Sneak peek: Simpsons ride careens through Krustyland

The Simpsons ride opening at Universal Studios Hollywood this summer takes Krustyland visitors on an out-of-control tour of the low-budget theme park created by the cartoon show’s cantankerous clown.

Simpsons ride creative director Christian Lauren offered me an exclusive hard-hat tour today of the new attraction scheduled to debut May 17, 2008.

The six-minute simulator ride follows the Simpsons clan as they are plucked from the crowd at the Krustiest Place on Earth to be the first family to tackle the “upsy-downsy spins-aroundsy teen-operated ride thrilltacular.” Naturally, things go awry.

The ensuing journey takes riders down the carnival midway, on thrill rides, through dark rides, past musical revues and even around Springfield. The vengeful Sideshow Bob plays a key role in the mayhem.

The chaotic scenes play out in digital imagery and Dolby sound on a 90-foot-tall, domed screen as riders sit in an eight-seat simulator vehicle that climbs, dives, spins and seems to loop (although riders never go upside-down).

A wild-eyed 3-D Krusty the Clown head peers out from the back of the red with gold-and-blue-trimmed ride vehicle festooned with white stars.

Visitors to the $40-million attraction enter through Krusty’s gaping mouth, walking along his unfurled squishy red tongue and swatting at a uvula punching bag hanging at the back of his throat. In the queue, posters advertise many of the Krustyland rides and attractions.

Check back next week for more details from the hard-hat tour.

Thanks to IOACentral, a Universal Studios Florida fan website, for use of the photo.

Find the latest amusement and theme park news at the
Los Angeles Times Funland blog: www.latimes.com/funland

— Brady MacDonald, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

[Photo: Courtesy of IOA Central]

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This entry was posted on Friday, April 4, 2008 at 6:30 pm by Brady MacDonald and is filed under Family & Kids, Los Angeles, Theme Parks, Universal Studios Hollywood. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.