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| − | {{Future amusement ride}}
| + | '''The Simpsons Ride''' is an upcoming simulator ride featured at the Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood theme parks. The ride is based on the long running TV cartoon series ''[[The Simpsons]]''. |
| − | {| class="infobox" style="width: 22em; text-align: left; font-size: 90%;" cellspacing="4"
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| − | |style="fontsize: 85%; text-align: center;" colspan="2" {{!}} '''''The Simpsons Ride'''''
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| − | | colspan=2|[[Image:Simpsonsride1.jpg|200px|center|]]
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| − | | colspan=2|[[Universal Studios Florida]]'s main sign for The Simpsons Ride.
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| − | | style="font-size: 110%; text-align: center;" colspan="2" | '''General'''
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| − | | style="background-color:#f0f0ff" | '''Attraction type'''
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| − | | Motion Simulator Ride<ref name="Variety"/>
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| − | | style="background-color:#f0f0ff" | '''Theme'''
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| − | | [[The Simpsons]]
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| − | | style="background-color:#f0f0ff" | '''Height requirements'''
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| − | | 40" (102 cm)<ref name="SanDiego"/>
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| − | |- style="background-color:SkyBlue;"
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| − | | style="font-size: 110%; text-align: center;" colspan="2" | '''[[Universal Studios Florida]]'''
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| − | | style="background-color:#f0f0ff" | '''Area'''
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| − | | World Expo<ref>{{citenews|url=http://www.universalorlando.com/usf_map.html|title=Map of Universal Studios Florida}}</ref>
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| − | | style="background-color:#f0f0ff" | '''Soft opening'''
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| − | | [[April 23]], [[2008]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_tourism_aviation/2008/05/the-simpsons-ri.html |title=The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Officially Opens|
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| − | accessdate=2008-04-28|date=[[2008-05-15]]|publisher=''Orlando Sentinel''|author=Sara Clarke}}</ref>
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| − | | style="background-color:#f0f0ff" | '''Grand opening'''
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| − | | [[May 15]], [[2008]]<ref>{{citenews|url=http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2008-04-03-orlando-attractions_N.htm|title=Orlando unveils a few new tricks to boost bookings|author=Jane Clark|publisher=[[USA Today]]}}</ref>
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| − | | style="background-color:#f0f0ff" | '''Construction Costs'''
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| − | | [[American dollar|$]]30 million<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_tourism_aviation/2008/04/the-simpsons-ri.html |title=The Simpsons Ride grand opening set|
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| − | accessdate=2008-04-17|date=[[2008-04-14]]|publisher=''[[Orlando Sentinel]]''|author=Scott Powers}}</ref>
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| − | | style="background-color:#f0f0ff" | '''Previous Attractions'''
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| − | | [[Back to the Future: The Ride]] (1991-2007)
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| − | | style="font-size: 110%; text-align: center;" colspan="2" | '''[[Universal Studios Hollywood]]'''
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| − | | style="background-color:#f0f0ff" | '''Area'''
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| − | | Upper Lot<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/vi_interactivemap.html|title=Map of Universal Studios Hollywood|accessdate=2008-04-04}}</ref>
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| − | | style="background-color:#f0f0ff" | '''Opening date'''
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| − | | [[May 19]], [[2008]]<ref name="HollywoodOfficial">{{citenews|url=http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/attr_simpsons.html|title=The Simpsons Ride™ coming May 19th|publisher=[[Universal Parks & Resorts]]|accessdate=2008-03-14}}</ref>
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| − | | style="background-color:#f0f0ff" | '''Construction Costs'''
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| − | | [[American dollar|$]]40 million<ref name="Voices"/>
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| − | | style="background-color:#f0f0ff" | '''Previous Attractions'''
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| − | | [[Back to the Future: The Ride]] (1993-2007)
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| − | |}
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| − | '''The Simpsons Ride''' is a [[simulator ride]] featured at the [[Universal Studios Florida]] and [[Universal Studios Hollywood]] theme parks. The ride is based on the long running TV cartoon series ''[[The Simpsons]]''. It was first announced in 2007 and replaced the [[Back to the Future: The Ride]] at both locations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/?p=1656 |title=Universal Studios Simpsons ride shows visitors Krustyland|accessdate=2008-04-27|date=[[2008-04-08]]|publisher=''[[Los Angeles Times]]''|author=Brady MacDonald}}</ref> The ride at [[Universal Studios Florida]] soft opened on [[April 23]], [[2008]], and the official ceremonies took place on [[May 15]]. The ride at [[Universal Studios Hollywood]] is planned for a grand opening on [[May 19]], [[2008]] with no known soft opening date as of now. In the ride, patrons are introduced to a cartoon theme park called Krustyland built by [[Krusty the Clown]]. However, [[Sideshow Bob]] is loose from prison to get revenge on Krusty and the [[Simpson family]].
