The Future of The Simpsons Ride/Springfield (Orlando)

[TheUniC6]

So is the “All traces of Simpsons must be out of the park by 2028” thing misinformation? I’m confused as to why the consensus seems to be that the Simpsons replacement isn’t next after F&F. Are they just gonna put up walls and let everything sit for a few years?

The reason why the Simpsons leaving has slid down the to do list for USF is because of recent rumors of a BTTF overlay for Supercharged, which seems to have been done in response to the new coaster making the aforementioned attraction redundant. But since the rumored BTTF overlay is using the same basic bones, it shouldn't take that long to retheme and could be done in about a years time if they move quickly. So Simpsons could still go down in the 2027-2028 timeframe as a decent amount of us here suspect.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

I am curious how the timeline for this will shake out. With the assumption that the contract is up in 2028, they still have a decent bit of time to fully decide how they want to line things up.

But like others have said, I could absolutely see them working something out with Disney to extend it by a year or two as well.

 

[Mad Dog]

Well, Simpsons is allegedly on until 2028....that's the current rumor at least. In theory, once the Simpsons Ride closes, all of fast food blvd closes with it. That's a lot of downtime for an area that's a vital artery of the park and an area that generates a lot of money. They probably want to drag their heels on it as long as possible.

We're all so obsessed about the contract, but let me play devil's advocate here: What if Universal was able to negotiate a deal with Disney to extend the Simpsons contract for a little while longer? If Disney isn't able to bring a Simpsons area to their parks anytime soon, why not let Universal keep the Simpsons around for a little while longer and still get a percentage of that free licensing money from Universal? Universal would probably want this because they still make a lot of money off of that Simpsons food and merch, I imagine. It would also buy them more time for a proper replacement. I don't know the nitty-gritty of the contract by any means, but something to also consider.

Makes sense. Disney has no immediate plans or area to place it. They make tons of money off the Universal use....and....film studios
share and cross own stuff all the time. Disney and Universal antagonism is probably more legend than actual fact.....and....no one, outside
of Disney & Universal execs. have seen the actual contract between Fox & Universal. We don't know how it reads, the actual dates, or if
there's options for extending and/or other contingencies. There could be clauses that pertain to acquisitions like the Disney/Fox buy.

 

[Alicia]

But like others have said, I could absolutely see them working something out with Disney to extend it by a year or two as well.

Yea I’ve mentioned a few times that we can’t take the 2028 end date as gospel, as contract addendums are constantly added to these types of agreements. Constantly. And extending a rights contract is relatively easy, as long as both parties agree to the terms.

An example is the Harry Potter contract, which while we may have public access to the initial agreement from over a decade ago, we know they’ve already extended it beyond the initial terms, and expanded the terms to include many other theme park locations intellectual properties, so we can’t base our knowledge on the initial terms alone.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Yea I’ve mentioned a few times that we can’t take the 2028 end date as gospel, as contract addendums are constantly added to these types of agreements. Constantly. And extending a rights contract is relatively easy, as long as both parties agree to the terms.

I'm sure I'm simplifying it, but I'm sure it's as simple as Universal lawyers reaching out to Disney lawyers - saying "Hey, wanna tack on 2 more years to the current Simpsons theme park contract?"

Disney lawyers say "sure"

Universal lawyers whip up a new contract with the new end date

Both parties sign it

Profit?

 

[Alicia]

I'm sure I'm simplifying it, but I'm sure it's as simple as Universal lawyers reaching out to Disney lawyers - saying "Hey, wanna tack on 2 more years to the current Simpsons theme park contract?"

Disney lawyers say "sure"

Universal lawyers whip up a new contract with the new end date

Both parties sign it

Profit?

It gets dragged out when Disney says sure, but for a higher rate. Back and forth. Etc. but yea it could be straightforward, and keep all the lawyers in business a little longer.

 

[belloq87]

No extensions.

Get moving on the replacement. USF needs it.

 

[SeventyOne]

Makes sense. Disney has no immediate plans or area to place it. They make tons of money off the Universal use.

What makes you so sure they have no immediate plans? (Well, by "immediate," I mean, "plans that could be implemented quickly.")

