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A panel of industry legends will share their stories about the creation of Universal’s ever-popular Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man dark ride at this year’s IAAPA Expo in Orlando
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 11 Oct 2021
Industry legends Thierry Coup, Phil Hettema and Scott Trowbridge will all be on hand to talk about the creation of Universal’s Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
As anticipation builds for the in-person return of IAAPA in the US next month, the hype train is also pulling out of the station for one of the most anticipated events at the show - the highly popular Legends Panel.
Hosted by IAAPA Hall of Famer and BRC founder Bob Rogers, this year’s panel will include Thierry Coup, Phil Hettema and Scott Trowbridge, with the trio discussing their work on the creation of Universal’s iconic Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man dark ride attraction.
A panel with pedigree
All three names are ones people in the attractions industry will be very familiar with, such is the scope and quality of their creative works.
Current senior VP and chief creative officer at Universal Creative, Thierry Coup is credited as production designer for The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. His portfolio, which stretches over 30 years, also includes works such as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Transformers: The Ride and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley.
Phil Hettema, president and creative director of The Hettema Group, was senior vice president of Attraction Development of Universal Creative at the time of the ride’s development. His work has seen him named the recipient of many awards, including The Buzz Price Thea Award for a Lifetime of Outstanding Achievements.
Now serving as portfolio creative executive for Disney Imagineering, during his time at Universal, Scott Trowbridge acted as show producer on the original Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. Scott’s most recent creations include the development of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
The ride, which first opened in May 1999 at Universals Islands of Adventure, sends guests on a high-paced adventure with Spider-Man as he tries to prevent the Sinister Syndicate - a supervillain criminal organisation made up of Doctor Octopus, Scream, Hydro-Man, Hobgoblin and Electro - from stealing the Statue of Liberty.
The ride, which combines an Omnimover system with both 3D and 4D elements, took three years to create.
In May 2011, the Orlando version of the ride underwent a major refurbishment, which included the addition of Infitec projectors and improvements to the ride’s mechanics. It reopened in 2012, in time for the release of The Amazing Spiderman in cinemas.
A second version of the ride followed in 2014, opening at the Universal Studios resort in Japan.
With the US still not setting a firm date in November to open up to international visitors, IAAPA is working with the government to help its members attend the biggest attractions show of the year. For more information on how to attend from overseas, click here.
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