Visit the New DreamWorks Land at Universal Orlando Resort with Kids: A Dreamy Family Trip

Universal Orlando Resort has always been a beloved theme park, full of excitement, cute characters, and cinematic magic. The latest addition to this amazing Orlando theme park resort, DreamWorks Land, offers engaging play areas and fan favorites from DreamWorks Animation. This new land promises a fun, family-friendly experience, perfect for kids of all ages. Check out our guide of this colorful, new attraction!

DreamWorks Land at Universal Studios Florida, which just opened on June 15, 2024, offers an immersive experience based on franchises like Shrek, Trolls, and Kung Fu Panda.

DreamWorks Land: Rides & Play Areas

Trolls Trollercoaster

Hop onto this family-friendly coaster, where guests board the Caterbus and journey through the world of Trolls. The queue features characters like Poppy and Tiny Diamond. As riders navigate the coaster, they must avoid spiders and slip through a giant web. The Caterbus, adorned in colorful iridescent paint, adds a special sparkle to the experience!
Note: Riders must be 36 inches to ride, and those between 36 and 48 inches need an accompanying adult.

Cool off in Shrek’s Swamp for Little Ogres. Photo courtesy of NBC Universal

Shrek’s Swamp for Little Ogres

At this large playground, kids can enjoy slides, interactive elements, and various climbing structures. The area also features a splash pad and a chance to interact with Pinocchio. Shrek's Swamp is filled with hidden details, including fun sound effects that play when children go down the slide.

King Harold’s Swamp Symphony

This small play zone allows guests to create a melody of frog ribbits by hopping along interactive lily pads, prompting the frogs on a log to "sing" the tune.

Poppy’s Playground

This soft play area is geared toward younger visitors and provides a fun, shaded area for tots to bounce, play, and swing on tiny mushroom swings. Don’t miss the flowers decorated with the faces of Trolls characters!

Explore the Pond of Perpetual Wetness in Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp.

Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp

Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp is an immersive play area inspired by the Kung Fu Panda films, bringing the Panda Village to life. This play zone features interactive elements like water cannons, dump buckets, and noodle bowl spinners. Highlights include the Pond of Perpetual Wetness for splash pad fun and the photo-friendly Gong of Resounding Resonance.

Mama Luna Feline Fiesta

This area of DreamWorks Land is themed around Mama Luna's retirement house for cats (from Puss in Boots 2: The Last Wish). Visitors can interact with 60 cats using buttons, bells, cranks, levers, and more. Keep an eye out for the character Puss in Boots while you’re there!

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See all your favorite characters at the DreamWorks Imagination Celebration. 

DreamWorks Land: Shows

DreamWorks Imagination Celebration

This live 20-minute show at the DreamWorks Theater celebrates the power of imagination. Follow friends Zayne and Amara as they revisit a childhood hilltop, with Amara helping Zayne rediscover his imagination. The show includes dancing and singing, and features DreamWorks characters like Shrek, Poppy, Branch, and Po.

Po Live!

This digital, interactive show features the lovable Dragon Warrior, Po the Panda, as he teaches kung fu all while managing his baby cousin, Ling Ling. He even answers live questions thanks to a behind-the-scenes voice actor. This 12-minute performance runs every 15 minutes, making it easy to fit a bit of kung fu fun into your day.

Meet a rotating lineup of DreamWorks characters in the DreamWorks Character Zone.

DreamWorks Land: Character Meet-and-Greet

Shrek’s Swamp Meet

Meet Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey at Shrek’s cottage for a great photo opportunity.

DreamWorks Character Zone

Located inside the entrance to DreamWorks Land, there is a rotating lineup of DreamWorks characters for meet-and-greets, including Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse.

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Grab cute, tasty treats at Swamp Snacks food stop.

DreamWorks Land: Shopping & Snacks Treats

High Five Hideaway

Grab your favorite DreamWorks merchandise, including plushies, apparel, and unique items like themed headbands, at this outdoor gift shop. A larger selection of DreamWorks merchandise is available at the Universal Studios store, located at the front of the park.

Swamp Snacks

This snack stand features themed treats like the Shrekzel (a Shrek-inspired pretzel) and other whimsical snacks such as a Swamp Dog, Chonkey Donkey ice pop, Far Far a Waffle, and more.

Trolls Treats

This snack stand is the coolest, resembling a giant boom box! Here you can enjoy colorful swirls of ice cream inspired by the Trolls' twisty hairstyles.

DreamWorks Land: Know Before You Go

• There are several water play areas, so bring a bathing suit or change of clothes for little ones. But don't fret if you forget! There are a few stand up dryers where you can dry off quickly for a small fee.
• Bathrooms are located near the DreamWorks Theater. If those are busy, visit the restrooms just outside the entrance to DreamWorks Land, near the SpongeBob store.
• Florida residents can experience all that Universal Orlando has to offer – including DreamWorks Land – with great deals often available!

Unless noted, photos by the author