The Simpsons come to Universal theme parks

[downunder]

Oh yeah, I agree so much, you could build a whole themepark around the Simpson's. I loved the Duff Gardens episode and Itchy and Scratchy World is one of my total faves.

[ECZenith]

Fitness, it's only a matter of time before Lost Continent is transformed into the Harry Potter themed area. While I'm happy to see they'll be adding the new KUKA flying car ride, I hope they won't change TOO much of the exisitng area as I never really "got" the whole Hary potter thing. I can see them doing an overhaul of Poseidon to be more Harry potterish, wouldn't take much.

 

Only makes sense seeing that Lost Continent is the only island without specific licensing of existing characters and themes. That and the fact that Universal won the HP contract over Disney makes this pretty much dead-on.

[JuanSe_Colombia]

Wow It rocks! That's pretty awesome I love the Simpsons in fact now I'm wacthing them. They have so much potential!

[lapseofreason]

This ride has the potential to be really cool; I hope it is. On the other hand, Duff Gardens WOULD have been great instead of Krusty's envisioned park, whatever it may be.

 

This gives me another reason to visit USH as a guest and not an employee... actually, come to think of it, I should just go anyways and get my Mummy credit, then go again when this ride opens, definitely.

 

-Amanda "Simpsons rock" V.

[obeygiant]

Another simulator will just be a waste..

In a few years it will just become another BTTF again

The Simpsons deserves a cool, innovative ride

[dandaman]

If they converted the BTTF Store to a Kwik-E-Mart, they better sell Squishees.

 

There's a ton of potential with the new area as a whole...

[BDG]

If they converted the BTTF Store to a Kwik-E-Mart, they better sell Squishees.

 

There will be squishees all over the US soon. And Krusty O's and Buzz Cola as well.

 

Real Kwik-E-Marts? Woo-Hoo!

7-Eleven may convert some stores to coincide with 'Simpsons Movie'

 

BY JEFFREY KELLEY

TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER Mar 23, 2007

 

At the Greater Richmond Convention Center, 7-Eleven field consultant Gary Groves told store workers about the chain's top-selling items.

CLEMENT BRITT/TIMES-DISPATCH

It appears as though the world's largest convenience store will get Simpsonized, though 7-Eleven Inc. said the deal isn't done yet.

 

But at a company event yesterday in Richmond, officials showcased their planned promotional ef- forts with major upcoming films, including "The Simpsons Movie."

 

If all goes as planned, the convenience store chain plans to refit 11 stores across the U.S. -- Richmond is an unlikely choice -- to resemble the front of the Kwik-E-Mart, the convenience store that Homer and other characters frequent in the classic cartoon TV series.

 

Customers also will be able to buy products inspired by the nearly two-decades-old show, including KrustyO's cereal, Buzz Cola and iced Squishees (the cup says Squishee, but the contents will be Slurpee).

 

The chain also will use pictures of Simpsons characters to promote 7-Eleven's line of fresh foods, such as placing the face of Homer and his classic "Mmmm . . . sandwich" quip on sandwich wrappers.

 

Details of 7-Eleven's plans were showed to employees in a booth at a company event at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. It was unclear yesterday which 11 stores of the more than 4,700 nationwide would receive a cartoony facelift or sell inventory of the Simpsons-inspired products.

 

The movie hits theaters July 27.

 

7-Eleven also is lining up deals with the "Spider-Man" franchise in advance of the third installment in May. The promotion will feature Black Cherry Lemonade Slurpees and collectible Slurpee cups with three-dimensional graphics on the side.

 

Finally, the retailer plans to use the June sequel to "Fantastic Four" to promote the Slurpee energy drink it launched last year, called Full Throttle.

 

Spokeswoman Margaret Chabris said contracts on the promotions have not been signed with movie studios. She didn't give any further details, saying the company will release more information in coming weeks.

 

"We've done research, and research shows us that our customers like . . . movies, so we're getting involved with some major studios on some of their properties this summer," she said.

 

source

[ECZenith]

^ LMAO, I bet they'll pick the ghetto 7-11 in New Bedford for a quik-e-mart, not enough rick folks around to complain about it.

[BarryH]

I think there is the possibility of some great meet and greet characters. You can have Ned Flanders, Disco Stu, Comic Book Guy, and the Bee Man. The possibilities are endless!

[bigstevet07]

Having Disco Stu and Duff Man as characters would be awesome. They could have Nelson running around just saying HA-HA!

 

Am I the only one who thinks this a year late? They could have really hyped this with the movie opening if the ride was done. I guess maybe they are relying on hyping it with the show's last season next year.

[Jew]

It seems like Olando's is opening summer 2008 and Hollywoods around november/december.

 

--Jay

 

They should both be open by Spring 2008.

[knottslover77]

^Thanks, I thought because Hollywoods was closing later it would open later.

 

--Jay

[BarryH]

^I heard that too.

 

I assume the rides will open during the busy Spring break periods or March or April.

[Skramp]

Another article in our local paper about the Simpsons ride, some repeat but extra news never hurts:

 

http://www.daytondailynews.com/search/content/shared-gen/ap/National/Simpsons_Ride.html

[Jew]

^^Where did you hear that? The press release made it pretty clear both attractions are opening for Spring 2008...