The Simpsons go all Disney in new couch gag animated by Eric Goldberg

The gag references The Jungle Book, Fantasia, and Cinderella

In recent years, numerous guest animators have been invited to animate The Simpsons’ opening couch gag. Most recently, Ren & Stimpy creator John Kricfalusi created the one for last year’s Halloween episode.

Now, one of Disney’s most prolific animators has created the segment; Eric Goldberg, who’s filmography includes the like of Aladdin, Pocahontas, and Hercules.

In the clip, tribute is paid to many classic Disney films, starting with Maggie in a Steamboat Willie homage, followed by Lisa stepping out of Cinderella’s pumpkin.

Marge is seen as Snow White cleaning up after the seven dwarfs, Homer then enters as Baloo from The Jungle Book (featuring music very similar to the “Bare Necessities”), finished by Bart as the sorcerer’s apprentice from Fantasia.

The Simpsons has referenced Disney numerous times throughout its history, poking fun at The Mouse's theme parks in "Itchy & Scratchy Land", having Disney lawyers close down Springfield school's carnival for using the phrase “Happiest place on earth”, and having their won Circle of Life ceremony in the episode "Simpsons Safari".

In recent Simpsons news, one of the show’s writers described how letting Smithers come out as gay was a hugely personal choice, inspired by his own son.