DreamWorks Animation in amusement parks

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Since 23 May 2003, DreamWorks Animation, an American animation studio, owned by NBCUniversal since 2016, has had an involvement in the creation and theming of amusement park rides and attractions. This article details the ventures of DreamWorks Animation in amusement parks.

Contents

History

In 2003, Universal Destinations & Experiences opened the 4D film called Shrek 4-D at Universal Studios Florida, Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Japan. The film is chronologically sequenced between the original 2001 film Shrek and Shrek 2 which was released in 2004. In 2005 and 2008, Shrek 4-D was added to Warner Bros. Movie World and Movie Park Germany respectively (the film was later removed from Warner Bros. Movie World and Movie Park Germany in favour of Journey to the Center of the Earth 4-D Adventure and Ice Age: The 4D Experience). [1]

On 18 March 2010, DreamWorks Animation moved further into the theme park industry with the opening of two themed lands at Universal Studios Singapore. The first land is Madagascar which is based upon the 2005 film of the same name. The second land is Far Far Away which is based on the Shrek franchise. Each of the lands featured a variety of attractions themed after the movies. In 2011, Dreamworld announced a $10 million deal with DreamWorks Animation to bring the company's characters to their amusement park. In a 3-stage development beginning on 19 December 2011, Dreamworld will open new shows and newly themed rides and attractions. [2]

In May 2012, the Brazilian theme park Beto Carrero World announced a partnership with DreamWorks Animation, later that year Shrek and other characters began to make meet and greets around the park. [3] The first area with DreamWorks Animation characters opened in February 2014, themed to Madagascar, the area features two attractions, a live show and a river rapids ride. [4] In March 2016, Beto Carrero World and DreamWorks Animation renewed the partnership for more 10 years, and announced three new themed areas featuring Shrek, How to Train Your Dragon , and Kung Fu Panda . The construction was scheduled to start in 2017. [5]

In July 2012, DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg announced that the attractions at the American Dream Mall (formerly Meadowland Mills and Meadowland Xanadu) in the Meadowlands Sports Complex at East Rutherford, New Jersey will be themed to DreamWorks' animated productions. [6] In September 2016, the mall's owner Triple Five Group announced that Nickelodeon Universe will also occupy the indoor amusement park space and DreamWorks Animation would work with partnership in creating the park. [7] In November 2018, the mall's vice president of Communications announced the opening date of September 2019 but by that date it was delayed to November 27, 2019, before being delayed again. [8] [9] By October 25, 2019, the Nickelodeon Universe theme park opened at the American Dream. [10] In February 2020, the park announced its opening date of March 19, 2020. [11] However, the onset COVID-19 pandemic caused American Dream to delay the opening again. [12] In September 2020, the park announced that it will finally open on October 1, 2020, along with the rest of the mall. [13] On October 1, 2020, DreamWorks Water Park officially opened to the public. [14]

In February 2013, it was revealed that DreamWorks Animation has partnered with Regions GC to build in Russia Europe's largest indoor theme parks. Set in Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Yekaterinburg, each park would incorporate a movie and concert hall, 4D movie theater, three-star 400-room hotel and retails. The parks, which were expected to be completed in 2015, would feature themes based on Shrek , Madagascar , How to Train Your Dragon , Kung Fu Panda , and Turbo . [15]

In May 2013, DreamWorks signed a licensing agreement with Sands China to bring its cast of animated characters to Sands Cotai Central in Macau. The resorts would present a series of performances, parades, dining experiences, meet-and-greets and photo opportunities highlighting characters such as Po from Kung Fu Panda; Shrek, Fiona and Puss in Boots from Shrek; Alex the Lion, King Julien and the Penguins from Madagascar and Toothless and Hiccup from How to Train Your Dragon. [16]

