The Future of The Simpsons Ride/Springfield (Orlando)

[RFRees]

'Wicked is the only IP that can save USF from the cancer that is The Simpsons.'

If that's the stance you're going with, I guess we'll need to agree to disagree.

Maybe it comes down to a difference of opinion with how much it matters that Disney/Universal use a recognizable IP, vs the belief that we just need immersive worlds and good rides. I think both matter, but I'd lean towards the second choice if I had to pick.

 

[OrlandoGuy]

Perhaps not previously emphasized is that all IP featured at USF are not just based on cities/urban environments, they're in modern times.

It's possible Shiz University could work, but I'm not seeing Emerald City, Munchkin Land, the Witch's Castle, the farmland, the fields of poppy, any forest setting, the desert, etc.

Let's do a thought experiment ... Let's pretend a F&F Island was coming to IOA. How would these forums react? Beyond the general disdain for the property, we would see plenty of "that IP doesn't belong at IOA!"

Why can't we use the same logic for why F&F belongs at IOA with what's been said about Wicked at USF?: "the park is a mishmash of IP and themes," "the park is all about immersive experiences, F&F will have that," "the park needs a big IP." None of these truly speak to whether F&F feels right at IOA.

We could do that same thought experiment with LOTR or Zelda coming to USF, or Ghostbusters or Back to The Future coming to IOA, something feels off.

Let's look at how Universal approached Kong at the two parks. Both contain the same IP, both containing Kong as the central character. USF is set in New York City and the other is set in Skull Island. How do you explain, to someone not on these forums, why Skull Island feels right at IOA, and feels wrong at USF? How would you explain why Kong in NYC feels right at USF, but would feel wrong at IOA?

That "off" feeling for USF, I sum up as "modern era IPs - primarily in urban (sometimes in suburban) environments" belong at USF, where all other IP within a fantasy setting of castles, forbidden forests, broomstick coasters, sunken temples, wooden barrel flume rides, etc, all belong at IOA or Epic.

If you feel I'm wrong about this, I'd like you to name a castle that has ever been at USF. Or, tell me a jungle biome ride at USF. Or, tell me a prominent IP featured at USF which takes place before the 1900s. (Aside from KidZone/DW, which barely counts.)

I'd argue against the "USF gets Wicked or USF is dead" line of thinking. The park is relatively solid once 1) it has fully replaced RRR, which was arguably one of Orlando's worst coasters, with F&F, which may be one of Orlando's best coasters. And 2) after Supercharged (arguably one on the worst attractions Universal has ever built) is closed, and replaced with something we're excited for (hopefully), like Hill Valley/BTTF (or something else).

After those two, I'll be pretty damn excited to go to USF consistently. And maybe during that timeframe, Universal gets in some other surprises. Why not a USF version of SLoP in the DW section (or the other half of Shrek)? How about a new USF stage show in Blue Man Group?

Specifically to replace Simpsons, there's plenty USF could add besides Wicked, we just have to use our imaginations a bit. Here are just a few cities which could work at USF (not saying any of these are likely, but all would feel right at USF):

• Hill Valley - We've got the rumor of it replacing F&F. Beyond that, it's also rumored to come to Universal GB. So this idea isn't as insane as it may have sounded several years ago.
• 80s nostalgia city - several people have suggested a sort of home for nostalgic properties, which feels right at USF. I could see a general cyberpunk / neon city atmosphere, with rides that could include BTTF (if it doesn't come in a Hill Valley land) or a Universal version of Great Movie Ride.
• Gotham and/or Metropolis - several stars would need to align for this to happen. Comcast would need to purchases WB, they would need the DC theme park rights, and Marvel contract would need to allow them to put a competitor at sister park. If all those stars align, a more realistic superhero city could work well at USF (perhaps based on the James Gunn Universe).
• Tokyo - I've seen a few suggestions around adding Tokyo, with Godzilla and a popular anime.
• Pokemon town/city - plenty to choose from (if it doesn't come to IOA).

