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Shrek 4-D

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Shrek 4-D
Universal Studios Hollywood
AreaUpper Lot[1]
StatusRemoved
CostUS$35 million
Opening dateMay 23, 2003; 21 years ago (2003-05-23)[1]
Closing dateAugust 14, 2017; 6 years ago (2017-08-14)[2]
ReplacedRugrats Magic Adventure!
Replaced byDreamWorks Theatre[3]
Universal Studios Florida
AreaProduction Central[4]
Coordinates28°28′32.90″N 81°28′4.62″W / 28.4758056°N 81.4679500°W / 28.4758056; -81.4679500
StatusRemoved
CostUS$35 million
Soft opening dateMay 31, 2003; 21 years ago (2003-05-31)
Opening dateJune 12, 2003; 21 years ago (2003-06-12)
Closing dateJanuary 10, 2022; 2 years ago (2022-01-10)
ReplacedAlfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies
Replaced byIllumination's Villain-Con Minion Blast
(Minion Land on Illumination Ave)
Universal Studios Japan
NameShrek’s 4-D Adventure (シュレック 4-D アドベンチャー)[5][6]
AreaHollywood
StatusRemoved
CostUS$35 million
Opening dateJune 20, 2003; 21 years ago (2003-06-20)
Closing dateFebruary 9, 2024; 6 months ago (2024-02-09)
Warner Bros. Movie World
AreaRoxy Theatre, Main Street[7]
StatusRemoved
Opening dateSeptember 17, 2005; 18 years ago (2005-09-17)[7]
Closing dateAugust 29, 2010; 13 years ago (2010-08-29)[8][9]
ReplacedMarvin the Martian in 3D
Replaced byJourney to the Center of the Earth 4-D Adventure[10]
Movie Park Germany
AreaHollywood Street Set[11]
StatusRemoved
CostUS$20 million
Opening dateMay 27, 2008; 16 years ago (2008-05-27)
Closing dateJuly 4, 2011; 13 years ago (2011-07-04)
ReplacedSpongeBob SquarePants 4-D
Replaced byIce Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs - The 4-D Experience
Universal Studios Singapore
NameShrek 4-D Adventure
AreaFar Far Away[12]
StatusOperating
Opening dateMarch 18, 2010; 14 years ago (2010-03-18)[12]
Ride statistics
Attraction type3-D film
ManufacturerPDI/DreamWorks
DesignerSimon J. Smith
ThemeShrek
Duration16:00
Pre-Show HostMagic Mirror on the Wall
Disabled access Wheelchair accessible
Assistive listening available
Closed captioning available
Shrek 4-D
Directed bySimon J. Smith
Written byDavid Lipman
Based onShrek!
by William Steig
Produced byJeffrey Katzenberg
David Lipman
StarringMike Myers
Eddie Murphy
Cameron Diaz
John Lithgow
Edited byMichelle Belforte
Music byHarry Gregson-Williams
Production
companies
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
  • May 23, 2003 (May 23, 2003)
Running time
15 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Shrek 4-D (also known as Shrek 3-D for the DVD release and The Ghost of Lord Farquaad for the Shrek's Thriller Tales DVD release and DreamWorks Spooky Stories Blu-ray release, Netflix, and other streaming releases) is an animated 4D film based on the Shrek franchise created by DreamWorks Animation, itself based on the book by William Steig. It also is a 4D simulator ride attraction with motion-based effects[14] and water sprayers located at various theme parks around the world. It is currently shown at Universal Destinations & Experiences in Singapore,[15] and previously in Universal Studios Florida, Hollywood,[16] and Japan.[17] The Hollywood location closed on August 14, 2017, to make way for the DreamWorks Theatre attraction, the Orlando location closed on January 10, 2022, to make way for Illumination's Villain-Con Minion Blast, and the Japan location closed on February 9, 2024.[18] Outside the Universal parks, the movie was shown at Movie Park Germany[11] in Germany from May 2008 until July 2011, and Warner Bros. Movie World in Australia from September 2005 until August 2010.[8][9][19] A spin-off attraction titled Donkey's Photo Finish is located at the Florida venue while Meet Shrek and Donkey is located at the Hollywood venue. In Universal Studios Japan (where it is known as Shrek's 4-D Adventure), the attraction is shown in the same theater as Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic, with the Shrek 4-D film shown for the first 12 hours of the day, and the Sesame Street film shown for the next 12 hours of the day.

