Remember when Disney added a reference to The Simpsons to a classic attraction?
Related: This Week Will Define Disney for the Next Decade
At the tail end of July, 2024, Disneyland's Haunted Mansion dark ride finally reopened following a months-long refurbishment.
During this update, many aspects of Haunted Mansion changed, updated, or were removed entirely, but one of the changes surprised guests, with Disney adding a reference to The Simpsons inside the ride.
However, the reference to America's favorite animated sitcom was removed just days later for unknown reasons.
The Simpsons and Disney
Related: A Britney Spears Movie Is Officially On the Way!
Fans have been speculating for years about whether and when Disney will start adding members of the Simpson family to its theme parks. The company's purchase of 21st Century Fox in 2019 only excited fans further, though not much has come of this acquisition, at least in the theme parks.
The Simpsons is arguably one of the world’s most iconic and cherished animated TV shows. First premiering in 1989, the show has become a quintessential part of the entertainment world and a cornerstone of American culture.
The neon yellow family has a big presence at both U.S. Universal Studios Resorts, but has yet to fully enter the Disney theme parks. It's theorized that this will all change once Universal's contract ends, which also keeps Disney from using certain Marvel characters in its theme parks.
Related: ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’: Ryan Reynolds Reveals Actor Behind Top-Secret Cameo You Definitely Missed
Last summer, guests noticed a reference to Krusty the Clown inside the Haunted Mansion. A picture of the clown could be seen on the front of one of the presents inside the ride.
However, as reported by Twitter/X user thecalibae, the reference to Krusty the Clown was quickly removed.
Disneyland removed the reference to The Simpsons from the boxes inside Haunted Mansion Holidays
Disneyland removed The Simpsons references from the boxes inside Haunted Mansion Holidays pic.twitter.com/KaU5qBh3ii
— 🔥 FIVE FIRES 🔥 (@thecalibae) August 3, 2024
It's unclear why Disney decided to remove this character from the ride. It's possible it was only meant to last a few days, acting as a little hidden gem for fans to discover in the background. It's also possible Disney may not have received full approval for the reference and decided to pull it just days after its debut.
The Simpsons' theme park future is uncertain, with multiple reports claiming the Universal Orlando Resort has been looking to axe its Simpsons-themed land and attraction. While no changes have occurred yet, it’s likely that both Disney and Universal’s relationship with The Simpsons will look quite different in the coming years, with this Haunted Mansion development being a small tease of things to come.
Will you be visiting Disneyland soon?
Look keep Disney, Disney and Universal, Universal, it’s bad enough you have Star Wars mixed in with Disney something Disney has no real claim to other than buying the name, isn’t it way past time that you returned to the roots that made Disney such a wonderful place to visit, or is it the corporate higher ups Idea to make it a hodge podge carnival like setting while destroying what little remains of the original concept Walt had envisioned..