DreamWorks Land Opening Date ANNOUNCED at Universal Orlando- Shrek, Trolls, Kung Fu Panda!

Universal Orlando replaced the prior KidZone area in Universal Studios Florida with a brand new DreamWorks Land featuring Shrek, Trolls, and Kung Fu Panda.

The NEW DreamWorks Land is located right near the E.T. Adventure attraction and the Animal Actors Stage Show, there is NO indication that this new land will remove either of these iconic areas. DreamWorks Land will feature brand new attractions, meet and greets, and themed areas for some of the most popular DreamWorks films.

I visit Universal Orlando frequently and have been monitoring the construction in this area along with all the updates from Universal. This is going to be a great addition to Universal Studios Florida especially with the popularity of Shrek amongst all ages. Keep scrolling for the newly announced opening date! 

Universal Orlando DreamWorks Land Overview

This new themed area will be targeted at smaller age groups and feature some of the most popular characters in the DreamWork's Animation films like Shrek, Trolls, and Kung Fu Panda. DreamWorks Land is located in Universal Studios Florida near the famous E.T. Adventure attraction. DreamWorks Land will feature a family-friendly roller coaster, interactive play areas, live entertainment, and character meet and greets.

This new area, combined with Minions Land, shows an attempt to cut into Walt Disney World’s prime demographic of young families.

This is just the first step in many new additions coming to Universal Orlando. In 2025, Universal Orlando plans to open a NEW theme park. The new Epic Universe theme park will feature brand new lands themed to Harry Potter, Super Nintendo, How to Train Your Dragon, Universal monster themed area, plus a NEW hotel inside the Epic Universe theme park! Universal Orlando will be entirely transformed with the completion of Epic Universe and with the addition of more areas like DreamsWork Land will be a great place to visit for all ages.

Guests will be able to explore Shrek's Swamp including Shrek's cottage from the film, enjoy a Trolls themed rollercoaster called Trollercoaster, and meet Po in Panda Village along with other popular DreamWorks characters like Gabby from Gabby's Dollhouse. There will also be food items, splash pads, and murals themed after the DreamWorks stories and characters.

When Does DreamWorks Land Open?

Universal Orlando has announced that DreamWorks Land will open June 14th as a part of a larger Universal Orlando summer celebration that includes a new nighttime spectacular and Hogwarts show.

DreamWorks Land- Shrek

Easily one of the most popular stories in DreamWorks Animation are the Shrek films. This is the area that I am most excited for and will be a draw for all ages. The new Shrek area in DreamWorks Land will feature multiple places to interact with the Shrek character including one of the best character interactions at Universal Orlando- Donkey!

Shrek’s Swamp Meet

Shrek's Swamp will offer meet and greets with Shrek, Princess Fiona and Donkey just outside of Shrek’s cottage.

Shrek’s Swamp for Little Ogres

This play area features four slides, wet play areas and a playground where guests can climb, bounce and splash around as well as venture into Shrek’s outhouse.

Mama Luna Feline Fiesta

This interactive experience is themed after Puss in Boots 2: The Last Wish and takes place in Mama Luna’s retirement home for cats. Guests get to play with Mama Luna’s many cats on vivid interactive screens activated by buttons, bells, maracas and levers.

King Harold’s Swamp Symphony

Guests can create their own symphony by triggering a choir of ever-changing frog ribbits by continually stomping on an array of interactive lily pads.

Swamp Snacks

And of course, there will be plenty of themed food items with Swamp Snacks serving food inspired by Shrek including Shrekzel, Far Far A Waffle, Frozen Ogre and more.

DreamWorks Land- Trolls

Trolls is another beloved animation in the DreamWorks franchise. The Trolls themed area is where you will find the family friend rollercoaster! The theming of this area will include a fountain featuring Trolls characters, Poppy and Branch, at the center of Trolls Village.

Trolls Trollercoaster

It is likely the Trolls Trollercoaster is a retheme of the former Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster from the old KidZone. This coaster will now be themed after the Trolls characters as guests experience a queue featuring Trolls characters including Poppy, Viva, Tiny Diamond, Satin and Chenille. Guests will take a ride on the Caterbus as they escape evil speeders, speeding along a bright orange and yellow track.

Poppy’s Playground

Poppy's Playground is a play area underneath a 20-foot mushroom with colorful flowers and bugs inside a bouncing and climbing structures for young kids.

Trolls Treats

Poppy’s boombox from Trolls Band Together is the theme of this food kiosk that offers brightly colored Trolls ice cream treats inspired by Poppy and Branch like the pink lemonade-flavored Poppy-licious Pink and huckleberry-flavored BroZone Berry.

High Five Hideaway

This retail location is hosted by Cloud Guy offering merchandise like apparel, plush and accessories from Shrek, Trolls, Kung Fu Panda, Gabby’s Dollhouse and more.

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You’ll want to consider the Park-To-Park tickets because they are the only way you are able to experience the Hogwarts Express. Also, with a Park-To-Park ticket, you’ll be able to avoid starting the day in the park with the biggest crowd prediction and then switch over to experience more across both parks.

If you are a member of an organization that may qualify for discount tickets or are interested in the Annual Pass option, you should read our guide to discount Universal Studios Orlando ticket options.

DreamWorks Land- Kung Fu Panda

Kung Fu Panda is also a big part of this new DreamWorks Land featuring live entertainment and character interactions.

Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp

This play area aims to bring the Panda Village to life with both wet and dry play areas. Guests have the opportunity to help the pandas wash and dry their laundry with enormous water cannons, dump buckets, giant fans and more. Other interactive elements in this area include an interactive gong, mischievous, giggling baby pandas, and oversized merry-go-round noodle bowls from Mr. Ping’s Noodle Shop. I can see kids LOVING this area since its so focused on water play.

Po Live!

Po Live! is a digital meet and greet experience as guests interact with Po as he teaches them Kung Fu moves, cooks some delicious stir fry and babysits his little cousin, Ling Ling…all at the same time. The description for this experience reminds me a bit of Turtle Talk with Crush which is a popular digital character interaction at the Disney Parks.

DreamWorks Land Characters

Aside from focusing on the above three animated stories, there will also be plenty of other opportunities for DreamWorks character interactions.

DreamWorks Imagination Celebration

This multisensory adventure combines hit pop songs, high-energy dancing, advanced technology, and more to create an imaginative party atmosphere where guests will be transported into the worlds of their favorite characters in the new DreamWorks Theater.

DreamWorks Character Zone

This character meet and greet area will offer other interactions with DreamWorks characters like Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse and more.

DreamWorks Land Construction Update

The DreamWorks Land construction is making progress! During a recent visit to Universal Orlando, we captured some pictures that you can see below.

Shrek's house is making progress for the new Shrek's Swamp area.

You can also see progress being made on the Trolls-themed roller coaster.

I cannot wait for this new area to open especially to see the popular Donkey meet and greet have a permanent home! 

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• EPIC Universe Guide- NEW Theme Park Coming to Universal Orlando
• NEW Harry Potter Land Coming Soon to Universal