sign in sign up
<<
Home , Chief Wiggum, Dan Castellaneta, John Frink, Krusty the Clown, Michael Price (writer), Pamela Hayden

Th e Th e m e d Ent ert a in m e nt Asso ci a tio n’s 15th Th e a Aw ards A Krusty Experience

• Th e Sim pso ns Rid e a t Univ ersa l Stu dios Florid a a n d Univ ersa l Stu dios Hollyw o o d

of the ride would be refreshed or new. "ey where – the Ride once stood. also applied green-building values through such Inside the show building is a “midway” lined measures as utilizing some 2,500 LED lights to with carnival booths manned by Springfield’s cut power usage by almost 75%. “finest” residents, ranging from to Hans Moleman. Here, character videos seem "e Simpsons Ride is a perfect homage to to interact with each other creating a witty and b y Bri a n Sz a ks everything “D’oh!” "e ride sits within its own entertaining banter. unique environment: Krustyland theme park. he hasn’t exactly been It is ostensibly owned by Krusty the , A large monitor overhead begins the first pre- Tknown for flawless family vacations. It who has a knack for “sparing all expenses,” and show, drawing guests further into the storyline seems that every time Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa has, as the story goes, opened his own property and evoking a sense of escapism into and Maggie embark on a trip, we can expect adjacent to Universal Studios. Guests are treated realm. Here guests learn that has something to go wrong. In fact, the family has to a facade that boasts a faux and snuck into Krustyland in another attempt to kill never visited a theme park without causing themed carny games, and even a giant Krusty Bart (he has had numerous failed attempts in the mayhem in one form or another. head that guests walk through. past) and the guests have been invited to ride Krusty’s new “thrill-tacular” ride. Breaking up In the past, the family has triggered human- "e queue, which leads guests to three different into groups of six, guests are led into a second killing parade robots with the flash of a camera levels, houses monitors that play a mixture of pre-show room where they learn more about at Itchy and Scratchy Land, Homer has had classic Simpsons clips as well as new material, the ride, are pulled further into the story and his one-too-many-donuts stomach stuck in the including a fantastic short featuring Doc Brown watch a humorous safety video featuring Itchy H2WHOAH! waterslide at Mt. Splashmore that explains why Krusty built his theme park and Scratchy. Water Park, and even sweet innocent Lisa has gone on a drunk rampage through Duff Gardens after drinking the water from “Little Land of Duff” ride. Viewers of !e Simpsons TV episodes can be assured that the yellow (or canary and goldenrod) clan of five will be experiencing just under 30 minutes of comedy, action and mayhem.

"ese factors made the concept of "e Simpsons Ride a natural fit for both Universal Studios Orlando and Universal Studios . Of course, being a great fit does not mean a simple task. had to design and construct a ride that would not only fit inside of a preexisting ride building, but would also fit the brand: the overall theme and culture of !e Simpsons.

"roughout the 1990s and well into the 2000s, the ride buildings on both coasts were occupied by the Back to the Future – the Ride simulator attractions. But in 2007, Universal Creative decided that Doc Brown had flown his last DeLorean, and it was time for something fresh... and yellow. Universal’s project team worked closely with vendors to ensure that every aspect

The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood

Brian Szaks ([email protected]) was the East Coast Editor of InPark magazine for over five years. He is now the Manager of Member Relations for the !emed Entertainment Association.

29 Th e Th e m e d Ent ert ain m e nt Asso ci a tio n’s 15th Th e a Aw ards Once the attraction doors open, guests filter into the loading area for the main show, designed to look like a station for a classic . "e cars, complete with faux dark-ride guide wheels on the back, are somewhat reminiscent of the original Back to the Future ride with their over the head “gull-wing” doors. Each car has 12 speakers that utilize an impressive 6.1 surround sound system. "ose, together with the 90 other speakers in the dome (including subwoofers) all assist in transporting riders into Springfield.

