Pace Paw Print

Media Credit: www.screamscape.com In Spring 2008, take a ride through Springfield with The Simpsons (maybe you'll finally find out where it is)."

America's favorite animated family is not only known for their television show, Butterfinger commercials, video games, bobble head dolls, and movie, but can also soon be seen at Universal Studios, in both Orlando and Hollywood.

Although the Simpson's will not be on vacation, they will be featured in their own "hysterical, almost unimaginable adventure" ride.

Rumors about the ride have been surfacing over the last few weeks and were finally confirmed on April 24 by Universal Studio officials and The Simpsons producers, Matt Groening and James L. Brooks, during a tourism convention in Anaheim, California.

"The Simpsons are enormously popular. They line up with what Universal is all about-fun, with a little bit of an edge," says Bill Davis, President of the Universal Orlando Resort.

The ride, based on the long running series, which hits the big screen on July 27, will take over the locations of the recently shut down Back to the Future ride at both parks. Here, guests will join Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and little Maggie on a motion-simulated adventure that will feature a high-speed tour of unexplored areas of Springfield as well as Krusty the Clown's take on the amusement park; Krusty Land.

The ride will utilize the 80-foot-tall movie screens and motion-simulation vehicles from the Back to the Future ride. It also aims to incorporate the show's signature humor, with the original actors and voicing.

In addition to the ride, other Simpsons elements, such as costumed characters and a variety of souvenirs, will be added to the theme parks in the months leading up to the rides opening.

Universal made this choice after seeing a decline among their target audiences, most of who brought their business to other parks last year, such as the Disney themed parks.

In order to attract their main core audience, teens 16 and up, the Universal Orlando Resort has planned to spend as much as $120 million on the design and construction of new, up to date attractions. It has not been revealed as to exactly how much Universal paid 20th Century Fox for the license of The Simpsons.

Jerry Aldrick, President of Amusement Industry Consulting in Orlando, said The Simpsons could offer Universal an ideal theme; one that's popular, story-driven, imaginative, long lasting-and which can sell tons of T-shirts and toys.

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