Locations

ParkAreaOpening dateClosing datePrevious attractionReplaced by
American Dream Meadowlands [17] 19 March 2020 [19] ———
Beto Carrero World
  • Madagascar
10 October 2013———
Dreamworld 1 April 2012 [20] 2023 Kid's World
Nickelodeon Central 		Kenny and Belinda's Dreamland
Gardaland
  • Kung Fu Panda Academy
14 May 2016———
Heide Park Resort
  • Drachenzähmen - Die Insel
14 May 2016———
Motiongate Dubai
  • DreamWorks
    • Shrek
    • Madagascar
    • Kung Fu Panda
    • How to Train Your Dragon
16 December 2016———
Movie Park Germany Standalone attraction27 May 20082011 SpongeBob SquarePants 4-D Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaurs: The 4-D Experience
Universal Studios Florida Standalone attractions12 June 2003
28 May 2021		10 January 2022
15 January 2023		 Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies
Stage 54
A Day in the Park with Barney 		Illumination's Villain-Con Minion Blast
  • DreamWorks Land [21]
14 June 2024 [21] — Woody Woodpecker's KidZone —
Universal Studios Hollywood Standalone attractions23 May 2003
15 June 2018		14 August 2017Rugrats Magic Adventure 3-D DreamWorks Theatre
Universal Studios Japan Standalone attraction20 June 2003———
Universal Studios Singapore
  • Far Far Away
  • Madagascar
18 March 201027 March 2022 (Madagascar) [22] —
Warner Bros. Movie World Standalone attractions17 September 2005 [1] 29 August 2010 [1] Marvin the Martian in 3D [23] Journey to the Center of the Earth 4-D Adventure [24]

Attractions

Below is a list of all of the attractions at DreamWorks Animation themed areas around the world. The dates shown in the columns refer to the opening and closing dates for the ride under that name. It does not mean that the ride was closed and/or removed.

AttractionType ADM DW MGD MPG USF USH USJ USS WBMW BCW
Bubbly Lazy River Lazy river 2020- [25]
Camp VikingPlay area2017-
The CarnivortexDrop Launch capsule slide2020-
Donkey Live Interactive live show2010– [26]
Donkey's Photo Finish Meet and greet 2003–2022, 2022–2023
Dragon Gliders Mack Rides Inverted power coaster2017-
Dragon And Donkey's FlightFamily raft ride2020- [25]
DreamWorks Holiday Shrektacular Show Live show2011–2012 [27] [28]
DreamWorks DestinationInteractive live show / Meet and greet 2021–2023
DreamWorks Imagination CelebrationLive show2024–
DreamWorks Theatre 4-D film/Motion simulator 2018–
Dronkey Flyers Children's rotating flat ride2012–2023 [28]
Enchanted Airways Junior roller coaster 2010– [29]
Escape from Madagascar Suspended Family Coaster 2012–2023 [28]
Far Far A Bay Wave Pool Wave pool 2020- [25]
Fountain of Dreams Interactive fountain 2017-
Gingy's Glider Kite Flyer 2012–2023 [28]
Jungle JammerDrop Launch capsule slide2020- [25]
King Julien's Beach Party-Go-Round Carousel 2010–2022 [30]
King Julien's Side Show StompLive show2017-
King Julien's Theatre in the Wild Show stage2012–2023 [28]
Kung Fu Academy Play area2012–2023
Kung Fu Panda AcademyInteractive live show2017-
Kung Fu Panda Temple of Awesomeness Play Structure Water play area 2020- [25]
Kung Fu Panda: Unstoppable Awesomeness 4-D film/Motion simulator 2017-
Lemur LeapTube bowl slide2020- [25]
MAD Jungle Jam Ball play area2012–2023 [28]
Mad FlushBody bowl slide2020- [25]
Madagascar: A Crate Adventure Water ride 2011–2022 [31]
Madagascar Mad Pursuit Gerstlauer Infinity coaster2017-
Magic Potion Spin Children's Ferris wheel 2010– [32]
Majunga JumpBody slide2020- [25]
Mama Luna Feline Fiesta Play area
Meet Shrek and Donkey Meet and greet 2003–2017, 2018–
Melman-Go-RoundCarousel2017-
Mr. Ping's Noodle Fling Teacups 2017-
Operation Penguin Shake Live show2017-
Pandamonium Zamperla Air Race2012–2023
Penguin AirZamprela Magic Bike2017-
Penguin PlummetBody slide2020- [25]
The Penguins Frozen Fun Zone Water play area 2020- [25]
Po Live! Interactive live show2024–
Po's Kung Fu Training CampPlay area2024–
Poppy's PlaygroundPlay area2024–
Puss in Boots Sword Swing Swing ride 2012–2023 [28]
Puss in Boots' Giant Journey Inverted roller coaster 2015–
Shrek 4-D 4D film 2008–20112003–20222003–20172003–2010– [33] 2005–2010 [1]
Shrek's Merry Fairy Tale Journey Dark ride 2017-
Shrek's Sinkhole SlammerProSlide Tornado2020- [25]
Shrek's Swamp for Little OgresPlay area2024–
Shrek's Swamp Meet Meet and greet2024–
Shrek Live Live show ????–???? [34]
Shrek's Ogre-Go-Round Carousel 2012–2023 [27]
Skadoosh Bumper cars 2012–2023
Speeding Frenzy Tube slide2020- [25]
Surfari SliderDrop Launch capsule slide2020- [25]
Swamp Celebration Disk'O 2017-
Swamp N' SplashTriple funnel slide
The Swinging Viking Pirate ship 2017-
Thrillagascar Drop Launch capsule slide2020- [25]
Trolls Rainbow Racer Mat Racer 2020- [25]
Trolls Trollercoaster Junior roller coaster2024–
Tube It!Tube slide2020- [25]
Zany ZigzagBody slide2020- [25]
Zanier ZigzagBody slide2020- [25]
Madagascar Crazy River Adventure! River rapids ride 2014– [4]
Madagascar Circus Show!Live Show2014– [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DreamWorks Animation</span> American animation studio

