Credit: DisneyWhen The Walt Disney Company completed its purchase of major 21st Century Fox assets on March 20, 2019, the massive deal reshaped the entertainment industry. Valued at roughly $71 billion, the acquisition handed Disney control of an enormous collection of recognizable franchises and characters.
That included one family that certainly didn’t look like it belonged alongside Mickey Mouse at the time: the Simpsons.
Disney has spent the years since finding different ways to use its expanded library, particularly through Disney+. But when it comes to The Simpsons, one big question has remained largely unanswered.
What happens when Disney starts showing off its ownership outside of streaming?
At D23, we’re finally getting an answer. Disney has created a brand-new experience featuring the famous Springfield family, and while it isn’t a theme park ride, it gives fans an interesting first look at what Disney can do with the franchise.
And the timing could make this much bigger than a fun photo opportunity.
Disney Owns the Simpsons, but Universal Has the Theme Park Presence
Disney’s ownership of The Simpsons creates one of the strangest situations in the theme park industry.
Disney owns the franchise through its acquisition of Fox. Universal Orlando Resort, meanwhile, still has an entire Springfield area built around it.
At Universal Studios Florida, guests can step into Springfield and experience The Simpsons Ride, along with locations and experiences inspired by the long-running animated series. Universal’s own current copyright information continues to identify The Simpsons as a 20th Television property.
That means one of Universal Orlando’s most recognizable themed areas revolves around intellectual property owned by its biggest competitor.
For years, Disney hasn’t done much publicly with its Simpsons-related assets in its U.S. theme parks. The franchise has instead become a notable part of Disney’s streaming library, giving viewers another reminder that Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie now live under the Disney corporate umbrella.
Still, the theme park question hasn’t gone away.
Fans have wondered whether Disney could eventually bring Springfield—or something completely different involving the characters—to Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, or another Disney destination.
Now, Disney has taken a small but interesting step in that direction.
D23 Gives the Simpsons Their Own Disney Experience
D23 is taking place in Anaheim from August 14 through August 16, giving Disney a major platform to showcase its movies, television projects, theme parks, characters, and other entertainment brands.
And this year, The Simpsons have joined the fun.
Disney has created a dedicated Simpsons photo opportunity for D23 attendees, bringing Springfield’s most famous family directly into the Disney fan event.
The display features the Simpsons family on a colorful backdrop, giving guests the chance to pose alongside Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. Disney also added giant donut sculptures to the experience, immediately bringing a little more Springfield personality into the setup.
It’s not an elaborate ride or a full themed land, of course. But that isn’t really what makes this so interesting.
Disney is openly presenting The Simpsons as part of its enormous entertainment portfolio at its biggest fan event.
For Disney fans who have watched the company slowly integrate Fox properties into its larger identity, seeing the Simpsons receive their own physical experience feels like another step forward.
It also arrives while questions continue to surround the franchise’s future at Universal.
My first stop at the D23 show floor: an incredible photo-op themed to The Simpsons! pic.twitter.com/k7EJUtfJzw
— Drew Smith @ D23 (@DrewDisneyDude) August 13, 2026
Could the Simpsons Eventually Come to Disney World?
This is where things get particularly interesting.
There have long been rumors that Universal’s U.S. theme park licensing agreement for The Simpsons could expire around 2028. However, the exact expiration date has never been publicly confirmed, so any timeline should still be treated as speculation.
Reporting on the agreement has pointed to a rumored 20-year term, which would put its conclusion around 2028. Unlike Universal’s well-known Marvel arrangement, available information indicates the Simpsons agreement does have an end date.
That doesn’t mean Universal will definitely lose Springfield.
Disney and Universal could potentially reach another agreement, and Simpsons showrunner Matt Selman has previously expressed doubt that Universal’s themed areas will disappear. For now, Universal continues operating its Simpsons experiences.
But if those rights eventually return fully to Disney for U.S. theme park use, the company would suddenly have another major franchise available for its parks.
Disney could bring The Simpsons to Walt Disney World. It could use the characters at Disneyland Resort. It could develop something much smaller than Springfield, or Disney Imagineers could eventually create an entirely different take on the franchise.
None of that has been announced.
Still, the D23 display offers a fun glimpse at what Disney-controlled Simpsons experiences can look like.
Disney Is Finally Showing Off Its Springfield Family
Seven years after the Fox acquisition, seeing The Simpsons represented physically at D23 carries a little more weight than the average photo opportunity.
For now, guests can pose with the family and some enormous donuts. Universal still operates the franchise’s major U.S. theme park experiences, and Disney hasn’t announced plans for a Simpsons attraction at Walt Disney World or Disneyland.
But Disney owns Springfield’s most famous residents, and that makes the years ahead worth watching.
If the Universal licensing agreement eventually ends, Disney could have a new option for expanding beyond its traditional theme park franchises.
Disney adults already have Mickey, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and plenty more waiting inside the parks.
Maybe one day they’ll have Homer and a giant pink donut, too.