The film, set after the events of the first film, follows Shrek and Donkey as they attempt to save Princess Fiona from Lord Farquaad's ghost, who plots to capture her. The ride takes guests on a journey alongside Shrek and Donkey during their rescue mission.

Plot

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While Shrek and Princess Fiona, assisted by Donkey, try to find the Honeymoon Hotel, where they plan to stay for their honeymoon, Thelonious appears and captures Fiona, with Shrek and Donkey giving chase. Upon Shrek and Donkey searching around the local graveyard, Lord Farquaad's ghost reanimates the stone statue of Dragon from his tomb to go after them and kill them. The real Dragon arrives to the rescue, leading to a chase ending with the stone dragon losing its wings against the walls of a hole and falling into the water below. Farquaad sends Fiona on a raft to fall over the waterfall (with Thelonious still on it, not realizing he was supposed to get off), intending to kill her so that they can rule the underworld together. Fiona manages to break the restraints and knees Thelonious in the groin, causing him to fall off the raft. Shrek and Donkey arrive shortly after to rescue her before the raft plunges over the waterfall, but in the end, all four of them fall over the waterfall. They are saved by Dragon, who then breathes fire at Farquaad, destroying him again. Dragon gives Shrek and Fiona a ride to the Honeymoon Hotel, and she and Donkey ride off to have a honeymoon of their own by making waffles. Shrek and Fiona's honeymoon is interrupted by the Fairy Tale creatures, but they go along with it. Everyone celebrates after Shrek says "Let The Honeymoon Begin!". He then pops the cork off champagne, sending one of the fairies flying with the cork.

Cast

[edit]

History

[edit]
Entrance to Shrek's 4-D Adventure at Universal Studios Japan.

Amusement park integration

[edit]

In May 2002, it was announced that Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood would be getting Shrek 4-D. That same month, the Florida location announced the closure of The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera and Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies. Shrek 4-D would be taking over Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies, while The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera would be taken over by Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast. Both attractions were set to open in 2003.[20]

Universal Parks & Resorts have implemented the movie into four of their amusement parks with plans to integrate it into a fifth. The first park to show the film was Universal Studios Hollywood on May 23, 2003.[1] This was followed by Universal Studios Florida and Japan in June.[4] In 2010, the attraction opened with Universal Studios Singapore in the Shrek-themed Far Far Away themed area. Outside the Universal Parks, the film has only been shown at two theme parks. Movie Park Germany began showing the film on May 27, 2008 (which was shown in German), with Warner Bros. Movie World starting on September 17, 2005.[7]

The Florida location hosted a 10th anniversary party on June 12, 2013, with a giant birthday cake, along with appearances from Shrek and Princess Fiona.[21]

Universal Studios Hollywood's Shrek 4-D queue has been used for many years to make mazes for Universal's Halloween Horror Nights event. In 2006, The Asylum operated in the queue.[22] This was followed by A Nightmare on Elm Street themed mazes for 2007, 2008, and 2010.[23][24] In 2009 My Bloody Valentine: Be Mine 4 Ever operated in the queue.[25] The final mazes used in this venue were both themed to La Llorona in 2011 and 2012.

Closures

[edit]

Warner Bros. Movie World retired its Shrek 4-D Adventure on August 29, 2010.[8][9] Movie Park Germany closed their Shrek 4-D attraction the following year on July 4, 2011, and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs - The 4-D Experience opened in its place in 2012. A third installation of Shrek 4-D closed at Universal Studios Hollywood on August 14, 2017, to make way for the DreamWorks Theatre attraction. Universal Studios Florida announced in 2021 that its Shrek 4-D was closing with its last day of operation being on January 10, 2022.[26][27] The Florida attraction was replaced by Illumination's Villain-Con Minion Blast which became part of Minion Land on Illumination Ave, which opened on August 11, 2023. The Japan attraction closed on February 9, 2024.[18]

Other releases

[edit]

On May 11, 2004, the attraction was released on DVD with the original Shrek film as Shrek 3-D[28] with both 3-D and 2-D versions included. The release included pairs of two-color 3-D glasses. The DVD included an anaglyph 3-D version along with a conventional version without 3-D effects. The DVD release also included a preview of Shrek 2.

