Rumor Pokémon Set to Replace Simpsons at USF?

Register or Login to Hide This Ad for Free!
Zachary

Zachary

Administrator
Sep 23, 2009
19,633
72,203
280
Virginia
Well this is interesting. @Universal__Core on Twitter says that Disney is expected to start utilizing the Simpsons IP and Universal is preparing to sunset the ride (and area, presumably) in Orlando.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Direct Link to Embedded Media Source

Orlando Theme Park Zone shared the news with this addition:

According to an anonymous source, an indoor/outdoor rollercoaster Back to The Future-themed would replace The Simpsons Ride.
Click to expand...
orlandothemeparkzone.com

The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Florida to Close Permanently? [Update]

According to an X post by Universal Core (@Universal_Core), The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Florida may be closing permanently...
orlandothemeparkzone.com orlandothemeparkzone.com

It has long been rumored that Springfield would be on the chopping block within the decade, but that new coaster rumor is mighty intriguing.
 
  • Wow
  • Like
  • Sad
Reactions: CastleOSullivan, Ziva, Mushroom and 5 others
The ride isn’t good enough to keep paying for the upkeep. While funny, it ran on super dated and clunky ride tech. It’s prime real estate for major investment in a park that could use something new and major.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AlpenChariot and Zachary
Universal Core is not to be trusted, they've "leaked" false information in the past on multiple occasions. And I've been a Universal fan for almost a decade now and I've never heard of that site.

That being said, Simpsons won't be around for much longer anyways. The ride system is extremely old. Simpsons is also a competitors IP now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: netdvn, Coasternerd, MikePat and 3 others
Zachary said:
Funny you say that because they just deleted their tweet claiming Simpsons was winding down at USO. Probably not a great sign for their credibility...
Click to expand...
Yeah, no. They're a fake insider. You couldn't trust them to tell you when the sky is blue.

An outdoor Back to the Future coaster in that area will never happen. For one, there's a large neighborhood just to the north. There's actually apartments directly behind Gringotts, I used to want to live there when I worked for Universal. Secondly, Back to the Future is a dormant IP and the actors have aged up significantly. Unless they animate the original characters or recast them (which would never work), you couldn't use any characters from the movies. Lastly, why use Back to the Future to begin with? Outside of nostalgia of course, Fast and Furious is right there. This seems like a fake rumor that takes advantage of nostalgia.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Ziva, tursiops, DE_Creative and 1 other person
Zachary said:
Well this is interesting. @Universal__Core on Twitter says that Disney is expected to start utilizing the Simpsons IP
Click to expand...
The Simpsons says Disney is expected to start utilizing Family Guy IP.
Family_Guy_World.png

Family Guy World
 
  • Haha
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: netdvn, AlpenChariot, CoasterAuditor and 4 others
The whole Springfield USA expansion wasn’t that long ago, right? I get that things change — the expansion predated Disney’s acquisition of Fox, and the aging Back to the Future ride system could be on the outs — but it feels like a terribly short-sighted decision to build an entire land only to rip it out a decade or so later.
 
  • Like
Reactions: warfelg
The BttF ride system and ET are two rides I’ll defend to my death. But my last two times at USO The Simpsons ride has been basically walk on.
 
I've heard rumors that Disney was using The Simpsons as leverage for the whole Marvel rights issue to get more Marvel at Disney World. With that being said, my kids love the ride but it is dated and should be replaced. I don't mind the area, it's cool but, I'm not going out of my way to go there. ET is more of a draw than The Simpsons ride.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ziva and Zachary
The unfortunate part about Springfield eventually getting the boot is that while the Simpsons ride itself has had low ridership for awhile, the actual Springfield area is a big draw. It would probably be pretty difficult to utilize another IP with the intent of taking up that much space back there unless you’re talking HP or Dreamworks, which could make sense.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Murphy, Ziva and Mushroom
R75 said:
The unfortunate part about Springfield eventually getting the boot is that while the Simpsons ride itself has had low ridership for awhile, the actual Springfield area is a big draw. It would probably be pretty difficult to utilize another IP with the intent of taking up that much space back there unless you’re talking HP or Dreamworks, which could make sense.
Click to expand...
They are already in the process of retheming the Woody Woodpecker Kid's Zone to Dreamworks so a bleed over to Springfield wouldn't be that farfetched.
 
  • Like
Reactions: R75
deacfan31 said:
They are already in the process of retheming the Woody Woodpecker Kid's Zone to Dreamworks so a bleed over to Springfield wouldn't be that farfetched.
Click to expand...
Agreed. In my opinion, that’s what would make the most sense with the coming retheme. It might be a little overkill on Dreamworks considering what’s coming with Epic Universe, but there are a lot of IPs within Dreamworks left untouched that could provide some variety.
 
  • Like
Reactions: deacfan31
R75 said:
Agreed. In my opinion, that’s what would make the most sense with the coming retheme. It might be a little overkill on Dreamworks considering what’s coming with Epic Universe, but there are a lot of IPs within Dreamworks left untouched that could provide some variety.
Click to expand...
Universal does a good job at using old IP's, see Comic Strip area. It'll be interesting to see what will happen with Epic coming.
 
  • Like
Reactions: R75
I love the ride film and queues/preshows for The Simpsons Ride, as these are full of jokes and digs at theme park norms. That said, personally I don't love the ride system, as unless you're on Level 2 center, the ride film may not always sync up to the motion profile or the dome may "warp" the sides. Supposedly, the end of the contract was 2028, but that may be moved up (Universal usually reserves the option to move these dates up without breaching the contract).

From an operational standpoint, the ride is a huge mess for needing lots of staff. They have two sim "domes" and three levels, but not all these operate at the same time. (It's not uncommon for them to only run one dome or block off the third level on slow days). On top of that, it's also weirdly designed without a break room... the ride currently uses a trailer behind the old Barney theater for all the employees, which is less than ideal.

As far as Disney, I can see them wanting to use the characters and merchandise/food options in their parks and beyond, but specifically NOT pay the voice actors. They are already well-paid and have tussled with their use of new VO for the parks (Harry Shearer for one, had opted out of the ride and been vocal about his dislike of how they are compensated for these types of projects). I could see Disney build a few meet and greets in the park to go along with this, but other than using archival audio, I think any newly-recorded voice clips would be limited.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lightninlady, outhikn, DE_Creative and 4 others
You must log in or register to reply here.
Consider Donating to Hide This Ad