Talk:The Simpsons Ride

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Contents 1 Opening Date 1.1 Florida's opening date 2 Infobox 2.1 Seperate Infoboxes 3 New Verifiable Information 4 New Photos of the Entrance 5 Environmentally friendly 6 Synoposis Revealed 7 Ride now Open?!! 8 Logo 9 Grand Opening 10 Queue video length 11 Entrance and Main Sign

[edit] Opening Date

At first, someone posted the ride will open in April 2008, then, someone else posted it won't open until December 2008. Does anyone know for sure when the correct opening date is?--Universal Studios Number 1 Fan (talk) 22:55, 12 December 2007 (UTC)

This has been a running edit war for the last few days, so I took the time to go to another source for the video ... YouTube. Yes, it was submitted by a blog, but video is pretty unimpeachable. Yes, park executives do say they were going to try and open The Simpsons Ride around March 15. However, when taken in full context, the response seems to be more of a target date, not anything official. The fact that Universal's marketing department hasn't started cranking out anything with said date is further evidence that no date has been set in stone. If you think about it, that's why Universal never set any permanent date on Disaster!'s opening until they knew they were ready. The very same thing may happen with The Simpsons Ride, where they hit upon some unforeseen issue that delays the attraction's opening.

To that end, I have revised it to match more closely what the interview actually revealed: that they were shooting for March 15, but that wasn't official. Opinions?

McDoobAU93 (talk) 22:45, 17 February 2008 (UTC)

To set the record straight, I'm just trying to make sure everything is verifiable by reliable sources and a lot of the stuff added to this article was speculation based on rumours and unofficial sources. If the president said it, then I guess that's enough. -- Scorpion⁰⁴²² 22:33, 18 February 2008 (UTC)

Scorpion, we're both on the same side of the issue. The president of the company did mention March 15, but when taken in context, it was a target date. Remember, he said "in the next 60 days," which is a vague statement. He knows when they believe they can open the ride, and they most likely will open it then. But it's not 100%. That's why I said it should be "tentatively planned," while Snowman wants it to say it "is". --McDoobAU93 (talk) 22:53, 18 February 2008 (UTC)

Actually, i never really meant to state it "is". It's just that after the president said it, i became too anticipated and forgot what he really meant. Sorry.--Snowman Guy (talk) 23:06, 18 February 2008 (UTC)

Apology accepted. There are a lot of changes in store for USF, and it certainly is exciting to see Universal Parks & Resorts spending so much capital on both USF and IOA at the same time. That said, we can't revise the articles based on rumor websites. We have to work with what is verifiable. You are correct, a recorded interview with a high-ranking park official definitely counts as verifiable, but only to the point that we're not putting words in his mouth.

Similarly, we shouldn't be assuming that the park restaurants will get changed into Krusty Burgers. While I would agree that most likely that will be what happens, Universal has never said that would happen, let alone saying when it would happen. A little discretion and patience will go a long way in making the Universal articles much better in the future. --McDoobAU93 (talk) 23:15, 18 February 2008 (UTC)

I've done several google searches for it and I've found nothing about Krusty Burgers. And, my comment was directed towards Snowman Guy who seems to think that trying to follow policy is a form of vandalism. -- Scorpion⁰⁴²² 23:44, 18 February 2008 (UTC)

Sorry for getting out of hand like that.--Snowman Guy (talk) 23:55, 18 February 2008 (UTC)

I just found a news story written by a reporter for The Sun, who reportadly attended a sneak preview of the ride's film and states that after you enter Krustyland, you're on a wild, 4-minute roller coaster ride through the park. The reporter also stated that Universal has backed up the opening date, and now it isn't planned to open until May, 2008 but they will start a sneak preview for employees and V.I.P's in late March, 2008, and will start technical rehearsels in April, 2008, which can be previewed by annual passholders. I don't know the exact url of the story, although a user on MySpace had posted it there. Comments?--Snowman Guy (talk) 15:10, 8 March 2008 (UTC)

They may not set an official date until weeks into the technical rehersal.--72.91.191.67 (talk) 22:50, 17 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Florida's opening date

