Over its 26 seasons, animated comedy The Simpsons has taken a lot of joy out of making fun of another company known for its animation: The Walt Disney Company.The Simpsons has even told humorous stories involving the Disney theme parks. There are a few instances where the parks are slightly ridiculed, but three episodes in particular cover a lot of the good and the bad aspects of the theme park experience in funny ways.
Note: US cable subscribers can watch all these episodes online via the FXX Simpsons World website.
1. “The PTA Disbands”
Disney was far from the focus of the 21st episode of Season 6, but The Simpsons did take the opportunity to poke fun at the efforts of parks (like the fictional Diz-Nee Historical Park) to make as much money as possible. Springfield Elementary is ultimately unable to afford a trip there, while one of Principle Skinner’s rivals at a school in a more wealthy district is welcomed right in.
2. “Special Edna”
This season 14 episode, involves a trip to Epcot-like park, complete with Spaceship Earth. Mrs. Krabappel is honored with a reward for being able to teach the notorious Bart Simpson. She, Principal Skinner and the Simpsons family are excited that the award is beginning given in Orlando… until they learn that the ceremony is in the made-up EFCOT Center park.
Principal Skinner takes the occasion as an opportunity to propose to Edna. Sadly, that relationship wouldn’t last.
Desperate to visit Walt Disney World proper, Homer decides to climb over a wall to get there. As soon as he does, though, alarms and searchlights go off and a voice suspiciously similar to Mickey Mouse’s gives him a warning. Homer buys a $14 churro and runs off.
3. “The Man Who Came to Be Dinner”
The Simpsons went to a Disney-like park in an episode that aired this month. First, there’s the all-too-familiar “Are we there yet? Are we there yet?” from the Simpsons kids Bart and Lisa.
The show takes a big shot at Disneyland itself by calling Dizzneeland “The Happiest Hell on Earth.”
It takes a long, long time to reach Dizzneeland.
But the family is excited when they get there!
Until they’re immediately ripped off.
They go on a ride only enjoyed by the baby Simpson, Maggie.
Bart becomes desperate to escape Mr. Bug’s Slow Crawl.
The Simpsons creators imagine what Disneyland will become now that Disney has the Star Wars license.
There’s also a politically correct version of the Pirates of the Carribean attraction.
Then there’s a joke about Disney’s presence on the stock market.
And finally, some fun is had by parodying Tomorrowland, a theme park land that in part presents a future based on the beliefs of the past.
Though these three episodes certainly demonstrate the friendly ribbing The Simpsons has given Disney parks over the years, this list is by no means exhaustive. In fact, just a few weeks ago, a Soarin’ gag was used in an episode which you can check out below:
Want to watch these awesome episodes in their entirety yourself? US cable subscribers can check out full-length episodes (including all the ones mentioned here) via the FXX Simpsons World web site.
