Darkbeer
05-17-2003, 09:14 PM
Yesterday, I had the chance to see the new Shrek 4-D attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Now, if you have been to Universal in the past, the new attraction is located where the old Rugrats show was.
The queue for the attraction starts at the same area, but it has been expanded, and a lot of it is hidden, so make sure and check the "wait time". The part of the building that used to be the entrance is now the exit. The queue now takes you behind the building, when they added a large queue area, but they did place tents/shade structures and misters.
When you get to the front of the queue, you will find 4 sets of turnstiles, and trays of 3-D glasses.
Now, when you enter the pre-show area, you will pass under a arch, that has the following sign on it, written in the old style "Disney" font...
Welcome to Duloc
Happiest Totalitarian Dictatorship on Earth
(Well...second happiest)
Be Sure to visit Duloc's Fairy Tale Adventure
74 gift shops and one ride
Now you are escorted to inside the building (basically the area that used to house the back stage area for the old Rugrats show, changing room, etc), and the old exit.
They have converted this to a "Torture Chamber/Dungeon", many typical props from Dungeons are on the walls and ceiling, along with multiple video displays. Try and get into the middle of the room, about half way thru the crowd. The entrance to the theater is below the video screens, and they will make you go all the way across the aisle, so you don't want to be right next to the doors. There are four sets, the door closes to the entrance you came in is the front of the screen, so I recommend the middle two sets of doors, slight preference for the second set from the entrance. Also standing back from the doors allows a better view of the pre-show, nothing really happens until all the guests are in, and the doors are shut.
Now, I don't want to spoil the show, so I am going to talk about the basic set up, but specifically not mention some things.
On the wall above the entrance doors for the theater is whee you will watch the pre-show, on each end of the walls is a Mirror, these two "screens" offer the same viewing. between the walls is a set up of three boxes, that all you can "really see" is 3 sets of eyes (which are large TV's), and a large screen that is labeled "Dungeon Cam" when you come in.
Now you will want to watch one of the mirrors, the boxes and the Dungeon Cam screen.
The pre-show is VERY well done, lots of laughs (and puns), it does give a quick review of the original Shrek Film plot, to help folks who have not seen the original film a set-up of the plot. The actual movie is a bridge between Shrek and Shrek 2. It also sets up the film you are about to see.
Now, just before the doors open, they give the typical instructions, with a twist...
Please do not Eat, Drink, Smoke or Puke.
Now, I know a few other rides that needs that set of instructions.
Now, when you get into the theater, you will find it set up similar to a typical movie theater, with row of seats. (the rows are actually made up of 4-seat "units". They do offer a few non-motion seats, but you don't want those!!!!
One of the stars of this attraction are the seats, the BEST version yet!!! Much enhanced over any other type. Yes, there are water misters, air jets in the seat and the floor (think HISTA), and the seats vibrate and move. But the difference is in how they move! Once you experience it, you too will go WOW!!!
The show starts, two "real" curtains go up, then everything else is in the movie. Also, the sound system is very well designed.
I won't talk about the movie, except to say all the original voices from the movie are back, and it is a digital projection system. You find Shrek and Princess Fiona on their way to their Honeymoon, when the "trouble" starts.
Very well written, and lots of jokes and puns (including a couple good Star Wars jokes, one in the pre-show, and one in the actual movie).
After the movie is over, you exit the opposite side, make sure and check out the posters next to the exit doors, here are a couple...
Visit Lord Farquaad's Enchanted Tick Room
This show WILL get under your skin
At the Entrance to ParasiteLand
and..
You'll Hurl in your Tea Cups when you ride... Donkbo
Now, where do I rate this show, well, I am going with a close second to Terminator 2 : 3-D, I am still impressed with how at Terminator 2 : 3-D mixes in live action, both in its pre-show and actual movie. And the theater is a bit more of an experience, with multiple screens and the AA's. Also Terminator 2 : 3-D queue is a bit better, with the pre-pre-show that is offered on the monitors placed in the queue.
I do give an slight edge to Shrek's pre-show, very good use of the multiple screens and other effects (and use of sound) over T2:3-D.
So right now, my ranking of 4-D type movies...
1. Terminator 2 : 3-D
2. Shrek 4-D
3. R.L. Stine's Haunted Lighthouse
4. Muppet's (due to it's pre-show)
5. It's Tough to be a Bug
6. Honey, I Shrunk the Audience
So, I highly recommend you go to Universal Studios sometime soon (Shrek 4-D opens up in early June at Orlando, and May 23rd at Hollywood), Shrek 4-D is a great addition to the park!