| + | ==Upcoming ride== |
| | + | The current plans for the Simpson ride involves a simulator ride similar to ''Back to the Future: The Ride]''. It will use 80 foot screens to give the rider a virtual-reality trip through a cartoon theme park called "[[Krusty]] Land." |
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| − | ==Ride Summary== | + | ==Attraction facts== |
| − | ===Queue===
| + | In preparation for the renovation, the Florida version of "Back to the Future" closed on March 30, 2007, while the Hollywood version closed on September 3, 2007. |
| − | To enter the ride's queue area, visitors must walk through a giant [[Krusty the Clown]] head which leads them into a pavilion under various circus tents themed to carnival stalls. Various posters in the queue display advertisements for the attractions at the park, while various [[High-definition television|HD]] television monitors display clips from the TV show as well as moments from Krusty's past and live animated footage from Krustyland. The queue area ends with a sign instructing guests to wait for a short time before entering "Krusty's Carnival Midway".
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| − | ===Pre-Show===
| + | In October, a gift shop modeled after a [[Kwik-E-Mart]] was built, replacing the old ''Back to the Future'' gift shop. The store will sell ''Simpsons''-related merchandise.<ref>Bevil, Dewayne. "[http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/orl-bevil2607oct26,0,5192389.column Simpsons' Kwik-E-Mart gets the Universal seal of Apu-val]." ''The Orlando Centinel''. October 26, 2007.</ref> |
| − | In the midway, riders line-up into rows to wait for a confirmation from Krusty. TV screens posted inside the walls on the left and right sides of the screen display the residents of Springfield running the midway booths at the park. Soon, Krusty appears on another screen in front of guests and prepares to pick a family to ride his "Upsy-Downsy Spins-Aroundsy High-Flying Teen-Operated Thrilltacular", the most extreme ride at the park. While Krusty is looking, [[Sideshow Bob]] appears in a Scratchy costume and steps on [[Homer Simpson]]'s foot causing him to yell "[[D'oh!]]" and Krusty picks the [[Simpson family]]. Krusty asks them to pick another group to go with them, and Bart chooses the riders. While Krusty leads them into a waiting room, Sideshow Bob bursts out into evil laughter. Riders are then ushered into the pre-flight "Circus Tent" room by a team member. Here, Krusty leads the Simpsons into a backstage area where [[Abraham Simpson|Grampa]] and [[Maggie Simpson]] are told not to ride due to certain safety restrictions. Grampa falls asleep while Maggie crawls into a nuclear reactor room, causing her to grow huge. Meanwhile, Krusty leads the Simpsons into a ride room where he tells them to enjoy the ride, before Sideshow Bob appears, knocks Krusty out and tells the Simpsons Family to enter the ride vehicle. Homer rushes into it, followed by the rest of the family also entering. Sideshow Bob then tells the Simpsons they must watch a legally required safety video. [[The Itchy and Scratchy Show|Itchy and Scratchy]] host this video, in which they show riders what can happen to them if they don't follow ride requirements. The screen then displays a list of the safety reminders while riders are ushered into the main ride room. | |
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| − | ===Ride=== | + | ==Sources== |
| − | [[Image: Simpsons Ride Film.jpg|thumb|left|Sideshow Bob (Voice of [[Kelsey Grammer]], top left) prepares to kill the [[Simpson family]] in a scene from the ride film.]]
| + | <References/> |
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| − | The ride portion is six minutes long. Riders with heart conditions, motion sickness, insomnia or similar conditions are not permitted to ride.