And here's some additional potential IP which feel right at USF, just to name a few (obviously not all could be used due to cost of licensing/rights issues/being featured at other parks):

• Luigi's Mansion
• Ghostbusters
• Music - Tailor Swift, Ariana Grande, etc, similar to RRR or Rockin Rollercoaster Featuring Aerosmith
• K-Pop Demon Hunters
• Sing
• SLoP
• Stephen King - a King attraction was somewhat close to having a greenlight
• Wonka
• Speed Racer
• Scooby -Doo
• Sonic (from movies)
• TMNT
• TV/sitcoms/stand-up - SNL, Friends, etc - though already represented by Fallon, TV could potentially have a larger presence in the future at USF.
• "Movie making" / BTS rides or walkthroughs - we're not entirely done with these, considering the current Wicked presence at USF is essentially just that.

​

I could go on, but the point is that there's a mountain of other IP which feel right at home in USF. It's not a dichotomy of "Wicked or nothing."

Edit
To clarify, I'm not saying Wicked could never come to USF (especially in a "theater show" experience)... I mean hell, it's technically there already. But an entire Oz world at USF feels off and I'm leaning heavily towards that going to Epic or IOA... not that anyone here has any sort of say in the matter.

Fundamentally I agree with all of this…

…but to counter…

if any fantasy IP would fit into a “Studio” park it would be Wizard of Oz. I know Wicked is technically a different thing but the iconography from those movies screams Golden Age of Hollywood more than any other theme park-viable IP (I’m operating under the assumption here that a Gone With the Wind land wouldn’t play lol).

 

[RFRees]

Fundamentally I agree with all of this…

…but to counter…

if any fantasy IP would fit into a “Studio” park it would be Wizard of Oz. I know Wicked is technically a different thing but the iconography from those movies screams Golden Age of Hollywood more than any other theme park-viable IP (I’m operating under the assumption here that a Gone With the Wind land wouldn’t play lol).

I can see your point.

However, I feel like Universal might want to make things feel fresh, as they've done with the Wicked movies. This would allow them to fully brand Oz as their own, rather than rely on the nostalgia from the original movie (which WB owns).

I guess it all depends on Universal's approach.

 

[belloq87]

'Wicked is the only IP that can save USF from the cancer that is The Simpsons.'

If that's the stance you're going with, I guess we'll need to agree to disagree.

That is not my stance, though.

My stance is "There are a limited number of plausible IPs to build an entire land around in USF, so let's keep as many of those options open as possible."

 

[RFRees]

That is not my stance, though.

My stance is "There are a limited number of plausible IPs to build an entire land around in USF, so let's keep as many of those options open as possible."

That's a much softer stance than your previous post where you seem to suggest USF is on life support:

I'm of the belief that the scale of work needed to get USF up to par (what I think is "par" is subjective, obviously) is quite large, and the "easiest" way to achieve that in a relatively fast timeline is through a singular, major land.

And again, we have no real indication that Supercharged or FFL are getting replaced with new E-tickets (or any tickets). A lot of us hope such things are coming soon.

IF those two things were to happen before the end of the decade (assuming the replacements were good), then yes, I think that buys USF a little more time to get Springfield's replacement sorted out. I think that's a big "if," though.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

I am really hoping we can get some inside info from someone on whether the Simpsons contract has been extended or not.

 

[belloq87]

That's a much softer stance than your previous post where you seem to suggest USF is on life support:

One follows from the other. I think USF needs the scale of work that a new land could (relatively) quickly provide, so I want to see land-worthy options remain on the table. That's it!

I also wouldn't use the phrase "life support" to describe how I feel about the park. It's no secret I'm extremely down on USF from a creative standpoint, but I'm not implying the park is about to die from an attendance or monetary standpoint.

 

[fryoj]

IMO, and I say this from the slant of not consuming any Wicked content yet, Emerald City is a "reveal moment" location, and not a "see across the lagoon" location. I just don't think they can do that with the Simpson's plot. Epic portal makes a lot more sense to me for Oz.

