The Future of The Simpsons Ride/Springfield (Orlando)

[mccgavin]

I wonder how feasible this would be. 50s / 2015 Hill Valley land taking the spot of Springfield?

I still believe razing the area from Animal Actors to the Coke Shack, then building fresh as Oz with an intricate dark ride, a new theatre and show, and a beautiful new Emerald City land + weenie would be ideal here.

If Wicked doesn't end up taking this spot (although even I am starting to suspect it might end up here), Hill Valley would probably make the most sense as a Springfield replacement. A lot of the existing infrastructure of the land feels like it could be rethemed to Hill Valley somewhat easily.

 

[bdubsCEO]

If Wicked doesn't end up taking this spot (although even I am starting to suspect it might end up here), Hill Valley would probably make the most sense as a Springfield replacement. A lot of the existing infrastructure of the land feels like it could be rethemed to Hill Valley somewhat easily.

I just wrote a whole essay on why this is essential, at least for USH, in that parks thread but I’d like to add that it would be absolutely legendary and I think a first in theme park history…? For BTTF to become Simpsons and then go back to BTTF after decades.

I mean, I guess Beary Tales at Knotts had a similar journey, but that’s not an entire land

 

[DOOMBOT]

I just wrote a whole essay on why this is essential, at least for USH, in that parks thread but I’d like to add that it would be absolutely legendary and I think a first in theme park history…? For BTTF to become Simpsons and then go back to BTTF after decades.

I mean, I guess Beary Tales at Knotts had a similar journey, but that’s not an entire land

If that damn Institute building survives into another new decade, I am going to lose my mind.

 

[bdubsCEO]

If that damn Institute building survives into another new decade, I am going to lose my mind.

HAHAHAHA

No, if they DO turn this back into BTTF it should be an entirely different land that’s more closely based on the movie. The original land really didn’t take advantage of Hill Valley at all. IMO they should split the town into three/four sections with elements from every time period.

RAZE THE BUILDING THOUGH. i never wanna have to ride that system again

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I wonder how feasible this would be. 50s / 2015 Hill Valley land taking the spot of Springfield?

I hope it'd be new stuff and not just rehashing what was there before. Lean into the immersive show they had at Fan Fest!

 

[DOOMBOT]

I hope it'd be new stuff and not just rehashing what was there before. Lean into the immersive show they had at Fan Fest!

If they were to do it, I'd be hoping for a similar complete teardown and rebuild project as Oz to give us a more lush and walkable space with nicer storefronts than currently exist. Same location should definitely not mean same scope.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

If they were to do it, I'd be hoping for a similar complete teardown and rebuild project as Oz to give us a more lush and walkable space with nicer storefronts than currently exist. Same location should definitely not mean same scope.

Yes, total tear down of the sim and Intl Food Fest area. BTTF the Ride was "modern" day that traveled to the future and deep past. So give us what we haven't got yet: 1950s Hill Valley.

 

[OhHaiInternet95]

Yes, total tear down of the sim and Intl Food Fest area. BTTF the Ride was "modern" day that traveled to the future and deep past. So give us what we haven't got yet: 1950s Hill Valley.

My idea was always the BTTF version of the present day (2015 and beyond). But this would work—the lab techs did mention that Doc was conducting experiments back in ‘55.

 

[Legacy]

My idea was always the BTTF version of the present day (2015 and beyond). But this would work—the lab techs did mention that Doc was conducting experiments back in ‘55.

The movie mentions he’s doing experiments in 1955.

 

[HHN Maddux]

A thought that just occurred to me.

If Wicked doesn't take over Simpsons, and we're wanting to have something Nintendo in each park, obviously Zelda wouldn't fit but Pokemon is going in IoA, so what goes here?

How about a Nintendo franchise that's not only popular and arguably their next biggest franchise after the big 3 (Poke, Mario, Zelda), but would fit in with the more urban/city vibe of USF:

 

[Mike S]

A thought that just occurred to me.

If Wicked doesn't take over Simpsons, and we're wanting to have something Nintendo in each park, obviously Zelda wouldn't fit but Pokemon is going in IoA, so what goes here?

How about a Nintendo franchise that's not only popular and arguably their next biggest franchise after the big 3 (Poke, Mario, Zelda), but would fit in with the more urban/city vibe of USF:

Next biggest would be Animal Crossing I’m pretty sure.

