The Future of The Simpsons Ride/Springfield (Orlando)

[Mad Dog]

I don’t mean using both sides in a day, I mean waiting until Side A has finished it’s cycle and then cycling Side B while A is unloading/loading.

OK

 

[TheUniC6]

With the latest speculation on the forms about the probability of Wicked coming to the parks, the only logical place it would seemingly go now based on the current pipeline of new attractions planned for the parks (F&F coaster, LC replacement, and Potter phase 2) would be USF. And with the Simpsons contract lasping in 2028, Springfield would likely be the place it would hypothetically go.

But a bigger question is what scale would Universal want with the IP? Would they keep it contained to just Springfield or would they want to go all out and maybe even expand outwards to take out MIB? Yes, I know this might be controversial, but Universal fully owns Wicked. It's a hot thing and they have plans to further expand the franchise. Meanwhile MIB is licensed out with Sony and at this point in time is a dead IP.

 

[RFRees]

With the latest speculation on the forms about the probability of Wicked coming to the parks, the only logical place it would seemingly go now based on the current pipeline of new attractions planned for the parks (F&F coaster, LC replacement, and Potter phase 2) would be USF. And with the Simpsons contract lasping in 2028, Springfield would likely be the place it would hypothetically go.

But a bigger question is what scale would Universal want with the IP? Would they keep it contained to just Springfield or would they want to go all out and maybe even expand outwards to take out MIB? Yes, I know this might be controversial, but Universal fully owns Wicked. It's a hot thing and they have plans to further expand the franchise. Meanwhile MIB is licensed out with Sony and at this point in time is a dead IP.

With the Simpson's contract ending in 2028 (reportedly), I'm not so sure Universal will want to wait 3 years to start demo and then another 2-3 years for it to open.

There's about 30 acres of expansion pads for new worlds at Epic. I know everyone is already earmarking those for Zelda and LOTR, but I'm not entirely sold on that being Universal's plans.

If Universal wanted to move today instead of waiting, Epic would be the location they'd go with. (Unless they chose Toon Lagoon.)

This is also all assuming the LC replacement isn't Wicked, which I think is a somewhat safe bet.

 

[TheUniC6]

With the Simpson's contract ending in 2028 (reportedly), I'm not so sure Universal will want to wait 3 years to start demo and then another 2-3 years for it to open.

There's about 30 acres of expansion pads for new worlds at Epic. I know everyone is already earmarking those for Zelda and LOTR, but I'm not entirely sold on that being Universal's plans.

If Universal wanted to move today instead of waiting, Epic would be the location they'd go with. (Unless they chose Toon Lagoon.)

This is also all assuming the LC replacement isn't Wicked, which I think is a somewhat safe bet.

The next thing on the docket is an expansion for Potter, which shows that their model is to fill out all the existing expansion pads in the current lands before they add a new portal.

If a lot of speculation that Pokemon is now destined for IOA, it just seems logical Wicked will end up in USF if they decide to give the IP its own theme park presence. Not complaining since USF needs all it can get at this point.

 

[RFRees]

The next thing on the docket is an expansion for Potter, which shows that their model is to fill out all the existing expansion pads in the current lands before they add a new portal.

They're building in the Potter expansion spot which had a cancelled attraction (based on rumors/speculation). I really don't think this is evidence for their model/future plans for the park beyond this initial attraction.

I'm ignoring my own bias for whether Wicked fits at USF or not (I personally don't think it does), the timeline just doesn't line up for Wicked going to Simpsons...

If it's going to Simpsons, the soonest we'd see Wicked coming would be 2030, more likely 31, if they allow the Simpsons contract to expire. I think it would make more sense to start building today (well, after box office numbers are released for part 2) rather than waiting several years. Instead of waiting for Simpsons, if they started building on land that's good to go, a Wicked land could open by 2028-29.

I agree USF needs something big. I think they're hoping the F&F coaster and Supercharged replacements are as well received as Velocicoaster. There are plenty of other spots USF can expand or replaced before they even get to Simpsons.

