A survey indicates an iconic cartoon may have a presence in Disney parks!

Could The Simpsons be landing at Disney World? A new survey indicates the possibility!

Over the course of 35 years, The Simpsons has become part of American culture. The seemingly never-ending animated series about the whacky family retains a loyal audience as well as being a cash cow in merchandising. Owned by Fox, it was acquired by Disney when they bought 20th Century Fox in 2018. 

So that means episodes of the show can air on Disney+ along with various specials. Theme parks are another story due to the complicated rights issues. Universal got there first as in 2008, Universal Studios Orlando opened The Simpsons Ride, a hugely popular 3-D simulator attraction. In 2013, they expanded on it with an entire area modeled after Springfield (right down to the “Bork” name license plates sold). 

Under the terms of the Fox deal, Universal still has possession of the rights for The Simpsons until 2028, when Disney takes over. It appears Disney may be making plans for that, as a new survey on X is asking fans what they’d like to see in a Simpsons attraction.

As shared by Drew Smith, the survey includes character meet and greets, new specials and, of course, new lands and attractions. It’s the latter that gets people’s attention.

Can Disney World use The Simpsons?

There is a question of what might happen to the Universal ride if Disney fully takes over The Simpsons license. A good comparison is how Universal can use some Marvel Comics characters like Spider-Man, The Hulk and the X-Men for their Islands of Adventure.

Disney can’t use those in Florida, but they can utilize characters like Guardians of the Galaxy. They can, however, use them in California and international parks, as evidenced by the popular Spider-Man: Webslingers ride in California Adventure.

With Universal planning its big Epic Universe park opening next year, they may decide to move on from The Simpsons, close that area down, and convert it for another property that Universal owns. That would free Disney to use the Simpsons. 

It’d be tricky to figure out how, as Disney can’t just replicate the Universal ride. Going for something original can be hard, especially on a huge budget required. Universal just did such a masterful job with their Springfield area that Imagineers know topping it will be hard.

There are also the logistics of space, and Disney may think it is much easier to just have character meet and greets rather than create an entire new Springfield expansion to a park.

Right now, this is still in the early stages as Disney is only putting out this survey and it will still be at least three years before they can get serious about using The Simpsons. However, looking so far ahead indicates Disney is hoping eventually to have the characters hold some presence in the parks in the future.