WOO HOO! IT’S THE SIMPSONS! -- Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson – stars of The Simpsons – join the Universal Theme Parks family in the first ever mega-attraction based on the blockbuster show. Guests will be rocketed along with the Simpson family and experience a side of Springfield previously unexplored as they enjoy the new ride’s interpretation of thrill rides, dark rides and “live” shows that make up a new fantasy amusement park. It will feature the show’s classic humor and many of its instantly recognizable characters - all voiced by the original actors. The ride will open on both coasts at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood in Spring 2008. (THE SIMPSONS TM & ©2007 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved.)

Blame it on the wonky imagination of Krusty the Clown. Bart Simpson's cantankerous compadre has dreamed up a fantasy amusement park. One year from now at Universal Orlando Resort, families will be able to explore it.

The new Simpsons theme park ride -- or what Universal calls a "mega-attraction" -- promises to rocket visitors through The Simpsons' hometown of Springfield as interpreted by Krusty, one of many irreverent characters on the animated series.

"The ride is designed to duplicate The Simpsons home-viewing experience, only at high speed and with lots of screaming," says the show's creator, Matt Groening, who teamed with executive producer James L. Brooks to develop the ride with Universal. Universal Florida theme park already includes attractions Revenge of the Mummy -- The Ride, and Shrek 4-D.

For more information, visit universalorlando.com.

Other new developments on the family travel front include:

- Also early in 2008, Rochester's Strong National Museum of Play will launch its first American Journal of Play -- a quarterly newsletter focused on the history, culture and psychology of play. The journal should have lots to discuss. The Strong Museum just wrapped up Play Matters, an April conference on play environments, play and learning, cross-cultural play, and playful teaching strategies.

The facility is devoted to the study of play. It features the National Toy Hall of Fame and the world's largest collection of dolls and toys. A recent $37-million expansion has added hands-on exhibits for children and families, plus an indoor butterfly garden.

For more information, visit: museumofplay.org

- Changes are also underway for Canada's version of a play museum -- Ottawa's Canadian Children's Museum.

Its first phase of renovations, Destination: Theatre! was unveiled in January. The theatre has been moved to a new space and updated with interactive lighting and sound.

"Just as kids outgrow their clothes, the Canadian Children's Museum has outgrown its space," says Dr. Victor Rabinovitch, president and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation.

The renovations make way for the Children's Museum's new exhibit, Top Secret: Mission Toy, active until Sept. 3. The exhibit encourages kids to use their investigative skills to explore toys from around the world. They'll find out why tops are called tops and discover secrets to secret codes. The exhibit is aimed at kids aged 5 to 12.

A child-sized theatre also opens this month, with animation films made especially for children, a bookstore where children can role-play as the book vendor, and a design studio that encourages creativity and innovation. For more information, visit civilization.ca