Shrek 4-D is, in my opinion, one of the best attractions at Universal Studios – actually it might actually be my very favourite. The first Shrek film is one of my all-time favourite films – I can watch it over and over and still find it funny – so when I first went to this attraction I was hoping that the Shrek 4-D experience would live up to the film. Well, it certainly did, I thought it was great.
The theming and imagination that has gone into this attraction is superb and right from the very start, when you walk up to the queuing area you are involved in the whole Shrek/Lord Farquaad/Fairytale thing. The queuing area has notice boards and signs in it which help to make you feel as though you are already in Shrek country. Don’t just walk by and ignore them – read them carefully. There are notices for all sorts of things, cottages for sale or rent, personal adverts from fairytale characters, safety instructions and large posters advertising films that are coming soon.
When you go into the actual attraction, the first thing is the pre-show which takes place in a dungeon and involves you in the show. Pinocchio and the Three Pigs are imprisoned here, and they and a talking mirror introduce up to what is going to happen. The premise of the story is that Shrek and Fiona have just got married and Lord Farquaad has returned as a ghost to try and find them and your help is required. Listen carefully to the pre-show talk too as it is very funny.
After the pre-show talk you make your way into the theatre (with your special 4-D glasses of course) and take your seat. The seats do move, but only to enhance the action that you are seeing on the screen, however if you would prefer not to move at all, the front row of seats is stationary. There are also a few other ‘surprises’ along the way. The whole experience is made all the more authentic by the fact that the actors and actresses who voiced the characters in the film also provide the voices for this attraction. The storyline is fairly predictable, but the jokes are great, with many references to jokes from the original film and several sight gags that are in keeping with the Shrek style.
When you come out of the theatre, through the usual retail therapy opportunity, you can go and have your photograph taken with a very chatty Donkey. Shrek and Fiona are sometimes there too. If you are a Shrek fan you will really enjoy this, and even if you haven’t seen the film it should be entertaining.
The theming and imagination that has gone into this attraction is superb and right from the very start, when you walk up to the queuing area you are involved in the whole Shrek/Lord Farquaad/Fairytale thing. The queuing area has notice boards and signs in it which help to make you feel as though you are already in Shrek country. Don’t just walk by and ignore them – read them carefully. There are notices for all sorts of things, cottages for sale or rent, personal adverts from fairytale characters, safety instructions and large posters advertising films that are coming soon.
When you go into the actual attraction, the first thing is the pre-show which takes place in a dungeon and involves you in the show. Pinocchio and the Three Pigs are imprisoned here, and they and a talking mirror introduce up to what is going to happen. The premise of the story is that Shrek and Fiona have just got married and Lord Farquaad has returned as a ghost to try and find them and your help is required. Listen carefully to the pre-show talk too as it is very funny.
After the pre-show talk you make your way into the theatre (with your special 4-D glasses of course) and take your seat. The seats do move, but only to enhance the action that you are seeing on the screen, however if you would prefer not to move at all, the front row of seats is stationary. There are also a few other ‘surprises’ along the way. The whole experience is made all the more authentic by the fact that the actors and actresses who voiced the characters in the film also provide the voices for this attraction. The storyline is fairly predictable, but the jokes are great, with many references to jokes from the original film and several sight gags that are in keeping with the Shrek style.
When you come out of the theatre, through the usual retail therapy opportunity, you can go and have your photograph taken with a very chatty Donkey. Shrek and Fiona are sometimes there too. If you are a Shrek fan you will really enjoy this, and even if you haven’t seen the film it should be entertaining.