Front cover of concept art for the proposed "Beavis and Butt-Head: The Ride".
"Beavis and Butt-Head: The Ride" was a planned amusement park attraction designed by MTV Networks during the 1990s. The concept was intended to be a thrilling and immersive experience in the vein of popular attractions like the "Back to the Future" ride and special effects theaters such as "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience." The ride was envisioned as an opportunity for fans of the iconic animated series "Beavis and Butt-Head" to step into the chaotic and hilarious world of these two beloved, if somewhat unruly, characters.
Concept and Design[]
The core concept of the ride revolved around the misadventures of Beavis and Butt-Head. Riders would embark on a simulated adventure by stepping into a taxi cab with Beavis and Butt-Head, who had predictably "borrowed" the vehicle without permission. Once inside the cab, the ride would take visitors through a fast-paced, comically disastrous journey through the streets of New York City, all while trying to evade the relentless pursuit of the law enforcement.
Ride Experience[]
The ride's experience was designed to mimic the unpredictable, chaotic, and often absurd nature of the "Beavis and Butt-Head" television series. It promised to offer passengers a combination of humor, action, and thrills. The ride would employ a combination of motion simulation, special effects, and 3D visuals to create an immersive and memorable experience for park visitors.
Riders would find themselves in the back seat of the stolen taxi, with Beavis and Butt-Head at the front, making comments and causing mayhem. The ride would then take guests on a breakneck chase through the bustling streets of New York City. With the police in hot pursuit, the adventure was set to be filled with twists, turns, near misses, and laugh-out-loud moments.
Discovery of Storyboards[]
For many years, the planned "Beavis and Butt-Head: The Ride" remained a piece of pop culture lore, known only to those who had followed the series and its associated merchandise closely. The existence of storyboards, which detailed the ride's concept and design, remained a closely guarded secret, until it was uncovered by the late William Thornton. Thornton was an avid Beavis and Butt-Head collector, known for his dedication to preserving the history of the franchise.
Through his extensive network of collectors and enthusiasts, William Thornton was able to track down a set of original storyboards for "Beavis and Butt-Head: The Ride." These storyboards contained a wealth of information about the ride's concept, layout, and the gags that would have been featured throughout the attraction.
Sharing the Discovery[]
Following the discovery, the storyboards were passed on to Sean Beard, a passionate fan of Beavis and Butt-Head, who was determined to share this hidden piece of amusement park history with the world. In October 2023, Sean Beard posted the storyboards on his Instagram account, bringing them to the attention of the wider fan community.
Gallery[]