Simpsons I'd rather see as Hill valley. Don't know if they'd actually bring it back though. One of the bigger issues would be, the amount of food venues in Simpsons. How easily could they shoehorn BttF into those? Besides Cafe 80's, theres not a lot of thematic fits. Sure "Hill Valley Tacos" and "Strickland's Donuts" can be done if necessary, but finding a second ip, or a different ip completely, may be needed to not lose the dining capacity.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Simpsons I'd rather see as Hill valley. Don't know if they'd actually bring it back though.

The interesting thing is: USF never had a Hill Valley. It could be the unique thing to set a new BTTF thing apart in USF.

 

[RFRees]

The interesting thing is: USF never had a Hill Valley. It could be the unique thing to set a new BTTF thing apart in USF.

True, though first in Florida. Potentially the third, if we're counting USH (especially during Fanfest nights) and the rumored version at Universal Studios UK. I'd imagine it would be quite different than the other versions (I don't foresee a coaster in our version).

 

[AustinT]

If they really were considering putting Hill Valley/BTTF into USF, I feel like the rumor of the Supercharged re-theme makes the most sense. That ride is so hated and it seems kind of silly to have to F&F attractions open in lands right next to eachother. Assuming they go the light re-theme route for Supercharged, I can't think of any IP that would fit that bill aside from BTTF or that old Knight Bus rumor from years back which seems more unlikely.

I liked the idea of Pokemon at USF solely for the potential false Tokyo facade like Diagon with London.

That's what I could envision too. A more realistic Tokyo facade with a restaurant or two, then a fully immersive Pokemon land hidden beyond that facade. But alas, seems like Springfield isn't getting Pokemon now.

 

[RFRees]

... Tons of IPs could replace Supercharged...

 

[mccgavin]

If they really were considering putting Hill Valley/BTTF into USF, I feel like the rumor of the Supercharged re-theme makes the most sense. That ride is so hated and it seems kind of silly to have to F&F attractions open in lands right next to eachother. Assuming they go the light re-theme route for Supercharged, I can't think of any IP that would fit that bill aside from BTTF or that old Knight Bus rumor from years back which seems more unlikely.

That's assuming that whatever replaces Supercharged will be a retheme that utilizes the same ride system. The showbuilding is large enough that it could utilize an attraction with a different ride system. It is possible that an investment like that could happen if a Simpsons replacement has really been put on hold.

 

[AustinT]

... Tons of IPs could replace Supercharged...

Rattle off a few options then if a relatively cheap re-theme was all they could do then

That's assuming that whatever replaces Supercharged will be a retheme that utilizes the same ride system. The showbuilding is large enough that it could utilize an attraction with a different ride system. It is possible that an investment like that could happen if a Simpsons replacement has really been put on hold.

Very true, if Springfield will be around several years longer, maybe that frees up the capital to do a full tear down of F&F. But with how new that building and infrastructure is, I still think that's more unlikely. Though I'm sure they have concepts for all kinds of possibilities since we know things are always very fluid.

 

[RFRees]

Rattle off a few options then if a relatively cheap re-theme was all they could do then

If I had to just lightly retheme it, on a tight budget, and I couldn't retheme it to BTTF or Knight Bus...

1. Universal's Great Movie Ride. "Ride the movies" as you tour through Universal's film history. Be on the lookout for nods to Universal's past attractions... And of course we've gotta have a Jaws scene with a 4D splash effect!
2. SLoP Across America - Ride with the SLoP characters, traveling across the country, seeing familiar faces along the way. I'd make the entrance officially part of NYC and exit through San Francisco. This would be a slower paced ride, with no scary scenes, since this ride would essentially be for babies.
3. Beetlejuice Presents: The Soul Train. Beetlejuice something something, board the Soul Train, etc.

That's just three off the top of my head and I don't even work for Creative. (I'm sure Creative is much more imaginative than I.)

Each of these would be incredibly cheap to retheme (on the scale of Test Track 2.0 -> 3.0). They could use the exact same ride layout, preshow rooms, etc. They would just need new signs, show scene videos, paint job, queue decorations, and then it's good to go.

That being said, my hope is for something way more elaborate.

Edit, more cheap rethemes below.

