The Future of The Simpsons Ride/Springfield (Orlando)

[Mad Dog]

They can always rebrand the Simpsons food.

Chicken is chicken. Burgers are burgers. Fish is fish. Tacos are tacos. Beer is beer. It's the uniqueness of the Simpson's IP that lifts the sales
over and above what existed with the previous International restaurant at USF, as an example. Simpson's is a big money maker. It's doubtful any of
their other available Universal owned IP's could generate that demand. and....Potter, Marvel & Nintendo are also 'licensed IP's' that generate great profits, like Simpsons.

 

[DodgsonHere]

They can always rebrand the Simpsons food.

The branding is why it sells.

 

[fryoj]

Yeah, I usually wouldn't get a burger at the parks, but I'm all in on a Krusty Burger.

 

[Mad Dog]

and...Duffs beer really churns out those high dollar rings of the register. ....We can go on and on and on.

 

[Jerroddragon]

Well the one factor some people forget is Disney now owns the IP abs part of what happens is on them

if they don’t feel they have room for these characters then they may want to keep the contract going as is but if they want more or in anyway change the contract then who knows what they could mean as well

once again I love the Simpsons, I literally bought the duff Octoberfesr mug and other merch recently but doesn’t mean it’s going to stay. But no real sense in arguing until we get closer but from my perspective they have plenty of IPs that can take over the land

not to mention the rumored WB buyout that could happen by then

 

[GAcoaster]

Currently Disney is making money from the contract. If they want to introduce the Simpsons in some form in their parks it will take spending money.

I love the Simpsons-- I've been a huge fan from back in the Tracy Ulman Show days. I think at this point the franchise has run its course. It is an "evergreen" in that people who don't even know the show have a familiarity. But, is it worth spending money on to add to a park? Disney may figure it's better to just take the money from the competition who is promoting their brand.

Eventually Universal may decide it's not worth spending the money and Simpsons just goes away, and I'm sure they have contingency plans in place for that.

 

[TheUniC6]

Well the one factor some people forget is Disney now owns the IP abs part of what happens is on them

if they don’t feel they have room for these characters then they may want to keep the contract going as is but if they want more or in anyway change the contract then who knows what they could mean as well

once again I love the Simpsons, I literally bought the duff Octoberfesr mug and other merch recently but doesn’t mean it’s going to stay. But no real sense in arguing until we get closer but from my perspective they have plenty of IPs that can take over the land

not to mention the rumored WB buyout that could happen by then

I am actually of the mindset that if the WBD buyout happens Simpsons gets replaced with a WB IP. At least for USH I would like to see Simpsons get replaced by a Scooby Doo dark ride whether it be in the same vain of TSMM/Web Slingers or a trackless dark ride that would have you escape from a haunted theater. Which would fit into the new look if Springfield gets re themed to a basic LA street. Scooby Doo is the one Hanna Barbara property that I can see being used in the parks as it is the most iconic and well know of them all and they are still doing new content with SD. Or if Universal was unable to procure the full DC rights from SF but if they can find loopholes in the contract like that WDW did for Guardians at Epcot I would (at least at USH as their Simpsons plot has more land to work with if they expand over the hill) like to see a Krypto the Superdog/DC Super Pets attraction that once again can be a TSMM/Trackless interactive dark ride. Or if they feel ambitious they can make it like the TDS Peter Pan flight attraction. But WB IPs could/would you like to see them replace Simpsons with?

 

[AlexanderMBush]

Mentioning this but I think atleast in the terms of how Disney is right now, and how they are cooperating with NBCUniversal as it is on the sake of Marvel Superhero Island with what is there; that they have an understanding and a example of showing where Universal pushes more and more what can be done with the licensing agreements there.

I think at the very least for Hollywood--on a pure fundamental technical level; that it makes more sense to keep The Simpsons as long as you can. It isn't harming either group to have The Simpsons on Universal property, it promotes the brand and merchandise continues to sell seemingly quite well. Plus for USH, Springfield USA is used yearly for The Simpsons Wrap Parties (and we've been even seeing specialty food items being made for those wrap parties). Raises the question on what you do with The Simpsons Ride, but I think there is sense to keep The Simpsons at UOR and USH.

 

[TheUniC6]

Mentioning this but I think atleast in the terms of how Disney is right now, and how they are cooperating with NBCUniversal as it is on the sake of Marvel Superhero Island with what is there; that they have an understanding and a example of showing where Universal pushes more and more what can be done with the licensing agreements there.

I think at the very least for Hollywood--on a pure fundamental technical level; that it makes more sense to keep The Simpsons as long as you can. It isn't harming either group to have The Simpsons on Universal property, it promotes the brand and merchandise continues to sell seemingly quite well. Plus for USH, Springfield USA is used yearly for The Simpsons Wrap Parties (and we've been even seeing specialty food items being made for those wrap parties). Raises the question on what you do with The Simpsons Ride, but I think there is sense to keep The Simpsons at UOR and USH.

