The colorful worlds of beloved DreamWorks stories Shrek, Trolls, and Kung-Fu Panda are coming to life in a new land at Universal Studios Florida. DreamWorks Land officially opens on June 14th, but we attended a sneak peek to give you an early glimpse into the vibrant new area and experiences to come! (Not everything was open or available during our quick preview, but we’ll be back for those and more next month!)
DreamWorks Land has taken over the now-defunct KidZone area of the park, just next to E.T. Adventure (which has been deemed safe from this overhaul project —and hopefully forever and ever, amen).
Let’s head into DreamWorks Land!
Shrek’s Swamp
The first thing you’ll probably spot in the land is Shrek’s 35-foot-tall tree stump-shaped cottage – or the “Swamp Meet”. This is where Shrek, Princess Fiona, and Donkey will be meeting & greeting.
Shrek’s Swamp play area is a great place for kids to run around; featuring four slides, water play areas, and a playground. You can also meet Pinocchio here, where you press a big red button for him to share a “fact” (his nose just might grow!).
And if your kids are… daring… enough, they can even slide down Shrek’s outhouse.
In the King Harold’s Swamp Symphony interactive area, each lily pad you jump on makes a frog sing a different note. (For those who may not remember, in Shrek 2, King Harold is Princess Fiona’s enchanted frog dad.)
Mama Luna Feline Fiesta is an interactive experience, putting you inside Mama Luna’s retirement home for cats from the Shrek spin-off Puss in Boots 2: The Last Wish. Play with the feline residents on interactive screens activated by buttons, bells, maracas, and levers (Puss in Boots may even make an appearance).
Trolls Village
Trolls Trollercoaster (previously Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster) is a quick and fun ride around for all ages. Hop aboard the Caterbus to escape those evil spiders!
Poppy’s Playground offers a shady play area beneath a giant 20-foot mushroom featuring bouncing and climbing structures decorated with colorful flowers and bugs.
Poppy and Branch were meeting and greeting near a fountain topped with figurines of themselves!
Just nearby is High Five Hideaway: your one-stop shop for all things Shrek, Trolls, and Kung-Fu Panda; including a few land-exclusive items featuring the three franchises together.
Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp
The Panda Village has been brought to life with both wet and dry play areas, including helping the pandas wash and dry their laundry with water cannons, dump buckets, and giant fans.
Other fun elements include an interactive gong, giggling baby pandas, and oversized merry-go-round noodle bowls from Mr. Ping’s Noodle Shop.
Underneath the village area you’ll find a new digital interactive show, Po Live! – Interact with the Dragon Warrior himself as he teaches Kung Fu moves, cooks delicious stir-fry, and babysits his little cousin, Ling Ling.
DreamWorks Imagination Celebration
The DreamWorks Theater is now home to Imagination Celebration – a fun-filled party! We previewed the new performance, and it’s safe to say this is a big improvement from the previous show. It’s an easy story to follow with sweet songs, giant LED screens with vibrant scenery, dancing characters, and PUPPETS! Plus, this is a great AC break from the Florida sun!
DreamWorks Land Tidbits
Team Members in the land are called “DreamWorkers”:
I know fellow theme park geeks will love this — there’s all-new trash can designs to match each of the land’s areas!
We tried out the Shrekzel: a buttery Shrek face-shaped pretzel, complete with a side of green nacho cheese. It’s pretty tasty. We can’t wait to check out more of the snacks one day soon!
Sure, DreamWorks Land may be filled with play areas and shows mostly for kids… but I’ve waited over 20 years to meet these two outside Shrek’s swamp cottage.
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Let’s Hear From You!
Things are just getting started at the Florida theme parks; with a new retro parade, Tribute Store, lagoon show, and Hogwarts nighttime spectacular all debuting very soon, there’s a lot to be excited for this summer at Universal Orlando! Not to mention a little something called Epic Universe opening next year…
Are you excited for the the new DreamWorks Land? More importantly, would you slide down Shrek’s outhouse?
