The Future of Springfield/Simpsons Ride (Hollywood)

[Wesker69]

My instinct is we get a Hollywood version of a land that’s in Epic Universe to replace Springfield/ Simpsons….

- Nintendoland is already on the Lower Lot
- Monsters wouldn't work with the limited space
- Dragons also wouldn't work except maybe the show
- Wizarding Paris ....eh.. the Cirque show?
- Celestial Park ...Blue Dragon please

my brain is trying to distort the lands to fit the space but I can't even make that work. Hollywood Drift on one side & Potter on the other, plus Lower Lot Starway entrance & Studio Tour make it a very difficult task to just drop a heavily themed replacement into the space

 

[chris.g]

You’re thinking too literal dude. I’m not talking about a 1 for 1 copy.

USH’s thing is also literally making things work with limited space, lol.

 

[Wesker69]

I'm not thinking too literal, I'm thinking of the space available & the themes each provide. Hollywood Drift is most likely adopting the Duff Gardens area next to it (along with ice cream, hot dogs, pizza & tacos most likely). As great as the new coaster is, the location makes it a singular identity like Waterworld.

That leaves Fast Food Blvd & Simpsons ride for something new. Celestial Park would be the only logical EU "land" to get inspired by & possibly give us back a show venue where Simpsons is located

Monsters, Dragons & Potter would be an awkward thing to shove into the limited space. However a show from any of those lands would fit perfectly fine. We lost two show venues for the coaster, so losing the ride for a singular show venue wouldn't be completely out of the question.

I'm thinking of the bigger picture of the massive overhaul they did to the park a few years ago. Might as well carry it over to Springfield with more landscaping to give the Upper Lot more cohesion.

 

[Viator]

I'd personally think that when you look at Springfield is in a location, I don't think the play either is to have a IP that'd be a "Magnet" for that area.

You go for something too popular, and it breaks the flow of the land to a point that causes problems. Odds are whatever will replace Springfield/Simpsons, will need to be something that will help ease the flow of traffic in a way that doesn't cause problems.

EDIT:
Would also like to bring up into consideration that I think if we are looking in the longer term of USH's future; then eventually we will need to talk about what happens to the Studio Tour plaza. We know from the NBCUniversal Evolution Plan that they have it earmarked for future developments for atleast the Tram Garage. Could make sense that sooner than later; we might have to wonder if they'd cannibalize the current plaza if it meant they could use it as part of a Springfield replacement.

 

[tielo]

I'll fly away cause I'm Defying Gravity.

 

[MistaDee]

I am gonna counter Bourne directly by a bigger aspect (and I'll use Ghostbusters as a base example, don't consider it as if I know all):

Would you want to see a show that relies more on special effects; digital media; and peppers tricks, that wouldn't require as much of Action Horizons having to worry about an armory? Or would you want to cannibalize the WaterWorld Stunt Teams, reducing the usefulness of that show in turn.

I've been of the belief that there is simply no -practical- sense for both WW and Bourne to co-exist in the same park; due to the costs of equipment, armories, and similarities that the two shows have.

I think a special effects showcase would be a welcome addition and complement to Waterworld. The Cirque Arcanus show at Epic would be a good type of show, though I don't think it would make sense to clone it directly.

A ghostbusters SFX show would be sweet or something like the Horror Makeup Show that's comedic and has lots of audience participation would also be great.

I do feel the parks (globally) should have exclusives or the Disney route of same IP/concept different experience (Space Mountain, JungleCruise, Haunted Mansion etc). Replica duplicates should be a rare thing.
Same same, but different.

My instinct is we get a Hollywood version of a land that’s in Epic Universe to replace Springfield/ Simpsons….

I really hope they start to differentiate the two resorts. Direct clones for Nintendo, Potter and Transformers is already redundant enough.

 

[Wesker69]

something like the Horror Makeup Show that's comedic and has lots of audience participation would also be great

USH had this for years... it was one of the first "shows" at the park with varying iterations over the years.

Transformers & Hollywood Drift sit where the former versions were located

 

[MistaDee]

USH had this for years... it was one of the first "shows" at the park with varying iterations over the years.

