The world of the theme park attractions is a complex ecosystem that experiences ebbs and flows, renovation and destruction. One day you’re celebrating the opening of the Jurassic World Velocoaster, and the next you’re saying goodbye to a decades-long staple. After the attraction is based on Dreamworks animation classic Shrek closed its doors for the last time, as previously planned, Universal Orlando has paid tribute to the ride; while also potentially setting up what’s to come as its replacement.
Universal Studios Orlando’s Tribute To Shrek 4-D
Leave it to Universal Studios’ official TwitterSignal for the Orlando Park to feed Shrek 4-D’sYou should always leave in the best possible way. This social media platform is a great source of jokes about churro stands as well as a way to poke fun at the competition. But there are layers. With this simple and sweet farewell, you’ll be able to peel back the layers and perhaps shed some tears.
While this does mean there’s plenty of opportunity to start talking about those rumored replacements that are waiting in the wings, one can’t overestimate just how much of a fixture Shrek 4-DUniversal Studios Orlando. Opening in 2003, right at the height of the franchise’s boom and about a year before the release of Shrek 2This fourth-dimensional romp allowed park visitors to have more fun before the next chapter began. Which is interesting, as the potential replacement for this attraction seems to have been hinted at with some new construction walls, and it’s one of the handful of ideas that’s been floated Since this closure was announcedLast year.
Some new clues confirm Shrek 4-D’s replacement
Orlando Park Stop reported that there were many rides that could replace the one previously mentioned. Shrek 4-DOnce the partial demolition was complete, you can see this. Amongst the competitorsUniversal Studios Hollywood already had some concepts, like the Dreamworks TheaterAnd The Secret Life Of Pets: The Leash Is Off. If Orlando Informer’s photos are any indication, it seems like the third concept in the initial rumor-mill has come true. MinionsFranchise is being plastered on the walls surrounding the shuttered ride building.
🚨BEE-DO!🚨Minions-themed construction walls have appeared around Shrek 4-D, now closed. pic.twitter.com/VmDkTlrmsXJanuary 10, 2022
Universal Studios Orlando might be considering other ideas for this ride building. The Rise of Gru: MinionsIs Scheduled for release in July. It’s the sort of free advertising that any theme park extension to a Hollywood studio would be insane to pass up. Those chances still seem to be at a non-zero standing, but just barely, as Universal Studios Orlando’s social media presence has started to drop its own huge hints about what comes next; the video included below being the capper to a bunch of banana-themed imagery:
An official announcement about what’s to take Shrek 4-D’sPlace has not yet been determined. When and how will it be? MinionsAttraction has been confirmed as the next tenant in the showroom, and it will be fascinating to see how Universal Studios fans across the globe react. At the moment, let’s remember the joy that Shrek 4-D For almost two decades, it provided park goers with entertainment and a sense of hope for the future.
The Rise of Gru: MinionsThe movie will hit theaters July 1. That’s not the only big ticket movie coming from Universal, or any other studio, in the new year! To catch the full picture of what’s headed to theaters, and whether or not that picture has changed, head to our 2022 release schedule. Shrek 4-D is also available in digital and physical media. At the time of this writing, you can catch it through Netflix’s streaming library, thanks to “The Ghost of Lord Farquaad” being included in the compilation Dreamworks’ Spooky Stories.