DreamWorks Animation LLC (DWA) (also known as DreamWorks Animation Studios or simply DreamWorks) is an American animation studio owned by Universal Pictures, a division of NBCUniversal, which is itself a subsidiary of Comcast. The studio has released a total of 49 feature films, including several of the highest-grossing animated films of all time, with Shrek 2 (2004) having been the highest at the time of its release. Its first film, Antz, was released on October 2, 1998, and its latest film, The Wild Robot, was released on September 27, 2024. They have an upcoming theatrical slate of films, which includes Dog Man on January 31, 2025, The Bad Guys 2 on August 1, 2025, Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie on September 26, 2025, and Shrek 5 on July 1, 2026.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreamworld (Australia)</span> Theme park in Queensland, Australia

Dreamworld is a theme park and zoo situated on the Gold Coast in Queensland. It is Australia's biggest theme park with over 40 rides and attractions.

Shrek 4-D is an animated 4D film based on the Shrek franchise created by DreamWorks Animation, itself based on the book by William Steig. It also is a 4D simulator ride attraction with motion-based effects and water sprayers located at various theme parks around the world. It is currently shown at Universal Destinations & Experiences in Singapore, and previously in Universal Studios Florida, Hollywood, and Japan. The Hollywood location closed on August 14, 2017, to make way for the DreamWorks Theatre attraction, the Orlando location closed on January 10, 2022, to make way for Illumination's Villain-Con Minion Blast, and the Japan location closed on February 9, 2024. Outside the Universal parks, the movie was shown at Movie Park Germany in Germany from May 2008 until July 2011, and Warner Bros. Movie World in Australia from September 2005 until August 2010. A spin-off attraction titled Donkey's Photo Finish is located at the Florida venue while Meet Shrek and Donkey is located at the Hollywood venue. In Universal Studios Japan, the attraction is shown in the same theater as Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic, with the Shrek 4-D film shown for the first 12 hours of the day, and the Sesame Street film shown for the next 12 hours of the day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indoor roller coaster</span> Roller coaster in a structure

An indoor roller coaster or enclosed roller coaster is a roller coaster built inside a structure. The structure may be unrelated to the ride, or it may be intended solely or primarily for the ride. Many indoor coasters are custom made and placed in amusement parks or shopping malls. LaMarcus Adna Thompson, who pioneered the construction of the first simple roller coasters, initially built "scenic railway" rides including "indoor tableaux, panoramas, and biblical scenes illumined by car-tripped switches and flood lamps". A "completely enclosed roller coaster" called the Twister was built as early as 1925. Walt Disney World's Space Mountain was one of the first rides considered to be an indoor roller coaster, and was "the first indoor roller coaster where riders were in total darkness for the length of the ride so they couldn't tell where the drops or turns would occur".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Universal Studios Singapore</span> Universal Studios theme park in Singapore

Universal Studios Singapore is a theme park located within the Resorts World Sentosa integrated resort at Sentosa in Singapore. It features 28 rides, shows, and attractions in seven themed zones. It is one of the five Universal Studios theme parks around the world.