 

[AustinT]

If it's going to Simpsons, the soonest we'd see Wicked coming would be 2030, more likely 31, if they allow the Simpsons contract to expire. I think it would make more sense to start building today (well, after box office numbers are released for part 2) rather than waiting several years. Instead of waiting for Simpsons, if they started building on land that's good to go, a Wicked land could open by 2028-29.

It'd be opening many years after this film no matter when they start construction. I just don't see them fast tracking it that much and putting it ahead of other things that have seemingly been in the works for longer (Potter Epic ride, LC Pokemon, whatever smaller things at USF that are planned) just to have it open a year or two sooner. I think the best shot Wicked has is going into this Simpsons space.

 

[RFRees]

It'd be opening many years after this film no matter when they start construction. I just don't see them fast tracking it that much and putting it ahead of other things that have seemingly been in the works for longer (Potter Epic ride, LC Pokemon, whatever smaller things at USF that are planned) just to have it open a year or two sooner. I think the best shot Wicked has is going into this Simpsons space.

We're talking 2-3 years sooner. 2-3 years would be doubling the timeline from 2-3 years to 4-6 years.

And I'm not talking about putting other projects on pause because of Wicked. They should match the expansion speed of Disney today, or their own from 2021-2025.

To keep it simple, here's how I see the pros/cons for Wicked replacing Simpsons:

Pros:

• It's a big IP, bringing much needed life into USF. I think the reason this is so compelling is because we can't think of any other IP which could be this big (aside from Pokemon or LOTR, which we think aren't going to USF).

Cons:

• Doubles the timeline to ~5 years, instead of ~2.5 years.
• IP clashes with USF IP. All USF IP (ignoring DW) are all based in modern era, so Wicked's middle-age steampunk / fantasy would feel out of place. (Unless they did a "this is how Wicked was made" or "come see Wicked live on stage!" instead of an emersive world). There's a reason why USF gets IP like Fallon, F&F, and Minions, while IOA/Epic get Seuss, JP, Berk, etc.
• *Takes land that could be used for another IP. -- We would assume that Wicked would replace <insert other IP contender which could have replaced Simpsons>. This is always going to be listed as a con, no matter what land or IP we are looking at. Someone is going to mention this as a con if Wicked goes to LC or Epic, for example ("we could have had Pokemon!" for LC, or "we could have had LOTR!" for Epic)... So logically, that same complaint/con works for Simpsons.
• **Takes an IP that could otherwise be used elsewhere. -- Instead of Wicked going to Epic or IOA, it goes to USF. This sounds like a dumb argument, but check out below how this is used the other way around.

Edit:

Wicked goes to Epic pros/cons below:

Pros:

• Brings much needed capacity into the park and it could help round out attractions offerings (more indoor attractions, etc).
• Universal could start building today (pending Creative development and permits). They wouldn't need to wait on contracts to expire, buildings to be demolished, etc.

Cons:

• *Same con as previously stated about land usage - this would take the spot that everyone wants LOTR to go to. (I'd argue there are other spots LOTR could go, like replacing Toon Lagoon.)
• **Same con as previously stated about taking IP- this concept takes an IP away that could be used elsewhere. If Wicked comes to Epic, then it can't be used at USF. "Wicked is needed at USF because it's a big IP" seems like the biggest argument for Wicked coming to USF.

 

[AustinT]

We're talking 2-3 years sooner. 2-3 years would be doubling the timeline from 2-3 years to 4-6 years.

I just can't see Wicked coming that quickly. They'll be building the Epic Potter attraction, an entire Pokemon land in IOA, Volcano Bay expansion, and likely the rumored Supercharged replacement all within the next 2-3 years. You want them to start an entire new land in Epic during all this too? I think we are many, many years away from Epic using some of that large expansion space for a new land. There are smaller expansions that could go into every existing land that are quicker/easier/cheaper to do and are much needed.