| + | {{Stub}} |
| − | Once riders enter a Krusty themed ride car vehicle, Sideshow Bob appears on a screen in front of them and lifts the car up onto a roller coaster with the Simpsons in front of them. The coaster begins going down various drops with Bob swinging a wrecking ball at riders, trying to kill them. Soon, the riders fly off the coaster and into the "Happy Little Elves in Panda Land" attraction with [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] and [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]], where Bob takes control of an evil panda and chases them through the attraction. The ride then flies off the track again and enters "Captain Dinosaur's Pirate Rip-Off" with Homer and [[Marge Simpson|Marge]]. The riders then fall down a waterfall and arrive at "Krusty's Wet and Wild Stunt Show" where they are taken racing while tied to a [[killer whale]] before Bob corners them. Maggie, still giant-sized, grabs and bangs him, and the vehicles being dropped into hell before where they are saved by [[Professor Frink]]. Bob then steals Maggie's pacifier and tells her that she must destroy [[Springfield (The Simpsons)|Springfield]] to get it back. Riders then take a wild ride through Springfield before encountering Maggie again, who trys to swallow them before being catapulted into the [[742 Evergreen Terrace|Simpsons house]]. The family is sitting on a coach when [[Kang and Kodos]] appear and strap them to Krusty's "Death Drop" ride. The riders are then dropped down from the sky encountering various characters along the way, and land back at the entrance to Krustyland, where Bob prepares to kill them before Maggie appears yet again and crushes him with the giant Krusty head. The vehicles are then lowered back down to the ground while mist, fire and smoke effects spray, and Krusty appears on the TV screen above the wall. Confused, he sees a red button in front of him and pushes it, causing the vehicle to vibrate, ending the ride. After the gullwing doors on the car lift up, guests exit the ride.<ref>{{citenews|url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/travel/features/2008/03/15/universal-studios-reveals-its-new-simpsons-ride-89520-20351783/|title=Universal Studios reveals it's new Simpsons Ride|publisher=Mirror.Co.UK}}</ref>
| + | [[Category:Rides]] |
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| − | ==Production==
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| − | The ride is located at both [[Universal Studios Florida]] and [[Universal Studios Hollywood]] in the former [[Back to the Future: The Ride]] buildings at both locations. In preparation for the renovation, the Florida version of "Back to the Future" closed on [[March 30]], [[2007]], while the Hollywood version closed on [[September 3]], [[2007]]. ''The Simpsons'' creators [[James L. Brooks]] and [[Matt Groening]] as well as executive producer [[Al Jean]] collaborated with the Universal Studios creative team to help develop the ride.<ref name="SanDiego">{{cite news|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20080515-9999-1w15ride.html|title=Homer and Marge's eeeexcelllent adventure |date=[[2008-05-15]]|accessdate=2008-05-15|author=Penny Lingo|publisher=''[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]]''}}</ref> Music for the ride was composed by [[James Dooley (composer)|Jim Dooley]], who worked with composer [[Hans Zimmer]] on the feature film ''[[The Simpsons Movie]]''.<ref name="factsheet">{{cite news|url=http://www.thrillnetwork.com/stories_view.php/2215/simpsons_ride_fact_sheet.html|title=The Simpsons Ride Fact Sheet|date=[[2008-05-14]]|accessdate=2008-05-14|publisher=ThrillNetwork.com}}</ref>
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| − | The six minute ride uses 80-foot [[IMAX]] screens and [[Sony]] Projectors.<ref name="Official">{{cite news|url=http://www.universalorlando.com/usf_attr_simpsons.html|title=The Simpsons Ride|accessdate=2008-02-16|publisher=[[Universal Studios Orlando]]}}</ref> There are 24 ride cars, each seating eight people<ref name="factsheet"/> and approximately 2000 people can ride it per hour.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/tourism/article478385.ece |title=Universal takes new 'Simpsons' ride for a spin |author=Mark Albright|accessdate=2008-04-30|date=[[2008-04-29]]|publisher=''[[St. Petersburg Times]]''}}</ref> The projection system features new digital technology which makes the resolution two times better than most digital movie thetres. The video is projected onto two dome screens which are made of 416 panels (each 4 feet by two feet) and is approximately 80 feet tall and 85 feet wide. The projector itself uses a custom-made semi-circular [[fisheye lens]] to project undistorted images and plays at a rate of 60 frames per second. In comparison, most feature films project at 24 frames per second.