1. Godzilla - Essentially Kongfrontation, but with Godzilla... And SCREENZ!
2. Ghostbusters - board the "Bustin Bus" (or maybe we call it the Ecto-2) to help chase down some ghosts! (This would require the Firehouse facade to 'move locations.')
3. <Insert popular anime title> I don't follow anime but I'm pretty damn sure a bunch of different anime IP could fit here. Maybe Attack on Titan?
4. Bill and Ted's Bogus Bus Boondoggle - join the duo on this campy romp through time and space!

 

[TheUniC6]

That's assuming that whatever replaces Supercharged will be a retheme that utilizes the same ride system. The showbuilding is large enough that it could utilize an attraction with a different ride system. It is possible that an investment like that could happen if a Simpsons replacement has really been put on hold.

If supercharged is going down early 2026 for that lengthy refurb, chances are it will reopen with the same underlying ride system.

My guess is Universal leadership is waiting to see how well the box office figures pan out for part 2 to if its worth giving the IP theme park presence, or if Comcast gets the WBD assets and there is an IP in there they want to fast track for the parks.

Once either of those things happen come early 2026, leadership will start giving more energy to the Simpsons replacement.

 

[mccgavin]

If supercharged is going down early 2026 for that lengthy refurb, chances are it will reopen with the same underlying ride system.

That rumor is looking very unlikely at this point in time. We would've heard something about a closure by now, and a HHN house permit has been filed there for its usual space, which indicates major work will not be happening at that time.

 

[AustinT]

That rumor is looking very unlikely at this point in time. We would've heard something about a closure by now, and a HHN house permit has been filed there for its usual space, which indicates major work will not be happening at that time.

Hopefully it's just been pushed (if there was every any merit to it) to Jan '27 so it's going down right after or about the same time the F&F coaster opens.

If I had to just lightly retheme it, on a tight budget, and I couldn't retheme it to BTTF or Knight Bus...

A Great Movie Ride-type attraction and a SLoP attraction need to be almost all practical. Those don't work when 80% of the attraction is a screen tunnel. It'd be a crying shame to get SLoP but without all the beautiful AAs USH has. Out of all you listed, I think Godzilla has the most potential since it's got the San Fran theme, and busses are frequently used to evac people in the movies/show. But it would stink to not have any larger scale practical AA finale like Kong. Unless they can flip the direction of travel and re-do the musion room(s) to put some large practical ending in there?

I would love to see a Great Movie Ride style attraction in this park eventually. Maybe that's an option of what could go into Springfield? I still love that drive-in movie theater concept that artist showed of a while back.

 

[RFRees]

A Great Movie Ride-type attraction and a SLoP attraction need to be almost all practical. Those don't work when 80% of the attraction is a screen tunnel. It'd be a crying shame to get SLoP but without all the beautiful AAs USH has. Out of all you listed, I think Godzilla has the most potential since it's got the San Fran theme, and busses are frequently used to evac people in the movies/show. But it would stink to not have any larger scale practical AA finale like Kong. Unless they can flip the direction of travel and re-do the musion room(s) to put some large practical ending in there?

I would love to see a Great Movie Ride style attraction in this park eventually. Maybe that's an option of what could go into Springfield? I still love that drive-in movie theater concept that artist showed of a while back.

I mean the challenge was to retheme Supercharged without changing the ride system, replacing the screens, doing it on a tight budget... All of the concepts I named would do that, and would be far superior to what we have now. I'm not going to say any of those are the best use of those IPs or the space, but that wasn't what you were asking for.

And the criticism you mentioned could also apply to the two you mentioned (BTTF and Knight Bus). There would be loads of people upset that "this is all we got???" if Universal just repainted the party buses to look like giant DeLoreons and had us traveling through SCREENZ again. (But still better than what we have now.)

I think we're all hoping they don't go the cheap route. But if they do, they have plenty to work with.

 

[AustinT]

And the criticism you mentioned could also apply to the two you mentioned (BTTF and Knight Bus).

My point was that there are/were existing SLoP, and Great Movie Rides (or attractions based on Universal films that would presumably be included in that kind of ride) that are practical. To bring back rides of those IPs but have them nearly all screen based would feel like a downgrade and allow people to be more critical of. At least BTTF was never a practical ride and the Knight Bus has never had a ride of its own.