Construction update: DreamWorks land adds Shrek’s outhouse, Poppy and Branch, and more theming details

The future DreamWorks land resides on the former property of most of Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone at Universal Orlando Resort’s original Studios park.

Universal has not announced an opening date, specific attractions, or even the land’s name. That being said, many elements are visible from inside the park — and from the sky in aerial photos shared with us by bioreconstruct.

Shrek’s House

Shrek’s tree stump house in the swamp will greet guests entering the DreamWorks area from nearby E.T. Adventure. Construction workers recently added plaster, paint, and foliage to Shrek’s house, making the structure even more recognizable than it was a few weeks ago.

But just a few days later, the teams had removed scaffolding. Voila!

Across from Shrek’s house is a hut that seems to match the theming.

Comparing the current view of Shrek’s house to what the structure looked like just last month shows how quickly Universal is making progress on this project.

Note how closely Shrek’s house is situated to the entrance of E.T. Adventure … and what’s behind it …

Shrek Play Area

Construction is well underway for what now seems to be a Shrek-themed play area. Playground-like structures — complete with bridges traversing over pedestrian walkways — populate the area immediately behind Shrek’s house.

Zooming out a bit helps get our bearings. The play area is where Fievel’s Playland previously stood, but Universal completely dismantled that former attraction and built this new play area from scratch rather than re-theming/Shrek-ifying existing elements from Fievel’s Playland.

Nets and wood-looking structures are in place throughout the play area.

Lending credibility to the play area being Shrek-themed, the photo below from the ground level (captured from a public guest area inside the park) clearly shows one structure resembling Shrek’s outhouse, which is located just outside his home in the films.

It’s not hard to imagine this becoming the location for the park’s next TikTok trend, with guests emulating Shrek emerging from the outhouse paired with the opening bars of “All Star” by Smash Mouth.

Elsewhere within the play area, construction teams installed what appear to be water sprayers. Passersby may want to be on the lookout for mischievous young guests above!

Comparing again, this area has come a long way in just a short period of time.

“Trolls” Kiddie Coaster

Continuing our voyage into the DreamWorks-themed land, just behind the Shrek play area is the former Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster. The kiddie coaster is now inspired by “Trolls.”

As one of the first structures to receive its paint job — and with the coaster track already in place from the previous attraction — the ride looks, for the most part, the same as our last construction update. There are a few noteworthy additions, though.

The queue area is taking shape along a bright, green fence.

A roller coaster train, covered by tarp, sits in the load station, waiting for riders.

Construction teams installed a fully themed and show-ready Tarantapuff within the coaster’s ride path.

Here’s what the spider-like Tarantapuffs look like in “Trolls:”

At the top of the coaster’s lift hill, the Tarantapuff has spun a web that ride vehicles will travel through.

Puss In Boots

Across the plaza from the “Trolls” kiddie coaster, a recently added architectural detail gives us a clue for another potential attraction in the DreamWorks land.

Let’s zoom in to the top left corner of the photo above.

A weather vane atop the building is in the shape of a cat and fish bones.

Here’s a look from the ground level, inside the park.

This structure is flanked by an outdoor entryway labeled “Mama Luna.”

In “Puss In Boots: The Last Wish,” Mama Luna takes Puss under her wing and renames him “Pickles.”

Out and About

Throughout the land, workers are starting to add theming as various structures near their completion.

Near the “Trolls” kiddie coaster is a red mushroom- or umbrella-looking figure.

Here’s what it looks like from the ground level, inside the park.

Nearby, Branch and Poppy, the lead characters in “Trolls,” stand atop a fountain.

Not too far away are three tall sprouts.

At the back of the land, in the area formerly home to the Curious George Goes to Town play area, workers have started on the still-unannounced attraction that will reside there.

One of the walls features some themed ornamentation.

And yes, the water bucket lives.

This general vicinity seems to be further away from completion than other elements within the land. Then again, at the rate construction has progressed so far, there may be less to finish than meets the eye.

More Universal Studios Florida

Back when the future DreamWorks land was part of Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone, its indoor theater briefly hosted “DreamWorks Destination,” a character dance party. Check out our video of the venue’s covid-era distanced entertainment:

Elsewhere throughout Universal Studios Florida, the park continues its Mardi Gras celebration now through Apr. 7, 2024 with concerts, character greetings, merchandise, food, and the event’s signature parade.