<ref name="factsheet"/> The animation in the ride uses [[CGI|computer generated]] 3D animation rendered by [[Blur Studio]] and [[Reel FX]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.orlandoweekly.com/columns/story.asp?id=12336 |title=Live Active Cultures |author=Seth Kubersky|accessdate=2008-05-09|date=[[2008-05-08]]|publisher=''[[Orlando Weekly]]''}}</ref> rather than the traditional 2-D animation seen on ''The Simpsons'' and the other parts of the ride.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/services/newspaper/printedition/friday/calendar/orl-bevil0208may02,0,3057219.column |title=The Simpsons ride, Universal Studio's newest adventure, gives up its secrets |author=Dewayne Bevil|accessdate=2008-05-03|date=[[2008-05-02]]|publisher=''Orlando Sentinel''}}</ref> The animation was provided by [[Film Roman]], the animation studio that animates the series.<ref name="Variety2">{{cite news|url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117985432.html?categoryid=2526&cs=1 |title=Fox's 'Simpsons' ride with Universal |author=mark Graser|accessdate=2008-05-10|date=[[2008-05-09]]|publisher=''Variety''}}</ref> Each car contains 12 speakers and a [[Dolby Digital|Dolby]] 6.1 surround sound while the domes contain an additional 90 speakers.<ref name="factsheet"/>
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| − | The Simpsons Ride uses new technology that cuts down on its energy consumption. According to Universal Studios, the ride is able to save over 55,000 [[watt]]s of power per hour and 662,000 per day. The ride includes over 2,500 [[Light-emitting diode|LED]] lights, the largest number in theme park history, which allows the ride to cut down on energy on lighting by almost one quarter when compared with incandescent lighting.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.etravelblackboard.com/index.asp?id=76992&nav=83 |title=Universal Studios goes Green with the new "The Simpsons Ride"|date=[[2008-04-29]]||accessdate=2008-04-29|publisher=Travel Blackboard}}</ref>
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| − | === Construction ===
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| − | [[Image:Simpsonsride2.jpg|thumb|[[Krusty the Clown]]'s facial features visible in a wide shot of Krustyland during construction of the ride in Universal Studios Florida.]]
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| − | The construction began at [[Universal Studios Florida]] in [[May]] [[2007]], shortly after the announcement of the ride's construction.<ref name="Variety">{{cite news|url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117963652.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1 |title=Universal launches 'Simpsons' ride |author=Josef Adalian |accessdate=2007-04-23|date=[[2008-03-01]]|publisher=''[[Variety]]''}}</ref> In [[February]] [[2008]], the original concrete on the ground from [[Back to the Future: The Ride]] was dismantled, and replaced by a red and blue ground holding trees and benches. Following the close of the ''Back to the Future'' ride, the building was given a complete overhaul, the cars were changed and the mechanics system was updated.<ref name="New ride">{{cite news|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/sfl-flzsimpson0429sbapr29,0,340596.story |title=New Simpsons Ride gives Universal Studios patrons a taste of Springfield |author=DeWayne Bevil |accessdate=2008-04-28|date=[[2008-04-28]]|publisher=''Orlando Sentinel''}}</ref> Construction was completed in [[April]], [[2008]] while the ride itself opened on [[April 28]], [[2008]], and Universal officials have confirmed that the attraction will celebrate a grand opening ceremony on [[May 15]] and [[May 16]].<ref>{{citenews|url=http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_tourism_aviation/2008/04/the-simpsons-ri.html|title=The Simpsons Ride grand opening set|Author=Scott Powers|publisher=''[[Orlando Sentinel]]''|date=2008-04-14|accessdate=2008-04-14}}</ref> Technical rehearsals began on [[April 23]], [[2008]].<ref name="Tech">{{citenews|url=http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_tourism_aviation/2008/04/the-simpsons--1.html |title=The Simpsons Ride goes to technical rehearsals|Author=Scott Powers|publisher=''[[Orlando Sentinel]]''|date=[[2008-04-25]]|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref>
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| − | The construction began at [[Universal Studios Hollywood]] in mid-[[September]] [[2007]], with the disposal of the building's [[Back to the Future]] insignia. Outdoor painting on the building began in [[January]] [[2008]]. The construction's completion was at [[May]] [[2008]], and the park was confident enough in its progress to announce an opening date of [[May 24]], [[2008]],<ref name="HollywoodOfficial"/> which was later moved up to [[May 17]] and then moved back to [[May 19]].<ref>{{citenews|url=http://www.simpsonsride.com/|title=Official website for The Simpsons Ride}}</ref>
