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Universal’s new DreamWorks Land is now open for business alongside a range of new exciting new experiences at the operator’s Orlando parks
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 19 Jun 2024
Guests can now step into the vivid worlds of some of their favourite animated films in DreamWorks Land - a colourful new area featuring attractions, character meet and greets, and more Credit: Universal
Visitors to Universal Orlando can now enjoy new experiences with characters from Shrek, Trolls, Kung Fu Panda and more following the official opening of the resort’s new DreamWorks Land alongside spectacular new shows at both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.
Part of the Universal Studios Florida theme park, the expansive new land offers several new attractions, including a family-friendly coaster and multiple interactive play areas, as well as live entertainment and character meet and greets to create an immersive DreamWorks experience.
A key location within DreamWorks Land is Shrek’s Swamp, which features a 35ft (10.6m) tall replica of Shrek’s home as seen in the franchise. Guests can also visit the cottage to meet characters such as Shrek, Donkey and Princess Fiona.
Within the themed area is Shrek’s Swamp for Little Ogres - a kid's play area featuring four slides, wet play areas and a playground based on Shrek’s outhouse.
From Puss in Boots 2, Mama Luna Feline Fiesta is an interactive experience that takes place in Mama Luna’s retirement home for cats. Inside, guests get to play with Mama Luna’s cats, and Puss in Boots himself, on interactive screens activated by buttons, bells, maracas and levers.
Finally for Shrek-themed attractions, King Harold’s Swamp Symphony sees guests create music by triggering a choir of frog ribbits by stamping on an array of interactive lily pads.
Visitors can meet all their favourite DreamWorks character in the new themed land CREDIT: UNIVERSAL
Meanwhile, a Trolls-themed rollercoaster is the signature ride of DreamWorks Land and the centrepiece of Trolls Village, which features at its heart a fountain featuring Trolls characters Poppy and Branch.
The family-friendly coaster, imagined by Universal’s creative team, sees guests of all ages able to take a ride on the Caterbus, with riders escaping evil spiders as they speed along a bright orange and yellow track.
More play areas feature in Trolls Village, with Poppy’s Playground sitting underneath a giant, 20ft (6.9m) mushroom. This shaded play area features colourful flowers and bugs with a range of bouncing and climbing structures for young children.
A retail area also features, with the High Five Hideaway offering apparel, plush and accessories from Shrek, Trolls, Kung Fu Panda, Gabby’s Dollhouse and more.
In Panda Village, visitors interact with Kung Fu Panda’s Po inside Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp. Within both wet and dry play areas, guests can help the pandas wash and dry their laundry with water cannons, dump buckets, giant fans and more. Guests also encounter an interactive gong, mischievous baby pandas, and a merry-go-round resembling noodle bowls from Mr. Ping’s Noodle Shop.
Panda Village also features Po Live! - a digital, interactive meet and greet experience where guests can interact with the Dragon Warrior himself as he teaches them Kung Fu moves, cooks stir fry and babysits his little cousin, all at the same time.
DreamWorks Imagination Celebration also arrives as part of the land, with the immersive attraction seeing popular DreamWorks stories “leap off the screen and come to life”. The multisensory adventure combines pop songs, dancing, advanced technology and more. The DreamWorks Character Zone - a meet and greet area for guests to interact with their favourite characters - also features.
Finally, a range of themed F&B options and photo ops, as well as other entertainment offerings themed to popular DreamWorks stories and characters, are on offer.
Universal describes DreamWorks Land as “a continuation of Universal’s commitment to rich storytelling that places guests of all ages in the most incredible and immersive environments”. The new themed area is a refresh of the park’s KidsZone space, which spans 16,000sq m (172,000sq ft).
CineSational combines water and projection to create stunning visuals over the Universal Studios Florida lagoon CREDIT: UNIVERSAL
In addition to DreamWorks Land, Universal Studios Florida has also welcomed CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular.
Unfolding over the Universal Studios Florida lagoon, a soundtrack accompanies blockbuster films that have inspired Universal Orlando’s past, present and future.
Utilising 228 fountains that reach heights up to 131ft (40m), 4K projection mapping and more than 600 drones – these technologies come together to create a stunning display of cinematic moments from films like Harry Potter, Jurassic World, Jaws, Minions and more.
A new projection show has also arrived at Universal Islands of Adventure, with the Harry Potter-themed Hogwarts Always taking guests on a journey through iconic moments of a school year at Hogwarts.
Set against the backdrop of Hogwarts castle, the new show features a stunning display of visuals inspired by memorable moments from the Harry Potter films, including a ride aboard the Hogwarts Express, the Sorting Ceremony and more.
Starting July 3, Universal Orlando will also debut Universal Mega Movie Parade at Universal Studios Florida, with the show representing Universal’s largest daytime parade ever.
For the parade, guests will watch as some of their favourite movie characters appear in a celebration of iconic movies including E.T., Jaws, Ghostbusters, Jurassic World, Sing, Minions, and Trolls.
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