I know that a reporter from The Sun has written that the Florida attraction is set to open in May, However, i have recently been hearing a mixed number of news stories and rumors, some state it's opening at the beginning of April, while others state it will not open until Fall, where as the official attraction page for the Florida attraction simply says- Spring 2008. Since it is the OFFICIAL website, i think it's best to just put Spring 2008 in the infobox until Universal itself decides to announce Florida's official opening date. Opinions? --Snowman Guy (talk) 14:52, 30 March 2008 (UTC)

As The Sun is a verifiable source, I don't think it's unreasonable to go with what it's discovered. The soft opening is most likely in April, and that would probably put the grand opening in May, very close to the established May 17 opening for the Hollywood version. Similarly, that doesn't contradict Universal's website, which says "Spring 2008." I think we can leave it be and change it when Universal or another verifiable source comes up with something more definite. --McDoobAU93 (talk) 15:54, 31 March 2008 (UTC)

Two more articles are now reporting a May opening for both Orlando and Hollywood's attraction. USA Today even gave an exact date of May 15th. Here are the articles:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2008-04-03-orlando-attractions_N.htm
http://www.ttglive.com/c/portal/layout?p_l_id=61139&CMPI_SHARED_articleId=491037
I didn't want to jump the gun and edit the entire article, so I figured I'd post it here and let you guys decide what to do with it. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.8.214.108 (talk) 07:45, 5 April 2008 (UTC)

Thanks!--Snowman Guy (talk) 13:28, 5 April 2008 (UTC)

The first article is reasonably verifiable, so I think we can safely change the date and reference it. The second article is similar to the first, but does not mention a date, only "mid-May," which is pretty vague. By the by, I have a free variant of the picture that keeps getting added and reverted ... may post it to end the fracas. --McDoobAU93 (talk) 14:24, 5 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Infobox

We should be careful speculating on the height restriction for the ride. Yes, this is most likely the same ride system as Back to the Future: The Ride, but simulators can be tweaked and made either more gentle or more aggressive. A good example is Dinosaur, which had its vehicles reprogrammed to lower the height restriction from 44" to 40". While I do agree that most likely it will be 40", as it was posted here, we don't know that for sure, until such time as Universal's web page is updated to reflect it. Thanks. --McDoobAU93 (talk) 17:49, 19 February 2008 (UTC)

The Simpsons Ride's Official website has now confirmed the height requirement is 40"--Snowman Guy (talk) 16:33, 31 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Seperate Infoboxes

I'm considering wether or not we should give the two rides seperate infoboxes as seen in the articles for the Disney rides, and do the same for other multiple versions of Universal Studios rides. Opnions?--Snowman Guy (talk) 20:59, 14 April 2008 (UTC)

I concur, there should be separate infoboxes for each version of the attraction. It would certainly de-clutter the current infobox, and allow for more site-specific photographs, such as the attraction entrance for each version, etc. --McDoobAU93 (talk) 21:03, 14 April 2008 (UTC)

I'll get to work on seperate boxes now.--Snowman Guy (talk) 21:25, 14 April 2008 (UTC)

I disagree, I think having multiple infoboxes clutters up the page and unnecessary especially when there are only three fields that require different info. As for a photo, I doubt we will get another free one as good as the current image, and if we do we can add it to the main body or a gallery at the bottom. -- Scorpion⁰⁴²² 22:07, 14 April 2008 (UTC)

I however disagree with you, Scorpion.--Snowman Guy (talk) 22:14, 14 April 2008 (UTC)

Since the two attractions are independent, and have different appearances, different locations, different opening dates, etc., they really should be two separate attractions, thus two separate infoboxes. Yes they will be short infoboxes, and I don't see why we wouldn't expect a free image of the Hollywood entrance. As a compromise, the main infobox could be for whatever version opens first (right now, looks like Florida may eke this out by a nose), with the second infobox being for the other version, so we would need at most 2 infoboxes (it's possible, but unlikely, that USJ or any future Universal park, will add this attraction). --McDoobAU93 (talk) 23:19, 14 April 2008 (UTC)

