DreamWorks Land (General Discussion)

[UNIrd]

Lowering my expectations even further. Thanks everyone!

 

[Mad Dog]

Universal is pretty damn good at M&G. Add the Transformers M&G to the above. Looking forward to Shrek & Donkey with an even better M&G area. We used to stop and watch their humorous banter quite often at its original location. It's actually 'good live entertainment'. We can always use more of that in the parks.

 

[Jwhee]

I just looked. He definitely walked to the stage... haha

my bad- it’s Wikipedia page says elevator!
*edit- no longer my bad, turns out there was an elevator

 

[Brian G.]

Lowering my expectations even further. Thanks everyone!

Nah. It's not bad. This is just a case of nitpicking - which is what we do!

 

[Casper Gutman]

I just looked. He definitely walked to the stage... haha



Mickey and Friends (and Barney) work because they have these wide, protruding mouths and most importantly, are less anthropomorphic than Shrek and the Trolls - who feature more human-like jaws/mouths. It wouldn't be as convincing.



*eyeroll* Casper, I mean the Shrek cottage isn't the character, the swamp is. There is nothing special about the cottage outside of the place that Shrek & fam slept. All the fantasy was on the *outside*.

Isn’t the cottage where Donkeys and Shreks whole relationship begins? (“Waffles”) The swamp really isn’t in the film that much either and isn’t particularly distinct when it is - the adventure takes place in Farquads kingdom, the Dragons castle, etc. If the swamp at Uni felt like an immersive version of the film swamp, that would be one thing - but it doesn’t.

More importantly, what a theme park setting does in the original IP is a LOT less important then whether or not it’s immersive and engrossing at the theme park. I doubt most folks who love B&B care about Maurice’s shop, but the version at the Belle M&G is memorable and cool. Shrek’s cottage could very easily be similarly impressive. Having the only fully themed building in the middle of a large new area not be enterable sticks out, even to non-fans.

I don’t think we’re being particularly nitpick-y either - I think if you make a fair comparison between this new land and other children’s areas at Uni - Camp Jurassic, portions of Seuss - the difference is pretty stark. And kids will notice.

 

[Brian G.]

Isn’t the cottage where Donkeys and Shreks whole relationship begins? (“Waffles”) The swamp really isn’t in the film that much either and isn’t particularly distinct when it is - the adventure takes place in Farquads kingdom, the Dragons castle, etc. If the swamp at Uni felt like an immersive version of the film swamp, that would be one thing - but it doesn’t.

More importantly, what a theme park setting does in the original IP is a LOT less important then whether or not it’s immersive and engrossing at the theme park. I doubt most folks who love B&B care about Maurice’s shop, but the version at the Belle M&G is memorable and cool. Shrek’s cottage could very easily be similarly impressive. Having the only fully themed building in the middle of a large new area not be enterable sticks out, even to non-fans.

This is like the fan equivalent of mansplaining.

FANSPLAINING! TM
We're comparing a Swamp/Cottage to a magic, enchanted castle. They are not the same. I would expect to WANT to go into a magic castle. I do not want to go into a small shack.

I don’t think we’re being particularly nitpick-y either - I think if you make a fair comparison between this new land and other children’s areas at Uni - Camp Jurassic, portions of Seuss - the difference is pretty stark. And kids will notice.

No one has compared it to the other playgrounds. We've all been pretty honest about what works and what doesn't in the land. As far as kids noticing - we took my toddler to Volcano Bay; and in a world full of water, volcanoes, slides and fountains - he enjoyed dragging the leaf along the water the most. Kids don't give a crap.** No kids, right? Haven't been yet? Then probably should just sit this one out.

**Disclaimer - no this does not mean it's open season for Universal to just do the bare minimum.

 

[Casper Gutman]

This is like the fan equivalent of mansplaining.

FANSPLAINING! TM
We're comparing a Swamp/Cottage to a magic, enchanted castle. They are not the same. I would expect to WANT to go into a magic castle. I do not want to go into a small shack.



No one has compared it to the other playgrounds. We've all been pretty honest about what works and what doesn't in the land. As far as kids noticing - we took my toddler to Volcano Bay; and in a world full of water, volcanoes, slides and fountains - he enjoyed dragging the leaf along the water the most. Kids don't give a crap.** No kids, right? Haven't been yet? Then probably should just sit this one out.

**Disclaimer - no this does not mean it's open season for Universal to just do the bare minimum.

If no one wants anything to do with Shrek’s shack, it’s a lousy setting for a M&G and a real waste of resources for Uni to build it. Should have built Farquad’s Kingdom.