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| − | ===Voice cast===
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| − | [[Image: Simpsons Ride Doc.gif|Doc. Brown's appearance in the ride's queue video.|right|thumb]]
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| − | The ride features 29 regular characters from ''The Simpsons'' and features the voices of the regular cast members, as well as [[Pamela Hayden]], [[Russi Taylor]] and [[Kelsey Grammer]].<ref name="Voices">{{cite news|url=http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/?p=1657 |title=Simpsons ride features 29 characters, original voices|accessdate=2008-04-17|date=[[2008-04-09]]|publisher=''Los Angeles Times''|author=Brady MacDonald}}</ref> [[Harry Shearer]] decided not to participate in the ride, so none of his characters have vocal parts and many do not appear in the ride at all.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tmz.com/2008/04/15/mr-burns-sucks-in-real-life-too/ |title=Mr. Burns Sucks in Real Life Too|accessdate=2008-04-28|date=[[2008-04-15]]|publisher=[[TMZ]]}}</ref> In an homage to the ''Back to the Future'' ride that it is replacing, The Simpsons Ride's queue video features a brief animated cameo from [[Emmett Brown|Doc Brown]], who is voiced by [[Christopher Lloyd]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/?p=1767 |title=Doc Brown makes Simpsons Ride cameo at Universal Studios|accessdate=2008-04-27|date=[[2008-04-25]]|publisher=''Los Angeles Times''|author=Brady MacDonald}}</ref>
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| − | *[[Nancy Cartwright]]: Bart Simpson and [[Ralph Wiggum]]
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| − | *[[Dan Castellaneta]]: Homer Simpson, Krusty the Clown, Grampa Simpson, [[Groundskeeper Willie]], [[Squeaky Voiced Teen]], [[Hans Moleman]], [[Barney Gumble]], [[Springfield Mafia|Louie]], Itchy, Kodos and the Happy Little Elves
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| − | *[[Julie Kavner]]: [[Marge Simpson]], [[Patty and Selma Bouvier|Patty Bouvier]] and [[Patty and Selma Bouvier|Selma Bouvier]]
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| − | *[[Yeardley Smith]]: [[Lisa Simpson]]
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| − | *[[Hank Azaria]]: [[Chief Wiggum]], [[Apu Nahasapeemapetilon]], [[Moe Szyslak]], [[Professor Frink]], [[Cletus Spuckler]] and [[Snake Jailbird]]
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| − | *[[Kelsey Grammer]]: [[Sideshow Bob]]
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| − | *[[Pamela Hayden]]: [[Milhouse Van Houten]]
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| − | *[[Russi Taylor]]: [[Martin Prince]]
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| − | *[[Christopher Lloyd]]: [[Emmett Brown|Doc Brown]]
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| − | ==Other attractions==
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| − | In October of 2007, gift shops modeled after the [[Kwik-E-Mart]] were built, replacing the Back To The Future: The Store gift shop at [[Universal Studios Florida]] and the Time Depot gift shop at [[Universal Studios Hollywood]]. The stores sell ''Simpsons''-related merchandise.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/orl-bevil2607oct26,0,5192389.column|title=Simpsons' Kwik-E-Mart gets the Universal seal of Apu-val| accessdate=2007-10-30|date=[[2007-10-26]]|publisher=''Orlando Sentinel''|author=Dewayne Bevil}}</ref>
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| − | ==References==
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| − | {{reflist}}
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| − | ==External links==
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| − | * [http://www.simpsonsride.com Official Website]
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| − | * [http://www.universalorlando.com/usf_attr_simpsons.html The Simpsons Ride] at [[Universal Orlando Resort]]
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| − | * [http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/attr_simpsons.html The Simpsons Ride] at [[Universal Studios Hollywood]]
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| − | {{The Simpsons}}
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| − | [[Category:Dark rides]] | |
| − | [[Category:Universal Studios]]
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| − | [[Category:The Simpsons]]
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| − | [[nl:The Simpsons Ride]]
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In preparation for the renovation, the Florida version of "Back to the Future" closed on March 30, 2007, while the Hollywood version closed on September 3, 2007.
