I didn't see anyone report this bug, so here goes. First, my information:
1. Are you using any Custom Content or mods? No mods and I don't think I have custom content installed, just store stuff.
2. Do you have Into the Future or just the Patch? I updated Origin and got the patch before ITF.
3. Which Patch Level are you at? 1.63
4. Did you start a new game or are you playing an existing ones? Existing game
5. Did you transfer an existing Sim over or are they new/Pre-Made? Existing sims I created
6. What town are you currently playing? EA or Custom? EA - Aurora Skies
7. What is your Operating System (Mac, XP, Vista, Win 7)? Win 8
8. Do you have the download or DVD Version of the game? Download
9. Are you reporting for the Future-World, Uni-World, Home-World or WA-World? Future World
I have all the expansion packs except for Showtime, and High End Loft and Outdoor Living SP. (Edited to add: I have not disabled the interactive loading screen yet, but I don't think that's the issue.)
First, the portal didn't land on my lot, but in a park across town. I found it, so no big deal.
Second, when my sims (Maelyn, a young adult, and her teen brother, Jamie) went into the future, I could only control Maelyn. Their avatars did not show up on the left side at all. Maelyn's avatar didn't show up as the active sim - there was nothing between the icons for the season and the moon. I could not get the dashboard (is that what you call it?) to open, so I couldn't track her needs or check her inventory or do anything of that nature. I played like that for awhile, until I had to leave for work.
When I got home from work, I played again. Now the avatars show up on the left, but the only active sim picture is Maelyn, even when I'm playing Jamie. The moodlets were the same, even though it was Jamie who was in trouble and grounded for being out after curfew - that moodlet showed up when Maelyn was active. I played for awhile, but after spending a bunch of time picking out outfits for Maelyn, when I was exiting that screen, the game crashed. That was the cherry on top, so to speak. I'm going to bed, as I have stuff to do tomorrow and if I'm lucky I'll get 7 hours of sleep.
Anyway, my issues are: avatars not showing up so I could switch between sims (originally - but that did change) and active sim picture not changing when I switch between them.
I'll probably just quit playing this one and start a new family, in case the issue is related to using sims I already had. (I do that a lot anyway, and they have a mean cat at home, so maybe my next family will be easier to deal with.)