Difference between revisions of "The Simpsons in 4D"
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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]]. | 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]]. | ||
| − | The | + | 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. |
| − | + | The [[Springfield]] [[Aztec Theater]] was originally expected to open in 2018, but its opening was delayed until spring [[2019]].[4] The ''The Simpsons in 4D'' attraction subsequently opened to the public in April 2019, with its official opening announced on May 15, 2019. | |
| − | The | + | == Attraction == |
| + | 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]]. | ||
| − | After | + | 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. |
| + | |||
| + | 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. | ||
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| + | The presentation consisted of two short films. 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. 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]]. | ||
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| + | 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. | ||
| + | |||
| + | After the screening, guests were ushered out through the adjacent [[Kwik-E-Mart.]] | ||
== Kwik-E-Mart == | == Kwik-E-Mart == | ||
Revision as of 13:09, September 16, 2026
The Simpsons in 4D was a themed 4D cinematic attraction located at Broadway at the Beach in 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 SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment in partnership with FoxNext Destinations and Gracie Films.
History
The attraction was announced on August 9, 2018, as a new The Simpsons-themed attraction for 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.
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, Squishees, and Heat-Lamp Hot Dogs. It also contained The Simpsons merchandise and references to episodes of the series.
The Springfield Aztec Theater was originally expected to open in 2018, but its opening was delayed until spring 2019.[4] The The Simpsons in 4D attraction subsequently opened to the public in April 2019, with its official opening announced on May 15, 2019.
Attraction
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.
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.
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.
The presentation consisted of two short films. The first was 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. 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.
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.
After the screening, guests were ushered out through the adjacent Kwik-E-Mart.
Kwik-E-Mart
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 Hot Dogs and Squishees.
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.
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.
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.
The Kwik-E-Mart component was named a finalist for the 2019 IAAPA Brass Ring Awards, according to SimEx-Iwerks.
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 Broadway at the Beach's attraction listings.
