Springfield (Universal Studios)#Universal Studios Florida

On September 7, 2006, Universal Studios Florida announced that Back to the Future: The Ride would be closed around Spring 2007, while Universal Studios Hollywood announced on July 23, 2007 for the closure of its version on September 3, 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.thestudiotour.com/wp/studios/universal-studios-hollywood/theme-park/past-attractions/back-to-the-future-the-ride/|title=Back to the Future: The Ride|website=theStudioTour.com|accessdate=January 25, 2018}} On March 30, 2007, Universal Studios Florida officially closed the ride for good, while Universal Studios Hollywood closed its version exactly on September 3, 2007. On April 24, 2007, Universal Parks & Resorts announced that a new replacement would be built at both Universal parks based on the long-running animated television show, The Simpsons. In October 2007, Kwik-E-Mart-themed merchandise shops opened at both Florida and Hollywood and began selling a variety of items including Squishees (which are The Simpsons{{'}} parody of 7-Eleven's Slurpees).{{cite news|last=Bevil|first=Dewayne|title=Simpsons' Kwik-E-Mart gets the Universal seal of Apu-val|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2007/10/26/simpsons-kwik-e-mart-gets-the-universal-seal-of-apu-val/|access-date=August 4, 2013|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|date=October 26, 2007}} The Simpsons Ride opened at both Florida and Hollywood on May 15 and 19, 2008 respectively.{{Parkz|ride_name=The Simpsons Ride|location=Universal Studios Florida|parkz_number=693|accessdate=August 4, 2013}}{{Parkz|ride_name=The Simpsons Ride|location=Universal Studios Hollywood|parkz_number=440|accessdate=August 4, 2013}}

In 2012, Universal Studios Florida closed the International Food and Film Festival which was adjacent to The Simpsons Ride. The park later announced that they would be opening Springfield in Summer 2013. Fast Food Boulevard, which encompasses Krusty Burger, Moe's Tavern, The Frying Dutchman, Cletus' Chicken Shack, Flaming Moe's, Lisa's Teahouse Of Horror, and Luigi's Pizza, opened as the first phase of the expansion on June 1, 2013.{{cite news|last=Carchidi|first=Jim|title=See inside: Springfield's Fast Food Boulevard|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/blog/2013/06/see-inside-springfields-fast-food.html|accessdate=August 4, 2013|newspaper=Orlando Business Journal|date=June 4, 2013}}{{cite journal|title=Springfield comes to Orlando|journal=Park World Magazine|date=July 2013|page=6}} A second phase consisting of Lard Lad Donuts, Duff Gardens, Phineas Q. Butterfat's, and Bumblebee Man's Taco Truck, opened on August 2, 2013, while the last item Kang & Kodos' Twirl 'n' Hurl attraction opened on August 11.{{cite news|title=The Simpsons Springfield expansion|url=http://www.orlandoinformer.com/universal/the-simpsons-expansion/|accessdate=August 4, 2013|newspaper=Orlando Informer}} On May 13, 2015, Universal Studios Hollywood opened its similar version with a special "meltdown" of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant display behind signaling the grand opening, complete with fireworks.

Springfield was dedicated in Universal Studios Hollywood on May 13, 2015 with a special "meltdown" at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant signaling the grand opening, complete with fireworks.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyDk2mHL1LQ|title=The Simpsons Springfield Grand Opening at Universal Studios Hollywood|date=13 May 2015 |via=www.youtube.com|access-date=2015-05-22|archive-date=2016-07-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701134911/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyDk2mHL1LQ|url-status=live}} On hand for the event were the show's executive producer Al Jean and voice actors Nancy Cartwright (Bart Simpson), Yeardley Smith (Lisa Simpson) and Joe Mantegna (Fat Tony).{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/scene/vpage/simpsons-springfield-universal-studios-hollywood-1201494191/|title=Springfield Comes to Universal Studios Hollywood with New 'Simpsons' Environment|first1=Jenelle|last1=Riley|date=May 13, 2015|access-date=December 10, 2017|archive-date=December 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222112833/http://variety.com/2015/scene/vpage/simpsons-springfield-universal-studios-hollywood-1201494191/|url-status=live}} Springfield replaced various eateries including Doc Brown's Chicken with new food venues, including the Kwik-E-Mart, Moe's Tavern,{{Cite web |url=http://www.nbcuniversal.com/press-release/springfield-now-open-universal-studios-hollywood |title="SPRINGFIELD" IS NOW OPEN AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD | NBCUniversal |work=NBCUniversal |date=14 May 2015 |access-date=2015-05-22 |archive-date=2015-05-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519032435/http://www.nbcuniversal.com/press-release/springfield-now-open-universal-studios-hollywood |url-status=live }} Duff Brewery, Krusty Burger, Luigi's Pizza, Bumblebee Man's Taco Truck, Cletus' Chicken Shack, Phineas Q. Butterfat's Ice Cream Parlor, and Lard Lad Donuts.