As 2028 rolls closer, we shall see if Universal and Disney come to an agreement to keep Simpsons or not. While the USH building is in bad shape and needs to go, the ride system is also in kinda rough shape at USF as well (they won't even fix the smoke effects and they don't time the preshow very well anymore) and needs to be overhauled or replaced. But if they do keep the Simpsons, what type of new ride could they do? Maybe a dark ride of some kind?

 

[Brian G.]

The only reason I'd say it goes is because the ride is that old and repair isn't worth the cost.

 

[belloq87]

I like Springfield... but the ride should be on the chopping block sooner than later. Either as part of a total land replacement (my preference) or for a new Simpsons ride concept.

USF needs fewer simulators, and The Simpsons Ride is arguably the creakiest.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

And to mention: there is a specific Simpsons Concept that could be incredibly easy to allow them to shift away from "The Simpsons Ride", and that is Treehouse of Horror. A permanent Dark Ride (or even a simulator depending on what they'd choose) of some kind with a "Universal Exclusive" Treehouse of Horror storyline feels like the way they go for the sake of if a new Simpsons E-Ticket comes for Hollywood and Orlando.

 

[TheUniC6]

And to mention: there is a specific Simpsons Concept that could be incredibly easy to allow them to shift away from "The Simpsons Ride", and that is Treehouse of Horror. A permanent Dark Ride (or even a simulator depending on what they'd choose) of some kind with a "Universal Exclusive" Treehouse of Horror storyline feels like the way they go for the sake of if a new Simpsons E-Ticket comes for Hollywood and Orlando.

This concept would be well suited for a trackless type of ride. But considering the plot of land this would go in a better option would be that stacked dark ride patent. I am not sure that they would have the space to do a fully fleshed out trackless ride at USF. USH maybe if they expand over the hill. But I am not a construction worker so what do I know about how they plan that out. But one drawback of trackless rides is they need a lot of space to be fleshed out into something interesting. Otherwise you may as well stick to a tracked vehicle.

 

[Mad Dog]

And to mention: there is a specific Simpsons Concept that could be incredibly easy to allow them to shift away from "The Simpsons Ride", and that is Treehouse of Horror. A permanent Dark Ride (or even a simulator depending on what they'd choose) of some kind with a "Universal Exclusive" Treehouse of Horror storyline feels like the way they go for the sake of if a new Simpsons E-Ticket comes for Hollywood and Orlando.

and... it would be a great supplement at HHN....and an open ride then for sure.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

and... it would be a great supplement at HHN....and an open ride then for sure.

Treehouse of Horror feels like one of the pure "Universal" and longstanding elements that is as iconic as The Simpsons mainline itself; so having it be the Replacement could make a lot of sense with how Treehouse of Horror runs even in non-October periods nowadays.

 

[Mad Dog]

Treehouse of Horror feels like one of the pure "Universal" and longstanding elements that is as iconic as The Simpsons mainline itself; so having it be the Replacement could make a lot of sense with how Treehouse of Horror runs even in non-October periods nowadays.

Yes, it has the potential to be something horror related ,besides the mostly 'comedic' Horror stage show, that would be popular year round. A big big plus. Love that idea. It screams UNIVERSAL.

 

[GAcoaster]

I always thought they should flesh out "Duff Gardens" in the parks-- it's a spoof of all that is Disney and other theme parks. Just the kind of thing Universal is great at...



But, I think if the Simpsons ride goes away, so does the land. I don't see Universal spending more to promote Disney's property when they have plenty of their own they could add to the parks.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

I really, really hope they manage to keep Springfield around. Sitting at Duff Gardens with some tacos and a Buzz Cola is literally my favorite thing to do at the entire resort.

Part of me thinks that Disney would be okay with it staying at Universal - I mean, didn't they actually help Universal with the animation of the Spiderman ride video when that was refurbished?

I know these companies are rivals, but I'm not sure they have such a strong hate for one another that they won't play ball with one another when both receive benefit.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I wouldn't surprise me to see the food & beverage and merchandise stay without a ride. People LOVE the merch, taking photos, Duff, but the ride isn't as popular as it used to be.

 

[DodgsonHere]

Give us Hill Valley you cowards.

Fast Food Boulevard is replaced by a large restaurant divided into 3 sections: 50s Diner, Cafe 80s, and the Saloon from the third movie.

The courthouse facade is built somewhere in the land, and maybe has a special effects show nightly where it is struck by lightening.

A customizable hoverboard or rc time machine experience is the main merchandise draw.

The ride facade remains but is converted into queue/station for a Delorean or time train story coaster, maybe one that launches into a building to go back in time before launching you out again to time travel back to the future.

Will it happen? Probably not. Could it be great and not cost Universal a dime for licensing fees? Most definitely.