The Shrek 4-D attraction at Universal Studios Florida will close permanently on Jan. 10, 2022, Universal confirmed Wednesday.
In a letter to Universal employees, Adam Kingsley, Universal Orlando’s vice president of attractions operations, said, “This attraction has had a great run and is beloved by our guests. Thank you to all who have been a part of serving the nearly 75 million guests over the last 18 years.”
The 4-D attraction opened in 2003, replacing Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies in the Production Central area near the front of Universal Studios Florida. While more of a film than a ride, the theater seats do have motion-based effects that perform in time with the movie, which is set immediately following the first “Shrek.”
Shrek 4-D has long been rumored to be on the chopping block in Orlando. Its Hollywood counterpart closed in 2017, though it remains in operation at Universal Studios Japan.
Universal Orlando confirmed that Shrek’s Ye Olde Souvenir Shoppe will also close in January 2022, but the Shrek and Donkey character greeting experience will continue. Kingsley did not say what would be replacing the attraction, but said employees will be “amongst the first to know.”
Along with the Shrek 4-D closure, Kingsley’s letter announced that the Revenge of the Mummy roller coaster would be temporarily closed from January through late summer 2022 for “necessary technical improvements.” Team members who work at Shrek 4-D and the Mummy will be relocated to other positions.
Shrek 4-D is the second Universal Studios Florida attraction confirmed to be closing in 2021, preceded by the shuttering of “A Day in the Park with Barney.” The resort has yet to announce any additions coming in 2022.