The Future of The Simpsons Ride/Springfield (Orlando)

[TheUniC6]

If they’re keeping Simpsons, it makes more sense to shift a Pokemon land to Islands. If the intent is Pokemon is *only* getting a ride and massive store and restaurant (which may be the route Japan is getting stuck with), then it could fit in Lost Continent… or SF.

LazyBoy07 on WDWMagic is not an insider, but is apparently well in the loop on certain developments. He said in regard to Pokemon replacing Simpsons: "things move around." Sounds like you might be onto something.

My gut sees SF more likely because of the somewhat recent impending rumors of Supercharged going down in conjunction with the new (likely) F&F coaster going up. I just hope they won't lock themselves into the bus ride system. But the want side of me wants to see them tackle LC. You could reskin much of the existing land into something from the Pokemon Universe and it guarantees the IP gets a ground up bespoke dark ride in the PF show building.

If Pokemon goes elsewhere, I am curious to see what route Universal will take when Simpsons does ultimately go either when the possibly extended contract lapses or the ride system gives out.

 

[Mike S]

USF would benefit far more with Pokémon going to Simpsons and the BTTF rumor being true for San Fran. You’d fix so much of the park.

 

[Andysol]

USF would benefit far more with Pokémon going to Simpsons and the BTTF rumor being true for San Fran. You’d fix so much of the park.

I don’t disagree. But I cannot fathom someone making the case to the board of universal to spend $800m to lose a proven quarter to quarter highly profitable land for a most likely highly profitable but unproven land.

The fact of the matter is they won't kill an amusement park land as long as it has a dime contract left in it’s pocket and you’re going to have to continue soiling your pants for the last time while attempting to be killed not on a work day.

 

[Legacy]

USF would benefit far more with Pokémon going to Simpsons and the BTTF rumor being true for San Fran. You’d fix so much of the park.

I mean… from the fan experience? Sure. However, if the option exists on the table to have both Simpsons and Pokemon (and F&F) in the same park, you ride that train to Moolahtown regardless if it skips Nostalgiaville.

 

[mccgavin]

Even if it does end up getting an extension for a few years, I'm still convinced Simpsons is on the way out. The Simpsons has been excluded from the majority of marketing and media for the resort in recent years, despite the fact that Marvel and Toon Lagoon have been featured fairly prominently. It feels like it's slowly being phased out.

I just can't see them making a big investment to keep The Simpsons Ride running at this point. It's aged quite poorly at this point, and it's the weakest link in the park's lineup of simulator rides.

 

[belloq87]

Where did this "actually, the Simpsons contract has been extended" rumor originate?

 

[WebHead1138]

Where did this "actually, the Simpsons contract has been extended" rumor originate?

RixFlix

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

RixFlix

So, it’s false.

 

[Alicia]

I honestly think it started here. We were speculating about it before Rix said it and I wonder if we either guessed it, manifested it, or it’s not true but we started the rumor by talking about it.

 

[belloq87]

I wonder if we either guessed it, manifested it, or it’s not true

I vote for the third option.

 

[Mad Dog]

I honestly think it started here. We were speculating about it before Rix said it and I wonder if we either guessed it, manifested it, or it’s not true but we started the rumor by talking about it.

Yes. For one thing, we've 'speculated' often about this possibility on both the Hollywood Simpsons thread, and this thread, for the past couple
of years. And then the recent discussion started anew with @Disneyhead s comment a few days ago.....Myself, I've always thought Disney would back off since Simpsons doesn't really fit well with their base. I've just looked at the business equation for Disney & Universal, not any specific conjecture from posters here or on Magic.

 

[GA-MBIT]

I believe it's certainly possible that Simpsons sticks around for longer, but I hesitate to be so sure either way. Bigger stuff has changed faster in the past.

There is solid backing for both sides. Disney probably has no great opportunities for the IP at their parks, despite really wanting to capitalize on it. "Current World Events™" and a slowing of travel to UOR generally could lead to a slowdown of construction post-Epic. And despite a slowly dying IP, it still seems to be doing some numbers. I always see people posing with Homer and Bart when they pop out, FF Blvd seems to be doing just fine, and I'm certain they're still selling enough Duff and Lard Lad to keep the lights on.

VS. They have definitely been de-emphasizing Simpsons as an IP connected with Universal. There have been very few new merch or marketing pushes with the characters. Meanwhile Marvel gets a ton of push on both angles, so it's potentially not Disney stopping them. Maybe we're just getting antsy and we'll start seeing those solid signs of movement as we get closer to 2028? We're still a good while away from then anyways, and despite it being speculated for years we didn't have a solid idea on the HRRR redo until less than 9 months ago. We're still very fresh off the heels of Epic and HHN34, and they are already working on a USF project right now. Maybe replacements for HRRR and Supercharged are just the opening moves we see completed by 2028. Just in time to prep USF for a years long closure of a major land?

We'll see what happens. It's a very weird moment for speculation right now.

 

[Mad Dog]

I believe it's certainly possible that Simpsons sticks around for longer, but I hesitate to be so sure either way. Bigger stuff has changed faster in the past.

There is solid backing for both sides. Disney probably has no great opportunities for the IP at their parks, despite really wanting to capitalize on it. "Current World Events™" and a slowing of travel to UOR generally could lead to a slowdown of construction post-Epic. And despite a slowly dying IP, it still seems to be doing some numbers. I always see people posing with Homer and Bart when they pop out, FF Blvd seems to be doing just fine, and I'm certain they're still selling enough Duff and Lard Lad to keep the lights on.

VS. They have definitely been de-emphasizing Simpsons as an IP connected with Universal. There have been very few new merch or marketing pushes with the characters. Meanwhile Marvel gets a ton of push on both angles, so it's potentially not Disney stopping them. Maybe we're just getting antsy and we'll start seeing those solid signs of movement as we get closer to 2028? We're still a good while away from then anyways, and despite it being speculated for years we didn't have a solid idea on the HRRR redo until less than 9 months ago. We're still very fresh off the heels of Epic and HHN34, and they are already working on a USF project right now. Maybe replacements for HRRR and Supercharged are just the opening moves we see completed by 2028. Just in time to prep USF for a years long closure of a major land?

We'll see what happens. It's a very weird moment for speculation right now.

Yes. Plus, even if negotiations are for real, and my 'gues's is they are, nothing is final until papers are signed......Imagine USF if the planned
expansions went through to the building stage. USF would have Ministry of Magic ride or the Potter Broomstick AR ride and Nintendo with Mario Kart/Yoshii, Donkey Kong ......and we'd be singing the praises of what a great, if not the greatest, park USF was......STUFF HAPPENS !!!