Since the 1990s, Nickelodeon, a worldwide children's television network and franchise, owned by Paramount Global, has had an involvement in the creation and theming of amusement parks rides.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beto Carrero World</span> Amusement park

Beto Carrero World is a theme park located in Penha, Santa Catarina, Brazil. The park is part of Santa Catarina's signature amusement parks. It is the largest theme park in Latin America, occupying 14 km2 (5.4 sq mi) divided into seven different theme areas.

<i>Madagascar</i> (franchise) DreamWorks Animation media franchise

Madagascar is an American media franchise owned and produced by DreamWorks Animation. The voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett Smith are featured in the films. It began with the 2005 film Madagascar, the 2008 sequel Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa and the third film Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted in 2012. A spin-off film featuring the penguins, titled Penguins of Madagascar, was released in 2014. A fourth main film, Madagascar 4, was announced for 2018, but has since been removed from its schedule indefinitely due to the studio's restructuring.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fright Nights</span> Australian seasonal Halloween theme park event

Fright Nights is a seasonal Halloween event held at Warner Bros. Movie World on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. The event began in 2006 as Halloween Family Fun Night as a single night event and has since evolved into a major park event across a month. It features themed mazes, shows and rides. Fright Nights also refers to the Halloween special event at Thorpe Park in Chertsey, Surrey, England, which opened in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madagascar: A Crate Adventure</span> Former water ride at Universal Studios Singapore

Madagascar: A Crate Adventure was a water ride located in the Madagascar zone of Universal Studios Singapore at Resorts World Sentosa. The attraction is based on Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation's 2005 animated film Madagascar and its franchise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DreamWorks Experience</span> Themed land at the Dreamworld theme park

DreamWorks Experience was a themed land at the Dreamworld theme park on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. It contained attractions themed to DreamWorks Animation films. The land was formerly themed to Nickelodeon properties.

Simon James Smith is a British animator, film director, and voice actor. He is best known for his work at DreamWorks Animation. Smith came to PDI/DreamWorks in 1997 as head of layout for the company's feature film division. A CG animation veteran with nearly 35 years of experience, Smith supervised the layout department on PDI/DreamWorks' first animated feature Antz, serving as the Head of Layout in Shrek. He then directed the Universal Studios Theatre experience Shrek 4-D, followed by the short Far Far Away Idol. His first feature film as a director was in 2007, with Bee Movie. He then directed another DVD short, Megamind: The Button of Doom, before co-directing, with Eric Darnell, the comedy/spy action spin-off from the Madagascar series, Penguins of Madagascar, the mini series "Baymax Dreams" for Disney, and is executive producer "Batwheels" for Warner Bros.

This is a list of events and openings related to amusement parks that occurred in 2011. These various lists are not exhaustive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Dreamworld</span>

The history of Dreamworld dates back to the mid-1970s when John Longhurst envisioned the future theme park. After a seven-year construction period, Dreamworld officially opened to the public on 15 December 1981. Now owned by publicly listed Ardent Leisure, the park has seen many expansions, closures and replacements over its 30-year history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serpent Slayer</span> Amusement ride

Serpent Slayer is an amusement ride in the Ocean Parade area of Dreamworld on the Gold Coast, Australia. The Zamperla Air Race 6.4 ride is featured as one of Dreamworld's Big 9 Thrill Rides. The ride was previously known as Pandamonium, as part of the "Land of Awesomeness" area within the DreamWorks Experience precinct, and was themed to the Kung-Fu Panda films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thierry Coup</span> French creative director

Thierry Jean-Andre Coup is the Chief Experiential Futurist at JOCOUP Creative. Coup began his career working in the film industry, performing set design and visual effects. He moved into theme park design in the early 1990s when Walt Disney Parks and Resorts offered him a position with Walt Disney Imagineering. In 1995, he transferred over to Universal Creative and led projects such as The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Transformers: The Ride, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley and Super Nintendo World.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DreamWorks Water Park</span> Water park in East Rutherford, New Jersey

DreamWorks Water Park is an indoor water park within the American Dream shopping and entertainment complex, at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States. Opened on October 1, 2020, the water park includes 15 water slides and 15 attractions, and covers 8.5 acres (3.4 ha).

