Earlier this year, Universal Orlando Resort announced the opening of DreamWorks Land, a family-friendly new addition to Universal Studios Florida where guests can meet all of their favorite DreamWorks characters and explore new locations themed to some of DreamWorks’ most iconic films, including Shrek, Trolls, and Kung-Fu Panda.
After the closure of Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone, guests and fans of Universal Studios Florida were eager to see what would replace the classic kids’ land that once housed Feivel’s Playground, the Woody Woodpecker Nuthouse Coaster, A Day in the Park with Barney, and the Curious George Goes to Town splash pad area – and as work walls were erected featuring cutouts of popular DreamWorks Characters, ranging from Shrek and Donkey, Hiccup and Toothless, Puss in Boots, and Megamind, rumors began to fly that the closed and largely demolished Kidzone would be fully transformed into a DreamWorks paradise.
Dreamworks Land officially opened June 14th, and Theme Park Shark visited the swamp to bring fans all the details, from the big to the small, in an opening weekend look at the newest land to be added to the Universal Studios Florida family.
With DreamWorks Land separated into three distinct sections – one dedicated to the Shrek family of movies, one dedicated to the Trolls movies, and one dedicated to Kung-Fu Panda – it’s easy to tell that DreamWorks Land is the spiritual successor to Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone. Of course, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t plenty to be found within the confines of this new land that guests of all ages can’t enjoy, and sometimes just the excitement of a new experience can be enough to bring joy to those walking through the park.
Despite being geared primarily towards young children, DreamWorks Land still has plenty to look forward to for older kids and adults alike. From new treats to plenty of laughs to the new show nestled within the land, DreamWorks Land is a good time all around, and fun to explore for guests unfamiliar with its grounds.
The most exciting part of the new land turned out to be quite the surprise; while the DreamWorks Imagination Celebration, held in the old A Day in the Park with Barney theater, was just as cheesy as expected, it was also beautifully designed. While remaining a show primarily for young children eager to see their favorite characters dance on stage, the DreamWorks Imagination Celebration is also a visual treat, combining exceptional lighting, graphics, artwork, and even puppetry to bring some of DreamWorks’ most beloved characters to life.
For those with a keen ear, a special plot twist at the end of the show can even be heard mentioned during the pre-show. While it’s easy to dismiss the audio clip as just a throwaway joke, it actually had a brilliant and loveable payoff at the end of the musical spectacular that had even the adults in the audience laughing and cheering.
Featuring characters from Shrek, Trolls, and Kung-Fu Panda as the main draw, the DreamWorks Imagination Celebration is a fun and high-energy show that runs about twenty minutes, and is enjoyable for all ages. While easily the new attraction I was least interested in viewing as I explored DreamWorks Land during opening weekend, the DreamWorks Imagination Celebration quickly became one of my favorite mild experiences in the park.
In addition to this brilliant show, DreamWorks Land also offers a myriad of interactive set pieces that are sure to tucker the kids out. From the musical lily pads of King Harold’s Swamp Symphony to the dedicated splash pad of Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp and the special interactive show inside, DreamWorks Land has plenty to occupy young guests and any guest who wants to stay young at heart. There’s no age limit on musical lily pads, or honing your master Kung-Fu skills by doing laundry.
And while the interactivity of these areas remains impressive, the real main attraction in DreamWorks Land is, undoubtedly, the character meet and greets.
After Shrek 4-D closed in 2022, and the Shrek and Donkey meet across from the ride’s soundstage closed in January 2023, Shrek had been something of a wandering character, with no dedicated themed area for guests to meet him, Donkey, or Fiona like there once had been.
However, with the official opening of DreamWorks Land, Shrek has finally returned home to the swamp with Shrek’s Swamp Meet, allowing guests to meet and greet with the ornery ogre and his fairytale friends. Shrek’s Swamp Meet is a long-awaited return to one of Universal’s most beloved and most hilarious meet-and-greets in the park, as Donkey cracks jokes with guests in one of the best interactive meets Universal has to offer.
With so much going on in DreamWorks Land, it’s no surprise that the area has been swamped since its opening on June 14th, allowing guests to meet their favorite DreamWorks characters, cool down in the designated splash pad areas scattered throughout the land, and try some of DreamWorks most creative treats (and yes, there are waffles) in a charming and contained land that brought a sorely-needed update to a neglected part of the park.
