Storm Force Accelatron is a

teacups Teacups, or spinning teacups, is a type of amusement ride characterized by teacup-shaped spinning vehicles atop a turntable-like floor, which may also spin. Design Typically, each set of six teacups has a center bearing mounted underneath, ...

ride located in the

Islands of Adventure Universal Islands of Adventure, often shortened to Islands of Adventure, is a theme park located in Orlando, Florida, United States. It originally opened as Universal Studios Islands of Adventure on May 28, 1999, along with CityWalk, as part ...

theme park at

Universal Orlando Resort Universal Orlando Resort, often shortened to Universal Orlando, is a theme park and entertainment resort complex located in Orlando, Florida. It is the flagship of the Universal Destinations & Experiences theme park chain. Following the succes ...

. The attraction opened in the Marvel Super Hero Island of the theme park in 2000, a year after the opening of the park. The premise of the attraction is that

Magneto A magneto is an electrical generator that uses permanent magnets to produce periodic pulses of alternating current. Unlike a dynamo, a magneto does not contain a commutator to produce direct current. It is categorized as a form of alternator, ...

, the archenemy of the

X-Men The X-Men are a superhero team in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer/editor Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby, the team first appeared in Uncanny X-Men, ''The X-Men'' #1 (September 1963). Although initial ...

, is threatening the world, so

Storm A storm is any disturbed state of the natural environment or the atmosphere of an astronomical body. It may be marked by significant disruptions to normal conditions such as strong wind, tornadoes, hail, thunder and lightning (a thunderstor ...

and

Professor Xavier Professor X (Prof. Charles Francis Xavier) is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Uncanny X-Men, ''The X-Men'' #1 ( ...

recruit riders into the "Storm Force Accelatron", a device that they hope will stop Magneto.

History

In 1991, planning began for a new theme park adjacent to

Universal Studios Florida Universal Studios Florida is a theme park located in Orlando, Florida, that opened on June 7, 1990. Owned and operated by NBCUniversal, it features numerous rides, attractions, and live shows that are primarily themed to movies, television, and ...

. By the end of 1993, it was decided that one area of the future Islands of Adventure theme park would be themed after

Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is a New York City–based comic book publishing, publisher, a property of the Walt Disney Company since December 31, 2009, and a subsidiary of Disney Publishing Worldwide since March 2023. Marvel was founded in 1939 by Martin G ...

. The ride was originally planned to open the ride with Islands of Adventure, but could not due to timing conflicts. The attraction broke ground in October 1999 and construction began in February 2000. During the construction period, walls were placed around the future attraction displaying a logo of the ride with a projected opening date of Spring 2000. The attraction finally opened on May 28, 2000.

Experience

Queue

The queue line explains through live-action comic panels that Magneto, a villain of the X-Men, has returned to threaten the world. Storm gives word to Professor Xavier who decides to launch riders on his "Storm Force Accelatron" while Storm gathers the powers of Mother Nature in an effort to stop Magneto.

Ride experience

Riders enter circular shaped cars which are colored either purple or yellow. Each car has a large wheel in the center of it which riders may use to turn or hold onto during the course of the ride. Once riders have been seated, Professor Xavier ( Cedric Smith) and Storm (

Iona Morris Iona Morris is an American actress. She has performed in numerous films and television shows, including extensive voice work in animation. Early life Iona was born in Columbus, Ohio, and is the daughter of late actor Greg Morris (1933–1996) a ...

) explain the crisis going on, and give guests the instructions on how to use their accelatrons; by turning the vehicle around as fast as possible in an effort to stop Magneto. The ride then begins as riders are spun around in circles on a spinning track multiple times while they spin the vehicle even more by turning the wheel in front of them. Sound effects simulating lightning and thunder as well as flashing lights serve as show elements during the ride which originate from an overhead "power generator" facing the center of the track. At the conclusion, Xavier informs riders that they are successful and Magneto is retreating. Riders then exit the vehicles.

References

External links

Official website
for the Islands of Adventure attraction {{DEFAULTSORT:Storm Force Accelatron Amusement rides introduced in 2000 Amusement rides manufactured by Mack Rides X-Men in other media Universal Islands of Adventure Licensed properties at Universal Destinations & Experiences Marvel Comics in amusement parks Universal Destinations & Experiences attractions by name 2000 establishments in Florida