Orlando, Florida -
Rumors have been flying that Universal Orlando would add Transformers: The Ride (Which is located at Universal Studios Singapore and Universal Studios Hollywood) to the Florida parks ever since the attraction was initially announced for Hollywood.

It appears those rumors may be true and if what others are reporting is true, according a few sites including Orlando United, Theme Park Insider and Parkscope a clone of Transformers: The Ride could be in operation in Universal Orlando by December 2013. This date (which would mean construction would be done in an astonishing 18 months) could spell trouble for Disney World which plans to open it’s new Seven Dwarf Mine Train Coaster in early 2014. Transformers:The Ride and the Second Phase of Harry Potter might just be enough to let Universal steal the limelight off of Disney’s New Fantasyland expansion.

Transformers: The Ride would occupy the space where the vacant Soundstage 44 once stood. Soundstage 44 is being demolished as you read this. Soundstage 44 was demolished in just a few weeks (With deconstruction beginning during the last week of June). Soundstage 44 housed several shows over the years, however for the past several years it has remained vacant, only being used for the Halloween Horror Night events. With a demolition of a building that has stood empty for several years occurring so fast there is no doubt that Universal will be acting fast on this project.

More confirmation to the Transformers theory was uncovered by Parkscope when they found a permit disapproval for Ride Lift Pit drains. The Transformers ride in the Singapore and Hollywood parks uses elevators during the course of the attraction (as the track is spread over two levels). More interestingly a crane has been placed at the site within the last few weeks, Screamscape notes that the Crane appears to be placed in a position that looks extremely similar to where Universal Hollywood placed theirs when the attraction was being constructed in Hollywood.

Regardless of whatever is being built it will surly “Transform” an area of the park that never saw too much traffic. Stayed tuned as we bring you the latest information as we receive it on this new project.

UPDATE: We have found the information regarding the permits for this project. THIS SITE ONLY WORKS WITH INTERNET EXPLORER! Viewing this link in any other browser will only show the raw HTML Pay special attention to the permits for "ride lift pits" and the "oily waste" mentioned in the permits (possibly from the elevators), and other more subtle hints that we'll let you discover for yourselves. (Daniel Westfall)