Linda Mac's Orlando Adventures

I attended my 5th Mardi Gras Party of the year and my very first Heart concert last Saturday night (3/29) at Universal Studios.

With some time to spare before the show, I walked over to World Expo to check on the progress of the new Simpsons Ride. It occupies the space which used to house Back to the Future.

Until recently, you really couldn't see much change going on as the work was taking place inside the building and behind the construction walls. Now the Krustyland Midway is really starting to take shape.

The Simpson's Ride is a motion simulator set to open in the "Spring 2008" at both Universal Orlando and Universal Hollywood. From the pictures you will see below, it looks like passholder previews and soft openings may not be too far off.

Here's some attraction information provided by Universal.

The Simpsons are visiting fabulous Krustyland, Krusty The Clown's Krusty-themed theme park that Krusty guarantees* is not a shameless rip-off of other, better theme parks in Florida and California.

Line up along side Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, then enter through Krustyland's carnival midway, where you will come face to face with Apu, Patty, Selma, Groundskeepers Willie, and other favorite Simpsons characters manning the classic carny booths including the Milk Bottle Toss Game, the Snack Stand and Lost and Found.

Once you board your ride vehicle, get ready to do what was once thought to be physically impossible: scream and laugh at the same time. It's one hilarious suprise after another as your swept away with the Simpsons on a wild ride through Krustyland....flying, bumping, floating and crashing your way through Krusty's thrilltacular attractions.

The ride features all new animation staring the voices of the show's Emmy-award winning original cast projected on to a towering 80 foot dome. The ride vehicles tilt, pitch, dip and twist with all the madcap action on the screen.

*Krusty's guarantee is neither legally binding nor uttered in good-faith.

Some of the photos appear to be cut off but that is because the constructions walls are still up. I did the best I could.

Check out some of my earlier blogs about new Simpsons Ride.
Kwik-E-Mart

Simpsons Characters Arrive at Universal Studio

A "late" change to the Mardi Gras concert talent list was just released by Universal Orlando Resort. KC and the Sunshine Band will now be appearing at the March 15th Mardi Gras Concert. Frank Valli and The Four Seasons were originally scheduled to perform this evening.

KC & the Sunshine Band are still as widely popular today as they were when they first danced into the music scene 30 years ago. Harry Wayne Casey - KC for short - developed a unique fusion of R&B and funk, with a hint of a Latin percussion groove, giving us an impressive string of hits like "Get Down Tonight," "That's The Way (I Like It)," and "Shake Your Booty." With sales in excess of 100 million records, nine Grammy nominations, three Grammy Awards and an American Music Award, KC & the Sunshine Band is an American legend and still one of the most recognized sounds of party music!

For Mardi Gras information and photos: 2008 Mardi Gras at Universal Studios

Mardi Gras 2008 at Universal Orlando Resort begins February 2 and runs for twelve Saturday nights through April 19. Each Saturday night party-goers will enjoy an elaborate parade, hundreds of costumed characters, tons of beads, Cajun cuisine and live performances by top-name talent. In additon, New Orleans-style bands will showcase their music in the "French Quarter".

All Mardi Gras events inside Universal Studios are included with your admission ticket excluding food and beverages.

February 2 - Bret Michaels of Poison
February 9 - Go-Go's
February 16 - Sara Evans
Febrary 23 - Third Eye Blind
March 1 - Gretchen Wilson
March 8 - Smokey Robinson
March 15 - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
March 22 - Kool & The Gang
March 29 - Heart
April 5 - Huey Lewis and The News
April 12 - LL Cool J
April 19 - Earth, Wind and Fire

For more information about Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando

Springfield's most famous convenience store has opened at Universal Studios in Orlando. This Kwik-E-Mart features Simpson's merchandise and is located in the building formerly occupied by the Back To The Future gift shop. The new Simpson's Mega Attraction which is located next to the Kwik-E-Mart and is set to open in the Spring of 2008. The new attraction will replace Back To The Future - The Ride in the World Expo section of the theme park.

The Simpson's Attraction Information - Guests will be rocketed along with the Simpson family on a hysterical, almost unimaginable adventure. They'll experience a side of Springfield previously unexplored as they enjoy the new ride's interpretation of thrill rides, dark rides and "live" shows that make up a new fantasy amusement park "Krusty Land" dreamed up by the show's cantankerous Krusty the Clown. The attraction will feature the show's classic humor and many instantly recognizable characters -- all voiced by the original actors. "The ride is designed to duplicate the Simpsons home-viewing experience, only at high speed and with lots of screaming," stated Matt Groening, who created the Simpsons over 20 years ago.

I made an unexpected quick trip up to Universal Studios and found a few new additions since my last visit. The Simpsons have joined the Universal Family and are now doing meet and greets just inside the park entrance. Bart and Lisa were greeting guests when I arrived and according to a cast member I spoke with, Homer and Marge are alternating with Bart and Lisa. Their arrival coincides with the release of the upcoming Simpsons Movie opening this weekend and the new Simpsons attraction which will open in 2008 in the former home of Back To The Future at Universal Studios.

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The construction walls around the future Simpson's attraction now features all the characters from the show. Many people were acting out what the characters were doing while having their picture taken. The new attraction will let you experience a side of Springfield previously unexplored as you enjoy the new ride's interpretation of thrill rides, dark rides and "live" shows that make up a new fantasy amusement park "Krusty Land" dreamed up by the show's cantankerous Krusty the Clown. For more information on the upcoming Simpson's attraction, please visit our Universal Orlando Resort News Page and scroll down a few stories.

Larger Version Here

Larger Version Here