fans of the high-tech and high-action TV and movie franchise "The Transformers."

The 3-D ride takes theme park visitors right into the movie to see Autobots and Decepticons battle it out to save the world, or in this case, to save Orlando.

In the movies, common vehicles like trucks, cars and airplanes transform into gigantic robots to fight alien robots, with the help of humans.

It's the first huge grand opening for Universal since the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and it's the park's latest effort to keep up with competitors in Orlando's ever-transforming theme park market.

The ride features 60-foot 3-D screens, a lot of swirling action all around and an incognito elevator as part of the ride.

Universal executives seemed confident that theme park guests would not be disappointed.

“When they get off, they're going to have just experienced something totally different from anything they've ever seen before,” said president of Universal Creative Mark Woodbury. “The scale and breadth of  this attraction is unparalleled.”

Follow Steve Barrett on Twitter at @SBarrettWFTV for live updates from the scene.

WFTV