INTERVIEW: Shrek, Po, Poppy And More At DreamWorks Land

INTERVIEW: Shrek, Po, Poppy And More At DreamWorks Land

June 24th, 2024

Jackson Murphy

Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort is the much anticipated DreamWorks Land, with rides and experiences featuring some of the most beloved animated characters of the past 25 years from one of the industry’s most successful studios. What can DreamWorks Animation fans look forward to? The Resort’s Dean Orion (Creative Director, Universal Creative) and Jason Horne (Assistant Director, Entertainment) open the gates. (This was conducted as an Email Q&A and was edited for length and clarity. Images Courtesy: Alyson Lundell at NBCUniversal.)

Jackson Murphy: What were some highlights of collaborating with the folks at DreamWorks Animation on bringing this Land to life?

DO: Our partnership with DreamWorks has been such a tremendously successful and rewarding collaboration. It was amazing working on this project with them. From Day 1 they were incredible partners, which was essential to designing a land that faithfully represented the film franchises.

JH: The highlight of collaborating with DreamWorks Animation was the actual partnership itself. DreamWorks are always such excellent partners for us! At the end of the day, everyone wants to create the best experience possible. We are all working together to achieve the same goal. They are so supportive when it comes to providing any assets, or answering any creative questions we may have, to create something truly special.

JM: Why did you choose “Shrek”, “Trolls” and “Kung Fu Panda” as the focal points for DreamWorks Land?

DO: Shrek, Trolls and Kung Fu Panda are among the most successful animated film franchises of all time. They have proven staying power and very loyal fan bases. Not to mention that they’re just so much fun!

JM: Seeing Shrek’s home is incredible. What work went into making sure it looked and felt like this iconic animated residence?

DO: We received the original Shrek Cottage 3D model from DreamWorks the very first week of the project. We put a lot of effort into positioning it in the land so that it would serve as the main iconic feature. An extraordinary amount of care was put into bringing this element of the land to life, i.e. the carving of the rock work, the placement of the grass and moss, the themed paint, etc.

JM: What can families expect from the Trollercoaster?

DO: The Trolls Trollercoaster is so cute. Families board the Caterbus and go for a ride through the Trolls forest, escaping from the evil spiders!

JM: “Kung Fu Panda 4” was a big hit earlier this year! What did you enjoy most about creating an immersive “KFP” village?

DO: There’s a lot to love about Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp. It’s based on the panda village seen in Kung Fu Panda 3. One feature I really like that we incorporated into it is the giant interactive gong that serves as the centerpiece. It’s super fun to pull the rope and ring the gong and see which sound you’re going to get!

JM: When I went to theme parks when I was younger, I loved seeing live shows with my favorite characters. What was the process of prepping and structuring the “DreamWorks Imagination Celebration”?

JH: I love that you reference these shows from your childhood! I did the same thing as I started to create the storyline for this production. Being such a fan of these films and characters made this project an absolute joy to work on. The first thing we wanted to do was develop a show that celebrated these memorable moments from Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and Trolls. We also knew we wanted to have a sincere, uplifting story that would leave our audiences with a positive message. The heart of the show is truly about reminding kids, and kids of all ages, about the importance of friendship and imagination.

JM: How do you feel DreamWorks Land adds to the overall brand and experience of Universal Orlando Resort?

DO: DreamWorks Land brings the lovable, big-hearted characters and irreverent humor of DreamWorks Animation to the Universal Orlando Resort experience offering even more fun and immersive experiences for the whole family.

JH: DreamWorks Land is a perfect experience for families and the young at heart. This land provides a colorful, energetic play area that allows guests to experience these environments and engage with these characters, from some of their favorite DreamWorks animated films, in a way they never have before. You can meet Shrek at his cottage, ride the Trollercoaster or learn Kung Fu from Po himself. Then the stage show, DreamWorks Imagination Celebration, ties it all together in a beautifully packaged experience.

JM: Would you be open to incorporating more DreamWorks characters to this Land down the line?

DO: Absolutely! DreamWorks Land is the place where DreamWorks characters come to life! Who knows what the future will bring.

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Jackson Murphy

Jackson Murphy is a movie critic and entertainment columnist. He is the creator of the website Lights-Camera-Jackson.com, and has made numerous appearances on television and radio.

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