Universal Destinations and Experiences, also known as Universal Studios Theme Parks or simply Universal Theme Parks, is a theme park unit of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. It is one of the top theme park companies in the world, and has been creating attractions and experiences based on DreamWorks properties since 2001.
Attractions and Experiences Based on Shrek[]
Since 2001, Universal and DreamWorks Pictures have been collaborating on bringing their intellectual properties into Universal theme parks. Most of the major attractions have been based on the popular computer-animated film franchise, Shrek. Through the 21st century, Universal has had a Shrek-based experience in almost all of their major theme parks.
Universal Studios Hollywood[]
In summer of 2001, a live show titled "Shrek Live!" was performed in front of the former Castle Theater in Universal Studios Hollywood. This would be the first appearance of the characters in the Universal theme parks, as well as the first major attraction overall for Shrek. It was an interactive stage show which encouraged guests to take part in a retelling of the first Shrek film. Performers named Nimble and Quick (and Bob) encouraged guests to shout words and willing participants could play the roles of Lord Farquaad and Princess Fiona. However, it would be revealed that this entire showcase is a fabrication of the film's story- as Farquaad was depicted as the dashing and "tall" hero stopping the "evil" Shrek from kidnapping his beloved damsel in distress. After five minutes of the fake retelling and heckling from Donkey, the green ogre himself emerges from his outhouse. Baffled by the performance, Shrek and Donkey make fun of Nimble and Quick. In an effort to fix their mistakes, Shrek invites the two to finish the show with the "real story." Donkey narrates with Shrek playing himself, Nimble playing Princess Fiona, and Quick playing Lord Farquaad. There is also an appearance from Dragon who fights Shrek before falling in love with Donkey. The story ends with Shrek marrying Fiona and Farquaad getting eaten by Dragon.
Two years later, a permanent show would open on May 23, 2003 titled Shrek 4-D, a motion-simulator attraction with a brand new ride film starring the Shrek characters. The ride is set immediately after the first movie, where Shrek and Fiona are on their way to the Honeymoon Hotel along with Donkey. However, the evil Lord Farquaad and his henchman Thelonious have returned to take revenge of the trio. Thelonious kidnaps Fiona and escapes into the Forbidden Forest, where Shrek and Donkey follow suit to rescue the princess until encountering the ghost of Lord Farquaad. He brings to life a Stone Dragon to devour the duo, but before it can eat, Dragon swoops in to save Shrek and Donkey. After a Star Wars-inspire chase scene, Shrek and Donkey make their way to Fairy Falls to save Fiona, who is on a raft about to take the plunge. Fiona was able to successfully save herself by beating up Thelonious and using a grappling hook to stop the raft. Shrek and Donkey soon arrive, but with their added weight causes the grappling hook to break, bringing them over the falls. Thelonious is able to briefly hold onto them until a branch he is hanging onto breaks. In the nick of time, the four are saved by Dragon and with her fire, destroys Lord Farquaad once and for all. Shrek and Fiona are transported safely to the Honeymoon Hotel, where they celebrate with the Fairy Tale Creatures.
The theater that housed the ride film was originally used for live shows such as Star Trek, Totally Nickelodeon, and the Rugrats Magic Adventure. In preparation for Shrek 4-D, the theater was converted into a big widescreen theater, with the former entrance reworked as an exit. New motion-enhanced seats were also installed, which were designed to rock back and forth along with the action on-screen. Another feature was sensors giving the illusion of spiders crawling during the spider scene. This combination of effects and the 3-D screen would be referred to as "OgreVision" in the ride's advertisements. The dressing rooms would also be turned into a pre-show, which was decorated to resemble the Duloc Dungeon and featured two Magic Mirrors. Special animatronics of Pinocchio and the Three Little Pigs trapped in torture devices were built- designed to interact with the pre-show film, the guests, and the Magic Mirror. To better fit this new pre-show, the theater's exterior was retrofitted to resemble Duloc, complete with signage, posters for fake attractions within the kingdom, and wanted posters of the Fairy Tale Creatures. New storybook illustrations depicting the events of Shrek were also placed in the queue lines.