On May 13, 2007, the film was shown on Nickelodeon as Shrek's Never Before Seen Adventure,[28] with the 3-D effects removed.

In October 2011, the film was released on Netflix under the title The Ghost of Lord Farquaad as a part of DreamWorks Spooky Stories with a Fourth wall break removed and music added to the end credits.[29][30]

A comic adaptation of the film was featured as issue #1 of the Shrek comic book mini-series published by Dark Horse Comics.

Also the 3-D re-release short film was shown before the 3-D family films in 2011–2012 such as Kung Fu Panda 2, Puss in Boots, and Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted in the UK.

It was also released on August 28, 2012, as part of Shrek's Thrilling Tales DVD and DreamWorks Spooky Stories Blu-ray.[31]

Ride overview

[edit]

Queue

[edit]

In the Universal Studios parks, guests wait outside the building (housed in a soundstage) where they watch various clips from the first Shrek film running on a loop. The queue also includes multiple posters for fake advertisements for attractions in the Kingdom of Duloc. Guests then enter a dungeon in Duloc where the storyline for the attraction will be revealed.[32]

At Warner Bros. Movie World, the queue began outside the Roxy Theatre and wrapped around the left-hand side of the building into the alleyway. Guests were ushered into the pre-show room where they were given a pair of 3D glasses.[33] A similar set-up occurred at Movie Park Germany.

Pre-show

[edit]

Participants are given their "OgreVision" 3-D Goggles as they enter a dungeon-like room with two giant television screens on either side. While loading the pre-showroom attraction presenters commonly tell jokes to encourage people to move closer to each other in order to fit the capacity audience in the room. The pre-show begins with the Three Little Pigs, Gingy, and Pinocchio revealing that Lord Farquaad has kidnapped them and is holding them in Castle Duloc's dungeon. Gingy flees in the middle of the explanation. The Magic Mirror begins to summarize the story of what happened before (i.e. the first Shrek film) by stating "A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away..." as a spoof on Star Wars. When he is chastised, he quickly responds, "Sorry...I've been feeling really spaced out lately...". After the Mirror finishes, Farquaad appears and states that he intends to torture the fairytale creatures as well as the audience in order to find Shrek and Fiona. The monitor screen later shows a test card with Lord Farquaad in the center. The Mirror then warns the audience about safety. In the Hollywood version, the 2015 refurbishment added Donkey appeared in audio animatronic form and interacted with the guests. With the addition of Donkey, the pre show was shorter in which it did not feature the recap of the story. Everything else was the same. In the Japan version, the Mirror tells the audience to put on their goggles. The cinema doors are then opened and guests take their seats in the theatre.[34]

Main show

[edit]

The main ride has the riders watch the short film with their OgreVision 3-D Googles in the theatre, while special effects simulate interaction with the events of the film. Although the animation is 3-D, the ride is a 4-D film, which incorporates physical effects including motion seats which tilt forward, backward, vibrate, and raise up and drop down during the show. Water sprayers are attached to the back of each seat, to spray the face of the rider sitting behind it. Water sprayers on the ceiling spray riders seated on the front row. Multiple lighting effects are used, such as projected images of a moving waterfall on the walls, or "magical" sparkles of flickering light. Air blasters on the front of every seat blow air against riders neck and head. Leg ticklers are also used to simulate spiders crawling across the theater.[35][36][37] Stationary seats, which do not move during the film, are marked and available for those who want to watch the film without the motion or vibration. Every other effect is available for the stationary seats.

When the film ends, the fairy shot off with the champagne cork lands up in a speaker attached to the wall of the theater. In the Japan version, the screen splits open for guests to step through the post-show area leading to the gift shop.