On December 14, 2017, The Walt Disney Company (NBCUniversal's major theme park rival) announced it was intending to acquire 21st Century Fox, which included the film and television studios of 20th Century Fox. At the cost of $71.3 billion in cash and stock, the deal was fully completed on March 20, 2019, and Fox became a subsidiary of Walt Disney Studios.{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1001039/000095015719000307/form8k.htm|title=Securities and Exchange Commission Filing – Form 8-K Filing|date=March 20, 2019 |accessdate=March 20, 2019|website=Securities and Exchange Commission}} Among the 21st Century Fox's assets, this gave Disney access to The Simpsons intellectual property, leaving many fans to question the future of the Springfield areas at the Universal theme parks, as Disney Parks, Experiences and Products would incorporate Fox properties in its parks. Universal issued a statement the same day the Disney/Fox deal was announced in 2017, which stated, "Today's headlines will have no impact on our ride or our guest experience."{{cite news|last=Martin|first=Hugo|title=What would Disney theme parks do with Fox properties like 'X-Men' and 'Simpsons'?|url=http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-disney-adds-fox-characters-20171215-story.html|accessdate=January 23, 2018|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=December 15, 2017}}

As of August 11, 2013 Springfield consists of two attractions:

• The Simpsons Ride is a simulator ride that is the flagship attraction for the area. In the ride, patrons are introduced to a cartoon theme park called Krustyland built by Krusty the Clown. Sideshow Bob, however, is loose from prison to get revenge on Krusty and the Simpson family. The six-minute ride{{cite news|url=http://tbo.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?avis=TB&date=20080502&category=ARTICLE&lopenr=305029933&Ref=AR&profile=1108 |title=Woo Hoo! Itchy For Fun? Ride With The Simpsons |author=Walt Belcher|newspaper=The Tampa Tribune|date=May 2, 2008|access-date=August 4, 2013}} is designed by Intamin and uses {{Convert|80|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} dome-shaped IMAX screens.{{cite news|url=http://www.universalorlando.com/usf_attr_simpsons.html|title=The Simpsons Ride|access-date=February 16, 2008|publisher=Universal Studios Orlando|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080203113651/http://www.universalorlando.com/usf_attr_simpsons.html |archive-date=February 3, 2008}}
• Kang & Kodos' Twirl 'n' Hurl is an Aero Top Jet attraction manufactured by Zamperla.{{Parkz|ride_name=Kang & Kodos' Twirl 'n' Hurl|location=Universal Studios Florida|parkz_number=1543|accessdate=August 4, 2013}} It was the last item to open as part of the Springfield expansion. The goal of the ride is to help Kang & Kodos take over Springfield.

The area also features fast-food outlets, including Krusty Burger outlet, Lard Lad Donuts, Duff Gardens, Moe's Tavern, The Frying Dutchman, and a Cletus' Chicken Shack that replaced the International Food Festival dining location.

At Universal Studios Hollywood's Springfield area, it opened on May 23, 2015. As with its Florida counterpart, it features The Simpsons Ride simulator attraction and fast-food outlets, including Krusty Burger outlet, Lard Lad Donuts, Duff Gardens, Moe's Tavern, The Frying Dutchman, and a Cletus' Chicken Shack. The new area replaced many classic eateries including Doc Brown's Chicken, Flintstones Bar-B-Q and several others.[https://www.endorexpress.net/parks/universal/springfield/2015/04/springfield-u-s-a-opens-in-hollywood/ Springfield U.S.A. opens in Hollywood, April 8, 2015] Other Springfield locations featured include Springfield Elementary School, The Kwik-E-Mart, The Android's Dungeon, Aztec Theater, Springfield Penitentiary,{{Cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/537703/simpsons-springfield-grand-opening-photos/|title=Simpsons Springfield Grand Opening Photos: Universal Hollywood|first=Peter|last=Sciretta|date=May 13, 2015|website=SlashFilm.com|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011221411/https://www.slashfilm.com/537703/simpsons-springfield-grand-opening-photos/|url-status=live}} Herman's Military Antiques, and the Springfield Police Department.

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Category:The Simpsons

Category:Licensed properties at Universal Destinations & Experiences

Category:Amusement park attractions based on television franchises

Category:Universal Destinations & Experiences attractions by name