Shrek 4-D closed on August 13, 2017 as a response to a new five-year plan to rework the Universal Hollywood park into a more legitimate themed establishment. This included restructuring the front plaza, removing select attractions, and refurbishing existing ones. The theater would be renovated to become the "DreamWorks Theater," which as of 2018, houses the Kung Fu Panda Adventure ride film. Despite the change, Shrek still has a major presence in the attraction. Various Shrek movie posters are seen in the queue, and Pinocchio can be seen sleeping on the job at the ticket booth. Shrek, Donkey, Gingy and the Magic Mirror also appear in the pre-show, interacting with other DreamWorks characters such as Po, Master Shifu, Mr. Ping, the Penguins of Madagascar, Marty the Zebra, and Queen Poppy.
Another major addition in 2003 was the Donkey meet-and-greet- an interactive area where a puppeteer controlling a Donkey puppet interacts with guests attending the park. He will crack jokes, make small talk with people, and occasionally have fun with Shrek, Fiona, and beginning in 2004, Puss in Boots. It quickly became a fan favorite amongst Universal parkgoers and theme park fans, still being present in the park to this day. Originally, Donkey was in a Waffle Cart, which featured a menu of breakfast items and other delicious and disgusting spices. For a brief time, Donkey would be moved into the Shrek 4-D pre-show interacting with guests while waiting to see the ride film. When the attraction officially closed, the meet-and-greet would return a year after with a brand-new Donkey puppet, and a different setting- which is a travel booth depicting various DreamWorks locations.
Universal Studios Florida[]
Prior to the opening of Shrek 4-D, Shrek, Lord Farquaad and Gingy appeared in the Halloween Horror Nights show, Bill & Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure for the 2001 season. In it, Lord Farquaad teams up with other pop culture villains to steal Bill & Ted's iconic phone booth to summon more icons of entertainment. Gingy also tries to sue Farquaad with the help of Elle Woods from Legally Blonde, and Shrek himself bursts out of his outhouse (being used in a similar fashion to the phone booth). Shrek eventually knocks out Lord Farquaad and "does it" with the Sex and the City crew. In the end, when everyone is teleported back home, Gingy quotes the famous line, "Party on dudes!"
A clone of the Hollywood attraction would open in Universal Studios Florida on June 12, 2003. It would replace the opening day attraction, Alfred Hitchcock, the Art of Making Movies, which also had a 3-D theater housing a pre-show inspired by The Birds. This would allegedly by reused to house a new 4-D widescreen theater for its replacement. However, due to an overflow of guests during the first few weeks, a second theater was constructed to ease the crowds. This clone of Shrek 4-D featured a more condensed queue, with some additional cosmetic details not seen in Hollywood. A gift shop called "Shrek's Souvenir Shop," (stylized as Shrek's Ye Olde Souvenir Shoppe) took the place of the Vertigo set piece from the previous attraction. This was the only portion not featured in the Hollywood version, and for a while sold various Shrek t-shirts, cups, toys, CDs, and DVDs of the first Shrek film. In later years, merchandise featuring other DreamWorks properties (specifically How to Train Your Dragon and Trolls) was sold. The attraction would officially close on January 10, 2022 to make way for "Illumination's Villain-Con: Minion Blast" as part of the Minion Land expansion. Various props and signs from the attraction were sold at the Lakeland Antique Mall in Florida following the closure.
Another variant of the Donkey meet-and-greet was featured nearby, called "Donkey's Photo Finish." This depicted a stable where guests could interact with the "Noble Steed" himself. Shrek, Fiona, and Lord Farquaad (exclusively for passholder events) could also be met in this area. During the attraction's opening, walk-around characters from Islands of Adventure's "The Lost Continent" were also present, including Merlin of "Merlinwood" and Dueling Dragons. Beginning in 2004, Puss in Boots would also make appearances with Donkey and the gang. After the closure of Shrek 4-D, the meet-and-greet would be moved to the defunct KidZone section of the park. Renamed "Shrek's Swamp Meet," it occupied the former Barney Gift Shop, which was near the Barney Theater, which had been replaced by DreamWorks Destination. The new meet-and-greet would close on January 15, 2023 with the rest of KidZone.