Spin-off attractions

[edit]

A number of spin-off attractions operate alongside Shrek 4-D in various amusement parks.

In Universal Studios Florida, Donkey's Photo Finish was a meet and greet attraction that opened in 2003 alongside the film, replacing Stage 54. The attraction consisted of guests walking up to an animatronic Donkey who mingled with and made fun of them. The guests had their picture taken with Donkey, and then moved onto meeting Shrek and Princess Fiona, the latter of whom talked to them. Guests then had their picture taken for purchase with Shrek and Fiona. The attraction temporarily closed in June 2012 to make way for Transformers: The Ride 3D,[38] before reopening in a new location next to Monsters Cafe (now known as Minion Cafe) before that area closed alongside the attraction on January 10, 2022. It was relocated to the Woody WoodPecker's KidZone area on July 14, 2022, replacing The Barney Shop, a gift shop located near the former A Day in the Park with Barney live show. Five months after, on November 1, 2022, Universal Studios Florida announced that the meet and greet area, alongside Fievel's Playland, DreamWorks Destination, Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster, and Curious George Goes to Town, would close permanently on January 16, 2023, with its last day of operation the day before on January 15, 2023.[39] A new meet and greet hosted at a recreation of Shrek's swamp home, featuring a refreshed Donkey puppet, opened with DreamWorks Land on June 14, 2024 as Shrek's Swamp Meet.[40][41] A similar attraction is located at Universal Studios Hollywood named Meet Shrek and Donkey.

In Universal Studios Singapore, Shrek 4-D exists within the larger Far Far Away themed area. Other attractions in the area include Donkey Live (an interactive live show using digital puppetry technology, which features Donkey entertaining and engaging guests in conversation in an intimate theater setting),[42] Enchanted Airways (a junior roller coaster that features trains modelled after Dragon),[43] Puss in Boots' Giant Journey (a roller coaster with suspended ride vehicles, featuring Puss in Boots as he runs from a giant goose) and Magic Potion Spin (a miniature ferris wheel for children which is themed to be a part of a potion assembly line).[44]

