The Simpsons are coming!

[albertro]

Originally Posted by mark2311
Am I the only one who's not excited about this?

Originally Posted by F-L-A
No. I've known from day one that it'd be BTTF with a different theme, which seems entirely pointless to me. Why not just keep BTTF open?

I feel the same way. If they are going to spend $120MM, Why not build something brand new?

 

[ChrisFL]

I feel the same way. If they are going to spend $120MM, Why not build something brand new?

They're not spending $120 Million on this ride alone, only probably about $30M. Most if the rest is probably going to HP

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Why do corporate big wigs still think the simpsons are popular? This ride is 10 years too late.

"On March 20, 2006, The Simpsons, was renewed for a 19th season, due to be aired in 2007–2008. The 18th season finale will be the 400th episode, and 2007 marks the 20th anniversary of The Simpsons franchise. A feature-length film, The Simpsons Movie, is currently being produced, to be released on July 27, 2007"

It sounds like now is an OK time for The Simpsons.

 

[macraven]

mac,

For Christmas the kids got me a Homer as the Hulk T-shirt complete with rhinestone bling. Woo hoo!

you lucky ducky you......

 

[ChrisFL]

Why do corporate big wigs still think the simpsons are popular? This ride is 10 years too late.

Using that line of thinking, most of MK's rides in 1971 were WAAAY too late

 

[Jason71]

It sounds like now is an OK time for The Simpsons.

Now, maybe...but 5 years from now? 10? Making a movie is usually the death knell for a TV series (I think "Jump the Shark" backs me up here). This ride will be dated long before Uni is ready to put something new in.

Out of genuine curiosity, does anyone know how Simpsons repeats do in syndication these days? Maybe that reveals more support for the show than I can see, but I'm with sanapunk, this move looks 10 years too late.

 

[Jason71]

Using that line of thinking, most of MK's rides in 1971 were WAAAY too late

Interesting point, but I have to disagree. At the time, the Disney model was to re-release their dozen or so classic movies every 7 years, keeping them out of the public eye otherwise (except for rides at the nation's two premier tourist destinations, of course). No VHS/DVD release, no continuous playing on TV. It helped make the films timeless, and allowed each new sub-generation to re-discover them.

The Simpsons are on TV constantly--new episodes on Fox and seemingly endless repeats in syndication. They never go away. Moreover, being at its heart a parody of American life, it's far more dated with constant pop culture references. And less face it, it was made on the cheap--it was never meant to have the artistry of a Disney movie. I still make it a point to watch every new Simpsons, but there is no way the show or its characters will hold up like, say, Cinderella or Peter Pan.

 

[mtb2007]

They closed BTTF! Man, that was one of me favorite rides in USF. Oh well, too bad. It was getting very old, I hit my head a couple of times on it.

R.I.P. BTTF. (I know I'm late to the party)

I can't wait to ride a Simpsons ride.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Now, maybe...but 5 years from now? 10? Making a movie is usually the death knell for a TV series (I think "Jump the Shark" backs me up here). This ride will be dated long before Uni is ready to put something new in.

Out of genuine curiosity, does anyone know how Simpsons repeats do in syndication these days? Maybe that reveals more support for the show than I can see, but I'm with sanapunk, this move looks 10 years too late.

I believe The Simpsons have become or are soon to become a Classic. To be honest I catch it once in a while (my kids all the time) and never followed it faithfully. I disagree that the movie will kill the TV reruns on FOX, not to mention the newest season yet to start.

I think you are confusing the ride being dated with the storyline. The ride will be fine in 5 years, who knows about the storyline but I dont think it has that huge of an impact.

My kids had no idea what BTTF was about but they still loved the ride. Same with HB before it was replaced with JN. I think the majority will feel that as long as the ride is 'all that' the story plays second fiddle. There isnt a single theme that would please all the people al the time. The Simpsons has its followers and I'm sure Universal Studios did their homework before making this decision.

This is a Nielsen rating for March26-April 1, I was surprised at how well The Simpsons did and what new popular shows rated beneath it.
http://www.guidelive.com/sharedcont...atings_0405gl.ART.State.Edition1.44c4562.html

 

[lovetheparks]

I am so much happier to read this than about Harry Potter

Although I do think if they were going with the same type attraction, I'd like to have seen them just overhaul BTTF.

 

[keishashadow]

fan2CSkr - thanks for posting the Neilsen #s I knew that they consistently place highly & they're very popular with the "youthful" demographic that U attracts. Oh, to only have a piece of the merchandizing.

One of the biggest questions fans ask is "...exactly where in the USA is Springfield?"....

guess we know now...

Universal

and, i think it very smart to tone down the jerkiness of the ride to make it more inclusive.

the earth-shattering screams you keep hearing are my DSs celebrating ; guess i'll be back to U much earlier than I had anticipated.

 

[ChrisFL]

Interesting point, but I have to disagree. At the time, the Disney model was to re-release their dozen or so classic movies every 7 years, keeping them out of the public eye otherwise (except for rides at the nation's two premier tourist destinations, of course). No VHS/DVD release, no continuous playing on TV. It helped make the films timeless, and allowed each new sub-generation to re-discover them.

