In a brand new survey, Disney is asking company for suggestions in regards to the potential sights, lands, or meet & greets that includes The Simpsons at Walt Disney World and their theme parks. This shares particulars of the survey, the chance of Common Studios Florida dropping its Springfield land, and our commentary in regards to the chance of the characters making their solution to Disney’s Hollywood Studios or one other park.
Let’s begin with the survey, which was noticed by friend-of-the-site Drew Smith the Disney Dude on Twitter. Smith shared a screenshot of the survey asks about numerous manufacturers and franchises owned by The Walt Disney Firm and asks: “Which of the next choices do you need to hear extra about from The Simpsons?”
Friends can choose from solutions together with “Character meet & greets on the Disney theme parks” and “New lands or sights on the Disney theme parks.” It additionally consists of a number of choices that aren’t related to this website, resembling “reside motion TV” (eww) in addition to “immersive experiences exterior of the Disney theme parks” (I suppose that one is theme park adjoining and will imply standalone choices like ESPN Zone or DisneyQuest, however revolving round The Simpsons.)
The Simpsons shouldn’t be at the moment represented at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, or any of the worldwide parks. The Simpsons Journey opened at Common Studios Florida (USF) and Common Studios Hollywood (USH) in 2008, following the closure of its Again to the Future attraction. Common later added fully-fledged Springfield lands at USF in 2013, adopted by USH in 2015.
The land consists of Quick Meals Boulevard, which options plenty of eating choices, with essentially the most notable being Lard Lad Donuts, Krusty Burger and Moe’s Tavern (though I’m a fan of Cletus’ Rooster Shack). There are minor variations between the USH and USF variations of the land, which is barely bigger in Orlando because of the Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl spinner experience (and that park merely having more room).
After a heated bidding struggle between Disney and Comcast (Common’s mum or dad firm), Disney introduced in late 2017 that it might purchase twenty first Century Fox for $71.3 billion. Probably not germane to this put up, however I actually want Comcast’s $65 billion supply would’ve received out. Whereas Iger and co. made plenty of good acquisitions which have paid for themselves a number of instances over, the Fox deal arguably shouldn’t be one among them. Justifying that buy is perhaps exactly why we’re seeing this survey.
In any case, the Fox acquisition gave Disney possession of The Simpsons, which have since featured prominently in Disney+ advertising efforts. The franchise has been highlighted on house screens and a push for the brand new vacation particular nearly satisfied me to provide it a watch.
The identical day that the Walt Disney Firm’s acquisition of twenty first Century Fox was introduced, Common issued its personal assertion that the deal would “don’t have any influence on our experience or our visitor expertise.” It’s broadly believed that Common’s contract offers them theme park rights to The Simpsons for 20 years, which means it ends in 2028 until it’s voluntarily terminated earlier.
To that time, there have been rumors by way of Alicia Stella of Orlando Theme Park Cease that Common Orlando would change Springfield with a Pokémon-themed space. This was a part of a bigger-picture package deal of rumors about Common Artistic’s medium-term plan for its current gates, which is seemingly in flux as totally different redevelopment ideas have been explored.
It’s notable that Common Studios Japan already has a long-term strategic alliance with The Pokémon Firm that has borne fruit by way of the park’s parades, merchandise, and meals & beverage offered at within the park. USJ has additionally had seasonal occasions with a powerful Pokémon focus.
Most significantly, it’s an open secret that USJ’s model of The Wonderful Adventures of Spider-Man, which closed earlier this yr regardless of being comparatively new, goes to get replaced by a Pokémon attraction. I’m truthfully stunned there hasn’t been an official announcement but, however maybe USJ was ready till Donkey Kong Nation lastly debuted after a multi-month delay. That has occurred, which means an announcement might come quickly.
It would make extra sense for Pokémon to switch Marvel Tremendous Hero Island and its Wonderful Adventures of Spider-Man attraction, which might permit for a direct clone of the USJ attraction. However I don’t know what that may imply for that land’s thrill rides, which most likely should not fairly as conducive to Pokémon (or any Nintendo franchise) sights.