As a compromise, I made a custom template that has seperate sections for both areas. The only problem is that it isn't templatized and doesn't have all of the available options, but if new info comes available it wouldn't be too hard to tweak. If a decent image of the Hollywood ride does become available, it can be tweaked again. -- Scorpion⁰⁴²² 23:50, 14 April 2008 (UTC)

There may be some new content in the links I've provided in the below section which could be added to the infobox.--Snowman Guy (talk) 00:13, 15 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] New Verifiable Information

I've just discovered multiple verifiable articles with new information on the ride which we can reference:

This one lists the attractions at Krustyland: [1]

This one gives important information on the storyline, ride vehicles, and a cameo by Doc Brown: [2]

And this one shows important updates on construction, as well as proof of walls around the building displaying Simpsons characters: [3]

And this one even gives a list of the characters in the ride: [4]

The third one was created by a fanclub, but pictures like the ones in it are very un-impeachable. Opinions?--Snowman Guy (talk) 21:43, 14 April 2008 (UTC)

The first, second and fourth ones should be useable, but the third is a fansite so we should avoid using it. -- Scorpion⁰⁴²² 22:30, 15 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] New Photos of the Entrance

I'm not quite sure if their free or not, but I've found two new photos of both entrances of the rides.

Florida Entrance Photo is towards the bottom of the page.

Hollywood Entrance Second enlarged photo down. (Entrance is unfinished)

You guys tell me what you think. Thanks.--Snowman Guy (talk) 13:03, 15 April 2008 (UTC)

Are they free, ie. Have the image owners given permission for us to use them? -- Scorpion⁰⁴²² 15:25, 15 April 2008 (UTC)

Scorpion is right ... we need free images. If you can go onto that website and ask the photographer if they'd be willing to provide a non-watermarked copy of the picture to Wikipedia, then we can do that. Otherwise, it's going to take an editor going to the parks to get them themselves. --McDoobAU93 (talk) 16:48, 15 April 2008 (UTC)

As for the Florida photo, The author hasn't posted anything, though the website itself has listed "Do You Travel? copyright 2008" at the bottom of the page. As for Hollywood, the author has posted "copyright Inside Universal.net 2008".--Snowman Guy (talk) 17:00, 15 April 2008 (UTC)

We need to get their permission to use them, and again we need to get one that doesn't have a watermark or a reference to another website. That alone will probably mean the photographer will decline, but who knows? We can't post copyrighted images without the copyright holder's permission or a very good rationale for why this is the only way to present the image. --McDoobAU93 (talk) 17:10, 15 April 2008 (UTC)

I've allready asked for the Florida version, But have yet to ask for the Hollywood version.--Snowman Guy (talk) 17:37, 15 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Environmentally friendly

here's a press release I found about the eco friendliness of the ride. However, I'm going to wait for a news site to publish the story, because using press releases as sources usually isn't the best idea. -- Scorpion⁰⁴²² 00:07, 23 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Synoposis Revealed

The ride just began previews this past Wendsday and many Universal fan sites have posted the official synoposis for the ride after riding it. I myself know it from several YouTube videos of the ride which i've downloaded (Now Removed by Universal). Mind if i add the synoposis, anyone?--Snowman Guy (talk) 23:09, 25 April 2008 (UTC)

Videos have been removed from youtube by Universal, maybe it's better if we wait until the attraction is open to add details about the storyline. --blm07 16:34, 27 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Ride now Open?!!