As the cars begin to rise nine feet on their scissor- lift motion based platform, placing visitors inside the vast dome screen, the video starts and they are plunged into the animated world that literally surrounds them. Disbelief is readily suspended and from that moment on, the ride is a fastpaced, laugh-a-second romp through Krustyland as Sideshow Bob chases after Bart as the guests follow along. Hidden jokes, nods to the past and light-hearted jabs at numerous other theme park attractions and at Universal itself, are assisted with water squirts, flashes of light and a surprisingly effective baby powder scent. "e attraction leaves guests with a reminder why !e Simpsons is still going strong as the longest running sitcom after 20 years, why motion simulators are still effective and why details and creativity are essential to the creation of a successful immersive and compelling experience.

30 Th e Th e m e d Ent ert ain m e nt Asso ci a tio n’s 15th Th e a Aw ards

The SImpsons Ride, Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Florida Th e a A w ard for O utst a n din g A c hievement: Attra c tio n

Universal Parks & Resorts Maureen Johnston, Color Boards Tom Williams, Chairman & CEO , Creator and Executive Producer Mitchell Schneider, Concept Designer Mark Woodbury, Pres. & CCO, Universal Creative James L Brooks, Executive Producer Mike Marquez, Concept Illustrations Michael Silver, Sr. V.P., Business & Legal A!airs Denise Sirkot, Executive Vice President Erik Neergaard, !emespace, Inc., Concept Illustr. Charlie Gundacker, Sr. V.P., Attraction Dev. Matt Walker, Concept Writer Steve Blum, Sr. V.P., Engineering & Safety #e Cast Ryan Harmon, Concept Writer Dale Mason, V.P., Creative & Executive Art Dir. : , Maggie Brian Dudash, B. Dudash & Associates, Inc., Cost Dan Memis, V.P., Finance & Administration Simpson, Nelson Muntz, , and Est. Brawner Greer, V.P., Business & Legal A!airs #e Happy Little Elves Frank Moynihan, Estimating Service Mike Kiddoo, Director, Engineering : , Krusty !omas Potter, H. W. Davis Construction, Inc., Justin Schwartz, Ride and Show Engineer the Clown, Grampa Simpson, Groundskeeper General Construction / Management Willie, Squeaky Voiced Teen, Hans Moleman, Jill Shargaa, Graphic Designer - Presentations Contract Administration , Kodos, Repo man, and Mr. Andy Crabtree, Graphic Illustrator Karen Trauger, Michelle Hines, Kathy Wheeler, Freidman Raymond Keim, Graphic Illustrator Elan MacIntosh : , Patty Bouvier and Scott Wren, Graphic Illustrator Simon Hiracheta, Financial Analyst Selma Bouvier Wayne Clark, Miller Clarke Design, Graphics James Kirkpatrick, Senior Cost Analyst : Designer Katy Pacitti, Creative Resources Manager : , Apu Nahasapee- David Morris, Illustrator mapetilon, , , Cletus Ryan Smith, Illustrator Executive O"ces Spuckler, O"cer Lou, the Sarcarstic Man, Snake David Tear, Management of Scenic Components Sonya Berish, Michael McGuire, Jen Bark, Jailbird and Pants-O! Johnson Eric Morgan, Eric L. Morgan, Architect, P.A., Carol Biagetti, Dianne Decker : Sideshow Bob Onsite Design Support Michael McGuire, UP&R Rep. to THEA : Milhouse Van Houten Jonathan Douglas, VOA Associates, Inc., Retail : Martin Prince Concept Designer #e Project Team : Doc Brown Erik Neergaard, !emespace, Inc., Ride vehicle Michael A. West, Executive Producer Concepts Writers Scott Stewart, Project Director Je" Smith, Scope Writer , , , Daniel