The new Dreamworks Land opening at top US theme park this summer – featuring Shrek, Trolls and Kung Fu Panda attractions
UNIVERSAL Orlando Resort has revealed that visitors will have a whole new land to explore this summer.
Earlier this month, the Florida theme park announced the opening of a new themed area.
Inspired by beloved animated characters from Shrek, Trolls and Kung Fu Panda, the huge new area will feature family-friendly rollercoasters, interactive play areas and live entertainment as well as character meet and greets.
Fans of the animated movie franchise Shrek will be able to visit Shrek’s Swamp, where they’ll be able to meet iconic characters like Shrek, Princess Fiona and Donkey.
Not only will Shrek’s Swamp have a 35-foot tall cottage, but there will also be a separate area for younger visitors featuring wet play areas and a playground.
An interactive experience themed around Puss In Boots 2: The Last Wish will also open at the theme park.
Taking place in Mama Luna’s retirement home for cats, visitors will be able to use interactive screens to play with the cats.
Other features are set to include King Harold’s Swamp Symphony, where park goers will be invited to make their own music by stomping on interactive lily pads.
The new area will also feature a Trolls Village where park-goers will be able to jump on a caterpillar-shaped car to escape the evil spiders on the Trolls Tollercoaster.
Younger children will also enjoy Poppy’s playground.
Nestled underneath a 20-foot high mushroom, the shaded play area is set to feature trampolines and climbing structures.
Meanwhile, fans of Kung Fu Panda will enjoy the theme park’s brand-new Panda Village.
The Panda Village will have its own wet play area, with features like water cannons, dump buckets, giant fans and more.
There will be plenty of other interactive elements too, including a merry-go-round and a gong.
At Po Live! park-goers will also be able to meet their favourite characters, and they’ll be able to learn their very own Kung Fu moves too.
In addition to the new rides and attractions, there will be several themed restaurants, including Swamp Snacks – a brand new kiosk serving up Shrek-inspired grub.
Meanwhile, Poppy’s Boombox from Tolls has been transformed into its own food kiosk where visitors will be able to by ice cream.
A new retail location will also open at the theme park.
The new land is slated to open at Universal Orlando Resort this summer – although specific dates and ticket prices have yet to be revealed.
Epic Universe
Meanwhile, Universal is set to open a brand-new theme park next year.
Epic Universe, first announced in 2019, will be Universal’s fourth theme park and is set to open in Orlando next year.
The park will have 50 attractions inside, set across five themed lands.
Guests will first enter the mythical themed Celestial Park world, the “heart” of Epic Universe.
The biggest ride in Celestial Park will be the dual-launch rollercoaster Starfall Racers, with speeds up to 62mph while whizzing along the 5,000ft of track, with heights up to 133ft.
Passengers will experience the “Celestial Spin” while on the ride as the two vehicles crisscross through the air.
And the Constellation Carousel will be in the middle of the land, with 360-degree rotations.
There will also be a huge wet-play area – Astronomica – with dancing fountains.
Sun Online Travel was given an exclusive first look at the brand-new theme park earlier this year.
In the meantime, here’s how to find cheap theme park tickets at Universal Orlando.
Airlines with the best plane food
Korean Air
Korean Air won best airline cuisine in last year’s Global Traveler’s awards.
Some of their popular dishes onboard include bibimbap, a Korean rice dish, and ssambap, Korean rice lettuce rolls.
It also made the top 10 for airlines with the best plane food in CN Travelers 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Japan Airlines
Coming in first place in the Reader’s Choice Awards was Japan Airlines.
The airline has partnered with six Michelin-star chefs, each of whom have three stars – so you can expect it to be good.
Passengers can choose bento boxes and miso soups onboard.
Singapore Airlines
Often voted one of the best airlines in the world, it is no surprising Singapore Airlines is said to have some of the best plane food.
Chef Dennis Littley said: “Their gourmet meals rival those of ground-based restaurants.”
Dishes include congee, a rice porridge, as well as Singaporean rice and curry options.