All USF IP (ignoring DW) are all based in modern era, so Wicked's middle-age steampunk / fantasy would feel out of place

I don't think that's the common denominator with all the USF lands... It's all about locations. Hollywood, NY, SF, London, etc. Oz would fit in just as well as Springfield does as a distinct location.

 

[Freak]

I’m not the target demographic for Wicked, so I’m kind of apathetic about it coming. It’s doing gangbusters at the box office so a larger presence seems inevitable. I feel like an ideal Wicked land would be….

-A handful of shops, an eatery, an ice cream place, and a snack shop

-A large musical show in the same vein as Bourne and Circus Aquarius (Yeah I slaughtered the name) combined but in musical format

-A family coaster with “Defying Gravity” blasting in your ears

I’d go check it out.

 

[RFRees]

I don't think that's the common denominator with all the USF lands... It's all about locations. Hollywood, NY, SF, London, etc. Oz would fit in just as well as Springfield does as a distinct location.

Springfield is set in a modern era. All locations you named are modern era.

Berk is a distinct location and clearly does not fit at USF.

 

[belloq87]

I don't see Oz as being a step too far into fantasy for USF at all.

I don't think really anything is a step too far, in broad thematics, for USF. That's the point of a studios park, anything could be made to fit somewhere.

I think they're hoping the F&F coaster and Supercharged replacements are as well received as Velocicoaster.

Worth reminding that there is no real indication a Supercharged replacement is actually happening. The rumor originated with Len Testa quite a while ago, and nobody else has stepped up to corroborate it since then.

 

[RFRees]

I don't see Oz as being a step too far into fantasy for USF at all.

I don't think really anything is a step too far, in broad thematics, for USF. That's the point of a studios park, anything could be made to fit somewhere.

Hopefully we can just agree to disagree on that.

Worth reminding that there is no real indication a Supercharged replacement is actually happening. The rumor originated with Len Testa quite a while ago, and nobody else has stepped up to corroborate it since then.

I wasn't basing my statement on that at all (I didn't say "Hillside is going to be huge!").

F&F replacing RRR is solidly rumored, so Supercharged getting replaced is somewhat obvious. And, I softened it with, "I think."

 

[AustinT]

Springfield is set in a modern era. All locations you named are modern era.

Berk is a distinct location and clearly does not fit at USF.

Come on, you can't really be trying to argue that the common theme of USF is a modern time period. Most the IPs don't even have specific time periods they are set in.

Why bring up Berk? That is irrelevant. The point was that Oz fits just as well in USF as some of the other things in the park do. We've got cartoony worlds, a realistic fantasy world, real cities, etc.

 

[Mike S]

Come on, you can't really be trying to argue that the common theme of USF is a modern time period. Most the IPs don't even have specific time periods they are set in.

Why bring up Berk? That is irrelevant. The point was that Oz fits just as well in USF as some of the other things in the park do. We've got cartoony worlds, a realistic fantasy world, real cities, etc.

Oz could definitely be put in USF but I also agree with the point that I wouldn’t put it on the waterfront just like how Mario World wasn’t going to go there.

 

[mccgavin]

Come on, you can't really be trying to argue that the common theme of USF is a modern time period. Most the IPs don't even have specific time periods they are set in.

Why bring up Berk? That is irrelevant. The point was that Oz fits just as well in USF as some of the other things in the park do. We've got cartoony worlds, a realistic fantasy world, real cities, etc.

I mean, they aren't wrong. Every land is either in a city/urban setting. The only area that really deviates from the theme is DreamWorks land, which is explicitly a kids area tucked away in its own corner. While Simpsons does have a cartoon aesthetic, it does fit with the city theme, even if it is a fictional one. Even Diagon Alley was cleverly integrated with the London facade, which helped it to blend in.

Putting a fantasy franchise like Wicked where Springfield resides would be a much bigger deviation from the park's theme than anything that has been previously been added, and would definitely effect the park's cohesion as a whole. One could argue the "Emerald City" could work, but I feel that would be pretty jarring for the skyline of the park, which mostly contains lands fairly grounded in reality. Those kinds of lands with more fantastical elements are better suited for the other two parks.