Universal Studios Hollywood Just Brought The Simpsons' Springfield To Life

As if your bank account isn't already crying over the costs involved in getting to Italy to experience the Wes Anderson-designed Bar Luce in Milan, there's another destination to add to the list of places you probably wish were several thousand kilometres closer to home: Springfield. 

The immersive, sprawling recreation of The Simpsons' central locale just opened at Universal Studios Hollywood, having been "soft-launched" in late March — though Wednesday, 13 May, marked its actual "grand opening". This isn't the first such recreation of everyone's favourite American town, however — last year, The Music Brisbane editor Steve Bell reported from ground zero in Orlando, at Universal Studio Florida's own Springfieldian installation, and its layout is apparently heavily echoed in Hollywood's new attraction.

Among the familiar sights are iconic locations from throughout the animated Springfield, from obvious inclusions such as Moe's Tavern, the Kwik-E-Mart, Springfield Elementary School and the iconic cooling towers of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant to midcard locales such as the Aztec Theatre, Android's Dungeon comic book shop, Springfield Police Station, Krusty Burger, Lard Lad Donuts, the Duff Brewery and even Herman's Military Antiques.

The grand unveiling comes at a fitting time — the long-running animated series was recently renewed for a further two seasons, taking the show through to a self-record-breaking 28 seasons, so the world is definitely not ready to let go of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, Maggie and their freakish town just yet. 

The new Springfield was opened with a bang — literally — as a pyrotechnic display was let off from behind the SNPP towers, while costumed actors brought life to the series' core family members and famous residents such as Krusty The Clown and Sideshow Bob. There were appearances from crew and cast alike, with figures such as co-executive producer Michael Price, long-time executive producer Al Jean and voice actors Yeardley Smith (Lisa), Nancy Cartwright (Bart, Nelson, Ralph and more) and Joe Mantegna (Fat Tony) all taking the time to help cut the proverbial ribbon on Springfield, Hollywood.

Take a look a selection of photos from Universal's own coverage of the event, as well as some street-shot footage from Slash Film, and feel that jealousy rising (wait, no — envy).

All pics via Universal Studios Hollywood Facebook. Click to enlarge.

If you're still not sated on all things Simpsonian, then you can take a look at this walk-through tour footage of the area when it was first soft-launched in March.