The Most Likely Candidate To Replace Universal's 'Shrek 4-D' After Extinction - Inside the Magic

Shrek lovers were left sad– but most likely not stunned– when Universal Orlando announced back in October that the popular attraction ‘Shrek 4-D’ would close permanently in January 2022.

Shrek 4-D, which was created in 2003, has been a staple at Universal Studios for the better part of nearly two decades.

The ride, which is one of the first buildings noticed when you enter the Park, takes Guests on a wild ride with Shrek and Donkey as they race to save Princess Fiona, who had been kidnapped by Ghost Lord Farquaad. The ride was set following the first film, and characters from the sequels– Shrek 2, Shrek The Third, and Shrek Forever After— were not mentioned in the attraction.

Now, as the attraction faces its final few weeks before extinction, Universal fans are left to wonder what will come of the massive building that includes a preshow area, theater screen with moving seats, and warehouse space that is used for Halloween Horror Nights attractions each fall.

Though there has not been an official announcement on what will go in the place of the attraction, Universal may have tipped its hand with what we’ve seen at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Universal Studios Hollywood opened its Shrek 4-D attraction in 2003 at the same time as Universal Orlando, but the attraction closed in August 2017 and was replaced just a few months later (May 2018) with the new ‘DreamWorks Theatre.’

The DreamWorks Theatre is a motion simulator attraction that uses moving seats, effects, and 4-D technology to provide an immersive experience for Guests. The preshow features many DreamWorks characters, including Shrek, Donkey, Gingy, and the Magic Mirror from Shrek, Marty and the Penguins from Madagascar, and Poppy from Trolls.

The show features Kong Fu Panda, and here’s what Universal Hollywood says about the attraction:

Get ready for another level of awesomeness at DreamWorks Theatre Featuring Kung Fu Panda, now open. Discover the all-new multi-sensory attraction using state-of-the-art visual effects and cutting-edge technology, including the first-ever interior projection mapping, 360 surround sound audio and sweeping physical effects, to engulf you in a world of adventure. Join Master Po and more from DreamWorks’ blockbuster franchise on a thrilling journey of awesomeness destined to stimulate your senses, exercise your wit and unlock the hero within through the power of kung fu.

While Universal Orlando hasn’t made any official announcements, we have seen many developments in the past where attractions were essentially “copied” from one Park to the other, and this is a circumstance where it may make a lot of sense to do just that.

What would you think of a DreamWorks Theatre at Universal Studios in Orlando?