Mark Rhodes, Media Producer Tim Madison, Script writer Chun, Joel Cohen, , Matthew Chris Lauren and Jennifer Sauer, Creative Directors Jason Townley, Second Shift Support Warburton, Matthew Selman Eric !omas, Attraction Designer Deborah Palmer, Show Set & CAD Designer Mike Esmonde, Technical Manager Directors Steve Mitchell, Show Set Designer Jay Kuiper, Technical Manager Richard Raynis, Matthew Selman David Morris, Show Set Designer Randy Mazely, Construction Manager Rich West, Show Set Designer Frazer, Technical Coordinator 20th Century Fox Robert Michael Noles, Show Set Designer Deborah Witt, Project Coordinator Elie Dekel, Exec. V.P., Licensing & Merchandising Stephanie Girard, Show Set Designer Kathleen Parrish, Project Assistant Howard Nelson, V.P.,Worldwide Promotion Steve Mitchell, Show Set Designer Jim Dooley, Principal Music Production Paul Dennis, Show Set Support Peter J Lehman, Visible Sound Inc., Princ. Audio Mixing Blur Studios - CG Animation Pat Vogtli, Storyboard Art Tony Micelli, Sound Editor Al Shier and Debbie Yu, Producers Eric !omas, Storyboard Art and Illustration Yas Takata, Ride Director Mitchell Schneider, Storyboard Artist Universal Creative, Hollywood Leo Santos and Dan Rice, CG Supervisors Whitworth Stokes, !e Truly Dangerous Company, Chip Largman, Vice President, Universal Creative Andy Grisdale, Layout Artist Technical Consultant !ompson, Project Director Paul Kent, Electrosonic Systems, Inc., 3D Reel FX Entertainment - Additional CG Animation Chris Lauren, Creative Director Projection Study Nick Bliobenes, Executive Producer Bill Whitcomb, Technical Director Je" Bobbin, Show System Integrators, LLC, A/V Chuck Peil, Main Show Producer Paul Cuocco and John Dunne, Technical Mgrs. System Design and Build Pete Herzog, Producer Neil Weiner, Hyper Image Inc., Animatic Dale Carman, Director Universal Studios Florida Production Bill Davis, President and Chief Operating O"cer Jim Hodson, Advantage Audio, Audio Production - 2-D Animation Michael Hightower, Sr. V.P.,Technical Services Kane Fritz, Entertainment Techknowledgy, Audio/ Tom Klein, Jan Hirota, Mike Wolf, Jaspreet Rich Costales, Sr. V.P., Operations Visual System Evaluation Dhillon, John Rice Jim Timon, Sr. V. P., Entertainment Oliver Vanacore, Sundog Design, Inc., Construction Fence Graphics Universal Studios Hollywood !e Pixel Factory - 3-D Test Media Dominic Carola, Project Fire"y, LLC., Film Test Larry Kurzweil, Pres. and COO Stan Johnson Media Michael Taylor, V.P., Operations Trevor MacLaine, Icarus Exhibits, Inc., Hot Dog Tim Runco, V.P., Entertainment !e Simpsons at Universal Studios Florida Cart Renovations Joseph Korte, 3D Animator Chris Murphy, Murphy Lighting, Lighting Executive O"ces Patrice Ragusa, Area Development Concepts Control, Dimmer System Refurbishment and Linda Mousseau, Kristy Mersola, Paola Guerin, Manuel Cordero, CAD Design Upgrade Ampy Gonzalez, Denise Wilson Nathan Naversen, CAD Design Dan Donohue, Back Stage Technologies, Inc., LN2 Georgia Treharne, Manager, Administration Natalia Younger, St. George Cont. and Design, Fog Mock Up Lesley Smith, Project Assistant Inc.,CAD Services Eric Lehman, Main Dome Projection Systems

50 Th e Th e m e d Ent ert a in m e nt Asso ci a tio n’s 15th Th e a Aw ards

The Simpsons Ride, Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Florida Th e a A w ard for O utst a n din g A c hie v e m e nt: Attra c tio n