 

[mccgavin]

A thought that just occurred to me.

If Wicked doesn't take over Simpsons, and we're wanting to have something Nintendo in each park, obviously Zelda wouldn't fit but Pokemon is going in IoA, so what goes here?

How about a Nintendo franchise that's not only popular and arguably their next biggest franchise after the big 3 (Poke, Mario, Zelda), but would fit in with the more urban/city vibe of USF:

I love Splatoon, it is one of my all-time favorite game series, but I just do not think it has the popularity in America right now to warrant a land/attraction. Although Splatoon's reach in Japan has steadily continued to grown, elsewhere it feels like the popularity peaked with Splatoon 2, and has regressed since then. I could see it happening at USJ, but I feel like it would need a pretty big resurgence here if was ever to be in consideration for a theme park land.

 

[bdubsCEO]

I love Splatoon, it is one of my all-time favorite game series, but I just do not think it has the popularity in America right now to warrant a land/attraction. Although Splatoon's reach in Japan has steadily continued to grown, elsewhere it feels like the popularity peaked with Splatoon 2, and has regressed since then. I could see it happening at USJ, but I feel like it would need a pretty big resurgence here if was ever to be in consideration for a theme park land.

As someone who grew up with the series, I have to say the same. I was addicted to the first game and especially the second game after the DLC released, but the third game failed to evolve the series in any meaningful way beyond an improved campaign.

I think it has the potential for a New Horizons type moment, but Nintendo would have to get comfortable with making an online focused game that actually presents itself the same way something like Marvel Rivals does. Or alternatively, take the concept in a completely different direction.

What this series WOULD be perfect for is Fan Fest Nights and smaller representation like character meets, but I get the feeling Nintendo isn’t interested in featuring any of their properties in the parks without full lands. Minus Pikmin, because that was probably a personal stipulation from Miyamoto.

 

[HHN Maddux]

Next biggest would be Animal Crossing I’m pretty sure.

I'd agree, but I'd also argue New Horizons' large sales (which boosted AC as one of Nintendo's best-selling franchises) stems largely from it releasing right as COVID lockdown began. I'd keep an eye on if the next game (or a Switch 2 version of New Horizons) does just as well.

I love Splatoon, it is one of my all-time favorite game series, but I just do not think it has the popularity in America right now to warrant a land/attraction. Although Splatoon's reach in Japan has steadily continued to grown, elsewhere it feels like the popularity peaked with Splatoon 2, and has regressed since then. I could see it happening at USJ, but I feel like it would need a pretty big resurgence here if was ever to be in consideration for a theme park land.

Fair point! If not Splatoon or AC, potentially Kirby? It's behind AC for best-selling franchises in Nintendo, and could also be a good fit for USF. I know I'm spitballing at this point, but I truly believe from a gut feeling that Simpsons' eventual replacement will be something Nintendo, not Wicked.

 

[Jerroddragon]

Splatoon would make a fun ride if done right (Universal would love to make it...because it would be a screen ride..lol)

But Animal Crossing makes the better land and is bigger. Sure the last game got "lucky" and went big in Covid...who cares? It still sold insane numbers and created millions of new fans

Plus an animal crossing cafe would just be so dam cute, plus the meet and greets and stuff animals would be adorable as well.

Also if I had to guess which movies Nintendo will make and do well...I think Animal crossing if done right could be huge....like not as big as Zootopia but it would get a huge following instantly from a film

Animal crossing as a series has sold more games then the Yoshi and Kirby series combined...so after Zelda. I think Animal crossing makes the most sense of any of series

 

[Mike S]

As someone who grew up with the series, I have to say the same. I was addicted to the first game and especially the second game after the DLC released, but the third game failed to evolve the series in any meaningful way beyond an improved campaign.

I think it has the potential for a New Horizons type moment, but Nintendo would have to get comfortable with making an online focused game that actually presents itself the same way something like Marvel Rivals does. Or alternatively, take the concept in a completely different direction.

What this series WOULD be perfect for is Fan Fest Nights and smaller representation like character meets, but I get the feeling Nintendo isn’t interested in featuring any of their properties in the parks without full lands. Minus Pikmin, because that was probably a personal stipulation from Miyamoto.

“Grew up with Splatoon”

Thanks for making me feel old lol.