Universal Studios Hollywood Announces New Details Regarding Plans for Highly Anticipated "Despicable Me Minion Mayhem" Attraction

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., June 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Studios Hollywood^SM today announced that the theme park will be home to the newest version of the wildly popular "Despicable Me Minion Mayhem" attraction during a press conference at International Pow Wow, one of the largest travel trade shows in the United States held this week in Las Vegas.  News of the Spring 2014 grand opening also revealed that the iconic theme park will unveil a "Super Silly Fun Land," based on the park depicted in Despicable Me, adjacent to the attraction.

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"Coming off the successive, highly popular launches of King Kong 360 3-D and 'Transformers™: The Ride—3D,' the 'Despicable Me Minion Mayhem' attraction is our next global movie blockbuster come to life," said Larry Kurzweil, President and Chief Operating Officer, Universal Studios Hollywood.  "Our park will also be home to 'Super Silly Fun Land' – a colorful and whimsical play land sure to be an all-time favorite."

"Despicable Me Minion Mayhem" will be a movie motion-simulator adventure inspired by Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment's worldwide blockbuster, Despicable Me which entertained audiences around the globe in 2010, grossing more than $540 million and becoming the 10th-biggest animated motion picture in U.S. history. 

The ride continues the story line from the blockbuster film through all-new 3D Ultra-HD animation in an interactive ride vehicle system.  The fully immersive experience features the cast of leading characters that have captivated audiences worldwide: super-villain Gru, his adorable girls (Margo, Edith and Agnes) and the unpredictably hilarious Minions.  

"The 'Despicable Me Minion Mayhem' attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood will continue to push the creative envelope with its exceptional show content, sight gags, special effects and 3D digital animation.  The exterior treatment will feature even more thematic and colorful creative touches that will literally place park guests inside Gru's world," said Mark Woodbury, President, Universal Creative.  

Guests will experience Despicable Me-themed queues, preshow videos and comedic dialogue that set up the fundamental plot: Gru schemes to create more mischievous Minions from human recruits.

Guests will be transported into Gru's house as they meander through his living room and encounter visual elements as seen in the film – including the moon-shrinking SR-6 shrink ray – while they zig-zag through a comedic adventure featuring Gru's super-villain laboratory.  The exciting journey continues as they swerve, bounce and plunge to get through the frantically humorous Minion training mission while donning specially designed 3D Minion goggles.  Fun and frolic continue in a post-show dance party where Minion walkaround characters invite guests to strut their stuff in an impromptu Minion-inspired dance party.

Directly adjacent to "Despicable Me Minion Mayhem" will be "Super Silly Fun Land," an elaborate activity zone inspired by the memorable pierside park featured in Despicable Me.  A colorfully themed water play area will delight guests of all ages with a multitude of fountains, water dumps and splash pools.  Nearby, a dry play zone will invite guests to climb, crawl, jump and slide – while a themed ride will soar and spin guests aboard a fleet of imaginative ride vehicles for a view of "Super Silly Fun Land."

"Despicable Me Minion Mayhem" was produced in collaboration between Universal Creative and Illumination Entertainment, and was recently honored as Best Animated Special Production at the 2012 Annie Awards, which recognizes Outstanding Achievements in the field of Animation.

Universal Studios Hollywood^SM, The Entertainment Capital of L.A.^SM, includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour; the CityWalk^® entertainment, shopping and dining complex, the Universal CityWalk Cinemas, the "5 Towers" state-of-the-art outdoor concert venue, and the Gibson Amphitheatre concert and special event arena.  World-class rides and attractions include the intense, award-winning ride, "King Kong 360 3-D" on the famed behind-the-scenes Studio Tour, "The Simpsons Ride^TM," "Revenge of the Mummy^SM —The Ride" indoor roller coaster and "Jurassic Park^® —The Ride," as well as the award-winning, critically acclaimed mega-attraction, "Transformers™:  The Ride—3D."

SOURCE Universal Studios Hollywood