Editing The Simpsons in 4D

[[File:The Simpsons in 4D.jpg|250px|thumb|right]]
'''The Simpsons in 4D''' was a themed 4D cinematic attraction located at {{W|Broadway at the Beach}} in {{W|Myrtle Beach}}, [[South Carolina]]. Based on the animated television series ''[[The Simpsons]]'', the attraction consisted of a recreation of [[Springfield]]'s [[Aztec Theater]], a 4D theater experience, and an adjacent recreation of the [[Kwik-E-Mart]]. It was developed by {{W|SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment}} in partnership with {{W|FoxNext|FoxNext Destinations}} and [[Gracie Films]].<ref name="LHWH">LHWH Advertising & PR. "[https://www.prweb.com/releases/The_Simpsons_In_4D_Coming_To_Broadway_At_The_Beach/prweb15681062.htm The Simpsons In 4D Coming To Broadway At The Beach.]" PRWeb, August 9, 2018.</ref><ref name="prweb">Broadway at the Beach. "[https://www.prweb.com/releases/it-s-showtime-the-simpsons-in-4d-is-open-at-broadway-at-the-beach--853595005.html It's Showtime: The Simpsons in 4D is Open at Broadway at the Beach!.]" PRWeb, May 15, 2019.</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Lobby (The Simpsons in 4D).jpg|300px|thumb|left]]
The attraction was announced on August 9, [[2018]], as a new ''[[The Simpsons]]''-themed attraction for {{W|Broadway at the Beach}}. The project was described as a first-of-its-kind experience designed to bring Springfield into a real-world entertainment complex. The attraction was planned as a combination of a themed [[Kwik-E-Mart]] and a ticketed 4D experience housed inside a replica of the [[Aztec Theater]].<ref name="LHWH"/>

The [[Kwik-E-Mart]] opened on August 17, [[2018]], ahead of the theater. The store was designed as a recreation of the convenience store from the television series and sold products inspired by the show, including [[Buzz Cola]], [[Lard Lad Donuts]], [[Squishee]]s, and [[Heat Lamp Dogs|Heat-Lamp Hot Dogs]]. It also contained The Simpsons merchandise and references to episodes of the series.<ref name="Polascak">Polascak, Marissa. "[https://www.myrtlebeach.com/things-to-do/the-simpsons-kwik-e-mart-now-open-in-myrtle-beach/ The Simpsons' Kwik-E-Mart Now Open in Myrtle Beach.]" MyrtleBeach.com, August 17, 2018.</ref>

The [[Springfield]] [[Aztec Theater]] was originally expected to open in 2018, but its opening was delayed until spring [[2019]].<ref>Blondin, Alan. "[https://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/article228058049.html Kwik-E-Mart has company: Simpsons in 4D theater has opened at Broadway at the Beach.]" The Sun News, April 1, 2019.</ref> The ''The Simpsons in 4D'' attraction subsequently opened to the public in April 2019, with its official opening announced on May 15, 2019.<ref name="prweb"/><ref name="Fleming">Fleming, Tyler. "[https://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/article230420549.html Take a look inside the new Simpsons 4D attraction open now in Myrtle Beach.]" The Sun News, May 15, 2019.</ref>

== Attraction ==
[[File:Aztec Theater (The Simpsons in 4D).jpg|250px|thumb|right]]
The attraction was housed inside a recreation of [[Springfield]]'s [[Aztec Theater]]. Its exterior featured [[Springfield]] residents, while the lobby was themed around a [[Hollywood]]-style premiere. Guests encountered Homer and Marge on a red carpet and displays relating to [[Troy McClure]], while pre-show material included clips featuring characters such as [[Itchy]] and [[Scratchy]].<ref name="prweb"/><ref name="Heath">Heath-Jones, Lauren. "[https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/news/The-Simpsons-in-4D-opens-at-Myrtle-Beach/341847 The Simpsons in 4D opens at Myrtle Beach.]" Leisure Opportunities, May 15, 2019.</ref>

