The Future of The Simpsons Ride/Springfield (Orlando)

[TheCodeMan95]

I'd honestly be completely fine if they just gave the Simpsons Ride a good, long refurb. Redo the screens to match the more modern ones seen in Bourne/Ministry/etc, and update the ride system.

 

[belloq87]

I really don't want Universal spending any money on prolonging that ride system's life.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

I really don't want Universal spending any money on prolonging that ride system's life.

40 year old ride system in 2031.

Granted, Despicable Me's is even older, but it seems to manage better (probably because it barely moves).

 

[GA-MBIT]

I really don't want Universal spending any money on prolonging that ride system's life.

If Simpsons is staying put for another 5 years, I'd certainly take an update. The ride's in really bad shape. It would take some of the bite out of that extended wait if the ride was actually enjoyable again.

 

[Mad Dog]

WDW has some pretty old ride systems that the manufacturers probably no longer exist. Kennywood has coasters from the 1920's and
other types of attractions from the 1930's and 1940's that the manufacturers have long disappeared. Maintenance jerry rigs stuff
or fabricates their own. They could probably easily get another 5 or 6 years out of Simpsons if they threw a small amount of budget at them.

 

[TheUniC6]

40 year old ride system in 2031.

Granted, Despicable Me's is even older, but it seems to manage better (probably because it barely moves).

I might be wrong, but I thought when the conversion from Nicktoon Blast to MM took place, it went to new underlying ride mechanics, but kept the same overall style/setup. To me MM is also expendable for future USF expansion if the whole front end of the park gets redone.

 

[moth]

Simpsons staying at USF and not being put down like the sick dog it is to bring in a breath of fresh life with Pokémon would be a catastrophic misstep at best and crippling USF almost intentionally at worst.

 

[AvoidTIMtation]

Simpsons staying at USF and not being put down like the sick dog it is to bring in a breath of fresh life with Pokémon would be a catastrophic misstep at best and crippling USF almost intentionally at worst.

You say this like Pokemon isn't also a very old franchise thats been around for decades

 

[Jake S]

You say this like Pokemon isn't also a very old franchise thats been around for decades

i think they’re referring to the ride system more than the IP itself.

 

[GA-MBIT]

You say this like Pokemon isn't also a very old franchise thats been around for decades

i think they’re referring to the ride system more than the IP itself.

They probably were talking about the relatively ancient ride system and land, but I also think comparing 2025 Simpsons to 2025 Pokemon is night and day. Yeah, both are pretty 90s-y IP, but one is at the peak of it's relevance and the other is getting Disney+ specials pumped out every few months that no one watches.

 

[TheUniC6]

I think a barometer to see whether or not Pokemon comes to Florida is to watch and see if the rumor mill spins up once it opens at USJ. I would think after the USJ debut we would hear more rumblings about what the Pokemon Company has planned for USF if its still on.

 

[Clive]

I think a barometer to see whether or not Pokemon comes to Florida is to watch and see if the rumor mill spins up once it opens at USJ. I would think after the USJ debut we would hear more rumblings about what the Pokemon Company has planned for USF if its still on.

I think we need to pump the brakes on this line of discussion for a while.

 

[moth]

i think they’re referring to the ride system more than the IP itself.

Yeah, I mostly mean the ride system which is basically begging to be put down, especially for Hollywood.

Pokémon is a very lucrative franchise for merch, I'm aware Simpsons is, but Pokémon is just unmatched in the amount of merch it can push. It'd be just a huge grab for USF especially as it'd presumably come with a new, modern e-ticket, and probably get enough money in merch alone to fund 1-2 more EUs or 7-8 more Horror Unleasheds.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

Yeah, I mostly mean the ride system which is basically begging to be put down, especially for Hollywood.

I don't even think they clean any part of that building anymore.

 

[Andysol]

If this is the case...

I'm curious of what the odds are that Springfield just.. stays? Maybe they shut down Simpsons to rebuild the ride system, or build a new Simpsons ride in general?

Would honestly be insane but it’s starting to sound a little more possible.

I think it’s actually crazy for people to think Simpsons is going anywhere if the contract has been extended.

