Despicable Me (attraction)

Despicable Me
Location	Universal Studios Florida
Area	Production Central
Status	Under construction
Opening date	2012
Replaced	Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast (2003 – 2011)
Attraction Type	3-D Simulator ride[1]
Manufacturer	Infitec
Designer	Universal Creative Illumination Entertainment
Theme	Despicable Me

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.^[2]

Attraction details

Universal Orlando Resort 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.

History

In preparation for the Despicable Me attraction, Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast began operating in a seasonal schedule on April 1, 2011, while the ride's official closure took place on August 18, 2011.^[3]

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.^[4][5] 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.^[6][7] Further released hints depicted a photo gallery of various colors and extreme close-ups of items,^[8] 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,^[9] and a gallery of various food items.^[10] 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^[11] and a third photo gallery of multiple animals and insects.^[12]

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.^[13][14]

The final hint released on May 19, 2011, depicted another photo showing Soundstage 42 "stolen" by Gru.^[15]

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.^[1][2]

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.^[16] The "Nickelodeon Way" street in the park was then renamed "Minion Way".^[16]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} MacDonald, Brady (May 19, 2011). "Universal Studios Orlando plans 'Despicable Me' attraction and digital upgrade to Spider-Man ride in 2012". Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/2011/may/19/local/la-trb-universal-studios-despicable-me-05201119. Retrieved May 20, 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Blockbuster 3-D-CGI Feature “Despicable Me” to Become Attraction Experience at Universal Orlando". Press Release. Universal Orlando Resort. May 19, 2011. http://media.universalorlando.com/newsreleases/detail.aspx?id=339. Retrieved May 21, 2011. 
3. ^ Garcia, Jason (March 14, 2011). "Universal to replace Jimmy Neutron ride with new attraction". Orlando Sentinel. http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-03-14/business/os-universal-closing-jimmy-neutron-20110314_1_jimmy-neutron-s-nicktoon-blast-new-attraction-universal-orlando. Retrieved May 21, 2011. 
4. ^ Universal Orlando Resort (April 14, 2011). "Hey fans! We know...". Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/UniversalOrlandoResort/posts/10150154692357852. Retrieved May 6, 2011. 
5. ^ Universal Orlando Resort (April 18, 2011). "Remember to keep...". Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/UniversalOrlandoResort/posts/10150158534827852. Retrieved May 6, 2011. 
6. ^ Orlando Business Journal – by Richard Bilbao (April 21, 2011). "What’s with the banana? | Orlando Business Journal". Bizjournals.com. http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/blog/2011/04/whats-with-the-banana.html. Retrieved May 6, 2011. 
7. ^ Universal Orlando Resort (April 21, 2011). "Universal Orlando Resort's Photos – Wall Photos". Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150160654722852&set=a.208747882851.130990.90867402851&type=1&comments. Retrieved May 6, 2011. 
8. ^ Universal Orlando Resort (April 27, 2011). "UORHint". Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150165958502852.300305.90867402851. Retrieved May 6, 2011. 
9. ^ Universal Orlando Resort (April 22, 2011). "UORHint: The new...". Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/UniversalOrlandoResort/posts/10150161624937852. Retrieved May 6, 2011. 
10. ^ Universal Orlando Resort (May 3, 2011). "UORHint". Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/UniversalOrlandoResort#!/media/set/?set=a.10150171405637852.301987.90867402851. Retrieved May 6, 2011. 
11. ^ "Universal Orlando Resort's Photos - Wall Photos". Facebook. May 5, 2011. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150173017247852&set=a.208747882851.130990.90867402851&type=1&comments. Retrieved May 8, 2011. 
12. ^ "One of these creatures could be a UORHint, or could it?". Facebook. May 7, 2011. http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150174161692852.302761.90867402851. Retrieved May 8, 2011. 
13. ^ Universal Orlando Resort (May 4, 2011). "We know you can't...". Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/UniversalOrlandoResort/posts/199091783460029. Retrieved May 6, 2011. 
14. ^ Universal Orlando Resort (May 5, 2011). "Our virtual QR code...". Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/UniversalOrlandoResort/posts/127920987285369. Retrieved May 6, 2011. 
15. ^ Universal Orlando Resort (May 19, 2011). "Universal Orlando Resort's Photos – Wall Photos". Photo. Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150185132257852&set=a.208747882851.130990.90867402851&type=1&comments. Retrieved May 21, 2011. 
16. ^ ^{a b} Bevil, DeWayne (August 29, 2011). "Picture it: ‘Despicable Me’ construction at Universal Studios". Orlando Sentinel. http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features_orlando/2011/08/picture-it-despicable-me-construction-at-universal-studios.html. Retrieved September 8, 2011. 

External links

• Press Release
• Announcement Video on YouTube