I have received plenty of self-help posts in my social media feed. One of the most prevalent is the affirmation that some mornings it’s okay to just do nothing. Life can be depressing, especially these days with all the negativity and mental abuse we endure in our new reality.
Social media and video outlets occasionally provide some comic relief. I recently found something that has gotten me through the past two weeks that I’m willing to share with you.
I watched as privileged early-admission guests posted content regarding the upcoming opening of a multi-themed extension inside Universal Studios in Orlando, but an ongoing attraction is part of the Transformers franchise. There is an exciting ride with 3D effects, but outside the thrills and chills of the fight between the Autobots and Decepticons is a “meet and greet” with the three key figures: Optimus Prime and Bumblebee (the “good guys”) and the evil Megatron.
As is the way with most online activity, the minute I began taking a look into the new immersive worlds at the park (including a Universal Monsters theme, Harry Potter, the isle of Berk from How to Train Your Dragon and Nintendo), I began receiving clips of visitors encountering the “bad guy” of the trio, Megatron. Apparently he has been placed into a situation where he must interact with us humans. He uses this inconvenience to his world domination plans to roast those who dare step into the “recruit zone,” which is a photo-ready area with footprint guides for two people and seems to double as a boundary line for Megatron.
Brave folks approach and enjoy (or suffer) a brief discussion with the master Decepticon, and attendants assist with cell phone photos. Megatron hopes to recruit new soldiers in the war against Optimus Prime, but often he endures a medley of typical human visitors and responds with anything from boredom to commentary barbs and opinions of those willing to take it for a souvenir on their cell phone. One intrepid influencer was given a dressing down by Megatron, who noted that it’s an activity best left to 14-year-old girls, adding she should make some “real memories.”
Megatron even has a “thud” which comes into play, serving as the mechanical equivalent of a snare drum and cymbal zinger for some of his more spot-on putdowns. The fans waiting in line love it. He can be amicable for young kids and the neurodiverse, but dress-alike families and men in dad gear should be ready to get blasted verbally. Also, if you approach with Optimus or Bumblebee gear on, or you salute him like a willing acolyte and say “All hail, lord Megatron,” you will not be disappointed in how you are treated.
The key to the experience is a combination of the operator among the visitors and the person responsible for taking in each visitor’s situation and appearance and then providing the vocal responses, which are hilarious and keenly observant.
So yes I have been given quite a few of these encounters along with tours of everyplace in Universal Orlando I could imagine. Having been to the Hollywood location, I look forward to a time when I can fly down to the warm wonderland that is Florida and exchange some banter with the Transformers trio, including Megatron. If I must.
*Because I like sharing collections, I am including a video link which you can enjoy (and watch for a local Philly reference for good measure): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkJK3c25JOA&t=108s
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