One of my favorite toys as a child was an old trenchcoat. I played with it over and over for years. I was not under any illusion that the coat was a superior experience to World of Motion. One made a lifelong impression on me, one didn’t. I’m not a trenchcoat manufacturer today. Kids can be discerning, even between things they love. It’s odd how the “kid champions” on this board often seem to use that stance to defend underwhelming entertainment for kids.

I’ll kindly ask you to set aside the “people without kids shouldn’t comment” nonsense. We’re exchanging opinions - bringing in personal details to try and diminish the validity of someone’s opinion is out of line. It would be just as objectionable if someone did it to you.

 

[OrlLover]

Sometimes we need take off the nostalgia goggles and realize what’s right in front of us.

As much some stuff seemed like a really nice thing to have in let’s say the 90s it comes off as a very outdated today.

Not saying they didn’t cut corners in this project however whatever budget they were given the most was made out of it.

 

[Alicia]

It does feel like a situation where rather than being budget cut, this was a project where they made the most of a smaller budget. That seems fair.

 

[Brian G.]

If no one wants anything to do with Shrek’s shack, it’s a lousy setting for a M&G and a real waste of resources for Uni to build it. Should have built Farquad’s Kingdom.

One of my favorite toys as a child was an old trenchcoat. I played with it over and over for years. I was not under any illusion that the coat was a superior experience to World of Motion. One made a lifelong impression on me, one didn’t. I’m not a trenchcoat manufacturer today. Kids can be discerning, even between things they love. It’s odd how the “kid champions” on this board often seem to use that stance to defend underwhelming entertainment for kids.

I’ll kindly ask you to set aside the “people without kids shouldn’t comment” nonsense. We’re exchanging opinions - bringing in personal details to try and diminish the validity of someone’s opinion is out of line. It would be just as objectionable if someone did it to you.

Absolutely not. That's one hill I will die on. It's one thing to acknowledge its faults. It's another when we start nitpicking things - especially when it's from someone who hasn't been... going off about the one thing that everyone universally seems to be very high on; all because it's not Farquaad's Castle or we can't go inside it.

 

[WaterToWade]

the amount of shrek joke obsessed teenagers i am confident will be happy they can take goofy photos in front of this bad boy *slaps roof of cottage in my mind* cannot be denied

 

[Alicia]

I miss the Bates Motel and walkway to Hard Rock! That’s my childhood.

 

[Brian G.]

I miss the Bates Motel and walkway to Hard Rock! That’s my childhood.

Fievel was a monster after all!

 

[WaterToWade]

also if i remember right trolls drew strong lines for its meet and greet so excited to see the trolls have a whole bright pretty colors land

 

[belloq87]

As much some stuff seemed like a really nice thing to have in let’s say the 90s it comes off as a very outdated today.

A real set is not "outdated," just as industrial walls with many visible electrical fixtures is not "modern."

Does it reflect the work of the entire land? No, because as I alluded to, I think the exterior work in the Shrek area looks very good. But I think we should all be able to call a spade a spade and say that the wall in question looks super low-rent. It's not something that should be visible to a paying guest.

 

[Joshua Lotfallah]

I am a pass holder but never got any email about how to sign up for the dreamworks land preview. Does anyone know how to sign up for that?

 

[Brian G.]

I am a pass holder but never got any email about how to sign up for the dreamworks land preview. Does anyone know how to sign up for that?

We should find out later today. Happy 1st post!

 

[saint.piss]

Reservations for the Passholder Preview dates have opened up

Universal Destinations & Experiences

www.universalorlando.com

 

[IzzyB]

Kind of weird that they’re selling alcohol in their new “kids area”. Just for comparison’s sake, I don’t think you can get any hooch in Seuss at Islands or Sesame Street at SeaWorld.

When SeaWorld has their Free Beer promo, Cheers to Free Beer | Events | SeaWorld Orlando, one of the bars you can get a free beer at (Glacier) is literally 100 feet away from Sesame Street. Stop the pearl clutching.

I agree, and even closer the beer and pretzel place a couple feet away from Sesame Street. I assume the IP holders didn't want alcohol and in this case the IP holders are Uni and therefore can do whatever they want. As someone with kids this doesn't bother me one bit. Parents can drink around kids, it is allowed. And removing it from one area won't stop them.

This is like the fan equivalent of mansplaining.

FANSPLAINING! TM
We're comparing a Swamp/Cottage to a magic, enchanted castle. They are not the same. I would expect to WANT to go into a magic castle. I do not want to go into a small shack.



No one has compared it to the other playgrounds. We've all been pretty honest about what works and what doesn't in the land. As far as kids noticing - we took my toddler to Volcano Bay; and in a world full of water, volcanoes, slides and fountains - he enjoyed dragging the leaf along the water the most. Kids don't give a crap.** No kids, right? Haven't been yet? Then probably should just sit this one out.