The bottom line is the bottom line. If Simpsons is generating sizable revenue (I have to think they are- maybe 2nd most in the park behind Diagon), the ride can be repaired and have parts available, and they have a license; why in the hell would universal even consider losing it?

F&F/San Fran is making minimal money over there. And any F&F merch is about to be replaced over in NY.

I know everyone wishes it would change, but for universal- why? And don’t say Pokémon would make more. That can make more in any other park where they don’t have to forfeit a majorly profitable IP/piece of the park.

Never forget- gen pop isn’t us. In the slightest. They want duff beer and moes. They laugh at the preshow and the ride is packed constantly.

More than that- 40 year olds spend way more than 20 year olds. A “90s IP” is more than fine in the park.

If they can keep Simpsons until 2040, I think they would; simply because of the $ it prints.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

I think it’s actually crazy for people to think Simpsons is going anywhere if the contract has been extended.

The bottom line is the bottom line. If Simpsons is generating sizable revenue (I have to think they are- maybe 2nd most in the park behind Diagon), the ride can be repaired and have parts available, and they have a license; why in the hell would universal even consider losing it?

F&F/San Fran is making minimal money over there. And any F&F merch is about to be replaced over in NY.

I know everyone wishes it would change, but for universal- why? And don’t say Pokémon would make more. That can make more in any other park where they don’t have to forfeit a majorly profitable IP/piece of the park.

Never forget- gen pop isn’t us. In the slightest. They want duff beer and moes. They laugh at the preshow and the ride is packed constantly.

More than that- 40 year olds spend way more than 20 year olds. A “90s IP” is more than fine in the park.

If they can keep Simpsons until 2040, I think they would; simply because of the $ it prints.

I think a lot of people do majorly underestimate how big of an IP the Simpsons still is for the park. I have some in common with Gen pop - because I'll be very sad the day Springfield goes.

 

[Andysol]

I think a lot of people do majorly underestimate how big of an IP the Simpsons still is for the park. I have some in common with Gen pop - because I'll be very sad the day Springfield goes.

I mean- I’d be fine with pokemon, Oz, whatever. The Simpsons ride is long in the tooth and I’d love to see it get fully refurbished or replaced altogether. But it doesn’t score low in enjoyment by GP. And if it can be held together with duct tape and glue- what incentive does universal have to getting rid of it, truly?

The arguments to replace it fall flat outside of the ride dying or the contract running out.

 

[Legacy]

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.

 

[Mad Dog]

I think it’s actually crazy for people to think Simpsons is going anywhere if the contract has been extended.

The bottom line is the bottom line. If Simpsons is generating sizable revenue (I have to think they are- maybe 2nd most in the park behind Diagon), the ride can be repaired and have parts available, and they have a license; why in the hell would universal even consider losing it?

F&F/San Fran is making minimal money over there. And any F&F merch is about to be replaced over in NY.

I know everyone wishes it would change, but for universal- why? And don’t say Pokémon would make more. That can make more in any other park where they don’t have to forfeit a majorly profitable IP/piece of the park.

Never forget- gen pop isn’t us. In the slightest. They want duff beer and moes. They laugh at the preshow and the ride is packed constantly.

More than that- 40 year olds spend way more than 20 year olds. A “90s IP” is more than fine in the park.

If they can keep Simpsons until 2040, I think they would; simply because of the $ it prints.

Yes. Universal/Comcast is first a business. They'll make a business decision on this. If Disney gives them 'decent terms' on an extension, I would
guess they'll extend. There's too many holes in USF to needlessly replace a big moneymaker. As you said, Simpsons is a 'money' IP. There's not lots of those in the Universal universe. Example: Main reason there's not a SLOP ride at USF.....their merchandise doesn't sell in Orlando..

 

[TheCodeMan95]

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.

Yeah - I'd much rather see Pokémon take over the San Fran area and keep Springfield around for the foreseeable future.

Like I mentioned - if they have to shut down the Simpsons ride for 9 months or so to repair ride vehicles and updates the projectors/screens, I'd be totally cool with that.