Andy Reisman, Reisman Models, Maquette Const. Je" Begovich, Professional Service Industries, Inc., Scott Burrows, Eversoft, Reverse Osmosis Sys. Scott Ramirez, Reisman Models, Maquette Const. Welding and Roo$ng Inspection Services Install. Barbara Grill, Festival Artists Worldwide, Marquee Michael Scime, Sign Producers, Inc., Sign Removal Steve McIntyre, Anitech Systems, Inc., Ride Fabrication and Installation & Temporary Construction Fence Graphics Control System Enhancements John Miceli, Technomedia Solutions, LLC, Media Jamie Boone, Edlen Electric, Projection Integ. John Kreider, Oceaneering International, Inc., Capt. Circuits Scissor Lift Lower Circuit Betty Elliott, Group 3 Studio, Inc., Model Maker Steven Pendley, All Wired Up, Inc., Conduit, Lisa Passamonte Green, Visual Terrain, Inc., Kenneth E", Attraction Design Services, LLC, Pop Cabling, Voice & Data Drops Show Lighting System Evaluation Jet Concept and Set Design Nelson Bramley, Pro Line Fence Corp., Fencing, Larry Bernicky, Sypris Test & Measurement, Matt Freeby, Water Technology, Inc., Popjet Fount. Storage & Clean Up Assistance Strain Gauge Testing Dsgn. Robert Slotabec, Siemens Water Technologies Corp., David Hunt, ATA Engineering, Vehicle Frame Woody Hildebrand, Triangle Reprographics, Inc., Hydraulic Oil Purge Structural Assessment Printing & Mounting Robert Nasca, Hydradyne Hydraulics, LLC, Larry Wyatt, Wyatt Design Group, Inc., Art John Shaw, Spitz, Inc., Projection Screen Mods Hydraulic Pump System Direction/Production Design Cindy White, Cindy White Art, Prop details Scott Maddox, Ermco of Florida, Hydraulic Room Chris Conte, Electrosonic Systems, Inc., Audio- John Marhoefer, Entech Creative Industries, Ride Lighting & Emergency Pump Visual System Evaluation Vehicle Modi$cations Mark Black, InterAmerica Stage, Inc., Ride Vehicle Kurt Wilson, Lexington Design + Fabrication, Phil Bloom, American Scenic, Schem. Draw. Removal Graphics - Kwik-E-Mart Packages Larry Williamson, JK2 Holmes Constructors, LLC, Mark Bencivengo, Lexington Design + Louis Allen, Adirondack Scenic, Inc., Set Scenic Site Project Trailer Development Fabrication, Graphics - Kwik-E-Mart Fabrication & Installation Ken Flanagan, Cinnabar, Vehicle Maquette Todd Chaney, Lexington Design + Fabrication, Bettina Buckley, WOW!Works International, Inc., Production, Frame Testing & Analysis Support Graphics - Kwik-E-Mart SFX Charette , Lexington Design + Fabrication, John Albarian, DVD Productions, Simpson’s Comp. #e Simpsons at Universal Studios Hollywood Graphics - Kwik-E-Mart Reel Larry Wyatt, MSI, Art Direction/Production Doug George, Lexington Design + Fabrication, !omas Zampini, Integrated Systems, Design Graphics - Kwik-E-Mart Inc., Snap-In LED Light Assemblies Paul Buckley, Scenario Design Inc., Attract. Set Mario Kamberg, Key Art - Galactica Carl Yates, InCryo Systems, Inc., Special E!ects Scenic Sloan Bunting, Pro Dek Inc., Krusty Tongue Brad Vancata, Story Boards Je" Bobbin, Show System Integrators, A/V System Patti Skoglund, Superior Electrical Advertising, Jerry Rinnert, JMR Surveying Group, LLC, 3D Design and Build Inc., Krustyland Signs Laser Scan Survey !eron Mehr, Contracts Administration Timothy Mast, Cryotech