My DreamWorks Land Preview

DreamWorks Land will open to the public at Universal Studios Florida on June 14. I got a sneak peek of Universal Orlando Resort’s newest land on May 26. Let me tell you right off, the kids are going to love it! DreamWorks Land is beautifully done. I had a great time.

Universal Studios Florida has been without a play area for the kids for a while now, and that’s essentially what DreamWorks Land is. There are plenty of thrills located elsewhere at Universal Orlando Resort. DreamWorks Land offers the kids a place to blow off steam while their parents chill for a while.

As the name implies, DreamWorks Land is based on some of your favorite DreamWorks stories. Possibly the most famous is Shrek. He’s hanging out with Fiona and Donkey in Shrek’s Swamp Meet when you first enter DreamWorks Land. Fiona is a face character, but all three of them talk. While we were there they were having long conversations with the guests. It’s a fun character meet and greet.

Trolls Trollercoaster is the main ride in DreamWorks Land. The Woody Woodpecker Coaster has been rethemed. It’s not intense, but it is a bit jerky. Trolls Trollercoaster is a great first coaster for kids. I believe that the height requirement is 38 inches, but don’t quote me on that. Your ride vehicle is a caterpillar Caterbus. It’s a cute ride.

Po Live! sounds like it’s supposed to be a show along the lines of Turtle Talk With Crush. While we were there we saw shadows of characters on the screen, but nothing really happened. I don’t know if our timing was off or if it just wasn’t running. Previews are technical rehearsals, and not everything is always working.

What was working was DreamWorks Imagination Celebration. This is a live show, and it will be a highlight of DreamWorks Land for both kids and adults. I won’t spoil the story. There are plenty of characters, and the theater is small so you’ll be near the action. If you don’t know all the movies represented you might not understand all of the story, but that’s okay. It’s still must-do, and it’s very well done. Stay until the end, that’s all I’ll say.

In a lot of ways, DreamWorks Land is a giant splash area for the kids; and for any adults who want to cool off. There is so much water that you’ll feel like you’re in the kids’ area of a water park! Don’t worry about walking around in wet clothes all day, there are also dryers. Then again, with how hot it’s been your clothes will dry pretty quickly on their own.

If the kids don’t feel like getting wet, don’t worry. There are also dry areas for them to play in.

Character fans will love DreamWorks Land. In addition to the Shrek gang, we saw Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse, Puss in Boots, and Kitty Softpaws. Unlike Shrek’s gang, these characters didn’t talk. I’m pretty sure that there are more characters than just those, but it was hot and we didn’t feel like walking around in the sun any longer.

There are merchandise stands with some cute items. There are also some food stands with DreamWorks-themed treats. The Shrek Pretzel with green cheese sauce was very popular.

DreamWorks Land is going to be a hit. The area is well designed, and there is plenty to do. Kids are going to love it, and parents and grandparents will enjoy having a place to relax as the little ones play. Well done, Universal Orlando Resort.