Dewayne Bevil: Jimmy Fallon, and the ride, all about NYC.
Seven years ago, Jimmy Fallon had an idea for a theme park ride. It centered on the talk-show host hang-gliding over New York City. He pitched the concept to Mark Woodbury, now vice chairman of Universal Parks & Resorts.
“He politely said ‘No,’ ” Fallon said Monday.
Fast-forward a few years later. Woodbury calls Fallon back and says yes. And now, three years later, a simulator ride named “Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon” officially debuts Thursday.
Fallon and crew are in Orlando for the grand opening and to tape episodes of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” The show’s staff experienced the ride Sunday.
“To have a crazy idea that you never thought would ever happen happen? Even before we got on the ride, we flipped out,” Fallon said. “They were freaking out. ‘Look at the floors, they look just like our floors!’ ”
The building, former home of the Twister attraction, has been remodeled to look like 30 Rock, the iconic New York building where the show is produced. Instead of the hang-gliding theme, the ride features Fallon racing the audience through the Big Apple. Fallon appears as 10 characters in the attraction’s film, including a cab driver, a subway conductor, a guy in tight white pants and a teenage girl.
“This literally was his idea. He was really passionate about doing a ride and specifically showcasing New York in a fun way,” creative director Jason Surrell said.
Universal Creative collaborated with “Tonight” writers Gerard Bradford and Mike DiCenzo, Surrell said. The process included trips to the real 30 Rock.
“A lot of these meetings took place in the writers’ room,” Surrell said. “That’s about as authentic as it gets.”
Fallon traces his affection for thrill rides back to his childhood and an attraction in Lake George, N.Y.
“I remember going to my first theme park, Great Escape,” he said. “You see this rolling coaster, the Steamin’ Demon. … I thought ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve got to go on that.’ ”
The last time “Tonight” taped in Orlando, Fallon rode the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster with Kevin Hart, whose reactions made the clip go viral on the internet. Now Fallon eyes country singer Blake Shelton, one of the show’s guests this week.
“I heard that he’s afraid of roller coasters … so I’m going to force him to go on our ride, which technically is not a roller coaster, it’s a simulator, so legally we’re allowed to bring Blake,” Fallon said.
All tickets for the “Tonight” tapings have already been distributed, but Universal Studios visitors can see singing performances on the Music Plaza stage at 8:15 nightly through Thursday. The schedule, subject to change, includes Shelton on Tuesday, Flo Rida on Wednesday and Jason Derulo on Thursday.