The experience began with a preshow in the theater's lobby, where visitors could view ''[[The Simpsons]]'' clips while waiting for the next screening. The lobby contained life-sized figures and displays of characters from the series, including [[Krusty the Clown]], [[Ned Flanders]] and [[Nelson Muntz]]. Guests could also receive a complimentary digital photograph with Simpsons characters, adding to the attraction's movie-premiere theme.<ref name="Heath"/>

After the preshow, guests entered the auditorium and received 3D glasses before taking their seats. The theater featured a large screen with an animated curtain and oversized seats equipped with motion technology. The main presentation lasted approximately 14–15 minutes and accommodated 85 guests at a time.<ref name="Fleming"/><ref name="Case">SimEx-Iwerks. "[https://www.simex-iwerks.com/the-simpsons-in-4d-case-study The Simpsons in 4D — Case Study.]" SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment.</ref>

The presentation consisted of two short films.<ref name="Grimshaw"/> The first was ''[[The Longest Daycare|Maggie Simpson in The Longest Daycare]]'', the [[Academy Award]]-nominated animated short originally released theatrically in [[2012]]. For the attraction, the short was presented in 3D.<ref name="Case"/> The second was a portion of the episode "[[Postcards from the Wedge]]," specifically the sequence in which [[Bart]] discovers an abandoned subway station and causes an earthquake in an attempt to destroy [[Springfield Elementary]].<ref name="Actualidad">Actualidad Simpson. "[https://www.actualidadsimpson.com/noticias/la-atraccion-the-simpsons-in-4d-ya-esta-abierta-al-publico-en-myrtle-beach/ La atracción 'The Simpsons in 4D' ya está abierta al público en Myrtle Beach.]" May 18, 2019.</ref><ref name="Grimshaw"/>

The 4D effects were synchronized with events in the films. They included moving and vibrating seats, wind, misting water, heat, loud sounds, smells and bubbles. The physical effects were intended to make the animated scenes more immersive by reproducing sensations associated with events on screen.<ref name="Fleming"/><ref name="Case"/><ref name="Grimshaw">Grimshaw, Paul. "[https://grandstrandmag.com/node/19954 The Simpsons in 4D Comes to Myrtle Beach.]" Grand Strand Magazine, August 2019.</ref>

After the screening, guests were ushered out through the adjacent [[Kwik-E-Mart]].<ref name="prweb"/><ref name="Case"/>

== Kwik-E-Mart ==
[[File:Kwik-E-Mart (The Simpsons in 4D).png|250px|thumb|left]]
The [[Kwik-E-Mart]] was designed as a fully themed recreation of the fictional [[Springfield]] convenience store. In addition to merchandise, the location sold food and beverages based on products appearing in the series, including [[Buzz Cola]], [[Lard Lad Donuts]], [[Heat Lamp Dogs|Heat-Lamp Hot Dogs]] and [[Squishee]]s.<ref name="LHWH"/><ref name="prweb"/>

The store included numerous references to ''[[The Simpsons]]'', including merchandise and decorative details based on individual episodes. Among the reported items were a [[Mr. Sparkle]] figurine and a freezer referencing Frostilicus.<ref name="Polascak"/>

SimEx-Iwerks later reported that more than 2 million visitors had visited the Kwik-E-Mart and that approximately 200,000 retail items had been sold, including more than 70 custom products.<ref name="Case"/>

== Reception and recognition ==
The attraction received coverage from local and industry publications following its opening. Reports highlighted its combination of a highly themed environment, 4D effects and the recreation of locations from the television series.<ref name="Fleming"/><ref name="Heath"/>

The Kwik-E-Mart component was named a finalist for the 2019 IAAPA Brass Ring Awards, according to SimEx-Iwerks.<ref>SimEx-Iwerks. "[https://www.simex-iwerks.com/our-history Our History.]" SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment.</ref>

== Closure ==
''The Simpsons in 4D'' ceased operation in [[2024]]. By late April or early May of that year, the theater and adjacent [[Kwik-E-Mart]] were reported as permanently closed, and the attraction was subsequently removed from {{W|Broadway at the Beach}}'s attraction listings. 

== References ==
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[[Category:Rides and attractions (real-world)]]