Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson -- stars of TV's longest running series, THE SIMPSONS, will ride along with guests in a new mega-attraction opening at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood in spring 2008.
Guests will experience a side of Springfield previously unexplored as they enjoy the new ride's interpretation of the thrill rides, dark rides and "live" shows that make up a new fantasy amusement park dreamed up by the show's cantankerous Krusty the Clown.
Universal's creative team is collaborating with THE SIMPSONS creator/exec producer Matt Groening and exec producer James L. Brooks to create and open the first-ever mega-attraction based on the blockbuster TV series. The ride will feature the show's classic humor and many of its instantly recognizable characters voiced by the original actors.
"The ride is designed to duplicate THE SIMPSONS home-viewing experience, only at high speed and with lots of screaming," said Groening.
"I am particularly thrilled since, like most people, I'm forever looking for a way to cut the line at Universal Theme Parks," added Brooks.
"Universal takes the most popular characters in blockbuster movies and hit TV shows and creates fun, exhilarating entertainment experiences," said Tom Williams, chairman/ceo of Universal Parks & Resorts. "With its unique sense of humor and enormous popularity, THE SIMPSONS is a perfect complement to our brand of entertainment."
"THE SIMPSONS is nothing short of a cultural phenomenon and nearly 400 episodes in, the multiple Emmy-Award winning show continues to be as hilarious and inspired as ever," added 20th Century Fox Television presidents Dana Walden and Gary Newman. "Creating an attraction based on this landmark series is a fantastic opportunity for our viewers to experience The Simpsons in a whole new way, as well as potentially expose it to an even wider audience."
Universal Studios Hollywood (www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com) includes a movie-based theme park and Studio Tour, the CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex, the Universal Cinemas and the Gibson Amphitheatre concert and special event venue. The theme park features the groundbreaking attractions "Revenge of the Mummy -- The Ride," "Shrek 4-D," "Jurassic Park -- The Ride" and the world-renowned Studio Tour, which takes guests behind-the-scenes of such landmark TV and movie locations and sets as Steven Spielberg's "War of the Worlds." CityWalk features 65 entertainment-themed restaurants, nightclubs, shops and dynamic entertainment options. The Universal CityWalk Cinemas, which includes California's largest IMAX venue, features the best movie-going experience in Los Angeles
Universal Orlando Resort (www.universalorlando.com). With Steven Spielberg as creative consultant, Universal Orlando has created some of the world's most innovative theme park attractions based on pop culture's most compelling films and stories.
Universal Studios and Universal's Islands of Adventure feature a nighttime entertainment complex and magnificently themed on-site hotels. Universal Studios is a working film and TV production studio as well as a highly acclaimed motion picture and television theme park featuring attractions such as "Revenge of the Mummy--The Ride" and "Shrek 4-D." Universal's Islands of Adventure is the world's most technologically advanced theme park and features five uniquely themed islands that include Seuss Landing, Marvel Super Hero Island and Jurassic Park. Its marquee attractions include "Jurassic Park River Adventure" and "The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man."
In addition to its theme parks, Universal Orlando Resort also includes CityWalk, a 30-acre nighttime entertainment complex that features restaurants, shops, clubs, a 20-screen cineplex and live-entertainment. The destination's three on-site Loews hotels include the Portofino Bay Hotel, the Hard Rock Hotel and the Royal Pacific Resort.
