DreamWorks Land (General Discussion)

[UOR92]

I acknowledge this is somewhat unfair, but I judge DreamWorks against what was only a few weeks from breaking ground there instead: Super Nintendo World. Universal (seemingly) knew what USF needed (a mega-draw IP infusion, non-screen-based rides added to the park lineup), and had a land ready to go to address those needs... and deferred.

Those needs remain.

And here within a few years those needs should be filled.

 

[MAC]

This is hilarious, but I agree.

Dreamworks Land is Kidzone 2. That’s with no disrespect, but imo, it already serves its purpose. Maybe a flat ride should be added. I hope AA is part of future expansion if they don’t have a plan already for a new show.

I want a SLOP style dark ride like everyone but I don’t see DreamWorks Land deserving that.

So much hate on Dreamworks Land, but I went through there today and it was packed with kids having a blast.

Maybe they need to start taking some surveys when it comes to Dreamworks Land.

 

[MAC]

I acknowledge this is somewhat unfair, but I judge DreamWorks against what was only a few weeks from breaking ground there instead: Super Nintendo World. Universal (seemingly) knew what USF needed (a mega-draw IP infusion, non-screen-based rides added to the park lineup), and had a land ready to go to address those needs... and deferred.

Those needs remain.

It's not unfair. It's wholly unfair. Dreamworks land didn't swoop in and knock SNW out of the running. UO did that. Poor Dreamworks Land just wants to be loved for what it is, not for what it could've been.

 

[Mad Dog]

Dreamworks is fine for what it is, an area for very young kids and their psarents. . And it was a dead zone before. Now it gets fairly busy.

 

[MAC]

Dreamworks is fine for what it is, an area for very young kids and their psarents. . And it was a dead zone before. Now it gets fairly busy.

Wife and I walked through there, sans kids, and it was packed. I was really surprised. Kids were having a blast. Parents were sitting, relaxing. It hits all the right pieces and they had a TON of M&Gs today. Shrek. Gabby. Most of the Madagascar crew. Some others I don't recognize. Good stuff.

 

[mccgavin]

I feel like a lot of users here have an idealized version in their head of what USF would look like today if Epic never happened, but I feel like it ignores the concessions it would've required. With a lack of further expansion space, I think a lot more things that longtime visitors hold dearly would've gotten replaced at USF and IOA given time. Epic being built was still the best outcome here.

 

[DOOMBOT]

I acknowledge this is somewhat unfair, but I judge DreamWorks against what was only a few weeks from breaking ground there instead: Super Nintendo World. Universal (seemingly) knew what USF needed (a mega-draw IP infusion, non-screen-based rides added to the park lineup), and had a land ready to go to address those needs... and deferred.

Those needs remain.

I actually think Dreamworksland is a vastly superior family-oriented land to SNW. It is not anywhere near as flashy, but it's very functional. Two shows, a kiddy coaster, five easy-to-access M&G spaces (including the really visually appealing Shrek spot, and make it six spots if you count meeting Spongebob next door), an interactive game, and a significant number of play areas of different themes, including both dry and splashpad / bucket elements.

The key element with those latter offerings is that they are specifically made and designed for kids. Nintendo has essentially nothing like that.

No upcharge elements necessary either. (Remember, you need to pay at least $50 to unlock access to the poorly designed play spaces in SNW.)

Flats and a dark ride would absolutely improve Dreamworksland, but I honestly believe SNW would've been far worse at improving the parks' family offerings than what we actually got.

 

[Mad Dog]

I actually think Dreamworksland is a vastly superior family-oriented land to SNW. It is not anywhere near as flashy, but it's very functional. Two shows, a kiddy coaster, five easy-to-access M&G spaces (including the really visually appealing Shrek spot, and make it six spots if you count meeting Spongebob next door), an interactive game, and a significant number of play areas of different themes, including both dry and splashpad / bucket elements.

The key element with those latter offerings is that they are specifically made and designed for kids. Nintendo has essentially nothing like that.

No upcharge elements necessary either. (Remember, you need to pay at least $50 to unlock access to the poorly designed play spaces in SNW.)

Flats and a dark ride would absolutely improve Dreamworksland, but I honestly believe SNW would've been far worse at improving the parks' family offerings than what we actually got.

Good points. Heh, it does well for the fairly small budget it had. I recall talking to a number of people when we've stood in the Yoshii line. They said that was essentially the only attraction their young children could ride. Bottom line though on Dreamworks: It gets busy, while Kidzone was a ghost town most often.

 

[belloq87]

I actually think Dreamworksland is a vastly superior family-oriented land to SNW. It is not anywhere near as flashy, but it's very functional. Two shows, a kiddy coaster, five easy-to-access M&G spaces (including the really visually appealing Shrek spot, and make it six spots if you count meeting Spongebob next door), an interactive game, and a significant number of play areas of different themes, including both dry and splashpad / bucket elements.

