‘Simpsons’ showrunner on theme park ride’s future at Universal | Analysis
“The Simpsons” showrunner shared his thoughts on if The Simpsons Ride should close at Universal Studios theme parks as the franchise’s future in Disney parks remains uncertain.
The Simpsons Ride closing at Universal parks has long been a rumor in light of Disney’s ownership of “The Simpsons” as of 2019. That being said, any rumor of the ride closing has always been just that: a rumor, without verified knowledge of whatever contract exists between Universal and 20th Television (now a division of Disney).
Matt Selman, co-showrunner of “The Simpsons” television series, recently spoke with Entertainment Weekly about the future of The Simpsons Ride, which is currently alive and well at both Universal Studios Florida in Orlando, Fla., and Universal Studios Hollywood near Los Angeles, Calif.
What can we discover if we read between the lines from Selman’s remarks?
Simpsons closing at Universal? ‘I would personally be shocked’
“The Simpsons” co-showrunner Matt Selman spoke with Entertainment Weekly (EW) for an article published on Oct. 5, 2025.
“I would personally be shocked if ‘The Simpsons’ did not continue at Universal,” Selman told EW. “I don’t have any inside information, so I’m just a fan. This is not an official announcement. I’m not party to those negotiations.”
He reiterated, “Just as a ‘Simpsons’ fan, it does not seem logical to me that they could close that, or that they would be so shortsighted to do that. But that’s not an announcement. That’s just me speculating. What would they possibly do?”
Photo courtesy of Universal
Selman cited reasons for both sides of his argument: firstly (“it does not seem logical”), the ride’s location within the west-coast park’s layout, and secondly (“they would be so shortsighted”), the lucrative nature of the franchise’s themed food in the park, namely huge donuts.
As he said himself, though, Selman’s comments aren’t an announcement. Still, seeing as Selman is one of the executive creative forces behind “The Simpsons,” there’s still something to observe here. Let’s go further.
The Simpsons’ future at Disney theme parks
While Selman may not be privy to the legal stipulations around Universal’s contract with Disney to continue operating The Simpsons Ride, his remarks indicate he conversely hasn’t been involved in any potential new “Simpsons” attraction for a Disney theme park.
If Universal was closing The Simpsons Ride, and if, in turn, Disney was developing its own expression of “The Simpsons” within the Disney theme parks — whether that be a ride, restaurant, live show, resort, or any manner of attraction — wouldn’t Matt Selman, as a showrunner of the series, be one of the first people Disney would involve in the conversation?
Image courtesy of Disney
When adapting an existing franchise for the parks, Walt Disney Imagineering frequently collaborates with artists who have experience with those characters. For example, the new “Zootopia” 3D show and “Encanto” ride for Disney’s Animal Kingdom were both written by Jared Bush, writer/director of the films that inspired those attractions. Additionally, the upcoming Villains Land at Magic Kingdom includes Andreas Deja, who animated many Disney antagonists in the ’90s, as a consultant.
Therefore, Selman’s apparent lack of involvement in a potential future Disney incarnation of a “Simpsons” theme park attraction (if such an attraction exists unannounced in development) is telling; even if the clock is ticking for Universal’s Springfields, there might not (yet) be a Disney counterpart in development.
Of course, as pop-culture fans learned from every 2021 interview with Andrew Garfield — during which Garfield aggressively denied his involvement in “Spider-Man: No Way Home” prior to the movie’s release — figures of the entertainment industry can and do mislead reporters intentionally when it comes to discussing upcoming projects. Selman could easily be misdirecting all of this information. After all, a showrunner of “The Simpsons” is certainly experienced in creative writing.
‘Treehouse of Horror’ at Universal
Selman also hypothesized to EW about creating a “Treehouse of Horror” overlay to Universal’s “Simpsons” attractions, an idea on our wish list for Halloween Horror Nights.
“Look, I do not have any time for more ‘Simpsons’ side projects,” Selman told EW. “However, it is insane that they never ‘Treehouse-of-Horror’-ified Universal for Halloween Horror Nights. Why we didn’t spooky-ify it, when ‘Treehouse of Horror’ is like our main, most beloved thing — that seems like someone dropped the ball. Possibly me.”
2008 grand opening of The Simpsons Ride
The Simpsons Ride officially opened on May 15, 2008, at Universal Studios Florida and May 19, 2008, at Universal Studios Hollywood. Earlier that year, the ride was our cover story in only the second-ever issue of Attractions Magazine, and was one of the first major projects our reporters covered throughout its construction and opening stages.
Photo by Attractions Magazine
Mayor Buddy Dyer was in attendance at the attraction’s grand opening in Orlando. The ceremony included Universal Orlando’s then-president Bill Davis cutting the ribbon, a live orchestra playing “The Simpsons” theme music, and many guests wearing Marge Simpson wigs.
Additional Springfield theming and dining, including Moe’s Tavern, was added to the east coast in 2013 and the west coast in 2015.
“The Simpsons” season 37 premiered in September 2025 on Fox. A sequel to 2007’s “The Simpsons Movie” will release in movie theaters in 2027.
How would you feel about The Simpsons Ride closing at Universal? Would you want to see “The Simpsons” in the Disney theme parks in some way? Stay tuned to Attractions Magazine for daily coverage of theme park news, trip reports, and exclusive interviews from Disney, Universal, and independent attractions around the world.
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