Universal Orlando officially opens its Simpsons expansion

August 22, 2013, 2:10 PM · Universal Orlando Resort hosted a media event this morning to officially open its Simpsons-themed Springfield U.S.A. expansion, which has been soft-opening in phases to Universal Studios Florida visitors over the past two months.

Kang & Kodos
Photo courtesy Universal Orlando

"When creating Springfield, we wanted to make guests truly feel like they're part of the record-breaking animated show, Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative, said in a prepared statement. "Now fans can become part of The Simpsons family and step inside the same places Homer and his family visit on a regular basis."

If you've visited Universal Studios Florida this summer and experienced any part of Springfield — the Kang n' Kodos spinner ride or any of the new themed eateries — please submit a rating and/or review via our Universal Studios Florida listing pages:

In addition to those counter-services restaurants, Springfield includes a Lard Lad Donuts and a Duff Brewery Beer Garden, where visitors can purchase a dessert package that includes lagoon-side seating for viewing the nightly Universal Cinematic Spectacular show.

Springfield's the second new major development at Universal Studios Florida this year, following the debut of Transformers: The Ride 3D this spring. Of course, both of those openings are preludes to next year's highly anticipated debut of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley at the park in the summer of 2014.

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By the way, you might have noted that I led this report by noting the press event today, but didn't mention being there. That's because I wasn't. While several Theme Park Insider readers have stepped forward to start writing for the front page this year, we still need writers in the Orlando area who can cover press events such as this when I can't make it to the east coast from California. If you've been reading Theme Park Insider, live in the Orlando area, and think you'd like to give writing about theme parks for us a try, please email me at themeparkinsider@gmail.com with an introduction. (People with a track record of submitting great comments to the site get first dibs.) Thank you!

Replies (7)

August 22, 2013 at 4:47 PM · Twirl n Hurl is a solid spinner ride as spinners go and as it is taking up what was "dead area" a welcome addition and may help ease the pain of a long rumored Kidzone revamp.

The oldest Springfield change is the carnival games which are unique in that they are the first ones in Orlando that actually fit the them of the area they are in.

Fast Food Blvd selections are improved over IFFL but the style of service via the line needs to be tweaked.

MOES is a nice but was built for families and not adults and could stand a longer reel of footage.

Bumblebee Man Taco Stand is pretty good and Lard Boy is solid pastrys

Duff Gardens is pretty well done and a nice vantage point for the Lagoon Show if you don't want to pay for the premium seats below, again needs a longer montage reel of Simpsons.

Duff Lite : Generic not great

Duff: Similar to a Sam Adams with a hint of Yuengling

Duff Dry: Only in bottle and really good chocolate stout with a touch of coffee

Flaming Moe is cute that they made it NA and used Dry Ice but needed something purple for the cough syrup

Squishees are served at Duff Gardens not at the Kwik Mart so kind of a break in theme

August 22, 2013 at 5:33 PM · Universal is really taking the idea of a great theme to the next level. They have gone from an "I'll visit them if I have money when I go to WDW" to an "I better start saving because they MUST be a part of my next WDW trip!"
August 22, 2013 at 9:49 PM · One better, Shaun... "I better start saving my vacation money for Universal!"
August 23, 2013 at 7:42 AM · I've read elsewhere that Universal is working with Groening for longer montage reels for all the areas they currently play.
August 23, 2013 at 10:28 AM · I love what Universal is doing...
August 23, 2013 at 11:15 AM · The new Simpson's Springfield area was well thought out and an excellent use of space. Duff's Garden and Moe's is exactly what that side of the park needed as Finnegan's is a long hike for adult beverages. The food was excellent. We had the chicken and waffle sandwich and pizza. Both were freshly made and tasty. I agree the line situation needs to be dealt with but hopefully they will have that taken care of by the busy holiday season. Twirl and Hurl was busy so I did not ride and probably won't Don't care for spinny rides. This was not one of the Universal's more expensive updates, but it really works.
August 23, 2013 at 11:18 AM · A reminder to sign in would be nice before writing a long comment and then losing it when clicking "I agree" below when not signed in.

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