The key element with those latter offerings is that they are specifically made and designed for kids. Nintendo has essentially nothing like that.

No upcharge elements necessary either. (Remember, you need to pay at least $50 to unlock access to the poorly designed play spaces in SNW.)

Flats and a dark ride would absolutely improve Dreamworksland, but I honestly believe SNW would've been far worse at improving the parks' family offerings than what we actually got.

I think you could make the case that DreamWorks land is a superior little kids land. I cannot see the argument that it's a superior family land.

But either way, I'm not making the argument that one of USF's major problems was/is needing more for little kids to do in the first place (we all know what I think the park's major need is!). I was just responding to the concept that there was no overlap whatsoever.

 

[Skold]

DreamWorks land is awesome but mostly because of Kitty Softpaws. I said it.

 

[Jwhee]

I actually think Dreamworksland is a vastly superior family-oriented land to SNW. It is not anywhere near as flashy, but it's very functional. Two shows, a kiddy coaster, five easy-to-access M&G spaces (including the really visually appealing Shrek spot, and make it six spots if you count meeting Spongebob next door), an interactive game, and a significant number of play areas of different themes, including both dry and splashpad / bucket elements.

The key element with those latter offerings is that they are specifically made and designed for kids. Nintendo has essentially nothing like that.

No upcharge elements necessary either. (Remember, you need to pay at least $50 to unlock access to the poorly designed play spaces in SNW.)

Flats and a dark ride would absolutely improve Dreamworksland, but I honestly believe SNW would've been far worse at improving the parks' family offerings than what we actually got.

2 “shows” one of them is a literal flat screen TV inside of a closed jungle gym

The kiddie coaster is a half-a$$ed retheme with cardboard cutouts everywhere

The new ‘play area’ is a ramp, a set of stairs, and like a 15 foot long bridge and a short slide. The new water play area was removed already

The interactive attraction is where you press a button and maybe it triggers an effect on a flatscreen TV if it works

Maybe DWL is better on paper, but quality wise it is a joke compared to SNW

 

[Magic-Man]

I actually think Dreamworksland is a vastly superior family-oriented land to SNW. It is not anywhere near as flashy, but it's very functional. Two shows, a kiddy coaster, five easy-to-access M&G spaces (including the really visually appealing Shrek spot, and make it six spots if you count meeting Spongebob next door), an interactive game, and a significant number of play areas of different themes, including both dry and splashpad / bucket elements.

The key element with those latter offerings is that they are specifically made and designed for kids. Nintendo has essentially nothing like that.

No upcharge elements necessary either. (Remember, you need to pay at least $50 to unlock access to the poorly designed play spaces in SNW.)

Flats and a dark ride would absolutely improve Dreamworksland, but I honestly believe SNW would've been far worse at improving the parks' family offerings than what we actually got.

You're comparing two completely different things. DreamWorks is a kids land, Nintendo is for everyone. Also, the powerup band challenges aren't play areas. They're far more like the wand challenges in the Potter areas.

 

[OrlLover]

Let’s be honest Dreamworks is a budget land that Universal approved while being cash strapped due to Epic.

It serves it purpose well and I agree it brought new life to a dead area. However it could been a lot grander if given a bigger budget.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

It’s absolutely not a diss. It’s exactly what it should be.

Which means it won’t get a dark ride, or expansion, is my point.

I hope phase 2 brings one and a flat.

 

[tielo]

I've heard parents have trouble getting there kids out of the circus tent to get on the dombo ride as they like the (very poorly themed) play area more at MK. So a ride or anything wouldn't do it for the kids.

 

[Mad Dog]

I've heard parents have trouble getting there kids out of the circus tent to get on the dombo ride as they like the (very poorly themed) play area more at MK. So a ride or anything wouldn't do it for the kids.

Interesting. Similar example: When they opened the Thomas the Train kids area at Kennywood a few years back, there were four or five small kids flats (this was in addition to their very large Kiddie Land). But the attraction we couldn't get our very young grand daughters off was an indoor two story play area that had a myriad of fun stuff like bouncy things, throwing stuff etc. Every time we went to Kennywood they'd play in there for a couple hours and we'd have to tell them it was time to move on to rides. So yeah, the kids know what they like, and its often not the same stuff us adults think it should be.

 

[belloq87]

I recognize I'm possibly an outlier and was an unusual child, but I was all about rides from my earliest trip to Orlando at age 4.

I have to believe plenty of (young) kids want to ride rides.

 

[Mad Dog]

I recognize I'm possibly an outlier and was an unusual child, but I was all about rides from my earliest trip to Orlando at age 4.

I have to believe plenty of (young) kids want to ride rides.

Theme Park prodigy kid for sure. And now a maestro. ....... You have good tastes in attractions, for sure.

 

[Brian G.]

Not sure if this is for maintenance or seasonal but

 

[MAC]

Not sure if this is for maintenance or seasonal but

People about to be mad…