Let's talk about what visitors will find in Universal Studios Hollywood's version of Springfield

April 8, 2014, 1:18 PM · Universal Studios Hollywood today confirmed that its version of Springfield will open in spring 2015, surrounding The Simpsons Ride on the Upper Lot of the park.

We've been watching the demolition around the area for several months now. But Universal's offered its first "teaser art" promoting what it will offer in this new themed land.

Springfield

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In its press release, Universal Studios Hollywood announced, "'Springfield' is being designed to make guests feel as if they are being propelled through their television sets into the accurately depicted city, complete with signature eateries from Krusty Burger to Luigi’s Pizza and Phineas Q. Butterfat’s 5600 Flavors Ice Cream Parlor to iconic watering holes like Moe’s Tavern and Duff’s Brewery."

In the full-res teaser art, not only do we see Krusty Burger and Moe's, we also find a Barney's Bowlarama Coffee Shop, Cletus' Chicken Shack, and Lard Lad Donuts, as well as Krustylu Studios, the Elementary School, General Hospital, Penitentiary, Mr. Burns' House, the Springfield sign, Nuclear Power Plant, and the Police Station.

Obviously, some of these elements will be simple facades, but Cletus' and Lard Lad are dining options in the Orlando version of Springfield. And the Hollywood teaser art does not include Luigi's or the Duff Brewery, which also exist in the Florida version and were promised in the press release.

What do you think of the teaser art, and what are you hoping for from Springfield when it opens next year?

Replies (14)

April 8, 2014 at 1:47 PM · 5 articles in 24 hours? You must have a good payday coming Robert. ;-)

I'm willing to bet that some of the features from Diagon Alley in FL will find a home in Springfield so CA fans won't feel left out. The ice cream shop is probably a given and maybe some unique merchandising stores.

April 8, 2014 at 1:54 PM · Does USH just have the one re-themed Back to the Future attraction propping up all these shops/restaurants/merchandise locations or will they add a gussied up carnival spinner as well, like Orlando?
April 8, 2014 at 2:15 PM · The Springfield ice cream shop will be Hollywood's analogue to the Florean Fortescue shop in Diagon Alley in Florida, I suspect.

We just got a spinner here in Hollywood with the Super Swirly in Super Silly Fun Land. I doubt Universal will add another.

The Springfield in Hollywood is going on the site where Doc Brown's Fried Chicken and the Cantina used to be.

And I'll talk to my editor about paying me more for today. ...Oh, wait. :^(

April 8, 2014 at 6:15 PM · James: Don't cut on Kang & Kodos until you get to ride it. I don't like spinners generally but this one is a blast. It's funny as all heck and the constant ranting of the aliens adds a lot to the ambiance of that end of Springfield. I assure you, you'll love it. It's worth it's tiny footprint.
April 8, 2014 at 5:16 PM · Simpsons are not appealing to me, but the Minions are. Why are they so yellow? Must be all the foreign tour groups.
April 8, 2014 at 5:51 PM · James R., Rob is right about Kang and Kodos. It's silly but funny at the same time... and a great homage to my favorite Simpsons characters :-). Give it a chance!
April 8, 2014 at 7:15 PM · Anon, I shared this on Twitter a few weeks ago, but My Grand Unified Theory of Universal is that the Minions are the irradiated mutants who were born near the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant.
April 8, 2014 at 7:44 PM · I had no idea there was that much space available near the Simpsons attraction. As long as there's a Moe's, I'm happy!

With Hogwarts being nearby, does anybody know if there are going to be expanding the walkway down to the tram to fit all this?

April 8, 2014 at 8:22 PM · I didn't cut on it at all. It is a gussied up carnival spinner...but so is Dumbo. No offense intended. Really was just wondering if this new land was only going to be propped up by one D ticket simulator. Sounds like it is. There just isn't any reason to plan a special trip to USH except for the tram tour. Universal Orlando just continues to blow its sister park out of the water.

April 9, 2014 at 5:05 AM · Universal Orlando will always be much better than Universal Hollywood simply because they have a lot more space and I suspect everything costs more in California than in Florida.

With that said, I couldn't be happier to see that Comcast still obviously cares a great deal about USH and isn't letting it fall into disrepair or become a third-tier park without the same attention to detail and new attractions as Orlando.

It's a matter of working with what you have, and USH will never have as much as UOR, but they're maximizing what's available. I'd be really disappointed if Universal Studios Hollywood was neglected, and I'm glad to see that's not the case.

April 9, 2014 at 6:31 AM · ^For locals, USH is definitely an improving park, finally getting the attention it needs (and deserves). For visitors to SoCal who generally go to Orlando instead (like me) there is still little reason to travel beyond Disney, Knotts, and Magic Mountain during a vacation.
April 9, 2014 at 7:32 AM · James: I agree with you on that point. If I was flying cross country to La La Land, I probably wouldn't visit Universal. Basically all the same attractions as Orlando except for the tram tour. And with the exception of the great view from the park, it appears to be kind of a disjointed hodge podge of attractions. But I'm sure the expansion will be a great boon for attendance. There's a huge population in southern Cal....I'd only visit Disney though. Knotts & Magic Mountain hold zero interest for me.
April 9, 2014 at 7:34 AM · I'm very happy to see these many recent improvements and additions to USH. As a SoCal resident, I've always ranked this park 4th on the list of the local parks.

Although the behind-the-scenes Tram Tour is the anchor attraction of this park, behind-the-scenes style attractions are becoming obsolete. With so much information on how movies are made now and the ability to easily make your own movies at home with a basic level computer and smartphone, attractions like the special effects stage get replaced with a much more entertaining attraction like Transformers.

USH is finally catching up with the modern films with Transformers, Despicable Me, & Harry Potter.

I wish the Fast & Furious addition to the tram tour wasn't another 3D screened attraction, but a practical stunt driving on the backlot. But alas, since USH backlot is practical shooting lot, this isn't entirely possible.

However, I am interested to see what the nighttime Tram Tour will entail when it's not part of HHN.

April 9, 2014 at 8:19 AM · Rob, Knotts has the Timber Mt Log Ride and the Calico Mine Ride... both worthy of your theme park dollars. And Magic Mountain is the Coaster Capital of the World. While Disneyland Resort stands head and shoulders above the crowded SoCal fray, Knotts and MM at least offer some intriguing options for visitors who normally vacation on the Atlantic/Gulf coast. USH is just more (really, less) of the same (except for the Tram Tour, and maybe Waterworld).

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