Despicable Me (attraction)
Encyclopedia
Despicable Me is the tentative name for an upcoming attraction currently under construction at Universal Studios Florida
. The attraction will be based on Universal Studios
and Illumination Entertainment
's 2010 animated film Despicable Me
and it will employ 3-D
HD
digital animation. The attraction will replace Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
which closed on August 18, 2011. It will open in 2012.
has announced that the attraction is being designed by their Universal Creative
company in association with Illumination Entertainment
and Despicable Me film producer Chris Meledandri
. The ride will be a motion simulator
and it will employ the use of High-definition
3-D
Infitec
projection systems, and will feature multiple characters from the film. The attraction will be located in Soundstage 42 in the Production Central area of Universal Studios Florida, which housed The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera
from June 7, 1990 until October 20, 2002, and housed Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
from April 11, 2003 until August 18, 2011.
began operating in a seasonal schedule on April 1, 2011, while the ride's official closure took place on August 18, 2011.
On April 14, 2011, Universal announced via their Facebook
page that they would be giving out weekly hints leading up to the announcement of the upcoming attraction. The first hint released by Universal depicted Universal Creative
Senior Vice President Thierry Coup working on conceptual designs for the attraction in his office at the Universal Orlando complex. Further released hints depicted a photo gallery of various colors and extreme close-ups of items, a quote from Universal stating that the new attraction is being designed by their creative department and will be using a new concept unlike those used on current attractions at the parks, and a gallery of various food items. Two more hints released on May 5 and 6 depicted a brain puzzle showing an upside-down C added with a forefinger pointing to the left and an eye, with a question mark were the answer should be and a third photo gallery of multiple animals and insects.
On May 3, 2011, Universal announced via their Facebook
page that they would be holding a scavenger hunt on their website (universalorlando.com) for users to discover and scan a QR code hidden within the site. Five randomly chosen winners who scanned the code were given the opportunity to watch a live webcast by Universal which revealed the upcoming attraction.
The final hint released on May 19, 2011, depicted another photo showing Soundstage 42 "stolen" by Gru.
The attraction was announced at a live webcast at Universal Orlando on May 19, 2011. Universal also announced a major refurbishment of The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
at Islands of Adventure
on the same day.
Way" street in the park was then renamed "Minion Way".
Universal Studios Florida
Universal Studios Florida is an American theme park located in Orlando, Florida. Opened on June 7, 1990, the park's theme is the entertainment industry, in particular movies and television. Universal Studios Florida inspires its guests to "ride the movies," and it features numerous attractions and...
. The attraction will be based on Universal Studios
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
and Illumination Entertainment
Illumination Entertainment
Illumination Entertainment is an American film production company, founded by Chris Meledandri in 2007. It is owned by Universal Studios and based in Santa Monica, California. It is best known for its 2010 animated feature Despicable Me.- History :...
's 2010 animated film Despicable Me
Despicable Me
Despicable Me is a 2010 American computer-animated 3D comedy film from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment that was released on July 9, 2010 in the United States. The film features the voices of Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig, and...
and it will employ 3-D
Stereoscopy
Stereoscopy refers to a technique for creating or enhancing the illusion of depth in an image by presenting two offset images separately to the left and right eye of the viewer. Both of these 2-D offset images are then combined in the brain to give the perception of 3-D depth...
HD
HD
HD may refer to:- Science and technology :* High-definition, reference to:** high-definition video** high-definition television ** Intel High Definition Audio** HD Voice...
digital animation. The attraction will replace Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast was a simulator ride at Universal Studios Florida that replaced The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera. The story line revolved around Ooblar, from the Yolkian planet has stolen Jimmy's newest rocket creation, the Mark IV...
which closed on August 18, 2011. It will open in 2012.
Attraction details
Universal Orlando ResortUniversal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort is a theme park resort in Orlando, Florida. It is wholly owned by NBCUniversal and its affiliates. The resort consists of two theme parks , Universal CityWalk , and three Loews Hotels...
has announced that the attraction is being designed by their Universal Creative
Universal Creative
Universal Creative is the research and development group responsible for designing rides and attractions for Universal Studios Theme Parks.It is Universal's equivalent of Walt Disney Imagineering. From 1968 until 1997, Universal Creative was known as MCA Planning and Development...
company in association with Illumination Entertainment
Illumination Entertainment
Illumination Entertainment is an American film production company, founded by Chris Meledandri in 2007. It is owned by Universal Studios and based in Santa Monica, California. It is best known for its 2010 animated feature Despicable Me.- History :...
and Despicable Me film producer Chris Meledandri
Chris Meledandri
Chris Meledandri is the founder and CEO of Illumination Entertainment.-Walt Disney Pictures:Before joining Fox, Meledandri was president of Dawn Steel Pictures at Walt Disney Pictures, where he served as an executive producer of Cool Runnings.-20th Century Fox Animation:During his tenure, he...
