In preparation for its unveiling of the all-new DreamWorks Theatre attraction in 2018, Universal Studios Hollywood unleashed a slew of new DreamWorks characters into the park on Friday, June 30.
Overhauling the Universal Plaza, smack in the middle of the park, guests were able to pose for photos with a variety of costumed characters from animated features like “Trolls,” “Kung Fu Panda,” the “Shrek” and “Madagascar” movies. They also snagged selfies in front of the statue of the mythical beast from the DreamWorks animated series based on the 2010 film, “How to Train Your Dragon.”
Isaac Miranda, right, 5, of Los Angeles, and his sister Angela, 9, visit Branch and Poppy, Trolls characters, at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City on Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Ed Crisostomo, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Pete Punthasee, of Thailand, greets Puss in Boots, Shrek character, at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City on Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Ed Crisostomo, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Brody Magsayo, 5, of Hawaii, gives Shrek a hug at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City on Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Ed Crisostomo, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
McKenna Hamiga, of San Diego, dances with King Julien, Madagascar character, at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City on Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Ed Crisostomo, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Ruolin “Linm” Si, 12, left, and Zimu “Agnes” Hu, 12, both of China, show their Kung Fu moves with Tigress, Kung Fu Panda character, at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City on Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Ed Crisostomo, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Anthony Avina, 10, of Phoenix Arizona, has some fun with Master Po Ping, Kung Fu Panda character, at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City on Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Ed Crisostomo, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Karen Aehle, of Germany, gets a photograph taken with Puss in Boots, Shrek character, at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City on Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Ed Crisostomo, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Isaac Miranda, left, 5, of Los Angeles, and his sister Angela, 9, visit Branch and Poppy, Trolls characters, at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City on Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Ed Crisostomo, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jen Mendoza, 8, right, of St. George Utah, and her sister Lesly, 15, visit Princess Fiona, Shrek character, at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City on Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Ed Crisostomo, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Brody Magsayo, 5, of Hawaii, reacts after visiting Shrek at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City on Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Ed Crisostomo, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Massimo Cellante, right, of Melbourne Australia, and his wife Licia, wave at their children, Carla, 6, Luca, 2, and Seve, 4, while they get a photograph taken with Shrek at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City on Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Ed Crisostomo, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jen Mendoza, 8, center, of St. George Utah, and her sister Lesly, 15, visit Princess Fiona, Shrek character, at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City on Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Ed Crisostomo, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Park patrons visiting from as far away as Germany and Thailand, stood in line to take photos with Shrek, Fiona and the newly introduced, Puss in Boots, from the “Shrek” films and danced along with King Julien, a playful lemur from “Madagascar” with some serious moves. Young visitors stood in awe of the colorful “Trolls” characters, Poppy and Branch, and struck their best martial arts poses with Po the Panda and Tigress the Tiger from the “Kung Fu Panda” films.
Other new characters include Alex the Lion and the Penguins (Skipper, Rico, Kowalski and Private) from “Madagascar.” The characters will be available for photo ops in the Universal Plaza from opening to close and at dusk, the space will transform into a fun character dance party with familiar music from the films while the overhead lights will change colors to correspond with the variety of characters.
Universal Studios Hollywood
When: Various hours; Open daily
Where: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City
Tickets: $105-$116 One-day general admission; $129 two-day general admission; $179-$254 front-of-the-line pass plus general admission; $349 VIP Experience plus one-day admission; $129-$599 for annual passes. All are available at UniversalStudiosHollywood.com.