If you are parent out there with a kid that loves movies, chances are they are fans of Dreamworks’s Kung Fu Panda. When my daughter found out there was going to be an attraction of the movie coming to Universal Studios Hollywood, she started begging and dropping hints everyday that she “really really really” wanted to go see it. Like many parents, our summer has been busy with dance camps, swim lessons & others activities. Yesterday, I finally had time to take my daughter to Universal Studios Hollywood to check it out.
The “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest” attraction is in the Dreamworks Theater which used to be the Shrek 4-D attraction at the park. Basically the theater, queue, line & building got a make over. As you are in line, there are posters on the wall of other Dreamworks Studios movies. Before you enter make sure to see Pinocchio at the ticket booth sleeping on the job. Another throw back to the original Shrek 4D attraction.
When you enter the queue inside there is a pre show like Shrek 4-D. The magic mirror from Shrek 4-D is still on the wall in the same spot and greets you. In addition there are more movie posters on the wall. There are high tech animation screens above the door before you enter the theater. If you remember Shrek 4-D, it’s where Pinocchio and the three pigs were hanging.
To the left is armor & weapons from past Kung Fu Panda movies along with awards like Oscars, Annie Awards & others that Dreamwork Studios animation movies have won over the years. Guests are treated to a pre-show on the screen featuring an all star cast of our favorite characters from Shrek, Madagascar, Trolls & Kung Fu Panda. I won’t get into details what takes place but it was very funny. Cool seeing these characters together “on the screen” Make sure to watch the hammer to the left. I missed it being taken the first time on the attraction.
Once you enter the theater, you can tell it’s way different then Shrek 4-D. There are now individual seats instead of the rows that were there before. If you have ever been to a 4-DX movie theater, it’s just like that. Another great thing is that this ride doesn’t used 3D glasses. You don’t have to worry about getting nauseous on it. The theater still holds 241 people and looks like a stadium seating movie theater. Action takes place all over the theater, 180 degrees to be exact. Your individual seat hovers like and mimics the action on the screen with water & vibration effects. If you don’t like that feeling, there are non-moving seats.
This family friendly attraction is 10 minutes long of awesomeness with plenty of kung fu action & comedy moments. At times you feel like you are floating on water or flying in the air in the attraction. We follow our favorite characters to deliver this special gift to the emperor. Of course some bad guys are out there to try and steal it. My daughter and I loved it so much that we went on it a second time. The first time we sat closer up front. The second time we sat more in the back so we can experience the action on the side walls better. So much was going on that it is one of those attractions that you will notice something new every time you ride on it.
It’s very smart that Universal Studios named this the Dreamworks Theatre. At some point they can change the animation on the attraction and queue for another Dreamworks Animation movie property. Who knows, maybe they can do an Avengers type movie and have all our heroes from their Dreamworks movies team up for a new attraction. Check out some official stills from the attraction here. You have to experience this AWESOMENESS for yourself that the whole family will love.
More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter. By @SteveSievers & Angela Sievers.
