The Future of The Simpsons Ride/Springfield (Orlando)

[UniversalRBLX]

That's just totalling Wicked right, and not the entire Oz franchise?

Is there a valid argument that we should be totalling all Oz IP and not just what Universal has made from it? I'm open either way we look at it.

Good point.

Wicked as a large media (not just Broadway) franchise is just starting. Oz alone has a wide international appeal that should be considered. While the land will be "Wicked" in name/marketing, it's Oz at the end of the day. The Sphere experience is estimated to rake in hundreds of million dollars over the next year.

I say this as a fan of Shrek and would like to see it have a larger presence at UOR as well beyond a M&G.

 

[AustinT]

Is there a valid argument that we should be totalling all Oz IP and not just what Universal has made from it? I'm open either way we look at it.

I assumed we're only talking Universal's revenue (Wicked show, movies and merch) since we're talking about their parks, their investments, and potential returns they'll see. Revenue for the original film, all other books, merch and stuff like the Sphere goes to MGM or whoever owns that now. So it helps brand awareness, but in terms of Universal's direct profitability, it doesn't add to that total.

 

[Brian G.]

I Just found an updated Shrek number for DVD+merch up until 2025. Just under 3 Billion. (Just Play Gains Ogre Status with Universal Licensing Deal) So the franchise is at 7 Billion right now after adding that to the box office.
Even if we included the next Wicked movie's estimated BO an did not include Shrek's, there's no way Wicked book+DVD+merch totals come even close to closing that gap. Near double the total franchise revenue is pretty far off I'd say.

ok you win. Is that what you want? lol good grief.

 

[Legacy]

Just found an updated Shrek number for DVD+merch up until 2025. Just under 3 Billion. (Just Play Gains Ogre Status with Universal Licensing Deal) So the franchise is at 7 Billion right now after adding that to the box office.
Even if we included the next Wicked movie's estimated BO an did not include Shrek's, there's no way Wicked book+DVD+merch totals come even close to closing that gap. Near double the total franchise revenue is pretty far off I'd say.

Are you including stage show in the Wicked calculations? Just Broadway’s production has raked in $2B, plus the continuing tours and international productions that pop up.

(I honestly asking if you were counting those totals.)

 

[AustinT]

ok you win. Is that what you want? lol good grief.

Honestly I'm just providing the available facts and numbers This whole revenue debate started when people claimed Universal has several more profitable IPs but those same people aren't coming out and stating what those may be

Are you including stage show in the Wicked calculations? Just Broadway’s production has raked in $2B, plus the continuing tours and international productions that pop up.

I only looked up Shrek's numbers. I was trusting Brian's Wicked calcs of $3.5B that already included estimated revenue based on the movie that comes out later this year. Maybe bump up the number a bit higher for merch revenue. I'm seeing conflicting broadway numbers online so who even knows if it's 2B or more like 3-4B as some sources claim

 

[bdubsCEO]

Why is this thread evil. Why is there so much animosity and evil energy in this thread. I’ve never seen a thread like this on here, am I the only one feeling this…?

 

[UOR92]

Honestly I'm just providing the available facts and numbers This whole revenue debate started when people claimed Universal has several more profitable IPs but those same people aren't coming out and stating what those may be


I only looked up Shrek's numbers. I was trusting Brian's Wicked calcs of $3.5B that already included estimated revenue based on the movie that comes out later this year. Maybe bump up the number a bit higher for merch revenue. I'm seeing conflicting broadway numbers online so who even knows if it's 2B or more like 3-4B as some sources claim

It’s because those same people don’t feel a conversation with you is fruitful anymore. I’d rather not debate or argue, as Shrek isn’t happening on a larger scale. Nothing else is relevant anymore. I don’t need to prove anything else.

 

[jseal777]

It is getting heated in here for a thread about a simpsons theme park land being replaced by Shrek. Or possible Sponegebob. Or possibly Wicked. Or probably Pokemon.

Anyway I heard it was gonna be Lord of the Rings.

 

[Andysol]

Well… the movie hasn’t screened in South Korea yet, according to the article. So, I can’t speak about the totality of its popularity.

It seems to be very popular in S Korea. They even have a really awesome drone show in Seoul with the characters. While the show was from Sony (Japan) and distributed by Netflix (US); don’t discount that it was created, written by, and directed by Maggie Kang; who is from Seoul.

That all said- it’s silly to think KPop will make a presence in the parks. Maybe if it were a universal property we’d get a cool stage show or something. But… it’s not. And if they’re going 3rd party, it’s going to be a massive one.

ok you win. Is that what you want? lol good grief.

Spoken like a true Shrek Hater.

 

[gravityfalls]

We're not even sure whether Simpsons will be replaced, there's a chance Disney renews the contract.