In the summer of 2023, it was announced that a new DreamWorks-themed area would occupy the former KidZone. This will include child-friendly experiences based on Kung Fu Panda, Trolls, and of course, Shrek. Leaked concept art showed a fully realized play area themed to Shrek's swamp, complete with a recreation of his house. It was later revealed on February 29, 2024 that the area would be known as DreamWorks Land, and would open on June 14, 2024. Guests could now meet Donkey at Shrek's house, along with Shrek and Fiona during certain parts of the day. Nearby are two play areas themed to the Shrek and Puss in Boots films- one being a playground themed to Shrek's swamp, and another being inspired by Mama Luna's Cat Rescue. Other additions include a food stand called "Swamp Snacks," and an interactive spot called King Harold's Swamp Symphony, which features animatronic frogs that sing when stomping on lily pads.
Universal Studios Japan[]
The ride would open in a new theater building in Universal Studios Japan on June 20, 2003. It would open alongside the Busch Gardens attraction, Sesame Street 4-D: Movie Magic. Shrek 4-D would play later in the day while Sesame Street would play in the earlier hours. Because the shows are performed in one theater, the pre-show area covers up the medieval torture equipment and Fairy Tale Creatures during the Sesame Street video. An elaborate post show features an open storybook with a monitor above playing various Shrek clips on loop. Beginning in 2015, the "Cool Japan" event would begin to be held annually every summer. This includes new limited 4-D experiences based on Japanese pop culture icons, including but not limited to, Neon Evangelion, Sailor Moon, and Attack on Titan. Because of these events, both of the original 4-D films are decommissioned and operate on a seasonal basis.
Universal Studios Singapore[]
An entire area inspired by the Shrek franchise called "Far Far Away" would open with Universal Studios Singapore on March 18, 2010. This is the first, and so far only major land based solely on Shrek in the Universal Parks. Various photo opportunities, gift shops, and eateries fill the area, with many of the series' characters and iconographies appearing throughout on signs and posters. Nearby is also a recreation of Shrek's house, complete with a stairway leading to the outhouse. Artwork provided for the films can be spotted as well, which are often seen in the various attractions. In the Fairy Godmother's Potion Shop, merchandise of How to Train Your Dragon is also sold, and a stature of Toothless is a photo op.
The main centerpiece is the Far Far Away Castle, which houses the Shrek 4-D ride within the palace. Despite the set piece, the ride's story still revolves around Lord Farqauaad and Duloc, with a new pre-show narrative involving the Grand Hall of Far Far Away being haunted by Farquaad's ghost. Duloc flags and posters of the Fairy Tale Creatures are seen in the Grand Hall, leading into a chamber where the characters are being tortured by Farqauaad and Thelonious.
There are also two meet-and-greet areas in Far Far Away, The first one introduced on opening day was "Happily Ever After," where guests can meet Shrek, Fiona, Pinocchio, the Three Blind Mice, Prince Charming, and the Fairy Godmother at the front of the Far Far Away Castle. Later in 2015, the "Dance for the Magic Beans" live street show was introduced alongside Puss in Boots' Giant Journey. Here, guests can meet Puss in Boots and Kitty Softpaws at the Milk Bar while searching for the Magic Beans. With the addition of the Puss in Boots attractions, wanted posters of Puss and advertisements for San Ricardo were included in the land.
A total of five attractions occupy the space, with three rides and two shows.
Attractions[]
- Shrek 4-D - Get ready to go beyond the expected 3D movie experience as you join Shrek and friends in this 4D fairy-tale honeymoon adventure. Through the magic of OrgeVision, you’ll actually FEEL the action from your seat - every jump, bump, bounce, air blast and water spray that brings the action completely to life for you as if you were there.
- Enchanted Airways - Climb aboard Donkey’s beloved Dragon for a flight over the canopies of the forests of Far Far Away and beyond. At Enchanted Airways, you’ll encounter a merry cast of fairy tale creatures – from the Tree Little Pigs to the Big Bad Wolf, from Gingy to Pinocchio. This junior roller coaster serves destinations throughout the World of Shrek!
