UPDATE February 28 – Many Universal fans will understandably be still trying to get their heads around the rumors back in January that The Simpsons are likely going to be evicted from Universal theme parks in the near future.
With this rumor inevitably comes a lot of speculation over possible replacements and there has always been one that has stuck out as a main contender, Pokémon. As it currently stands in our recent poll, majority of Universal fans want to see Pokémon as a replacement with 62% of the vote. Next with 22% is the classic Back To The Future and Dreamworks Land Expansion and The Secret Life of Pets have 10% and 6%.
We still await official confirmation from Universal regarding the fate of The Simpsons at its theme parks and what will replace it if indeed The Simpsons are to be evicted from Universal theme parks in the future. We will update you with further details as soon as they are announced.
Let us know your thoughts by voting in our poll or by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.
January 19 – It was back in March 2023, as seen on the second page of this article, when we first explored the likelihood that The Simpsons could one day by evicted from Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Florida.
Last week we heard the news, Universal Reportedly Accelerating Plans to Pull Simpsons From Theme Parks. Since then, the big question for Universal fans has been, what will replace The Simpsons? Well, understandably there has been a lot of speculation surrounding this exact question with Pokémon currently appearing as the top contender.
Interestingly, in our recent poll it shows that majority of Universal fans do not want to see The Simpsons being replaced with this option with 54% of the current 676 voters saying “no” to Pokémon. Now, this could be purely because majority of Universal fans do not want to see The Simpsons leave Universal rather than a knock towards Pokémon . Unfortunately for them it looks like this won’t be a choice
It has, however, got us thinking further about possible replacement options. Many Universal fans are calling to see the return of the iconic Back To The Future ride but this seems highly unlikely. Another suggestion is that Universal could bring a clone of the popular Secret Life of Pets dark ride to Universal Studios Florida which opened at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2021.
There is also the option of expanding the upcoming Dreamworks Land at Universal Studios Florida to create attractions using IPs such as Madagascar or The Bad Guys.
So, we are now asking you to choose which you would most like to replace The Simpsons ride in our new poll. The options are Pokémon which right now still feels like the most likely, Back To The Future, Secret Life Of Pets, Dreamworks Land expansion (Madagascar or The Bad Guys). Let us know your thoughts by voting in our poll and by leaving us a comment below.
March 8, 2023 – Although Springfield still remains a popular land at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood, there has been a question mark over its future for some time, due to a potential end date for the licensing agreement between Fox and Universal.
Back in July 2022, according to The Street, the twenty year licensing agreement is set to expire in 2028. This could mean in less than five years time, The Simpsons may have to be evicted from Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood.
According to Screamscape, it now appears that with the opening of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood that Springfield has disappeared from the Land page on its official website. The Simpsons Ride and all other attractions and restaurants remain on the website. With the Simpsons contract set to expire in 2028 and based on the rumors that it is unlikely that Universal will look to renew, time definitely seems to be running out for Bart, Homer, Marge, Lisa and Maggie.
In October, we heard that a permit had been filed for a potential new launched roller coaster at Universal Studios Hollywood based on the very popular IP, Fast and Furious. Early concept art for a potential “Fast and Furious Hollywood Drift” was sent to Screamscape, showing the basic feel, look and location of the coaster which will be in the upper lot at the top of the StarWay Escalator.
We assume with this new addition that Universal will look to re-theme the whole area, meaning Springfield will likely be no more. While there appears to be no imminent plans to get rid of the Simpsons at Universal Studios Hollywood, it definitely looks to be on firmly on the cards for the future.
Disney acquired Fox in March 2019 and therefore now owns the rights to The Simpsons. So, this poses the question even if Universal wanted to, would Disney extend the deal to allow Universal to continue to use The Simpsons in their parks? An extension would not be sensible if Disney were thinking about using The Simpsons at Walt Disney World or Disneyland in the near future. Whilst there doesn’t currently seem to be any plans for the notorious family to come to Disney, it is an option.
We published a recent featured article asking exactly that, Should The Simpsons Set Up Home At Walt Disney World? The Potential Journey From Fiction To Reality.
When you think of The Simpsons at Universal, your mind is likely to jump to The Simpsons Ride which is a simulator attraction that uses dome-shaped IMAX screens, During the ride, you’ll learn that Sideshow Bob has escaped from prison and intends to get revenge on the clown and the Simpsons themselves.
The Simpsons Ride is located at both Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood. It debuted in 2008 taking over from the iconic, Back To The Future: The Ride.
You have also got to think about whether Universal will want to extend the contract? The Simpsons may have lost some of popularity in recent years but the episodes still feature heavily on Disney+ and don’t forget that The Simpsons will always have a special place in the heart of many 30-40 year olds who grew up with Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie.
I guess time will tell whether we will continue to be able to visit The Simpsons at Universal Studios Hollywood or whether the popular dysfunctional family will move into Mickey Mouse’s pad or indeed whether we will just cease to be able to visit and see the Simpsons at any theme park in the future. Let us know your thoughts by voting in our poll and leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.
