A Parent’s Guide to DreamWorks Land at Universal Orlando: Rides, Shows, Characters, and More!
If your kids dream of spending the day in Shrek’s swamp or pretending to be the size of Poppy and her pals, there’s a brand new land at Universal Orlando Resort that is perfect for them.
Two local moms have teamed up to put together this guide to DreamWorks Land. Our team’s multiple visits to this new theme park land will help you discover everything there is to do here, and have the best time ever!
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When Will DreamWorks Land Open?
DreamWorks Land’s official opening date is June 14, 2024 at Universal Studios Florida. Annual Passholder previews and technical previews are already underway.
DreamWorks Land follows the opening of Minion Land at Universal, and arrives before Universal’s newest theme park, Epic Universe, opens its gates in 2025. As Universal continues to update and change its landscape, here’s everything parents need to know about the opening of DreamWorks Land.
Where Is DreamWorks Land?
Curious where within Universal Studios Florida the DreamWorks action is taking place? DreamWorks Land is located where the Curious George Goes to Town interactive water play area and Feivel’s Play Land formerly sat, near the Animal Actors on Location show and E.T. Adventure.
If your family ever met Barney and his pals at A Day in the Park with Barney, it’s the same area.
Universal’s DreamWorks Land attractions
DreamWorks Land incorporates franchises like Kung Fu Panda, Trolls, and Shrek, as well as shows like Gabby’s Dollhouse.
With interactive play areas, shopping, treats, rides, and character meet-and-greets, the land is awesome for DreamWorks fans of all ages.
Shrek
- Shrek’s Swamp Meet: Here, families can meet characters like Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey against the backdrop of Shrek’s cottage. Characters spend quite a bit of time with each guest, so prepare for a longer-than-normal wait time to meet the iconic green ogre and his pals. Shade is also limited in the line queue.
Shrek’s next appearance time is listed on signage outside of the cottage. - Shrek’s Swamp for Little Ogres: This kids’ play area features four slides, wet play areas, and a playground, as well as an opportunity for guests to visit Shrek’s outhouse (complete with sound effects)
- Mama Luna Feline Fiesta: Kids may spot Puss in Boots himself at this interactive play area themed around the film Puss in Boots 2: The Last Wish. Take a break from the sun and hide out in the shade with interactive screens showing lots of kitties.
- King Harold’s Swamp Symphony: Frogs that ribbit and lily pads perfect for jumping make up this musical play area for little ones. To make the frogs croak and sing, kids must jump from lily pad to lily pad—a great way to release some energy.
- Swamp Snacks: This food kiosk wserves up Shrek-tastic treats like Shrekzels, Far Far A Waffles, and Frozen Ogres.
This is the first portion of DreamWorks Land, immediately as you enter this area.
Great news! The Swamp for Little Ogres play area has only one entrance/exit. You’ll still need to keep a close eye on your kid(s), but it is much easier to keep track of them here than this area’s previous play area.
Trolls
- Trolls Trollercoaster: A family-friendly coaster suited for guests of all ages, this ride mimics the iconic Caterbus as guests speed along the track, escaping evil spiders along the way. The ride is gentle and great for young kids, lasting just under one minute. Shade in the ride queue is limited, so have those misters, hats, and umbrellas out.
- Poppy’s Playground: A shaded play area beneath a 20-foot mushroom, this space is full of opportunities for kids to climb and bounce.
- Trolls Treats: This music-themed kiosk sells ice cream treats like the pink lemonade-flavored Poppy-licious Pink and huckleberry-flavored BroZone Berry. Be warned, they are messy, but yummy.
- High Five Hideaway: A retail location offering merchandise from all across DreamWorks Animation, this shop is great for fans of Shrek, Trolls, Kung Fu Panda, Gabby’s Dollhouse, and more.
Some highlights on our visit? Adorable Shrek and Fiona hair scrunchies, Trolls rash guards, and plenty of DreamWorks plushies. Of note, this souvenir shop also sells bottled drinks like soda and water.
What is the height requirement of the Trolls Trollercoaster?
Trolls Trollercoaster has the same minimum height requirement as Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster at Universal Studios Florida. Kids must be 36 inches (91 cm) to ride. Riders between 36-48 inches (91-122 cm) must be accompanied by a supervising companion. To check kids’ heights before they ride, there’s a cute Guy Diamond sign to measure them for safety.
This Trolls play area takes over for the Woody Woodpecker Coaster and part of the Fieval’s Playland in this section.
Kung Fu Panda
- Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp: This wet and dry play area has interactive gongs and lots of hands-on activities. Kids can splash until they’re completely soaked. It’s a good idea to hit this area first and pack dry clothes to change into for the rest of your day at Universal.
- Po Live: This experience is an interactive version of Po on screen, meaning kids interact with an animated version of Po that can talk and respond to them thanks to a behind-the-scenes voice actor.
This area takes over for the Curious George Goes to Town play area that was here previously.
Other experiences featuring DreamWorks characters
- DreamWorks Imagination Celebration: (NEW SHOW) This multi-sensory adventure combines music, technology, and dancing in a brand new theater. This fast-paced show is bright, colorful, and joyful, and features characters like King Julien, Po, Branch, Poppy, and Shrek
- DreamWorks Character Zone: There are opportunities to interact with DreamWorks characters, including Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse, just inside the entrance to this new land.
During our visits, we spotted King Julien, and Puss ‘N’ Boots at different times meeting park guests.
Know Before You Go
- Theme park admission is required to enter DreamWorks Land since it is inside Universal Studios Florida
- Portions of the play area contain water splash zones
- Character appearances are at scheduled intervals during specific hours and generally end a few hours before the park closes
- The restrooms in DreamWorks Land have kid-sized sinks in addition to regular height ones
- Expected crowds for the first few months after DreamWorks Lands opens
