New 'Despicable Me' Ride Coming to Universal Studios

Just yesterday, Universal Orlando made 2 important announcements. One of them included the news about the new ride that will soon replace "Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast", and, as many of us already knew since months, that new ride will be themed around the world of "Despicable Me", one of the most successful movies that Universal has ever made. Take a look at this exciting news:

_________________________________________________________________________

Blockbuster 3-D-CGI Feature “Despicable Me” to Become Attraction Experience at Universal Orlando

Orlando, Fla. (May 19, 2011) – Universal Orlando Resort today announced that its newest attraction will be based on Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s blockbuster 3-D-CGI feature “Despicable Me,” bringing minions, mayhem and a whole new level of 3-D family fun to its guests.  The “Despicable Me” experience will replace the Jimmy Neutron attraction at Universal Studios Florida.

[The new ride] will open in 2012 and [is] being developed by the same award-winning Universal Creative team that has brought all of Universal Orlando’s spectacularly themed attractions to life. [It] will utilize brand-new, highly sophisticated Infitec 3-D projection systems designed to make the experience sharper, clearer and more “real” than ever before. 

DESPICABLE ME

Photo: © 2010 Universal Orlando Resort. All Rights Reserved.

With a worldwide gross of more than $540 million, 2010’s “Despicable Me,” from directors Chris Renaud & Pierre Coffin, is the sixth most successful film that Universal Pictures has ever distributed.  It is now the 10^th-biggest animated film in U.S. history.  The 3-D animated adventure thrilled audiences across the globe with its outrageous humor, endearing characters and compelling storyline – all of which guests will be able to experience exclusively at Universal Orlando in 2012. 

“Despicable Me” will become the first-ever Universal animated film to be transformed into a theme park experience.  The Universal Creative team is working closely with producer Chris Meledandri, the founder of Illumination Entertainment, to create all-new animation for an all-new “Despicable Me” adventure that places guests right in the center of the action. 

Photo: © 2010 Universal Orlando Resort. All Rights Reserved.

Gru, one of the world’s greatest super-villains, is bringing his high-tech empire – and his three adopted daughters – to Universal Studios, and he is looking for all the help he can get.  First, he will transform guests into an army of mischievous, scene-stealing minions.  Then he will train them.  And that kicks off an unforgettable ride experience that creates a hysterical mix of chaos and family fun. 

Guests will:

• laugh as they embark on an entirely-new, high-tech 3-D digital adventure with their favorite characters from the film – Gru, daughters Margo, Edith and Agnes, and of course, Gru’s not-so-bright pit crew, the minions
• marvel as they explore Gru’s lair and descend into his secret lab
• shriek as the entire family is transformed into minions 
• celebrate as they are swept into a first-ever, minion-inspired, interactive dance party where they can show off their best moves 

“The ‘Despicable Me’ attraction is the latest example of how we tap into pop culture’s most compelling stories and turn them into extraordinary theme park entertainment,” said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative.  “This is a perfect fit for Universal Orlando, and we can’t wait to bring this one-of-a-kind experience to life.”

Photo: © 2010 Universal Orlando Resort. All Rights Reserved.

“As we write, design and animate our films at Illumination, it is our singular goal to bring to life endearing and, hopefully, enduring characters,” said Chris Meledandri.  “With the creation of next year’s ‘Despicable Me’ attraction at Universal Orlando, audiences will be able to immerse themselves in Gru’s world for many years to come.”

_________________________________________________________________________

This is a nice news. We were expecting some more news (about the new water park too!), but we'll have to wait a little bit more for that... By the way, another thing was announced by Universal Orlando. See you later with that news!