Now, if you have been to Universal in the past, the new attraction is located where the old Rugrats show was.
The queue for the attraction starts at the same area, but it has been expanded, and a lot of it is hidden, so make sure and check the "wait time". The part of the building that used to be the entrance is now the exit. The queue now takes you behind the building, when they added a large queue area, but they did place tents/shade structures and misters.
When you get to the front of the queue, you will find 4 sets of turnstiles, and trays of 3-D glasses.
Now, when you enter the pre-show area, you will pass under a arch, that has the following sign on it, written in the old style "Disney" font...
Welcome to Duloc
Happiest Totalitarian Dictatorship on Earth
(Well...second happiest)
Be Sure to visit Duloc's Fairy Tale Adventure
74 gift shops and one ride
Now you are escorted to inside the building (basically the area that used to house the back stage area for the old Rugrats show, changing room, etc), and the old exit.
They have converted this to a "Torture Chamber/Dungeon", many typical props from Dungeons are on the walls and ceiling, along with multiple video displays. Try and get into the middle of the room, about half way thru the crowd. The entrance to the theater is below the video screens, and they will make you go all the way across the aisle, so you don't want to be right next to the doors. There are four sets, the door closes to the entrance you came in is the front of the screen, so I recommend the middle two sets of doors, slight preference for the second set from the entrance. Also standing back from the doors allows a better view of the pre-show, nothing really happens until all the guests are in, and the doors are shut.
Now, I don't want to spoil the show, so I am going to talk about the basic set up, but specifically not mention some things.
On the wall above the entrance doors for the theater is whee you will watch the pre-show, on each end of the walls is a Mirror, these two "screens" offer the same viewing. between the walls is a set up of three boxes, that all you can "really see" is 3 sets of eyes (which are large TV's), and a large screen that is labeled "Dungeon Cam" when you come in.
Now you will want to watch one of the mirrors, the boxes and the Dungeon Cam screen.
The pre-show is VERY well done, lots of laughs (and puns), it does give a quick review of the original Shrek Film plot, to help folks who have not seen the original film a set-up of the plot. The actual movie is a bridge between Shrek and Shrek 2. It also sets up the film you are about to see.
Now, just before the doors open, they give the typical instructions, with a twist...
Please do not Eat, Drink, Smoke or Puke.
Now, I know a few other rides that needs that set of instructions.
Now, when you get into the theater, you will find it set up similar to a typical movie theater, with row of seats. (the rows are actually made up of 4-seat "units". They do offer a few non-motion seats, but you don't want those!!!!
One of the stars of this attraction are the seats, the BEST version yet!!! Much enhanced over any other type. Yes, there are water misters, air jets in the seat and the floor (think HISTA), and the seats vibrate and move. But the difference is in how they move! Once you experience it, you too will go WOW!!!
The show starts, two "real" curtains go up, then everything else is in the movie. Also, the sound system is very well designed.
I won't talk about the movie, except to say all the original voices from the movie are back, and it is a digital projection system. You find Shrek and Princess Fiona on their way to their Honeymoon, when the "trouble" starts.
Very well written, and lots of jokes and puns (including a couple good Star Wars jokes, one in the pre-show, and one in the actual movie).
After the movie is over, you exit the opposite side, make sure and check out the posters next to the exit doors, here are a couple...
Visit Lord Farquaad's Enchanted Tick Room
This show WILL get under your skin
At the Entrance to ParasiteLand
and..
You'll Hurl in your Tea Cups when you ride... Donkbo
Now, where do I rate this show, well, I am going with a close second to Terminator 2 : 3-D, I am still impressed with how at Terminator 2 : 3-D mixes in live action, both in its pre-show and actual movie. And the theater is a bit more of an experience, with multiple screens and the AA's. Also Terminator 2 : 3-D queue is a bit better, with the pre-pre-show that is offered on the monitors placed in the queue.
I do give an slight edge to Shrek's pre-show, very good use of the multiple screens and other effects (and use of sound) over T2:3-D.
So right now, my ranking of 4-D type movies...
1. Terminator 2 : 3-D
2. Shrek 4-D
3. R.L. Stine's Haunted Lighthouse
4. Muppet's (due to it's pre-show)
5. It's Tough to be a Bug
6. Honey, I Shrunk the Audience
So, I highly recommend you go to Universal Studios sometime soon (Shrek 4-D opens up in early June at Orlando, and May 23rd at Hollywood), Shrek 4-D is a great addition to the park!