Simpsons fans, rejoice! The world's first Simpsons themed environment is now open at Universal Orlando Resort. Springfield – the expansive, new area in Universal Studios Florida – invites guests to step inside the hometown of America's favorite animated family, The Simpsons, like never before.

For the first time ever, guests can enter downtown Springfield and visit the places that helped the town stake its claim as "Shelbyville by the Sea."  Anchored by the mega-attraction, The Simpsons Ride, the newly-themed area includes iconic eateries and knick-knack nooks from the hit animated series, The Simpsons, and an all-new outdoor attraction based on the show's "evil" alien duo, Kang & Kodos.   Guests may even run into Chief Wiggum (if he doesn't run into them first).

Springfield at Universal Orlando Resort is the only place in the world where fans are able to...

• Enjoy a "Genuine Clown-Endorsed Meal" and Buzz Cola at Krusty Burger
• Grab a Homer-sized helping of donuts at Lard Lad
• Imbibe at Moe's Tavern with a Flaming Moe
• Get "embiggened" at the Jebediah Springfield statue
• Enjoy a "Taco Fresho" at Bumblebee Man's Taco Truck
• Snatch the catch of the day at the Frying Dutchman
• Get a slice that's "a-nice" at Luigi's Pizza
• Hang out at Duff Brewery and enjoy a Duff Beer – brewed exclusively for Universal Orlando Resort
• Go for an intergalactic spin on the area's new attraction, Kang & Kodos' Twirl 'n' Hurl
• Meet Krusty the Clown and Sideshow Bob – Universal's two newest walkaround Simpsons characters

"Fans who love both The Simpsons and the ride at Universal Orlando will now be able to experience a much deeper immersion into The Simpsons world with the launch of Springfield," said Jeffrey Godsick, President, Fox Consumer Products.

"I hope everyone has as much pure, irresponsible fun as we did writing the ride, signs and food menus. We raise our Flaming Moe's to ye," said James L. Brooks, Executive Producer, The Simpsons.

"When creating Springfield, we wanted to make guests truly feel like they're part of the record-breaking animated show," said Mark Woodbury, President, Universal Creative. "Now fans can become part of The Simpsons family and step inside the same places Homer and his family visit on a regular basis."

Building on the global phenomenon that is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros have announced an expansion of historic proportion with the entirely new themed environment, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.

Scheduled to open in 2014, the world’s first centrally themed, multi-park experience expands The Wizarding World of Harry Potter across both Universal Orlando Resort theme parks and allows Universal’s creative team to bring an unparalleled vision to this unique project. 

The new area will bring to life some of the experiences and places found in and around London in the Harry Potter books and films, offering brand-new adventures for fans and theme park guests from around the world.

Diagon Alley and London will be located within the Universal Studios Florida theme park, which is adjacent to Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park, where guests now experience Hogwarts and Hogsmeade.  The new area within Universal Studios Florida will be just as expansive, immersive and authentic as the existing themed environment.

And – just like in the books and films – guests will be able to travel between London and Hogsmeade aboard the Hogwarts Express. Work on the new area is already underway. When complete, it will feature shops, a restaurant and an innovative, marquee attraction based on Gringotts bank – all directly inspired by the fiction and films.

More details on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will be released over time.

To bring Diagon Alley and London to life, Universal’s creative team is working closely with Warner Bros. and the production design team from the Harry Potter films – just as it did for Hogwarts and Hogsmeade.

"I'm so pleased that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has proved so popular to date, and I'm sure that the attention to detail in creating the new Diagon Alley area will make this an even better experience," said J.K. Rowling.

“We are continuing the journey and adding an entirely new level of adventure,” said Tom Williams, Chairman of Universal Parks & Resorts. “And we are bringing the same drive, commitment, enthusiasm and innovation to this project as we did to the first.”

“We are thrilled to offer the legions of fans the opportunity to embark on this new journey and experience Diagon Alley as it was brought to life in the books and films,” said Brad Globe, president, Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

“Our vision is to create two amazing theme park experiences that combine into one, complete, magical journey,” said Alice Norsworthy, executive vice president, marketing and sales for Universal Orlando Resort.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade opened at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in June 2010 as a fully immersive Harry Potter themed environment - bringing to life the bestselling books by J.K. Rowling and the blockbuster feature films from Warner Bros.  Since that time, it has become a global phenomenon, entertaining millions of people from around the world.

Visitors to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter are swept into the adventures of Harry Potter. They can tour Hogwarts castle, shop in Hogsmeade and dine at the Three Broomsticks. They can soar above Hogwarts with Harry, be chosen by a wand at Ollivanders, sample Butterbeer and much more.