Simpsons Ride Soft Open

I want to be up front with you before I start to let you know that I have never been a follower of the Simpsons on TV. I can not remember sitting through a whole Simpsons TV show ever. It was always one of those shows that just was not watched in our house. I guess with show #400 going to be aired in May it must be a big hit, and maybe I need to go back and view a few of them.

Simpsons Sign

I arrived at Universal around 12:30 pm in hopes of finding the New Simpsons ride open for testing. To my surprise it was open and had a 90 minute wait to get in posted. Now I have to be fair here,  in a soft open there are times that you will find that the adjustments to the ride are being made. That is what the soft open really is for, working out the bugs and tweeking the ride.

I spoke to the cast members about the ride to get an idea if it really will take 90 minutes to ride. They advised if you could come back first thing in the morning that would be best to get right on the ride with a minimal wait.  I decided that was probably a good idea and went about taking my pictures of the attraction.

Then something happened that I did not expect. I noticed acast member changed the wait time to 40 minutes. I can wait 40 minutes I thought to myself so I did.

I think I will post a few of the pictures I had taken here before I continue.

 Simpsons Entrance

Sipsons Entrance1

Here is where I must warn anyone that is using an ECV cart, a wheelchair or someone with a child in a stroller. You will not be able to take the stroller or the EVC in the queue line. There were a few Universal wheel chairs that you can transfer to, that they will let you  use during the ride instead of the ECV. I was told that you would have to wheel your self through the queue. So I warn those that come in alone, be prepared to wheel yourself though the line. They made it clear they have no one that will be able to help you. I chose to walk the queue line on this visit, but plan to go back and experience what it is like using the wheelchair. They did mention the wheelchairs go to the first level but I did not see anyone that did that so more info will be following in my next blog on the ride.

 

 

As you can see above you enter through the crazy clowns mouth. They have the carpet leading up to the clowns mouth looking like it is his tongue. The height limit is 40 inches tall for those that have a height challenged child that is still growing.

Simpsons Queue

Simpsons ride

I will continue the report tomorrow which will include more pictures and information.

Please note I am not going to be a spoiler on what takes place once the doors close for the ride. I feel that it is not right to judge especially since I am not a fan of the Simpsons so some of the inside jokes may have been lost on me. I will tell you it is a 6 minute ride that has very good graphics.

 


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15 responses to “Simpsons Ride Soft Open”

  1. elemusing Avatar
    elemusing

    awwwww, Bob! Thanks for the pictures, but now I am salivating wanting more. . . big tease!!!

  2. cocowum Avatar
    cocowum

    Wow! That looks AWESOME!!! We will definitely be riding next trip. DD and DH are HUGE Simpson’s fans! Can’t wait to read part 2 of your blog. Thanks so much Bob. You Rock! 🙂

  3. Cyrano Avatar
    Cyrano

    Looks very interesting 🙂
    You have to watch the Simpsons, Bob. You’ll find that the in jokes are worth the effort I’m sure.

  4. WaltD4Me Avatar
    WaltD4Me

    I have to admit the humor in the Simpsons has always completely eluded me. I’ve watched maybe a half dozen episodes and I just do not get it, but I don’t get Spongebob either, so there you go. It just amazes me that the Simpsons are so popular that they would get this whole huge ride at Universal. I’m sure it’s really cool, but what I want to know is if you would appreciate it if you aren’t a Simpsons fan.
    Waiting to hear the rest of Bob’s report.

  5. UrsulasShadow Avatar
    UrsulasShadow

    Bob,
    If you want, I’ll come down and critique the Simpsons ride for you. I’m a fan, and I wouldn’t want to tax a non-fan with trying to understand the nuances and subtleties that are the underpinnings of the Matt Groening world. Of course, I’ll need airfare and a place to stay….

  6. mommyceratops Avatar
    mommyceratops

    Thanks for this pics Bob! I am not a Simpson’s fan either. So I wouldn’t get it I am sure.

  7. safetymom Avatar
    safetymom

    I think I will have to head over early one of these days then. Thanks for the report.

  8. elemusing Avatar
    elemusing

    Mindy – shame on you for trying to get a free flight and room to Orlando . .

    (Wish I had thought of that! 🙂 )

  9. ADP Avatar
    ADP

    Thanks for the attraction update Bob. I’m looking to experiencing this later this year. I’ll be a little disappointed if they used the same ride/simulator track as Back to the Future.

  10. tinkerbellblondie19 Avatar
    tinkerbellblondie19

    We miss you, Bawb!

  11. dpuck1998 Avatar
    dpuck1998

    our Bob, selfless till the end…riding the simpsons just for us!

  12. safetymom Avatar
    safetymom

    I went over just to ride the Simpons this morning. As I approached the line the wait time went from 35 to 60 mins. I did wait an hour to ride it. I don’t usually wait in lines but wanted to try this ride since Bob had reviewed it. I think the waiting area was great. Lots of televisions with clips of the Simpsons on. I haven’t really watched them in years but found the clips very funny. It was nice that they had lots of fans in the waiting area because it was hot with all those bodies.

    The preshow before the ride is great. Then you go in the little rooms just like you did when it was Back to the Future. They run some more clips and then they have a funny safety video. They do pay homage to Back to the Future in some of the clips.

    Once you get to the ride vehicle it is basically the same as Back to the Future. Personally I thought the story line for the ride was terrible! It seemed very disjointed and not very well thought out. The ride was jerky. It wasn’t quite as bad as the old ride vehicles toward the end when it was being closed but it was pretty close.

    They had Universal survey people outside with surveys for riders to fill out. Maybe after the crowds die down I will try it again but for now I sure wouldn’t. Everything but the ride was great so hopefully I wasn’t the only one that suggested working on the storyline. That was one of the questions.

    Just my two cents.

  13. mommyceratops Avatar
    mommyceratops

    I keep rereading your post Bob…I am missing you! You left to soon.
    I made Dole Whips in honor of you today….I just might hve to send my empty cups to Pete!
    I hope you and Walt are dreaming up a beautiful 5th gate for us!

  14. elemusing Avatar
    elemusing

    *sigh* I keep coming back here to check in and this is the last blog. It is almost like I WANT it to be the last blog so I can pretend that Bob is still coming back to post part 2. Thanks safetymom.

    I miss you Bob. 🙁

  15. checkwriter Avatar
    checkwriter

    God bless you, Bob! And Godspeed . . . .

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