Springfield at Universal Studios Hollywood

I was trying to figure out if I should separate the WaterWorld show from the rest of the theme park; there is a lot at Universal Studios. 

The pictures I want to use the most are from Springfield.

It is just one themed-area, with one ride and some places to eat and shop, it resonates with me in a way that the other lands don't.

It's funny that it still means so much to be, because I stopped watching The Simpsons around season 13. 

I remember they had been going downhill, and then it just wasn't worth it anymore.

(I went through a similar process with Saturday Night Live in 1995.)

While I think the downgrade is sad and unfortunate (season 37?), there was a time when so many lines resonated with me so much and the memories are still clear (possibly helped on by a Songs in the Key of Springfield CD and a book and maybe a comic or two).

So to actually walk in and see Lard Lad and Phineas Q. Butterfat's! (Which looks a lot like Farrell's.)

Hey! Disco Stu's!

There's the power plant!

It's not real, but it feels like it is.

When I first stepped into Cars Land at Disney California Adventure, I was amazed at how they recreated the scenery, but I hadn't seen the movie yet. Even now, it's not my favorite.

In my time, I loved The Simpsons; walking around Springfield is kind of amazing. Walking around Springfield, Oregon is pretty cool, too, but it's not the same.

One thing we did not get around to last time was trying the giant doughnut.

Now, I thought at the time there was a regular-sized one too, but we only saw big ones. Maybe no one wanted the small one.

As it was, we split it three ways and still did not finish. It's just a lot of doughnut. (The Songs in the Key of Springfield CD looks like that.)

We also at at Cletus' Chicken Shack, but I don't recommend that.

They were out of mashed potatoes, and their salad wasn't that great. Not that you would expect great food from yokels...

We should have gone to Krusty Burger.

There is also a Bumblebee Man taco truck, pizza, and hotdogs, so it's probably the place with the most food options in the entire park.

No quick snacks at the Kwik-E-Mart though, that's a souvenir shop.

Still, it's there.

COVID: There is a lot of indoor stuff here, including the ride. I did mask on that.

Accessibility: I know I have mentioned this before, but the Universal web site is the least informative out there. There are warnings given for the ride, and I can imagine some issues with boarding and the movements for various mobility issues.

That being said, navigating the land itself and the various stores seemed to be okay. 

With Disney having the broadcast rights, I read that the Orlando Universal Studios is removing Springfield.  I don't know how long it will remain in Hollywood.

I am glad I got to spend some time there. 

https://allears.net/2024/01/23/why-universal-is-closing-the-simpsons-land/

https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/rides-and-attractions/the-simpsons-ride 

Universal CityWalk Hollywood

I believe this was a change from our last visit, but even with Rideshare we ended up at the CityWalk entrance both coming and going. We still waited to be picked up in the parking garage, but it was on the other side of CityWalk.  

Maybe it was us, but it feels like they are funneling you there. 

Don't get me wrong; we didn't hate the CityWalk.

In fact, it was convenient starting there because we were able to preview it and get lunch, with more options than there were in the park.

One of the first things we saw was a Voodoo Donuts, which surprised us. I guess they really are expanding.

There were ways in which it reminded us of Las Vegas or maybe parts of Hollywood: dining and shopping and ultimately a tourist trap.

There are still things that you can appreciate and decor that is fun.

The best example of that was IT'SUGAR.

That is not about price nor selection, though I think that was okay.

It was the decor. 

Here were the candy characters we had just seen at Funko Pop. 

Also -- probably because of Wicked -- giant Jelly Belly figures of characters from The Wizard of Oz.

We had seen some jellybean sculptures (though there were more portraits) at the Jelly Belly Factory, but these were much bigger.

I don't know how often they change them out, so if it will be characters from a different movie now, but we were still pretty impressed.

It's not something that we would make a special trip to visit, but since we were already there, it was pretty cool.

COVID: You can see a lot outdoors, but of course if you are going to shop at all, then you are indoors and should wear a mask. Also, it can get pretty crowded, even outside.

Accessibility: This seemed pretty navigable, but we did not go into all of the stores. 

I don't think you could pay me to do that. 

https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/lands/citywalk