Yesterday we spent the afternoon bumming around Universal Studios in Hollywood. Our first (and pretty much only) order of business was to check-out the brand-new Simpsons Ride.
You may remember that this ride replaced the Back to the Future ride which we were sad to see go. But have no fear, next to the Simpsons gift store--aka the Kwik-E-Mart--Doc Brown still lives on in his Doc Brown's Fried Chicken Stand.
Then again, Doc Brown is positively dwarfed by Krustyland, the pseudo-amusement park in which the Simpsons Ride takes place.
We already knew The Simpsons Ridewould be green, and now we've gotten a look inside. Set to open on May 15, the ride has been going through previews at Universal Orlando, and reports on what to expect are already leaking out.
The theme park obsessives at Orlando United have a super-detailed rundown of every aspect of the ride, from the lines outside to spoilers. (We won't spill any secrets here.)
We will mention that there's a clever nod to the Back to the Future attraction The Simpsons experience has replaced. "Technical Rehearsals" will continue until the official opening if you absolutely can't wait to ride this thing.
In last summer's "The Simpsons" movie, an evil EPA head plans to cover up Homer Simpson's eco-unfriendly error by enclosing Springfield in a giant glass dome.
But America's first cartoon family actually cares a lot about the environment, if Universal Studios is to be believed: The new "Simpsons" rides at both Universal Hollywood and Universal Orlando use green technology to save over 600,000 watts of power a day, enough to run your laptop computer around the clock for a year and a half.
Designers of the ride, which is based on the TV show and the movie, used energy-conserving software, more advanced motors and LED lighting to achieve the energy savings. Take that, Russ Cargill!
It's kinda hard for us to get excited about the Simpsons Ride opening at Universal Studios on May 17 because to open this ride meant closing down the totally awesome Back to the Future ride.
Still, we should be happy that replacement is something equally iconic. (We just wouldn't go for, say, a Snakes on a Plane experience.)
The LA Times' Daily Travel and Deal blog has some deets on the ride which is housed in the old BTTF ride structure and has the same motion simulator concept.
At the behest of folks who have already seen The Simpsons Movie, we have added a Simpsons Spoilers map. The map is similar to the Simpsons Movie Map Mashup we put together, which plots the overwhelming geographic evidence that proves the cartoon clan is from Portland Oregon. However, this new map plots points directly from the movie, which is what makes it a spoiler map. We can't say it any clearer, you have been warned.
No doubt the movie supports our original thesis -- the Simpsons are from Portland. If you have seen the movie, or don't care about spoilers, check it out. As always, Send your evidence here and we will magically turn it into a map point.
We just can't stop thinking about The Simpsons -- guess that over hype marketing machine at Fox is actually working -- and we hardly think we're the only ones, given that the movie made over $70 million this weekend. (According to Homer Simpson, that makes us suckers. So what?)
Our latest additions to the Simpsons Movie Map Mashup? Matt Groening's comic origins and his alma mater, plus Skinner's Butte. Help us add more Simpsons inspired locations to the map. Send your evidence here and we will magically turn it into a map point.
Your whole yellow-faced favorite gang is back this week in the long-awaited Simpsons Movie that takes place in a Springfield near you. Homer apparently causes a toxic slip-up at the plant that forces the city to be evacuated - possibly forever! Nah, we doubt that...
All the regular voices are back, including Hank Azaria, Julie Kavner, and Dan Castellaneta. That's Homer, Marge, Moe, Chief Wiggum, Lou, Carl, Cletus...we could go on forever.
As this movie was well, shot on pages of paper, we offer you some fun Springfield-esque things to do in the U S of A.
Where To Stay:Hilton Hotel, Springfield, VA -- Drive just 10 miles south of DC and check the fam into the Springfield, VA Hilton. You can work out at the on-site gym, take advantage of the free shuttle to the nearby Metro stop, or just hang out in the pool. Kids under 18 stay free, but leave your Santa's Little Helper at home, no pets allowed.
Where To Eat: Springfield Grille, Mercer, PA -- Dig into baked brie, stuffed hot peppers, and even Springfield Pasta at this family spot housed in a colonial-looking building. On July 31, they're holding a $55 a person wine dinner with pairings from Greece, Italy, France and Germany. Probably a little upscale for Homer, but perfect for you.
Where To Get Cultured:
Springfield Museums, Springfield, MA -- Head to a variety of Springfield's museums - pick from science, fine arts, or history - and check out their summer festivals celebrating the circus for your little Simpsons mini-me's.
Universal Studios junkies might be looking forward to the new Simpsons ride (unless you've read about how lame it's gonna be) or more likely you're mourning the loss of that long time favorite, the Back to the Future ride.
But never fear, we have a solution. There will be one remaining Back to the Future ride at Universal Studios Japan (USJ to the in crowd) in Osaka. No plans to scrap this have been announced yet, and it was only built in 2001 anyway, so should have a bit of life left with it. So combine your craving for a bit of time travel with your desire for sushi. Problem solved.
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by juliana
