Know before you go bananas! 5 things to watch for when Universal's Minion Land opens

Samantha Neely, Fort Myers News-Press
·3 min read

Very soon you can say bello to some little, yellow friends.

Universal Orlando's Minion Land is set to open Friday, Aug. 11, giving guests the ability to step into the world of Illumination’s hit animated film franchises "Despicable Me" and "Minions."

Theme park-goers will be able to eat, laugh, and make mischief with the Minions along Illumination Avenue — an immersive new area created in partnership between Universal’s award-winning creative team and the acclaimed filmmakers from Illumination.

Before you head to the park to hang with your favorite Minions – Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto, here's what you should know.

Minion Land prices and details: Minion Land opens at Universal Orlando Resort Friday! See ticket prices, attraction details

What is Minion Land?

Minion Land, based on the "Minion" franchise from the animated film "Despicable Me," is an interactive gaming attraction built in partnership with Illumination, according to Universal.

Minions wave at the premiere of Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment's "Minions" at the Shrine Auditorium on June 27, 2015 in Los Angeles.
Minions wave at the premiere of Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment's "Minions" at the Shrine Auditorium on June 27, 2015 in Los Angeles.

The new area seeks to expand on the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem attraction to allow guests to engage in villainous pursuits in Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast game.

What activities and shops are found within Minion Land?

In addition to the rides, Minion Land will offer its own themed dining experiences, the "Evil Stuff" gift shop, and meet-and-greet opportunities at the 'Illumination Theater' with characters like the Minions, Gru, Margo, Edith, and Agnes.

Bake My Day will sell Minion-themed sweets and merchandise.
Bake My Day will sell Minion-themed sweets and merchandise.

The dining experiences options along Illumination Avenue are:

  • Minion Cafe - As the flagship quick-service restaurant in the new section, the cafe plans to immerse guests into the world of the minions and explore the dedicated areas that pay tribute to the yellow henchmen. It offers options, such as noodle bowls, sandwiches, and pizza.

  • Bake My Day - Munch on Minion-inspired sweets like cupcakes, cookies, and marshmallow treats.

  • Freeze Ray Pops - Get a break from the heat by grabbing a popsicle inspired by iconic characters like Gru, Vector, and the Minions.

  • Pop-a-Nana - Get your banana fix with the Minions' favorite fruit-flavored popcorn.

Minion Cade will have several kid-friendly options for mini bosses.
Minion Cade will have several kid-friendly options for mini bosses.

Where is the Minion Land located? Which park will it be inside?

The new section will be located within the main Universal Studios theme park. The entire Universal Orlando property is located at 6000 Universal Blvd in Orlando.

Once inside, Minion Land will be found on Illumination Avenue towards the front of the Universal Studios park.

Will there be a new attraction?

Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast is described as a first-of-its-kind shooting game attraction, with Universal seeking to blend immersive sets, interactive game-based technology, custom animation, and an original storyline.

"Join Illumination's Minions, Belle Bottom, Jean Clawed, and the rest of the Vicious 6 at Villain-Con as you blast your way to supervillain stardom," Universal Orlando's description reads online. "Use your E-Liminator X blaster and test your skill in this fun, interactive attraction."

Universal Orlando says Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast will be "so much fun, it’s a crime."
Universal Orlando says Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast will be "so much fun, it’s a crime."

The ride system is a moving walkway, similar to a baggage conveyor belt that you find at the airport or even those found in Universal's own parking areas. The ride is meant for everyone and has no height requirement, only asking that those under 48 inches have supervision.

It is set to officially open on Aug. 11 along with the rest of the park.

What did the new ride replace?

Theme park fanatics and animation cinephiles have mourned the loss of Shrek 4-D, a show that followed characters from the movie Shrek as they try to stop the ghost of Lord Farquaad from capturing Princess Fiona. The attraction ran for 19 years since its opening in 2003.

The beloved attraction allowed guests the chance to gain “OgreVision” with 3D glasses to watch the show. The 4-D element came into play with different sensory effects, similar to It’s Tough to Be a Bug show at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom.

It officially said it was all 'ogre' in January of 2022, closing down permanently to make way for the upcoming Minion Land attraction.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Minion Land opening at Universal Orlando. Five things to know