Back to the Future part of the past

On the subject of outdated...

I do believe the Simpsons has been on TV for nearly 17 years now. (not counting the Tracy Ullman years) Two keys here though:

1. They're still around (off the top of my head I want to say the series is locked for at least 2 more seasons) and the movie comes out next summer.

2. They're established.

What franchise is more secure than one that has endured nearly 20 years, is still popular enough to be in production on both TV and the big screen, is seen daily in syndication (often more than once a day), spans age groups (if you were in the coveted 18-24 demo when the show debuted, you're in your late 30's/early 40's now and your kids have grown up with the show - in fact anyone under 24 now probably doesn't remember a time that the show wasn't on TV) and has an active fan base?

I dare say the Simspsons are every bit as recognizable as Looney Tunes, Hanna Barbera, Peanuts, Garfield, Nickelodeon and whatever else parks are using these days. In most cases, probably even more recognizable and I suspect they will be for quite a while - at least long enough to justify using them for a major theme park attraction.

EDIT - Moosh slipped his post in while I was typing. :)

*** Edited 7/27/2006 2:45:56 AM UTC by Lord Gonchar***

Oh I agree with that for sure. Being 16, I have grown up with the simpsons and have always enjoyed them more then Looney Tunes and the other cartoons you mentioned just because they were always the more realistic American cartoon.

But anyway, doesn't Fox own the rights to the simpsons? Where I live that is the one station I get the show on, so I just automatically assumed that.

I bet "The Simpsons" will appeal to there target demographic better then other cartoons thinking more in-depth now, just because it's the type of show Disney would never touch in my opinion, cuz at times its a raunchy tv show.

As much as I adore the Back to the Future movies, I'm not too surprised about this change. The simulator has been around a long, long time and is rather violent. Whoever said that the ride motions weren't really synched with the projection I think was dead on. There were a few times that the ride totally took me by surprise by showing one thing on screen and then doing another.

Changing out and making updates is what simulators were supposed to be really good at, and while Back to the Future is a pretty timeless trilogy, the Universal Parks need to keep with the time and install rides that mirror newer tastes.

I think the Simpsons is a *great* theme, although I'm very curious to see how this will work on a simulator. Just a guess here, but I wouldn't be surprised to see this involve some sort of use of 3D - after all, Universal sometimes credits BTTF:TR with making lots of ideas for Spider-Man. Why not steal some of those ideas back?

I have to admit, I really enjoy both the BTTF and Simpsons stories. I think this is a pretty simple business decision, however. The ride is old and probably not drawing the crowds in.

Although I like the Simpsons (as you can see in my signature), I am not certain I am sold on a ride concept yet. I will be curious to hear the details when they are announced.

The one thing that has really bothered me about BTTF -- and I know this is being extremely pedantic -- is this: it is obvious the Deloreans have no front windshield...so why can't you feel and smell the environment?

I think...when the ride was built that kind of technology might not have been available, and when they did get that technology for Shrek, and Jimmy Neutron, the ride was so outdated they didn't wanna take time to make it more realistic.

Just a guess.

Oh, I realize that Kyle. I just think they should have put a windshield in the car ;)

Agreed....Moosh. I guess now that we have Soarin' over California, etc. it's easy to miss that stuff.

Hopefully the rumored "4d" elements for Simpsons will happen. I can see this being a really cool ride.

But my whole "windshield issue" isn't something that arose once sims with scents were introduced. The very first time I rode it [the month it opened] I wondered why I could not feel heat, cold, or smell the dino's breath.

You must be ahead of your time :)

Oh lol I guess I totally missed that. :)

Honestly, when I shared that great opinion of mine I didn't really research how far simulators were along back then so yeah what I said could just be complete b/s. Probably wouldn't be the first time. ;)

Man, I remember BTTF the ride being the coolest thing ever when I rode it in its opening year in Orlando. It seemed so real the way the images were all around you....until you noticed all of the other Deloreans around you. :) My how things change. *** Edited 7/28/2006 4:19:43 PM UTC by Acoustic Viscosity***

LOL Matt...that was my other pet-peeve about BTTF: one accidental glance to the side and the illusion was ruined by seeing all of the other Delorians ;)

^^It's funny that y'all mention that. My non-enthusiast co-worker said the exact same thing. He felt, when looking straight ahead that the movie was immersive and enthralling, but the first time he looked to the side and saw the other cars, it was done!

Oh yeah! I remember in abouth 7th grade I got bored during one part and started looking around the theatre to see how stuff was put together, and I noticed all these other cars around me I was like...wow this sucks! :)

I experienced both Hollywood and Orlando's versions of the ride, and both greatly enjoyed both. It'll be sad to see one go (on that note, I wonder if Hollywood's version will be replaced, since that seems to be the way Universal deals with new attractions?)

One thing I have to mention, though. While traditional 3D sims have been designed with changing movies in mind, I don't think BTTF:TR was designed like this. It's really a unique ride system, and it's not like other 3D simulators on the market. While a new film could be put into the theater, I don't think it was designed to change every year or so like 3d theaters found at the Paramount parks, some Six Flags parks, ect. Changes to BTTF:TR would require a lengthy refurbishment, not just to accomodate a new film and motions, but to also re-theme poritions of the queue line and exterior building (see also: Soarin', or any of the Disney 3D/4D shows, etc).

Remember that "Simpsons:Road Rage" video game? Could the new ride be themed to that possibly, or even better yet..."The Simpsons Family Vacation." :)

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Lord Gonchar said:
EDIT - Moosh slipped his post in while I was typing.

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Wow....with the minds on this board not one person touched this one??? You guys are letting me down....;)

Back on topic, I enjoyed BTTF but I'm not broken up about it being replaced. I'm not a huge Simpsons fan but I have always enjoyed the episodes that I have seen so the new theme is fine by me. I'm more excited that it will basically be a new ride, and I'm eager to see the new effects. Looking forward to it!

Now if we could just get Star Tours 2 in to production....:)

- Aaron K

LOL! :)

I'd be happier still if it was Family Guy or Boondocks, but I'll be MORE than content to see Bartholomew J. Simpson replace Michael J. Fox... :)