- Magic Potion Spin - Enter Fairy Godmother’s Potion Shop and you’ll find bubbling vats concocted at the fantastical heart of the factory, the Magic Potion Spin. This miniature Ferris wheel drives a clinking, clanking potion assembly line that circles the room, bottling magical elixirs from a giant wooden vat. Climb onboard and let the spinning commence!
- Puss in Boots' Giant Journey - Amigos! Hop onto the world’s first Puss in Boots’ Giant Journey roller coaster and join Puss and Kitty on this anti-gravity, swashbuckling adventure atop a giant beanstalk. You’ll go in search of the precious golden eggs, but beware! The legendary Great Terror will stop at nothing to scramble the plans of those who come a-poaching.
- Donkey LIVE - Join Shrek’s happy-go-lucky and flighty sidekick Donkey for his one-of-a-kind interactive show experience. Be entertained by this witty, fast-talking character in an intimate theatre setting, where you not only get to sing along to the songs performed, but can have a conversation with Donkey all of your own!
Shops[]
- Fairy Godmother's Potion Shop - Enter Fairy Godmother’s Potion Shop and be spellbound by the clinking, clanking potion assembly line that circles the room, bottling magical elixirs from a giant wooden vat from Fairy Godmother’s factory. Explore too the magical merchandise on display featuring everything related to the Far Far Away world and bring in into your world.
Eateries[]
- Friar's Good Food - Take a break from your fairy-tale adventure to chow down on tasty sandwiches and delicious wraps. Then round off your meal with Gingy’s Soft Serve – an enchanting honeydew melon ice cream.
- Goldilocks - Who's been eating at Goldilocks restaurant? Everyone who enjoys a bucket of homemade, special-recipe, 7-spice chicken, done “just right!”. Golden wings, thighs and nuggets cooked to perfection. Don’t forget to top off the experience with your favourite Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavours – not too hard, not too soft, but just right!
Universal Kids Resort[]
On January 12, 2023, Universal Destinations and Experiences announced that two new projects were being developed. A year-round haunted house in Las Vegas, Nevada, and a kids' theme park in Frisco, Texas. Concept are for the latter would be showcased online that same season, and would reveal a proposed Shrek-themed area within the new park. This included both Shrek's Swamp and Far Far Away, with different attractions for the two isolated mini-sections. A ride similar to the Dronkey Flyers from Dreamworld in Australia, a play area in the swamp, a hedge maze, and a guillotine drop tower were rumored for this proposed land. It is currently unknown when the park will open, as Universal was waiting to break ground until the city of Frisco is far enough in their reconstruction plan. As of November 2023, construction had quietly begun.
On December 1, 2023, it was revealed by Universal that the park's official name would be the Universal Kids Resort. It will not only feature child-friendly attractions and play areas, but a hotel at the front entrance along with unique food and beverage options. New concept art was also unveiled, with a different layout and newly represented IPS- including SpongeBob SquarePants and Gabby's Dollhouse. Shrek's Swamp was still shown to be part of the park, although Far Far Away was scrapped in favor of Del Mar from Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. Both were shown to feature new attractions including an Autopia-style ride in the swamp, and a swinging flat ride in Del Mar.
Universal Studios United Kingdom[]
Concept art for the theme park was revealed on April 9, 2025. Within the artwork is a recreation of the Poison Apple tavern. Nothing was confirmed whether this was a stand-in facade or a part of an official Shrek-themed land in the park.
Airbnb - Shrek's Swamp[]
On September 26, 2023, a recreation of Shrek's house opened in the hills of the Scottish Highlands in the U.K. It featured several "BEWARE!" signs inspired by the ones from the first Shrek film, and has replicas of Shrek's furniture and personal delicacies. Guests staying could also enjoy a parfait and waffles in the morning. Bookings opened on October 13 of the same year for a lucky few to stay from October 27th to the 29th. Since then, bookings have not re-opened.