. The ride will be a motion simulator
Motion simulator
A motion simulator or motion platform is a mechanism that encapsulates occupants and creates the effect/feelings of being in a moving vehicle...
and it will employ the use of High-definition
High-definition video
High-definition video or HD video refers to any video system of higher resolution than standard-definition video, and most commonly involves display resolutions of 1,280×720 pixels or 1,920×1,080 pixels...
3-D
Stereoscopy
Stereoscopy refers to a technique for creating or enhancing the illusion of depth in an image by presenting two offset images separately to the left and right eye of the viewer. Both of these 2-D offset images are then combined in the brain to give the perception of 3-D depth...
Infitec
Infitec
Infitec GmbH is a German company that specializes in 3-dimensional technology. It owns a technique for channel separation in stereo projection based on interference filters...
projection systems, and will feature multiple characters from the film. The attraction will be located in Soundstage 42 in the Production Central area of Universal Studios Florida, which housed The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera
The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera (ride)
The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera was a simulator ride at Universal Studios Florida, and one of the park's original attractions. The story line was that Dick Dastardly and Muttley have kidnapped Elroy Jetson, Yogi Bear gives chase and the audience is in for the ride of their lives. Peter N...
from June 7, 1990 until October 20, 2002, and housed Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast was a simulator ride at Universal Studios Florida that replaced The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera. The story line revolved around Ooblar, from the Yolkian planet has stolen Jimmy's newest rocket creation, the Mark IV...
from April 11, 2003 until August 18, 2011.
History
In preparation for the Despicable Me attraction, Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon BlastJimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast was a simulator ride at Universal Studios Florida that replaced The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera. The story line revolved around Ooblar, from the Yolkian planet has stolen Jimmy's newest rocket creation, the Mark IV...
began operating in a seasonal schedule on April 1, 2011, while the ride's official closure took place on August 18, 2011.
On April 14, 2011, Universal announced via their Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
page that they would be giving out weekly hints leading up to the announcement of the upcoming attraction. The first hint released by Universal depicted Universal Creative
Universal Creative
Universal Creative is the research and development group responsible for designing rides and attractions for Universal Studios Theme Parks.It is Universal's equivalent of Walt Disney Imagineering. From 1968 until 1997, Universal Creative was known as MCA Planning and Development...
Senior Vice President Thierry Coup working on conceptual designs for the attraction in his office at the Universal Orlando complex. Further released hints depicted a photo gallery of various colors and extreme close-ups of items, a quote from Universal stating that the new attraction is being designed by their creative department and will be using a new concept unlike those used on current attractions at the parks, and a gallery of various food items. Two more hints released on May 5 and 6 depicted a brain puzzle showing an upside-down C added with a forefinger pointing to the left and an eye, with a question mark were the answer should be and a third photo gallery of multiple animals and insects.
On May 3, 2011, Universal announced via their Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
page that they would be holding a scavenger hunt on their website (universalorlando.com) for users to discover and scan a QR code hidden within the site. Five randomly chosen winners who scanned the code were given the opportunity to watch a live webcast by Universal which revealed the upcoming attraction.
The final hint released on May 19, 2011, depicted another photo showing Soundstage 42 "stolen" by Gru.
The attraction was announced at a live webcast at Universal Orlando on May 19, 2011. Universal also announced a major refurbishment of The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is a theme park ride located in Islands of Adventure, in Orlando, Florida and Universal Studios Japan. Built for Islands of Adventure's opening in 1999, the attraction is a hybrid ride combining special roving motion vehicles with 3-D projection, elaborate...
at Islands of Adventure
Islands of Adventure
Universal's Islands of Adventure is a theme park located in Orlando, Florida. It opened May 28, 1999 as part of an expansion that, along with CityWalk Entertainment District, the Portofino Bay Hotel, and Hard Rock hotel, converted Universal Studios Florida into the Universal Orlando Resort...
on the same day.
Construction
Construction for the Despicable Me attraction began in mid-August 2011, with the removal of the building's Jimmy Neutron insignia. Construction walls were built around the soundstage in late August, with signs advertising the up-coming ride. The "NickelodeonNickelodeon
Nickelodeon is a US cable TV channel.Nickelodeon may also refer to:-In television:*Spinoffs of the Nickelodeon channel:** Nickelodeon Magazine, a children's magazine.** Nickelodeon Universe, an amusement park....
Way" street in the park was then renamed "Minion Way".