This is a list of events and openings related to amusement parks that occurred in 2021. These various lists are not exhaustive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenny and Belinda's Dreamland</span> Themed land at Dreamworld amusement park

Kenny and Belinda's Dreamland is a themed area at the Dreamworld amusement park on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. The area based around Dreamworld mascot and characters as well as characters from certain ABC Kids shows. Phase 1 of the area opened on 31 March 2023, with the area fully opening 23 December of that year. The area replaced the former DreamWorks Experience themed land.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Shrek 4D (Warner Bros. Movie World)". Parkz. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  2. ↑ Scott, Tessa (10 November 2011). "DreamWorks at Dreamworld". Nine Gold Coast News. Archived from the original on 1 May 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  3. ↑ "BETO CARRERO WORLD CONFIRMA ALIANÇA COM DREAMWORKS E UNIVERSAL STUDIOS". Beto Carrero World Press Release. 25 May 2012. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 "MADAGASCAR, DA DREAMWORKS ANIMATION, CHEGA AO BETO CARRERO WORLD". Beto Carrero World Press Release. 21 February 2014. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  5. ↑ "Beto Carrero terá três novas áreas temáticas". Panrotas. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  6. ↑ "DreamWorks Plans "Shrek" Theme Park at Stalled NJ Mall". 11 July 2012.
  7. ↑ "SpongeBob, Ninja Turtles sign on with American Dream".
  8. ↑ "See the progress on the American Dream water park, now taking shape".
  9. ↑ "American Dream's theme park to open in October. For other attractions, you'll have to wait". 20 September 2019.
  10. ↑ "It's finally happening: American Dream mall will open Oct. 25".
  11. ↑ "Water park, some stores at American Dream mall announce openings". 27 February 2020.
  12. ↑ "American Dream closes over COVID-19, postpones opening of DreamWorks Water Park". 16 March 2020.
  13. ↑ "American Dream announces reopening date, but it's far away". 3 September 2020.
  14. ↑ "American Dream mega-mall reopens Thursday. What to know about stores, parking, water park". October 2020.
  15. ↑ Tartaglione, Nancy (15 February 2013). "DreamWorks Animation Plans Indoor Theme Parks in Three Russian Cities". Deadline. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  16. ↑ Yu, Grace (2 May 2013). "Sands China-DreamWorks agreement: Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and more coming to Cotai". Macau Daily Times. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  17. ↑ "American Dream Meadowlands Is Slated to (Finally!) Open in March 2019" . Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  18. ↑ "American Dream Meadowlands Is Slated to (Finally!) Open in March 2019" . Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  19. ↑ "Opening date for American Dream water park and some retail stores announced". North Jersey. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  20. ↑ "Dreamworld Unveils Spectacular End of 2011: New World-Class Entertainment Alliance with DreamWorks Animation". Press Release. Dreamworld. 10 November 2011. Archived from the original on 22 May 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  21. 1 2 Goldsmith, Jill (20 July 2023). "Universal Studios Florida To Debut DreamWorks Land In 2024". Deadline. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  22. ↑ Niles, Robert (18 February 2022). "Madagascar gets 'One Last Boogie' at Universal Singapore". Theme Park Insider. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  23. ↑ "Marvin the Martian in 3D (Warner Bros. Movie World)". Parkz. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  24. ↑ "Journey to the Center of the Earth 4-D Adventure (Warner Bros. Movie World)". Parkz. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 "DreamWorks Water Park - America's Largest Indoor Water Park Near NYC". American Dream. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  26. ↑ Universal Studios Singapore. "Donkey Live". Resorts World Sentosa. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  27. 1 2 Abate, Amanda (10 November 2011). "DreamWorks Deal". Seven News. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Dreamworld To Open New Dreamworks Animation Precinct". Press Release. Dreamworld. February 2012. Archived from the original on 15 November 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  29. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Enchanted Airways  (Warner Bros. Movie World)". Roller Coaster DataBase . Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  30. ↑ Universal Studios Singapore. "King Julien's Beach Party-Go-Round". Resorts World Sentosa. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  31. ↑ Universal Studios Singapore. "Madagascar: A Crate Adventure". Resorts World Sentosa. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  32. ↑ Universal Studios Singapore. "Magic Potion Spin". Resorts World Sentosa. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  33. ↑ Universal Studios Singapore. "Shrek 4-D Adventure". Resorts World Sentosa. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  34. ↑ "Shrek Live (Warner Bros. Movie World)". Parkz. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
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