And, yeah, they make money, but they'd make more money in-house. Also forcing their top competitor in the market to under go a big, no doubt costly reno. So while an extension is always possible, it would likely be a hefty quid for that quo. To preserve a past-its-expiration-date ride and a food court in the park that most needs an update right now.

 

[Mad Dog]

I'm definitely not sure about Simpsons. I'm only guessing....But.....Reality. We have 4 years and a couple months between now and 2030. We'll might see a Lost Continent replacement in IOA. One new D/E ticket in Epic and/or LOTR expansion, RRR replacement, F&F replacement, and a new show in either the Fear Factor or Sindbad theaters.
That's about the extent budget is going to allow. And that may be an optimistic take..........and I'm guessing WDW expansion plate,
budget wise, is pretty full already without adding any significant costly expansions until the next decade.......With international tourism to Orlando
in rapid decline, for a number of reasons, and the US economy halting, attendance will probably remain flat.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

No extensions.

Get moving on the replacement. USF needs it.

Would you put a Simpsons replacement at a higher priority than Supercharged? I'm genuinely curious!

I'd rather keep Springfield around an extra year or two if it means Supercharged is taken care of in the next few years!

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Really depends on Universal's strategy and what they end up prioritizing.

Both the Rockit and Supercharged replacement are not the most expensive/resource draining projects. So another project for USF is not out of the question. They did Transformers, Springfield and Diagon all in a 2 year timespan. And that's ignoring all of the hotels under development and CityWalk's redevelopment.

I think it really depends on whether or not UOR wants to invest into IOA again. Epic will need capacity improvements, and USF needs a larger draw. IOA, while it has its shortfalls, can live with very minor investment (probably focus on refurbs for JPRA, FJ, etc.)


While UOR is more than capable of working on multiple projects, I am cautious about other projects (Unleashed, UK) limiting investment/resources while UOR acts as the cash cow to finance all those projects.

 

[Mad Dog]

Really depends on Universal's strategy and what they end up prioritizing.

Both the Rockit and Supercharged replacement are not the most expensive/resource draining projects. So another project for USF is not out of the question. They did Transformers, Springfield and Diagon all in a 2 year timespan. And that's ignoring all of the hotels under development and CityWalk's redevelopment.

I think it really depends on whether or not UOR wants to invest into IOA again. Epic will need capacity improvements, and USF needs a larger draw. IOA, while it has its shortfalls, can live with very minor investment (probably focus on refurbs for JPRA, FJ, etc.)


While UOR is more than capable of working on multiple projects, I am cautious about other projects (Unleashed, UK) limiting investment/resources while UOR acts as the cash cow to finance all those projects.

UK probably will drain resources like Beijing did. Universal is getting a bit extended between UK, the kids parks, Horror attraction mini sites,
Japan,and now needing to update Epic pretty soon. Only going to be so much budget left for USO,IOA and USH. Those helicon expansion
days (2010 to 2015) at USO and IOA are probably history.

 

[TheUniC6]

I'm definitely not sure about Simpsons. I'm only guessing....But.....Reality. We have 4 years and a couple months between now and 2030. We'll might see a Lost Continent replacement in IOA. One new D/E ticket in Epic and/or LOTR expansion, RRR replacement, F&F replacement, and a new show in either the Fear Factor or Sindbad theaters.
That's about the extent budget is going to allow. And that may be an optimistic take..........and I'm guessing WDW expansion plate,
budget wise, is pretty full already without adding any significant costly expansions until the next decade.......With international tourism to Orlando
in rapid decline, for a number of reasons, and the US economy halting, attendance will probably remain flat.

If Wicked replaces LC, it sounds like it would be a pretty easy reskin of the existing architecture, and if they keep the PF building intact and build a dark ride in it, that could be the 2028 addition to UOR.

I think Simpsons will be gone before 2030 due to the rough state the ride itself, which honestly feels like it wants to give out anyway now.

 

[ReelJustice]

Would you put a Simpsons replacement at a higher priority than Supercharged? I'm genuinely curious!

I would as long as the replacement is Pokemon. I see Pokemon as a critical project for USF.