 

[Mad Dog]

We're not even sure whether Simpsons will be replaced, there's a chance Disney renews the contract.

maybe, for a few extra years. Developing discussions probably.

 

[moth]

The Shrek IP is still very popular. Even without movies or animation, it's managed to stay in the pop culture conversation for years.

I think you guys are also forgetting how much Uni is leaning into it for the Frisco Kids park. They have a Shrek land and a Puss in Boots land. With this being an in-house IP, I see them favoring this over some others as well.

I would kill for a really immersive and frightening Godzilla attraction! I don't know much about the licensing and ownership of it (if based on the movies) but I think WB, Legendary and/or Toho would need to be involved and I'm not sure how expensive or messy that could get. I also just don't see nearly as much merch and food potential compared to a property like Shrek. I still say Shrek takes over Springlfield, but I'd think a Godzilla/Japan land would fit the MIB plot pretty nicely whenever that attraction's time has come.

Completely unrelated to the general topic (unless Simpsons DOES get razed for a 'Tokyo Street' area...

If they utilize the Toho Godzilla run (1954-2004, 2016-current excluding the Monsterverse films like the 2019 film and the Kong-included films), they'd need to talk to Toho.

If they want Monsterverse, they'd need to talk to Legendary, Warner and Toho.

I don't think Universal wants a second King Kong in their parks they don't own, nor would I want the MV depiction of Godzilla be the one used in a theme park space. Toho themselves wants to prioritize their version of the character in regards to more "global" pushes, especially coming off of the heels of Minus One.

I think a 'Thing, Japan the Land' would be a very good choice to replace Simpsons. You'd be able to get an iconic IP (Godzilla), be able to utilize more 'fan' focused IPs on a bigger-scale than what FFN can offer (One Piece? DBZ? JJK? Demon Slayer?), dining variety, and the ability to utilize the merch juggernaut that is Sanrio better than what they can currently (just need to make sure they remember people like characters that aren't Kitty).

I'm biased though, look at my pfp.

 

[ladiesman217]

This thread is slowly but surely falling apart and I've just been watching from afar so I'm gonna throw in my wild card and say that I hope this land gets replaced by a Fast and Furious land with another clone of Supercharged.

 

[AustinT]

It’s because those same people don’t feel a conversation with you is fruitful anymore. I’d rather not debate or argue, as Shrek isn’t happening on a larger scale. Nothing else is relevant anymore. I don’t need to prove anything else.

No worries! Sorry you can't back up your claims and resort to being confrontational.

 

[Freak]

I think we're forgetting a key component for Springfield's potential replacement: Yes, of course we're looking to see what would be the most marketable franchise to replace Fast Food Blvd...but more importantly will sell the most in food sales.

Yes, Wicked would be a potential candidate, and you could argue it would sell well with merch, but I'm sure how you can really push the food with Wicked. The whole reason Springfield came to be in the first place was because the fictional food was a big part of the franchise. Yeah, I understand they already had the rights to it in the first place with the ride already there, which was a huge driving factor, but while I'm not privy to the exact numbers from the food sales of SF, I imagine they make good money from the food. A big selling point of Springfield was "Oh, I get to eat at Krusty Burger, drink a beer at Moe's, and get a donut at Lard Lad's!" If I were a bean counter at Universal, I would be looking to see which IP is known for its fictional food to at least match those food sales Springfield has. The food at Springfield is an even bigger draw than the ride is, and I imagine they would prefer an IP that could have the same draw.

Think of some IPs that would have you go "Oh yeah I would pay serious money to eat there!" Spongebob is absolutely one of them. Maaaaaybe Shrek with Friar Bob's and Donkey's (Chicken and) Waffles.

 

[UOR92]

I think it should be stated that more profitable can also mean more than how much an IP has made. What about profits it could make given certain cultural trends? Shrek’s wagon has obviously moved on, even if they’re trying to peel some cold hard cash from his rotting corpse. If I’m not allowed to use Wicked, Pokémon, Zelda, etc then of course it lends to Shrek being the obvious candidate. Congratulations! Shrek is replacing Springfield. Like Brian said, you win!

It’s obvious Universal is not going to cash in on the apparent cash cow that is “Shrek”. If they were, they would’ve done so already. It doesn’t take much to realize this.

I’m sorry you don’t like my opinion. I’m sorry you don’t like that Universal isn’t going to go with your idea despite your knowledge of the matter. Im sorry I won’t bend to the parameters of the box you want to put us in.

But for the sake of your day, and for whatever stake you have in continuing to egg this on - fine. Shrek can replace Springfield. There are no better options now or ever again.

IF Shrek ever takes over Springfield, I will gladly eat an ogre sized crow. I’ll make sure I have the appetite.

 

[GA-MBIT]

Why is this thread evil. Why is there so much animosity and evil energy in this thread. I’ve never seen a thread like this on here, am I the only one feeling this…?