Actually, it most likely doesn’t matter what replaces what. The outdated Again to the Future experience has an getting old experience system that has seen higher days, and it’s gotta be nearing the top of its helpful life regardless. It might most likely limp alongside till 2028, which probably is essentially the most wise choice since Common truthfully has greater fish to fry in its two current gates earlier than turning its consideration to Springfield. The Simpsons space continues to be stable, and a worthwhile land for now.
Past that, there’s no approach Walt Disney World builds something associated to The Simpsons earlier than 2028. Tropical Americas isn’t coming till 2027, with different lands opening yearly at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom after that in 2028 by means of 2030. That leaves a everlasting addition for The Simpsons someday within the 2030s, if it occurs in any respect. The one nearer-term various could be leisure or one thing momentary.
Our Commentary
To “reply” the titular query, quite a lot of issues might occur. However that doesn’t imply they’ll occur or are even more likely to occur. The Simpsons won’t come to Walt Disney World or Disneyland in any significant capability. Not all surveys result in one thing. On the contrary, most are dead-ends. The one purpose we determined to debate this one was as a result of rumors revolving round Common changing The Simpsons, and followers drawing the conclusion that this was the logical finish level. In our view, it’s not.
On the threat of stating the apparent, The Simpsons shouldn’t be as widespread because the franchise as soon as was. It’s featured on Disney+ due to its voluminous again catalog, which means the present is an effective candidate for racking up a number of minutes considered if outdated followers or new ones binge the sequence. Past that, the present simply isn’t that widespread anymore. Viewership numbers for brand spanking new episodes have been falling for many years (actually!), so it’s not only a newer phenomenon pushed by cord-cutting.
The argument might be made, I suppose, that that is exactly the kind of franchise Disney Parks ought to be that includes. Not flavors of the month, however established ones with endurance that may stand the take a look at of time. I’ve used this very same rationale to justify Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare being constructed at Walt Disney World, and the identical might be stated for the upcoming Vehicles and Monsters, Inc. lands, to not point out the Villains land, relying on what it consists of.
The Simpsons is totally different. It’s not timeless. There are some episodes that definitely are, and the early seasons are classics. However I don’t suppose right now’s youth are referring to Bart Simpson like my technology did, and I don’t see Millennial dad and mom introducing their children to The Simpsons in the identical approach they’ll the Disney and Pixar animated classics, or authentic trilogy of Star Wars. It was an enormous hit within the Nineties that captured the collective zeitgeist due to how totally different it was. That’s now not the case because of South Park, Household Man, Futurama, and many others.
I say this as somebody who was enormous into The Simpsons. Again when my home first received AOL dial-up, I spent hours and hours on micro fan-sites dedicated to particular characters. I appeared ahead to Adobe Flash updates to one among my favorites that revolved round Treehouse of Horror. I made my very own cowl artwork for VHS tapes of episodes I’d recorded from over-the-air. You get the thought. As ought to be apparent from these particulars, that was within the late Nineties.
I’ve sturdy nostalgia for The Simpsons, however most of that’s pre-9/11. I’ve solely watched a handful of episodes within the final 20 years, and truthfully, that was largely accidentally after I couldn’t discover the distant after Fox NFL Sunday ended. (No joke.) I don’t suppose I’ve made it by means of any of them, looking for out the distant as a result of they’ve been so dangerous. Not The Simpsons I remembered.
Perhaps I’m extrapolating an excessive amount of primarily based alone private historical past with The Simpsons, however I’d hazard a guess that the effectively of nostalgia for The Simpsons shouldn’t be that deep. And it’s solely drying up. To the extent that Gen X and Millennials have fond reminiscences of The Simpsons, we’ve most likely largely moved on. I’m extremely skeptical that the franchise, at this cut-off date, has ample reputation to justify any theme park illustration.