International, Inc., Brian King, Recreation Engineering, Inc., Accelero- Brian Dudash, B. Dudash & Associates, Inc., Cost LN2 Distribution and E!ects metric Testing of Simpsons Simulators Est. Craig Bugajski, Artistic Entertainment, Main Steve Alkhoja, ITEC Entertainment Corporation, Ryan Smith, Illustration Show and Operational Show Graphics Control System Evaluation Chris Medvitz, Lightswitch , Lighting John Shaw, Spitz, Inc., New Dome Screens Greg Rude, GR Engineering Group, LLC, Failure Design Services David MacMurtry, Advanced Entertainment Analysis Report Philip McDowell, McDowell Scheduling, Inc., Proj. Technology, O!-Board Water E!ects Mike Gauvin, Grunau Company, Halon Room Sched. Bob Chambers, It’s Alive Company, Project Fire Sprinklers Revision Je" Porter, Olesen/Raleigh Studios, Show Lighting Consultant Michael Von Horne, Simulation Technologies, Inc., David Smith, Media Bus, Inc., Show Lighting Sarkis Mehtemetian, Sark Custom Awning, Hydraulic Hazard Analysis !eo Mundell, Smart Ride, Inc., Tech. Support Queue Line Awning Phil von Kamecke, PVK Architects, Inc., Louis Higuera, SMART, Inc., Technical Support Shawn Siqueira, Pro Sound CA, Inc., Retail A/V Investigate/Report Systems & Elements Tim Madison, Writer Todd Erlandson, Marchstudio, Retail Cabinets Greg Bryant, Universal Studios Hollywood, Danny Hartigan, Writer-Attraction Concepts and Counters Design Mechanical Evaluation of Ride System John Rust, Jinky Bu#alo Productions LLC, Writer- Craig Bugajski, Artistic Entertainment, Retail John Guarnero, Moonlight Creations, Inc., Attraction Concepts Scenic and Attraction Marquee Program & Develop Alternative Ride Vehicle Tim Madison, Writer - Attraction Concepts John Marhoefer, Entech Creative Industries, Pro$le Trey Stokes, Writer - Attraction Concepts Ride Vehicle Refurbishment Steve McIntyre, Anitech Systems Inc., Ride Show Brian King, Recreation Engineering, Inc., Terry Downing, All Design, Inc., Set Supervisor System Accelerometric Testing of Simulators Scenic Development Support Ben Lovelace, RB Lovelace Inc., Scissor Lift John Cato, Dynamic Engineering, Control System Scott Meyer, Electrosonic Systems, Inc.,Ty Ground Support Equipment Evaluation Projection System Dave Mauck, Oceaneering Entertainment Systems, Dennis Murphy, Dennis A Murphy Design and David MacMurtry, Advanced Entertainment Scissor Lift Manual Lowering Circuit Drafting Service, Engineering Support to Technology, Ty Ride FX Mock Up Tim Linamen, Point of Light,Show Lighting Mario Kamberg, Writer-Attraction Concepts Technical Services Evaluation Craig Hanna, Writer-Attraction Concepts James Jordan, Budlong & Associates, Inc., Fac. Aud. Hamid Bahadori, Hughes Associates, Inc., Smoke Vince Petito, LHA a Division of gkkworks, Mark Riddlesperger, L.A. Propoint, Fall Arrest Sys. Evacuation System Inspection Architectural Services Greg Rude, GR Engineering Group LLC, Failure Arvin Blank, Sypris Test & Measurement, Strain Dana , C. W. Driver, Inc., Con. Mgmt. Analysis Report Gauging Testing Daryl W. Parker, Cable Art Incorporated, Queue Bryan Roe, Koolfog Inc., Queue Area Mistinng Louis Higuera, S.M.A.R.T., Inc., Vehicle Area Cabling System Refurbishment Programming & Mock Up

51