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Universal Studios has just unveiled Krustyland, a magical theme park within a theme park. Monday will be the official opening of The Simpsons Ride, the area's main attraction. The Simpsons Ride is a virtual adventure much like the Back to the Future ride that previously occupied the location. Dome screens, measuring an expansive 80-ft in diameter, and a groundbreaking digital projection system bring the viewer right into the ride. The vehicles elevate nine feet on a scissor-lift motion based platform.
The ride is a total blast, with plenty of laughs as well as thrills. We don't want to spoil all of the surprises, but it is definitely worth a long wait in line. Just don't forget your sunscreen! Once you are on the ride itself, photography and video is forbidden. Thanks to Universal Studios for providing an exciting video preview, as well as a few thoughts from Krusty.
As Matt Groening describes it, "The ride is designed to duplicate the Simpsons home-viewing experience, only at high speed and with lots of screaming."
Check out a special video preview of the ride after the jump!
Krusty's Intro:
Sneak Preview of the ride:
Three levels of amazingly artistic Krusty cars carry eight passengers each. "There are a total of 24 Krustified ride vehicles modeled after classic roller coaster cars. Each extra roomy ride vehicle seats 8 people -- or 3 "Comic Book Guys". The ride can seat up to 192 guests at a time." We were told the middle level is the best, but since we have only ridden on the middle level, we can't make comparisons, but can only say that level does rock. Watch the outer seats of the back row, as they have a little less less leg room.
After watching Simpson's videos while waiting in the shaded and cool "Carny Queue" guests are led inside to the "Carnival Midway Queue". After watching a horrifying Itchy and Scratchy safety video, the park guests ride along with the Simpsons for a 6-minute adventure through Krustyland. Included are fan favorites like Happy Little Elves in Panda Land, and takeoffs on Pirates of the Caribbean and even some Universal Studios attractions. Eventually the riders zoom through Springfield before landing safely back on solid ground.
The ride is a collaboration between Universal Parks & Resorts and "The Simpsons" creators, Executive Producer Matt Groening, Executive Producer James L. Brooks and Executive Producer Al Jean. Prolific composer James Dooley created an original score for "The Simpsons Ride." Mr. Dooley, who boasts an impressive résumé, also composed the musical score for The Simpsons Game and contributed to the score for The Simpsons Movie.
24 instantly-recognizable Springfield characters, all voiced by the original actors, are featured in the new ride! Your favorite Simpsons friends are played by voice talents Hank Azaria, Dan Castellaneta, Nancy Cartwright, Kelsey Grammer, Pamela Hayden, Julie Kavner and Yeardley Smith.
Who better to introduce "The Simpsons Ride" than Krusty himself? According to him, "The Simpsons Ride":
"...is a fun-tastic, upsy-downsy, spins-aroundsy, thrill ride for kids of all ages! (PAUSE) That oughta bring in the chumps. What? The tape is still rolling?!! Then turn it off! That's it, you're fired! But before you go, cut that last part so I don't look like a total jerk. Think you can do that, idiot?"
- Universal Studios Press Release
