The Simpsons Ride

The Simpsons Ride is a simulator ride featured at the Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood theme parks. The ride is based on the long running TV cartoon series "The Simpsons". It was first announced in 2007 and replaced the at both locations. [] In an homage to the "Back to the Future" ride that it has replaced, The Simpsons Ride's queue video features a brief animated cameo from Doc Brown who is voiced by Christopher Lloyd. [cite news|url=http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/?p=1767 |title=Doc Brown makes Simpsons Ride cameo at Universal Studios|accessdate=2008-04-27|date=2008-04-25|publisher="Los Angeles Times"|author=Brady MacDonald]

*Nancy Cartwright: Bart Simpson, Maggie Simpson, Nelson Muntz, Ralph Wiggum, and The Happy Little Elves
*Dan Castellaneta: Homer Simpson, Krusty the Clown, Grampa Simpson, Groundskeeper Willie, Squeaky Voiced Teen, Hans Moleman, Barney Gumble, Kodos, Repo man, and Mr. Freidman
*Julie Kavner: Marge Simpson, Patty Bouvier and Selma Bouvier
*Yeardley Smith: Lisa Simpson
*Hank Azaria: Chief Wiggum, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Moe Szyslak, Professor Frink, Cletus Spuckler, Officer Lou, the Sarcarstic Man, Snake Jailbird and Pants-Off Johnson
*Kelsey Grammer: Sideshow Bob
*Pamela Hayden: Milhouse Van Houten
*Russi Taylor: Martin Prince
*Christopher Lloyd: Doc Brown

Other attractions

In October 2007, gift shops modeled after the Kwik-E-Mart were built, replacing the Back To The Future: The Store gift shop at Universal Studios Florida and the Time Depot gift shop at Universal Studios Hollywood. The stores sell "Simpsons"-related merchandise. [cite news|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/orl-bevil2607oct26,0,5192389.column|title=Simpsons' Kwik-E-Mart gets the Universal seal of Apu-val| accessdate=2007-10-30|date=2007-10-26|publisher="Orlando Sentinel"|author=Dewayne Bevil] Carts were opened near the stores which sell Squishees, which are "The Simpsons"' parody of 7-Eleven's Slurpees.

Reception

The Simpsons Ride was well received by fans after it opened. [cite news|url=http://www.wesh.com/entertainment/16064584/detail.html|title=New 'Simpsons Ride' Opens To Rave Reviews | accessdate=2008-05-17|date=2008-04-29|publisher=WESH|author=Ciarra Luster] Seth Kubersky of "Orlando Weekly" described the ride as "a more than worthy successor" to . Brady MacDonald of the "Los Angeles Times" described the ride as "visually stunning" and said it "truly delivers — with loads of in-jokes and satire for serious fanatics and tons of thrills and fun for casual fans." [cite news|url=http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/?p=1895 |title=Review: Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood blends satire with thrills | accessdate=2008-05-17|date=2008-05-16|publisher="Los Angeles Times"|author=Brady MacDonald] Elise Thompson of the LAist said "the ride is a total blast, with plenty of laughs as well as thrills." [cite news|url=http://laist.com/2008/05/17/the_simpsons_ri.php?gallery3291Pic=10#gallery |title=Special Sneak Preview of The Simpsons Ride | accessdate=2008-05-17|date=2008-05-17|publisher=LAist|author=Elise Thompson]

Jay Cridlin of the "St. Petersburg Times" wrote that "the ride is packed with more original, funny material than you'd expect to see in a sitcom, much less a theme park." However, he admitted that the ride was "a little discombobulating". [cite news|url=http://www.tampabay.com/features/travel/attractions/article515629.ece |title=Universal Orlando fuels Simpsons Ride with manic imagination | accessdate=2008-05-20|date=2008-05-20|publisher="St. Petersburg Times"|author=Jay Cridlin]

The Universal Studios Florida version of the ride hosted its one millionth rider on July 14, 2008, reaching the milestone faster than any other attraction in the resort. [citenews|url=http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_tourism_aviation/2008/07/simpsons-ride-g.html|title=Simpsons Ride gets 1 million riders in quickest time ever|author=Scott Powers|publisher="Orlando Sentinel"|date=2008-07-15|accessdate=2008-07-15] The ride was named the best new attraction of 2008 by the website Themeparkinsider.com. [citenews|url=http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/200807/820/ |title=Disney, Universal split 2008 Theme Park Insider Awards|author=Robert Niles|publisher=Theme Park Insider|date=2008-07-03|accessdate=2008-08-02]

References

External links

* [http://www.simpsonsride.com Official Website]
* [http://www.universalorlando.com/usf_attr_simpsons.html The Simpsons Ride] at Universal Orlando Resort
* [http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/attr_simpsons.html The Simpsons Ride] at Universal Studios Hollywood
*imdb title|1227537