The Simpsons are on TV constantly--new episodes on Fox and seemingly endless repeats in syndication. They never go away. Moreover, being at its heart a parody of American life, it's far more dated with constant pop culture references. And less face it, it was made on the cheap--it was never meant to have the artistry of a Disney movie. I still make it a point to watch every new Simpsons, but there is no way the show or its characters will hold up like, say, Cinderella or Peter Pan.

Ok, so in some respects I can see your point.

I guess Universal doesn't have to think that way since they ARE driven by a lot of pop culture and their attractions aren't designed to last more than 30-40 years like Disney's are (with some exceptions).

So while IMO Disney does classic like no other place, Universal does edgy pop culture like no other place.

I asked on another thread about what ride they could replace BTTF with that was a better choice than The Simpsons, I dont think anyone answered that. If it's newer then we really can't tell how long it will be popular, at least we know the Simpsons have 20 years of history and worldwide recognition.

Another thing is that there's a good chance that people will enjoy the ride even if they haven't ever seen an episode.

 

[d4est]

Excited, but only so-so. I love the idea of Simpsons--we are a Simpsons loving family. But I agree with what many of you have said. Why spend the time & money if the ride is going to be pretty much what it was, with a new movie on the screen? We loved BTTF. I especially loved the herky-jerkiness of it. Tame rides are for 4 year olds, lol. This "tameness" makes me think of the Jimmy Neutron ride but with better humor.

 

[DiscoverUSF]

I have mixed feelings about The Simpsons. Love the show, but I'm worried it's will be just another version of Jimmy Neutron, which is the next version of Hanna-Barbera.

The humor could be very good. We'll just have to wait and see next year. Honestly, I wish Universal would release movies that they could create rides around instead of leasing movies from other studios.

 

[Motherfletcher]

I believe The Simpsons have become or are soon to become a Classic... The Simpsons has its followers and I'm sure Universal Studios did their homework before making this decision.

The Simpsons are in the 18th season making them the longest running sitcom in history. It has earned 23 Emmy's and generated $2.5 billion in revenue not counting macraven's t-shirt purchase. Search Ebay for the Simpsons and find that England has a ton of unique Simpson merchandise. The show is broadcast in more than 70 countries. Other countries think that Homer Simpson is America. A 2003 on-line BCC poll declared Homer "The Greatest American" with Abraham Lincoln as No. 2. On July 27th The Simpsons Movie will debut and is estimated to take in up to $175 million with very little of the typical movie hype.
There is a connection to another great Universal endorsed cartoon with the middle initial "J". Bullwinkle J. Moose, Rocket J. Squirrel, Bart J. Simpson, Homer J. Simpson, Abraham J. Simpson.
I will continue to be a Simpsons fanatic if there is a ride or not. Putting it in my favorite park is just an added bonus.

 

[ToyStory]

I just showed my husband this article and he was so happy. He said I know where we are going on vacation next year.

My oldest son is going to be thrilled too.

 

[goofy!]

I saw the first Universal Studios commercial for the new ride yesterday. I wasn't paying much attention to it until I noticed that the Simpsons were standing by the Arch into Universal - then I jerked to attention.

Boy - the Universal boards are better than the National Enquirer. Folks - you heard about it here first

 

[FayeW]

No. I've known from day one that it'd be BTTF with a different theme, which seems entirely pointless to me. Why not just keep BTTF open?

Updating a ride based on a movie franchise that is what, 25 yrs old with an attraction based on a wildly popular program that has been on the air for 17 yrs, has world wide recognition, and is still making new episodes seems pointless to you? Most of the patrons under 25 probably have never even seen the BTTF movies, yet it is a good idea to keep a dated, jerky attraction open because what you replace it with might be a similar concept? That line of thinking doesn't make any sense to me.

When we were at Universal in Dec, we walked on by BTTF. Our previous two visits we rode it, and it gave me a headache and made me nauseous. I will absolutely try out the new Simpsons ride.

 

[Laurabearz]

I can't wait to ride it!

 

[robvia]

I think the Simpsons ride will be similar to the Jimmy Neutron make over. Fans will try it, probably have long lines the first year, but after that it's just a ride. The characters walking around in the park will be a hit, as will the merchandise sales.

What Universal needs to do is come up with a character that ends up in baby rooms thru the age of 6. Think of Disney, most babies grow up in Disney rooms with all the characters plastered on the walls along with stuff toys. Universal needs to do the same. How many kids grow up with Sponge Bob, Shrek, or Jimmy Neutron on their walls? A few. A toy here and there, but what they need to do is get the stuff in baby stores so kids grow up with it.

Six Flags has the looney tunes characters.
Cedar Point has Peanuts. They all cute characters and most kids probably have 1 or 2 stuffed animals if they visit SF or CP, but think how many grow up in a Disney room.

The problem is, the non Disney parks don't "own" the characters, but rather have a "rights" contract to use them in the parks for a set amount of time. Once the deal ends, the characters are gone. Universal needs to come up with their own set of characters that stay forever and kids grow up with.