Look at Universal Florida's main park page: [5]

If you look on the sidebar (Which lists the attractions) it says "The Simpsons Ride- NOW OPEN!" Hmmm.... I thought it dosen't open there until May 15th. Anyone know more?--Snowman Guy (talk) 21:22, 29 April 2008 (UTC)

It's very common for an attraction to open to the public well before its "grand opening." Aquatica opened on March 1, but didn't celebrate its grand opening until April. The grand opening is when the big-wigs from Corporate are in the park, and I'd wager that some of the Simpsons voice actors will be on hand during the grand opening weekend in May. So queue up and enjoy! --McDoobAU93 (talk) 16:48, 1 May 2008 (UTC)

It's running "technical rehearsals," check [6] to see what I mean. --blm07 17:24, 1 May 2008 (UTC)

UPDATE: Universal has now released a statement inviting Annual Pass Holders to "Experience a first look at the attraction". hmmm....??? Can someone please explain to me what's going on/ I thought sodt openings have been going on since 4/23.--Snowman Guy (talk) 02:30, 6 May 2008 (UTC)

According to several sources I've read, it's a soft opening, but Universal is treating it like a full opening. -- Scorpion⁰⁴²² 02:34, 6 May 2008 (UTC)

I was there Sunday and rode twice. Attraction is basically open, but still has some bugs to work out, and they still have the "technical rehearsals" boards out front. Interestingly, they were allowing Universal Express access, even though said sign boards say it's not available. --McDoobAU93 (talk) 17:18, 6 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Logo

The free image we currently use already has a pretty clear shot of the logo, so what's the point of having a completely different image of the logo? -- Scorpion⁰⁴²² 03:28, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

(1)The Hanna-Barbera ride and Alfred Hitchcock show articles have both free images and logos. (2)I think the current free Image of the sign on this article should be replaced with a free one of the actual entrance, with the actual logo photo atop of it.--Snowman Guy (talk) 19:38, 10 May 2008 (UTC)

In those images you can't clearly see the logo, and in the image on this page the logo is clearly visible and larger than those images. As for replacing the image, I've been looking for a different free one but with no luck. I think we should leave it for now and if we get a better image (give it a couple of months, the ride just opened) then replace it. -- Scorpion⁰⁴²² 23:31, 11 May 2008 (UTC)

Also, in the current Simpson Ride logo, the statue of the Family appears to be blocking a part of it.--Snowman Guy (talk) 23:45, 11 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Grand Opening

I feel we need more information on the festivites held at the grand opening which just occured in Florida. Now, It just states the date.--Snowman Guy (talk) 12:42, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

I was going to, then I decided it really wasn't notable. Nobody from the show was there and from what I've read it was just a nnormal gala opening. I'll keep looking for articles and if I find anything I'll add it. -- Scorpion⁰⁴²² 13:31, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

According to one website, Al Roker was there with the dog who played Frank the Pug in Men in Black. I'll look for a reliable source for this.--Snowman Guy (talk) 13:40, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

According to this article, "Star power was limited to Universal execs, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, the ever-present Joey Fatone and Jacksonville Jaguar rookie/former Florida Gator Derrick Harvey." -- Scorpion⁰⁴²² 13:57, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Queue video length

I was at Universal Studios Hollywood yesterday in a line said to be 45 minutes long. It was more like an hour and 45 minutes but that is besides the point. While I was in line the video looped to the part at which I entered the line twice more. I think the video is around 45 minutes long, but I'm not sure. Does anyone know the length of the looped video one time through? Valley2city 22:08, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

When I waited in the queue at the Florida ride, I saw about 35 minutes of the queue footage, then after I went through the pre-Show and ride which lasted about 10 minutes, I could see part of the video I had seen while waiting running again as I exited. Yes, I think the queue video may be around 45 minutes, though I did not see the part with Doc Brown, though it was most likely becaue they showed it during my ride.--Snowman Guy (talk) 22:14, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

I agree it's somewhere near the 40-s. Since my wait on the ride was about 2-2 1/2 hours (ugh, so long, and it said the wait was only 75 minutes!) and I saw the movie about 3-4 times, I suppose it was probably 40 minutes. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.95.140.242 (talk) 03:57, 28 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Entrance and Main Sign

Here are two photos of the entrance and main sign I recently took while visiting the Florida park. You let me lnow if it's fine or not to add these photos into the article.--Snowman Guy (talk) 21:40, 28 May 2008 (UTC)

There are far too many images on the page now and many of them show the same things. I suggest taking your two to Wikimedia commons so other wikis can use them if they wish. -- Scorpion⁰⁴²² 22:18, 28 May 2008 (UTC)