It’s official people – Universal Orlando Resort is getting ready to unleash more minions on an unsuspecting public with a new interactive attraction inspired by the “Minions” films.
The announcement was just made by the company that Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast will open at Universal Studios Florida next year in summer 2023.
The attraction will be based around Villain-Con, the fictional supervillain convention first depicted in the 2015 animated film “Minions.” The story will have visitors at the convention to take part in a competition to join the ranks of The Vicious 6, a group of supervillains featured in “Minions: The Rise of Gru.”
After grabbing an interactive blaster, visitors will step onto a moving pathway that will take them around different scenes. They will earn points (and cause mayhem) by blasting a variety of objects.
The attraction will combine screen technology, gaming interactivity and physical sets to create “a one-of-a-kind, game-based adventure where guests encounter immersive environments, nefarious villains and tons of mischievous Minions,” Universal said in a news release.
Universal also released artwork for the attraction, which features the Villain-Con logo, two of the minion characters and silhouettes of the villain characters, including Vector and Scarlet Overkill.
Villain-Con Minion Blast was developed through a partnership between Universal’s creative team and the filmmakers from Illumination. It will be part of a newly-designated Minion Land, which will include the existing Despicable Me Minion Mayhem as well as a new Minion Cafe. Universal has other surprises involving Illumination characters planned for that area of the park, but hasn’t shared those details yet.
Thursday’s announcement marks the first time Universal has officially revealed any details about the attraction replacing Shrek 4-D, which closed in January after 18 years of operation. Soon after Shrek closed, construction walls with images of minions were installed around the building, sparking speculation among theme park fans as to what the new attraction would be.
As for the new Minions Cafe, it will likely go in the location of the former Monsters Cafe, which also closed earlier this year to “make way for a new dining experience.”
Universal said it will share more information about Villain-Con Minion Blast and Minion Land in the coming months – so watch this space!