A new ride based on The Simpsons is planned for Universal Studios both in Orlando and Hollywood. Universal Studios officials and The Simpsons producers Matt Groening and James L. Brooks are expected to announce a new partnership and theme-park ride today during a tourism convention in Anaheim, Calif.

The ride would go into Universal's recently closed Back to the Future: The Ride buildings in both parks, making it an instant signature attraction in each. It would open in the spring of 2008.

source: orlando sentinel

I heard about it on the news this morning, but had no details.

That's gonna be cool!

Prime spot in USH for Simpsons, it has a hub in front of it.

I don't understand this move, but I guess it doesn't really matter. I won't be going to USF again after this year, mainly because of that reason, as well as the departure of King Kong (I know it was a few years ago, but I haven't been there since 96). They have the whole Nickelodeon studios that from what I understand is almost pretty much abandoned (?), why couldnt they make that work and keep B2TF? That was one of the best rides, albeit a little rough, but a little updating wouldn't have hurt anyone.

Did they already close the back to the future ride? I thought it was closing at the end of the summer.

Orlando is closed, Hollywood is open until around Labor Day

This was the first attraction I went on when we first visited USF in 1996 and will remain one of my favorites, mostly for sentimental reasons. I received the email from USH (as an annual passholder) and it states:-

"Back to the Future: The "Last" Ride
Don't miss your last chance to join Marty and Doc Brown on one last time traveling adventure before 'Back to the Future: The Ride' closes forever.

Opened in 1993 as Universal Studios Hollywood's first high technology thrill ride, 'Back to the Future: The Ride' has entertained millions of guests over the years. But the ride will soon close down to make room for a brand new ride, so Summer 2007 is your last chance to blast into the 'future' . . . before it's 'history'! "

Am I the only person who will be sad to see BTTF disappear?

awesome!! I love the Simpsons. I had a Bart doll when I was in 4th grade!

They need to do something. USH is a huge drain in that company. It's not a good sign when you can buy a day and get a year free.

I don't get the Simpsons as a ride... but B2TF was really old and as I am not emotionally connected to USH I can see how an old ride could not be beneficial when you need to boost business.

HOWEVER, I understand being connected to rides ( I still shake my head at the POTC revamp :crying:)... and as for those of you who are mourning... well I mourn with you. :crying:

They need to do something. USH is a huge drain in that company. It's not a good sign when you can buy a day and get a year free.

I don't get the Simpsons as a ride... but B2TF was really old and as I am not emotionally connected to USH I can see how an old ride could not be beneficial when you need to boost business.

HOWEVER, I understand being connected to rides ( I still shake my head at the POTC revamp :crying:)... and as for those of you who are mourning... well I mourn with you. :crying:

Why is that not a good sign? Both Sea World and Magic Mountain were running the exact same promotion this year. Does that mean all those parks are huge drains on their parent companies as well?

From what has been in the news recently, and going off the fact the GE recently held a major environmental conference AT the theme park that included the govenor and every big wig in the company on down, I would say the theme park and the movie studio is what's keeping them going. And if you read earlier this year when they announced their plan to develop all that property into additions to the studio, theme park, citywalk and future housing plans, things are looking on the up and up. In the past year and half, more positives have come out of USH than in a long long time.

Not too much happening from NBC lately. If I was GE I would say having the network you own consistenly come in 4th place, and sometimes 5th, in the network standings all season long be more of a drain than anything. More folks easily watch tv than go to theme parks.

I cannot speak for Sea World, but yes... Six Flags is in trouble and has flirted with the idea of selling off parks.

http://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/stories/2006/06/19/daily45.html

USH has always underperformed as a theme park. They have been talking about expanding for years... we'll see if it ever happens. The reason GE bought Universal was for the film and televison library (which is the real value of the purchase)... not the theme park. In fact there were talks years ago about selling off part of the backlot, which actually brings in revenue when people shoot there.

In Skywalking (the George Lucas bio), they talk about Lucas buying up the land surrounding the studio after a fallout concerning American Grafitti. They say he did it to prevent them from expanding. Lucas has gone on record saying there are things in skywalking that are BS... I have no idea if this is one of them.

It is my understanding that movie studio theme parks are meant to encourage brand loyalty and be a platform to promote the companies other holdings... It is also my understanding that Disney is the exception, as there were years when the parks helped finance the studio.

In all the financial coverage on the merger , I don't remember anyone talking about what a coupe it was to get the theme park.

And while NBC is a dog of a network.. SCI FI, USA, Bravo and Telemundo are very profitable. All GE companies.

I love the simpsons so I think this is a good move. Now if they just added the spiderman ride to USH as well as at least one harry potter ride that park could see great improvements in their numbers. I know I would finally be willing to make a trip again.

They have the whole Nickelodeon studios that from what I understand is almost pretty much abandoned (?), why couldnt they make that work and keep B2TF?-

As for the B2TF question, I can't say but in the spring of '05 I was fortunate enough to have a private guide take our little group through USF and IOA. She told us the reason the Nickelodeon building was essentially abandoned (at the time) is that Nick and park management had a falling out and that Nickelodeon pulled out early on their contract, leaving USF holding the bag and sitting on a big chunk of wasted real estate in the park. I'd never been there before that so I don't even know what was in there, other than Jimmy Nuetron and formerly a working studio.
She didn't get real clear on the details but implied it was an ugly split.

Am I the only person who will be sad to see BTTF disappear?

Sad for me too. We are going there in two weeks and scored free front of line passes so I plan on riding a couple of times to give it a big sendoff.
The actual ride part itself is no better than Star Tours at Disneyland, but I love the theming for BTTF, one of my favorite all time movies.