**Disclaimer - no this does not mean it's open season for Universal to just do the bare minimum.

I honestly think it is laughable when someone with no kids tries on here to explain what kids will like. I see it all over here from this area to the replacement of splash. I reserve all judgement of this area until I see it and my KIDS see it. Their reaction is what I will report here, because honestly their reaction is what counts and since I have a 6, 9, and 13 year old I feel I have a good range of ages to judge it. We can't do this weekend so I hope to try this out in early June before up north schools start coming down here.

If no one wants anything to do with Shrek’s shack, it’s a lousy setting for a M&G and a real waste of resources for Uni to build it. Should have built Farquad’s Kingdom.

One of my favorite toys as a child was an old trenchcoat. I played with it over and over for years. I was not under any illusion that the coat was a superior experience to World of Motion. One made a lifelong impression on me, one didn’t. I’m not a trenchcoat manufacturer today. Kids can be discerning, even between things they love. It’s odd how the “kid champions” on this board often seem to use that stance to defend underwhelming entertainment for kids.

I’ll kindly ask you to set aside the “people without kids shouldn’t comment” nonsense. We’re exchanging opinions - bringing in personal details to try and diminish the validity of someone’s opinion is out of line. It would be just as objectionable if someone did it to you.

It is when you say things like "kids will notice." you are literally trying to project how you feel about this area without knowing what kids will think. It is fine to give your opinion on how you feel, but no one but kids can decide on what they will notice or not notice. Let the kids decide that and if you don't have any, then you really have no clue what kids will or will not like. My guess is this area will be a hit for my kids and they will want to spend hours playing with their cousins and friends in this area. I think this will even appeal to my teen since she loves nature, so the swamp theme will be great. I actually don't think they will care about not being able to go into the house because as others have said the inside of the house isn't really that interesting.

A real set is not "outdated," just as industrial walls with many visible electrical fixtures is not "modern."

Does it reflect the work of the entire land? No, because as I alluded to, I think the exterior work in the Shrek area looks very good. But I think we should all be able to call a spade a spade and say that the wall in question looks super low-rent. It's not something that should be visible to a paying guest.

I don't think anyone on here has argued that this was a good idea thankfully, because that looks REALLY bad. I am hoping this was a time thing and that they can use nights to fix that area up, because that looks local park theming not world class level theming. I get budgets, but you need to be at least a step above local theme park.

 

[Casper Gutman]

I agree, and even closer the beer and pretzel place a couple feet away from Sesame Street. I assume the IP holders didn't want alcohol and in this case the IP holders are Uni and therefore can do whatever they want. As someone with kids this doesn't bother me one bit. Parents can drink around kids, it is allowed. And removing it from one area won't stop them.


I honestly think it is laughable when someone with no kids tries on here to explain what kids will like. I see it all over here from this area to the replacement of splash. I reserve all judgement of this area until I see it and my KIDS see it. Their reaction is what I will report here, because honestly their reaction is what counts and since I have a 6, 9, and 13 year old I feel I have a good range of ages to judge it. We can't do this weekend so I hope to try this out in early June before up north schools start coming down here.


It is when you say things like "kids will notice." you are literally trying to project how you feel about this area without knowing what kids will think. It is fine to give your opinion on how you feel, but no one but kids can decide on what they will notice or not notice. Let the kids decide that and if you don't have any, then you really have no clue what kids will or will not like. My guess is this area will be a hit for my kids and they will want to spend hours playing with their cousins and friends in this area. I think this will even appeal to my teen since she loves nature, so the swamp theme will be great. I actually don't think they will care about not being able to go into the house because as others have said the inside of the house isn't really that interesting.


I don't think anyone on here has argued that this was a good idea thankfully, because that looks REALLY bad. I am hoping this was a time thing and that they can use nights to fix that area up, because that looks local park theming not world class level theming. I get budgets, but you need to be at least a step above local theme park.

Again, this is an unattractive way to discredit opinions you don’t like. Using personal details to attempt to dismiss someone’s opinion is a terrible way to engage in an online conversation. You don’t know who I am, because I don’t share personal information online, and I don’t know who you are. I don’t need to. Do you want posters who disagree with you to dig into your personal life to find ways to discredit your opinions?

Everyone here has been a child, most have travelled with children. Children don’t process things the same way as adults, but they aren’t undiscerning and they aren’t stupid. To a very considerable extent, this is one of the reasons places like Universal and Disney exist and thrive - because the details that make them special matter to kids. Yes, children can have tons of fun at a McDonalds playground. That doesn’t mean they can’t distinguish between that and a major theme park.