Transformers & Hollywood Drift sit where the former versions were located

I'm aware, I saw the show many times when it was still open. I'm just thinking in terms of the right variety of shows: stunt, SFX and audience participation based

 

[bdubsCEO]

So realistically, what are all the possible options for the replacement?

Wicked
Pokémon
Dark Universe
Back to the Future
The Legend of Zelda
How to Train Your Dragon

Can anyone think of anything else? I feel like this is a very premium space, and whatever goes here should be at least on the same level as Harry Potter. There’s a lot of potential for this to be an amazing land.

 

[TheUniC6]

So realistically, what are all the possible options for the replacement?

Wicked
Pokémon
Dark Universe
Back to the Future
The Legend of Zelda
How to Train Your Dragon

Can anyone think of anything else? I feel like this is a very premium space, and whatever goes here should be at least on the same level as Harry Potter. There’s a lot of potential for this to be an amazing land.

Plus you could lump in the old studio tour tram stop if they relocate it. My money is on Wicked as of now considering Universal has stated they are bullish on getting into their parks.

 

[Viator]

said this before but I genuinely don’t think their replacement to Springfield is going to be something that is popular as the likes of Thr Simpsons. I feel like that they’d want to reduce congestion and navigational concerns especially with how much that artery is important for the navigation of the Upper Lot to Lower Lot.

That in and of itself if I’m right, would actually limit the IP pool quite considerably. Not saying there aren’t options, but USH isn’t the same park that was the case for when the Starway was first introduced to now.

 

[Wesker69]

Duff Gardens/taco truck = Hollywood Drift territory
(along with ice cream, hot dogs, pizza?)

FastFoodBlvd should just get a retheme that fits the Upper Lot, but compliments the brick box across from it

I still say they should replace Simpsons with a new show venue. We need one since we lost Castle/Animal. Maybe more shade/seating too? (squeeze in a flat ride?)

 

[TheUniC6]

said this before but I genuinely don’t think their replacement to Springfield is going to be something that is popular as the likes of Thr Simpsons. I feel like that they’d want to reduce congestion and navigational concerns especially with how much that artery is important for the navigation of the Upper Lot to Lower Lot.

That in and of itself if I’m right, would actually limit the IP pool quite considerably. Not saying there aren’t options, but USH isn’t the same park that was the case for when the Starway was first introduced to now.

If they want to use a lesser tier IP for the Simpsons replacement, I can't really think of a current in house Universal one besides maybe something Illumination. But I could also see them licensing a 3rd party one.

 

[FBarnhill]

said this before but I genuinely don’t think their replacement to Springfield is going to be something that is popular as the likes of Thr Simpsons. I feel like that they’d want to reduce congestion and navigational concerns especially with how much that artery is important for the navigation of the Upper Lot to Lower Lot.

That in and of itself if I’m right, would actually limit the IP pool quite considerably. Not saying there aren’t options, but USH isn’t the same park that was the case for when the Starway was first introduced to now.

I think South Park would be a good replacement. Matt & Trey would have to hold 100% creative rights and make sure to either make it the first ride made for 16+ with parental supervision for those below or tone it down the same way some Universal rides based on R-rated properties have. Maybe they can sell some of their Casa Bonita stuff there, too. And Kenny has to die in it somehow.

It can't be a motion simulator though. I'm thinking of something like the Beauty & the Beast ride in Tokyo or the Jurassic World ride in Beijing.

 

[Wesker69]

I think South Park would be a good replacement. Matt & Trey would have to hold 100% creative rights and make sure to either make it the first ride made for 16+ with parental supervision for those below or tone it down the same way some Universal rides based on R-rated properties have. Maybe they can sell some of their Casa Bonita stuff there, too. And Kenny has to die in it somehow.

It can't be a motion simulator though. I'm thinking of something like the Beauty & the Beast ride in Tokyo or the Jurassic World ride in Beijing.

1... never going to happen.

2... see 1

 

[CowMissing]

Welcome to Springfield, U.S.A. The Simpsons: Window Into The World Universal Studios Hollywood (2025)

 

[chris.g]

Really sucks that there's no TLC being put onto the Springfield backdrops. I remember when it first became Springfield how "alive" and new everything looks.