Splash, train, and dance with your favorite characters in the new DreamWorks Land at Universal Studios Florida. This new home for Shrek, Poppy, Po, and friends opens in Universal Studios Florida this summer with new interactive playgrounds, snacks, and shows. In this article, we’ll be able to cover all you need to know about Universal’s DreamWorks Land attractions, shops, stalls, and amenities plus provide our touring advice.

What is DreamWorks Land?

DreamWorks Land is the new home to your favorite DreamWorks characters in Universal Orlando. Taking over the former Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone space, slotted between E.T. Adventure ride and Animal Actor show. The old Fievel the Mouse and Curious George play areas are gone and in are refreshed areas featuring Shrek, Trolls, and Kung Fu Panda. Universal ripped out old pavement and gardening to add modern play areas.

Shrek’s Swamp

Fans of Shrek who are sad with the Shrek-viction of Shrek 4D for Villain-Con will be happy to find Shrek is front and center at DreamWorks Land. A life-sized Shrek tree stump house is front and center inside the land with a swampy play area behind, playgrounds, interactive areas, and snack stands across the path.

Shrek’s Swamp Meet is a meet and green in front of Shrek’s house featuring Shrek, a puppet Donkey, and Princess Fiona. Behind the tree stump are splash pads and suspension bridges at Shrek’s Swamp for Little Ogres with a cheeky outhouse slide, Pinocchio interactive AA figure, and spouts shooting water for a cool down.

King Harold’s Swamp Symphony is an interactive musical play area where lily pads activate musical frogs. Yes, that includes a famous beer jingle. Swamp Snacks sells the “Shrekzel” (a Shrek-shaped pretzel with green cheese), Shrek popsicles, and stuffed waffles for Donkey. Mama Luna Feline Fiesta is an indoor digital play space with physical props that activate digital effects, like buttons and levers.

Trolls Village

Behind the Shrek area are the oversized props and funky creatures from the hit Trolls series. Zip along on the Caterbus on the family-friendly Trollercoaster, one of two major attractions in the land. The cleverly named coaster is perfect for troll-sized kids with a max speed of 21 mph and drop height of 27 feet. Adjacent to the rollercoaster is Poppy’s Playground, a small, covered play area for young children unable to ride the Trollercoaster.

The large boombox in Trolls Village is home to Trolls Treats, a soft serve ice cream cart selling fun flavors like pink lemonade. Cloud Guy’s High Five Highway is a small merch stand selling a wide range of DreamWorks merchandise.

Kung Fu Panda

Train with Po from Kung Fu Panda in this interactive playground themed to his village. Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp is a wet/dry play area with fun interactive elements for young kids. On the left are water cannons, spill buckets, and large fans while on the other side are dry play items. Po Live! is an interactive digital character experience with a digital Po puppeteered by a live actor.

DreamWorks Imagination Celebration

In the former Barney Theater is the DreamWorks Imagination Celebration, the land’s second minor attraction. From the press release:

Popular DreamWorks Animation stories leap off the screen and come to life in DreamWorks Imagination Celebration. The multisensory adventure combines hit pop songs, high-energy dancing, advanced technology, and more to create an imaginative party atmosphere that will transport guests to the worlds of their favorite characters within the all-new DreamWorks Theater.

The fancy marketing spin means the show features dancers, costumed characters, puppets, and video screens. There is plenty of space between bench seats for young children to shimmy and dance to hit DreamWorks Songs. The show has a loose story about imagination with hosts out of a Mean Girls or Shucked production with appearances by famous DreamWorks characters. We think the show is perfect for families looking to wear out some overactive children, but otherwise the show is a skip if you don’t have small children (or love the featured DreamWorks characters).

DreamWorks Character Zone is a small meet-and-greet space with a rotating list of current popular DreamWorks characters. At the time of opening, this will be where guests can meet Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse.

TouringPlans Touring Tips

• DreamWorks Land’s minor attraction, the Trollercoaster, will see moderate lines in the late morning through early evening.
• Trollercoaster height requirement of 36 inches (91 cm) for all riders, children under 48 inches (122 cm) must be accompanied by a supervising companion.
• Visit Po Live! and DreamWorks Imagination Celebration anytime.
• Restrooms are located outside of Dreamworks Imagination Celebration’s entrance. If those are overwhelmed visit the restrooms next to Spongebob Store Pants or Animal Actors.
• Injury? For major incidents flag down a Team Member. For smaller items the closest First Aid is at the front of the park – leave the land and turn left through Central Park and Hollywood.
• A larger selection of DreamWorks merchandise is available at the Universal Studios Store at the front of the park and in CityWalk than in the land.

Are you excited about DreamWorks Land? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!