Theme Park Ride Review: Secret Life of Pets @ Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studio Hollywood's All-New Secret Life of Pets Attraction Brings Disneyland-style Ride Vehicles to a Park Overrun by Animatronics

Source: https://wdwnt.com/2021/03/the-secret-life-of-pets-off-the-leash-and-updated-jurassic-world-the-ride-opening-with-universal-studios-hollywood-on-april-16/

Growing up, there were only a few things in life that could, without fail, put a smile on my face. One of them was my parents announcing that we would be taking a trip to the local amusement park. And while I’ve grown and matured since those carefree days (or so I like to tell myself), the fact of the matter hasn’t changed - theme parks make me happy. So you can imagine my disappointment over the past year when the coronavirus pandemic forced amusement parks to shutter.

It was in late January 2020 when I last visited an amusement park. I planned a quick weekend trip for my family to Universal Studios Hollywood, in hopes of utilizing the annual passes we had purchased the previous summer. Upon arriving at the park on a mild Saturday afternoon, I discovered an all-new attraction based on The Secret Life of Pets film franchise would be opening a couple of months down the road. While I’ve never really owned a pet growing up (apart from some cheap goldfish that died within a week of purchase), I love animals, and was a big fan of the movie, having just recently watched it. I therefore immediately began to research and book my next trip to ensure I was one of the first to experience the new ride.

Unfortunately, God had other plans and, despite keeping my hopes up all last year that California would reopen amusement parks, I, along with millions of others in 2020, just had to wait.

But I’m happy to share that the wait finally came to an end. Universal Studios opened for pass holders on Thursday, April 15, and I jumped at the chance to return. On Wednesday morning, I hopped in my Acura and drove the 340 miles to Hollywood, so I could be the first in line come Thursday morning. And while I may have ended up being the about 20th person in line, the long-awaited attraction was well worth the year-long wait. Here are some of the highlights:

Re-creation of New York City Apartments

For those that have seen the Secret Life of Pets films, you know that much of the movie takes place amongst pets living in classic-style New York City apartments. Guests waiting in line to ride are treated to an immersive walk-through experience, featuring several model apartments from the movies, along with live-action characters including Max, a Jack Russell Terrier and the film's leading star, Duke, Max’s large, shaggy Newfoundland Mix roommate, Gidget, a Pomeranian and Max’s love interest, and Snowball, the evil rabbit and film’s antagonist. As you're walking through the apartments, the animals will think you're lost pets who need a collar and owner. They help you find your way to a pet shop where you'll be turned into a puppy to be adopted.

The Ride

Given all the walking through the maze of model apartments, I have to admit that for a split second I thought that the attraction was solely a walk-through. Much to my relief, I finally made it to the ride's loading area where I was seated in a vehicle shaped like a cardboard box. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this wasn’t going to be the typical animatronics ride in front of a screen that Universal Studios is known for but rather closer to what you’d find at Disneyland.

Source: https://www.insider.com/universal-studios-secret-life-of-pets-ride-review-two-floors-2020-3#so-what-is-this-ride-about-3

The concept of the ride continues the momentum established in the walk-through that riders are seen as lost pets by the animals from the film and Snowball, the rabbit, makes it his mission to find you a home. Throughout the ride, guests are zipped through scenes reminiscent of the movie, taking you through the streets of New York. Finally, you end up at a pet shop where a family awaits, eager to adopt you.

Overall, I’m grateful to have been one of the first to experience this ride and highly recommend checking it out. The experience from the building facade, to waiting in line and walking through model apartments from the film, and just the overall cuteness that fans of the movie have come to love, permeates throughout the entire attraction.