I’d additionally hazard a guess that Common has realized as a lot, which is exactly why there are rumors that they’re exploring the thought of ending the licensing settlement early. Against this, there are zero credible rumors that they’ve any intentions of extending. That might be the trail of least resistance if the land has drawing energy, as (once more) there are extra urgent issues and areas ripe for redevelopment at each USH and USF.
The Simpsons was an older franchise even when the Common parks launched it again in 2008. That was nearly twenty years in the past. By the point Disney will get round to doing something with it, we’re realistically 25 years. And never from the franchise’s peak, however from a time when it was already waning in reputation.
It’s doable that Walt Disney World or Disneyland will do one thing less-permanent with The Simpsons. Meet & greets, leisure, or eating might make sense. Moe’s Tavern might possibly generate some income, however the the factor there’s that the idea has already been achieved by Common. Wouldn’t it have the identical influence the third time? Uncertain.
Actually, that is another excuse why I’d be reluctant to pursue the thought if I had been Disney. Springfield at Common Studios Florida and Hollywood is ideal passable. It’s an excellent miniland so far as retrofits go, however it’s nothing particular. Accomplishes a little bit of want achievement and offers folks my age a number of enjoyable photograph ops and meal choices.
Even with Imagineering’s abilities and sources, I’m skeptical Disney might do Springfield a lot better. That’s much less an indictment of the artistic arms of every and extra the low-ceiling on the idea itself. Pre-Pandora, we talked up how that really could be an amazing match for a theme park, because the land was a stupendous atmosphere to discover. The Simpsons supply the antithesis of that. Springfield is, by design, center class suburbia. What Common already did roughly maxed out the land’s restricted potential. It doesn’t want or deserve extra.
As for leisure, the issue there turns into one among thematic cohesion. The Simpsons characters don’t actually work effectively alongside conventional Disney animation or Pixar. It’s noticeably jarring, even to non-fans. That hasn’t stopped Disney from doing the identical with Star Wars, Marvel, Pirates of the Caribbean and live-action remakes in sure nighttime spectaculars, however the distinction there’s one among reputation. Individuals love all of these franchises. Do they nonetheless love The Simpsons?
The opposite situation with all of those momentary choices is the chance value. Any of the “finest” concepts for Walt Disney World or Disneyland to make use of The Simpsons within the near-term might be utilized to Bluey as a substitute (effectively, apart from the bar). As you’re probably conscious, Disney simply acquired theme park rights for Bluey, which was a superb albeit overdue determination.
Why put The Simpsons in Animation Courtyard or one other limited-time providing at Disney’s Hollywood Studios when you could possibly use Bluey as a substitute? The return on funding for every greenback spent on Bluey could be exponentially increased than the identical cash spent on The Simpsons.
The query of thematic cohesion and appropriateness for the Disney Parks is the place I believe most followers will focus their reactions and (frankly) frustrations about this Simpsons survey query. I’m largely ignoring that right here as a result of, as we’ve realized, that doesn’t usually make a lot of a distinction to the corporate. What does is model consciousness and drawing energy, and I simply don’t suppose The Simpsons actually strikes the needle in any considerable approach for Walt Disney World or Disneyland. It’d be extra hassle and expense than it’s price.
That’s why I believe that is extra more likely to be a survey query geared toward shutting down the thought, moderately than supporting it. As talked about above, Disney is probably going on the lookout for methods to additional justify the Fox acquisition’s price ticket, and this survey was probably a fruitless fishing expedition, with The Simpsons as a possible choice thrown on the market. Personally, I’d wager that we’ll sooner see Planet of the Apes or Alien within the parks than The Simpsons…and I don’t suppose both of these franchises are all that probably, both!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider the possibilities of The Simpsons coming to Walt Disney World? Does Springfield deserve a spot within the parks? Assume The Simpsons leisure or characters could be good additions in Hollywood Studios? Hopeful that characters are added to leisure or as meet & greets ASAP? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