During the attraction's time at Warner Bros. Movie World, a short-lived live show named Shrek Live was shown in the park's Show Stage.[45]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Shrek 4D (Universal Studios Hollywood)". Database Entry. Parkz. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  2. ^ "Shrek 4-D at Universal Studios Hollywood set to close with possible replacement Kung Fu Panda – Inside Universal". insideuniversal.net. May 17, 2017. Archived from the original on June 6, 2017. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
  3. ^ "'Kung Fu Panda' attraction to replace Shrek 4-D at Universal Studios Hollywood, Dreamworks & Hello Kitty meet-and-greets coming - Inside the Magic". insidethemagic.net. June 5, 2017. Archived from the original on September 25, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Shrek 4-D (Universal Studios Florida)". Database Entry. Parkz. Archived from the original on April 4, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  5. ^ "シュレック 4-D アドベンチャー". Universal Studios Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 7, 2017. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  6. ^ "Shrek's 4-D Adventure". www.usj.co.jp. Universal Studios Japan. Archived from the original on April 27, 2017. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  7. ^ a b c "Shrek 4D (Warner Bros. Movie World)". Database Entry. Parkz. Archived from the original on February 7, 2011. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  8. ^ a b c "Attractions Maintenance". MyFun. Archived from the original on August 16, 2010. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  9. ^ a b c "DreamWorks Shrek 4D Adventure". MyFun. Archived from the original on August 22, 2010. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  10. ^ "Journey to the Center of the Earth 4-D Adventure". MyFun. Archived from the original on September 18, 2010. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
  11. ^ a b "Attractions – Shrek 4-D Adventure". Movie Park Germany. Retrieved August 3, 2010.[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ a b "Shrek 4-D Adventure (Universal Studios Singapore)". Database Entry. Parkz. Archived from the original on April 6, 2010. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  13. ^ "Shrek 4-D at Universal Studios". Universal Orlando. Archived from the original on February 25, 2015. Retrieved February 25, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  14. ^ Pack, Todd (June 7, 2003). "Shrek 4-D Welcomes Universal Visitors To Enter Movie's Sequel". The Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on March 26, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  15. ^ "Shrek 4-D Adventure". Resorts World Sentosa. Archived from the original on October 5, 2011. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  16. ^ "Shrek 4-D". Universal Studios Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 14, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  17. ^ "Shrek's 4-D Adventure". Universal Studios Japan. Archived from the original on July 11, 2010. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  18. ^ a b "Universal Announces Imminent Closure of Another Beloved 'Shrek' Attraction". December 23, 2023. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  19. ^ "Shrek 4D Adventure". MyFun. Archived from the original on July 23, 2010. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  20. ^ "'Shrek' attraction planned for both Orlando, California". The Orlando Sentinel. May 19, 2002. Archived from the original on September 20, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ "Universal Orlando Celebrates Shrek 4-D's Tenth Birthday!". Archived from the original on September 20, 2021. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  22. ^ "2006 Attractions". The Studio Tour. Archived from the original on December 21, 2010. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  23. ^ "2007 Mazes". The Studio Tour. Archived from the original on December 21, 2010. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  24. ^ "2008 Mazes". The Studio Tour. Archived from the original on December 21, 2010. Retrieved August 1, 2010.
  25. ^ "Halloween Horror Nights 2009 Updates – Mazes, Auditions & Tickets". Hollywood Gothique. Archived from the original on December 26, 2010. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  26. ^ "So long, Shrek: Universal Orlando says 4D attraction is set to permanently close". October 6, 2021. Archived from the original on October 7, 2021. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  27. ^ "Shrek 4D at Universal Studios Florida to permanently close on January 10, 2022". Inside Universal. October 6, 2021. Archived from the original on October 7, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  28. ^ a b "Shrek 4-D (2003) – Release dates". Internet Movie Database. Archived from the original on December 8, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  29. ^ Roettgers, Janko (October 25, 2011). "First DreamWorks titles pop up on Netflix". GigaOm. Archived from the original on December 25, 2011. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  30. ^ "DreamWorks Spooky Stories: The Ghost of..." FeedFliks. Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  31. ^ "Dreamwork's Spooky Stories: Shreks Thrilling Tales / Scared Shrekless / Mutant Pumpkins From Outer Space (Blu-ray) (Widescreen)". Wallmart. Archived from the original on August 30, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  32. ^ PARANOjAnO. "Universal Studios Hollywood – Shrek". Video. YouTube. Retrieved August 3, 2010.[dead YouTube link]
  33. ^ MrMyOmy. "Shrek4D". Video. YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  34. ^ sfgamfreek. "shrek 4 d preshow universal studios florida". Video. YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  35. ^ "4D Motion Seats". Photo Gallery. FX Illusions. Archived from the original on February 18, 2011. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  36. ^ ecodev1. "Shrek 4 D at Universal part 1/2". Video. YouTube. Retrieved August 3, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)[dead YouTube link]
  37. ^ ecodev1. "Shrek 4 D at Universal part 2/2". Video. YouTube. Retrieved August 3, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)[dead YouTube link]
  38. ^ "Other Attractions | Donkey's Photo Finish – Closed For the New Transformers 3D Ride". Total Orlando. Archived from the original on October 28, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  39. ^ "Universal Orlando Resort on Twitter: Update from Universal..." Twitter. @UniversalORL. Archived from the original on November 2, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2022. Publish date: 1 November 2022
  40. ^ "Universal Orlando". Universal Orlando Resort. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  41. ^ "DreamWorks Land Is Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort". NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  42. ^ Donkey Live – Far Far Away – Universal Studios Singapore. Retrieved June 6, 2010 from the Official Site Archived October 5, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  43. ^ Enchanted Airways – Far Far Away – Universal Studios Singapore. Retrieved June 6, 2010 from the Official Site Archived October 5, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  44. ^ Magic Potion Spin – Far Far Away – Universal Studios Singapore. Retrieved June 6, 2010 from the Official Site Archived October 5, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  45. ^ "Shrek Live (Warner Bros. Movie World)". Parkz. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
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