At a Glance
Duration: 20 minutes
Look Out For: intense stunt performances as well as explosions, smoke and fire effects, “gunfire,” and other combat-related practical effects
Opening on June 30th, 2020, The Bourne Stuntacular is a high-octane sunt show featuring Jason Bourne himself. But how scary is The Bourne Stuntacular? Let’s take a look at the stats:
1. Ride Length
The Bourne Stuntacular has a duration of approximately 20 minutes. However, this does not include the 6 minute pre-show you’ll watch before entering the theater. Also, because this attraction features of myriad of different technologies and moving parts to run smoothly, it’s prone to pretty long delays between scenes.
2. Height Requirement and Warnings
The Bourne Stuntacular has no height requirement but does give a parental advisory for the “intense nature” of this attraction. In addition, Universal also has warnings in place for guests prone to motion sickness, dizziness, and any sensitivity to smoke or strobe light effects.
3. Ride Vehicles and Restraints
The Bourne Stuntacular uses a standard indoor theater seating approximately 700 guests. With its massive stage and show scenes, you can get a pretty good view of the action regardless of where you’re sitting.
4. How Does The Bourne Stuntacular Work?
The Bourne Stuntacular works like any other stage show, seating its guests facing the stage where the performance takes place. This attraction utilizes live actors and stunt performers as well as large-scale practical effects, pyrotechnics, and even entire vehicles on stage. What really makes this show unique is the massive 130 ft by 28 ft screen that allows a shifting perspective and a lifelike backdrop for the amazing stunt performances on stage.
5. Is The Bourne Stuntacular Scary?
The Bourne Stuntacular could be a bit scary to some guests. While not intentionally frightening, the high-charged stunt performances and story elements could feel a bit overwhelming.
Most would say the show is more adrenalin-pumping than spooky, but still includes some sinister characters, real explosions, gunfire (fake, of course, but loud), and even some suspenseful chase scenes involving large vehicles with loud revving engines. There are also dangerous-looking falls as well as simulated fistfights and other hand-to-hand combat.
If anyone in your party is prone to sensory sensitivity, I would definitely be aware that this attraction features very loud sound design and a good bit of sensory overload. The massive screen is extremely immersive and can make it hard to see where the set ends the the actual action begins. The spinning and shifting perspectives can be both disorienting and overwhelming, and the “gunfire,” smoke, and pyro effects can feel very jarring – so just be aware before jumping into this attraction.
Trigger Warning:
If you or anyone in your party is particularly sensitive to loud “gunfire,” explosions, realistic combat, or war-time settings – this may be an attraction to skip. The show definitely leans heavily into its thriller movie genre, but anyone with combat-related PTSD or sensory sensitivity of any kind could find this attraction very intense.
6. How High is The Bourne Stuntacular?
The Bourne Stuntacular does not directly involve heights. The performers on-stage do find themselves pretty high off the ground at times, and the massive screen as a backdrop can really immerse the audience in Bourne’s high-flying stunts. However, you will remain in your seat, watching from a safe distance for the entire duration of the show.
7. How Fast is The Bourne Stuntacular?
The Bourne Stuntacular does not go fast. As a stage show at its core, the theater and seats remain stationary for the entire run time. While there are vehicles on-stage that appear go pretty fast at times due to the immersive screen behind them, the audience never moves.
8. Does The Bourne Stuntacular Have Drops?
The Bourne Stuntacular does not have drops. While certainly thrilling in its own ways, this attraction does not involve any motion, drops, or other thrill ride elements of any kind.
9. Does The Bourne Stuntacular Cause Motion Sickness?
The Bourne Stuntacular could definitely cause motion sickness for some guests. Because of its huge screen, shifting perspective, and rushing visuals, there are certainly times that feel as if the entire set is spinning. While the theater seats themselves don’t move, I would take a moment to consider this show if other large-screen attractions or even Imax movies have given you problems in the past.
10. Is The Bourne Stuntacular Claustrophobic?
The Bourne Stuntacular should not be claustrophobic for most people. While the theater is indoors, it’s located in a large and open room, making it fairly easy to exit. However, it should be noted that you may have difficulties getting around the people on either side of you if you’re seated in the middle of a row. To remedy this, try finding a seat on the end of a row or in the back of the theater for easy access. In addition, you can always ask a team member for assistance.
It is worth noting that the pre-show can feel a bit confining if the attraction is at full capacity. While the room is certainly large and spacious, you may be squished-in pretty close with other guests to make room for more in the back. Since this is standing room only, this segment of the attraction can feel a bit hot and stuffy with everyone pressing in around you.
11. Are There Animatronics on The Bourne Stuntacular?
There are no animatronics on The Bourne Stuntacular.
The Bourne Stuntacular Queue Walkthrough
The queue entrance is located outside in the Hollywood section of Universal Studios. Once entering the building, you’ll head down a large hallway and, if the line is long enough, may be led through a winding outdoor section before heading back inside. You’ll wind your way through more open hallways themed with props and TV monitors overhead.
Once reaching the pre-show area (a very large auditorium-style room with no seating), you will simply queue up behind the doors and wait for the pre-show to begin. On screen, you’ll watch a 6 minute video introducing you to Jason Bourne and revealing your mission – finding and observing him alongside the CIA.
The Bourne Stuntacular Ride Walkthrough
Once you’re seated in the theater, the show will begin with Bourne street-fighting to earn some cash undetected. as the scene fades out, we check in with the CIA who bring up the data on “the big screen.” They’ve traced Bourne to Morocco and are keeping close tabs on him.
We find Bourne again, walking the streets, when he received a phone call from the CIA. To prove their trust to him, they guide him through a series of attacks – which he fends off no problem. After several very cool stunt performances utilizing a massive practical building on stage, Bourne disappears once again.
By the time the CIA finally makes contact with him, it’s discovered that he’s at the Secretary’s house. A team is sent over to intercept him, but Jason evades them again – this time involving a simulated car chase and a dangling stunt in a warehouse. Once again, he slips away.
The next scene finds Bourne on a skyscraper in Dubai. This segment ends with Bourne dangling from a “helicopter,” flying through the city before landing on top of a car. The amazing super soldier appears to be lost when the car goes careening off a cliff into a massive explosion. However, just when the CIA thought he was defeated, we see him paragliding off screen as the iconic soundtrack plays.
That’s it! Remember, everyone’s riding experience is a little bit different and only you can decide whether to hop on that ride vehicle or not. I just hope this guide helps you be prepared and enjoy every second of your Universal experience!
So what do you think? How scary is The Bourne Stuntacular? Leave a comment to help keep this guide up to date!
For a full visual of the ride and queue, be sure to check out this video from Theme Park POV:
