DreamWorks Animation's beloved characters could fill an entire land at Universal Bedford. From Shrek to Kung Fu Panda, here's what a DreamWorks area might look like.
DreamWorks Animation, owned by Universal's parent company NBCUniversal, boasts one of the richest character portfolios in family entertainment. Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, Trolls, Madagascar, and Puss in Boots represent billions of pounds in box office revenue and near-universal name recognition among families. Universal Studios Bedford has the opportunity to unite these beloved franchises under one roof — or, more accurately, within one sprawling, fantastically themed land.
DreamWorks characters have had a growing presence at Universal parks. Shrek 4-D was a long-running attraction at multiple parks, while Universal Studios Singapore features a dedicated DreamWorks zone with Madagascar and Shrek rides. Universal Orlando opened DreamWorks Land in 2024, a family-focused area featuring a Trolls Trollercoaster, Gabby's Dollhouse attraction, and character meet-and-greets set in immersive environments inspired by the films.
These experiences demonstrate that DreamWorks IP translates wonderfully into themed entertainment. The characters are colourful, the worlds are visually distinctive, and the stories provide natural frameworks for ride narratives. What has been missing, however, is a truly ambitious, large-scale DreamWorks land that does justice to the breadth and quality of the animation studio's output.
A DreamWorks Land at Universal Studios Bedford could be the most comprehensive DreamWorks themed area ever built. Imagine a land divided into distinct zones — Far Far Away (Shrek), the Valley of Peace (Kung Fu Panda), and the Isle of Berk (How to Train Your Dragon) — connected by winding paths through a whimsical landscape populated by characters from across the DreamWorks universe.
Shrek's Far Far Away could feature a reimagined dark ride replacing the retired Shrek 4-D with modern ride technology, plus a Puss in Boots swashbuckling coaster. The Valley of Peace could house a Kung Fu Panda martial arts-themed spinning ride and an immersive dojo training experience. How to Train Your Dragon could anchor the land with a flying coaster where guests soar on Toothless through the skies of Berk — an attraction that would rival any ride in the park for excitement and emotional impact.
The DreamWorks area would also serve as Bedford's primary family zone, with play areas, gentle rides, and character meet-and-greets designed for younger visitors. Madagascar characters, Trolls, and the Boss Baby could populate interactive play spaces, ensuring that even the smallest guests have dedicated experiences to enjoy.
DreamWorks films perform exceptionally well in the UK market. Shrek in particular has achieved a cultural penetration in Britain that rivals Disney's biggest characters — every British child knows Shrek, Donkey, and Fiona. The franchise's irreverent British-influenced humour (Mike Myers' Scottish-accented ogre being a prime example) gives it a natural affinity with UK audiences that few American animated franchises can match.
A DreamWorks Land would also fill a crucial strategic role at Bedford by providing a dedicated family area. Theme parks need zones that cater specifically to young children, and DreamWorks' colourful, friendly characters are the ideal foundation for such an area. Parents need to know there is a section of the park where their little ones can thrive, and DreamWorks delivers that assurance.
A DreamWorks presence at Bedford is considered very likely, given that Universal owns the IP outright and has been expanding DreamWorks offerings across its parks. The scale and format — whether a dedicated land or attractions distributed across the park — is the main uncertainty. Given Bedford's reported size and Universal's ambition, a dedicated DreamWorks Land seems the most probable approach.
Share
staff
