Despicable Me Open!

[Melanie]

My son and I are getting up at 5am tomorrow to get ready and head over to Universal. Despicable Me opened today and lines were long. We hope to get in and knock it out first thing tomorrow morning, and then enjoy the rest of both parks for the remainder of the day.

Follow along with us on Twitter at @INTERCOT.

[AgentC]

I saw some preview photos today and it looked great. I can't wait to see your tweets of it.

[Melanie]

Fingers crossed for another soft opening today!

[Mickey'sGirl]

My fingers are crossed! I am insanely jealous!

[MNNHFLTX]

I knew Jake and I missed it by just a few days!!! So frustrating! You can bet that I will look at your pictures on Twitter!

[Melanie]

We finally got on today around 2p! Nice queue, cute and funny pre-show and exciting ride itself. I will post a full review tomorrow, because now I'm just too tired.

For now, I've posted my pics to INTERCOT's Facebook page.

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem Soft Opening Photos

[MizMissy]

The pictures look great! Thanks for posting!

Is it a 4D show or some type of simulator ride?

Also, just curious if you stayed for the new nighttime show and your thoughts on it.

[Melanie]

I didn't stay for the nighttime show, although it's one of my goals here in the upcoming weeks to get over there for it one night. In this heat, it's just too hard to stay at the park all day for me anymore.

So on to my review of Minion Mayhem. If you want to be surprised, DON'T READ any further!

Please note that I never rode Jimmy Neutron, so I'm not sure how much in the current attraction is a holdover. Probably a lot.

The premise is that you are being recruited to become a Minion. "You too can join Gru and become a Minion!" The recruitment starts outside on the murals painted on the show building, and also on the posters and multiple short videos playing on the TV screens in the outside queue. Atomic bombs are hanging from the ceiling in the queue area.

I'd estimate each ride through of the attraction holds around 150 people, so that's how many enter at a time. First pre-show area you go into Gru's house (with portraits on the walls and unusual decor and furnishings) and this is where you pick up your 3D glasses (similar to the new Spiderman glasses and Star Tours at DHS) and also get assigned to your row. Safety spiel is conducted and little minion recruits are checked again for height.

Just a note on height requirements, because it can get kind of tricky on this attraction - a child must be 40 inches to ride with an adult. I believe (although haven't been able to confirm, especially since it doesn't say on the measuring stick) a child must be 48 inches to ride alone. If they don't meet either of those requirements, there is stationary seating up front for anyone.

Next room guests meet Gru, who introduces his new Minion transformation guns and starts to explain the Minion training, but is then interrupted by the girls who want to take over the training. Gru agrees, and after some funnies, guests are then led into the 'transformation room' where they sit on benches holding 4 persons. After putting on the 3D glasses, the attraction starts and the benches move to the action on the screen where lots of MAYHEM ensues.

When the attraction first started, my immediate thoughts were of the Simpsons attraction. Very reminiscent! I get a bit sick on the Simpsons, and also felt similarly here. It's seeming more and more like I'm very prone to getting sick though, so don't take this as any indication you will too.

The attraction exits into Minion Dance Party, so take time to get "Boogie Fever" with the little guys and be sure to look at yourself on the big screens above. Fun!

[DizneyFreak2002]

You can skip the dance party though, can't you??? I have read that you can... And what were your thoughts about the dance party???

For me, it is a waste... I'd never participate... But for kids, I'm sure they will love it...

[Melanie]

You can skip the dance party though, can't you??? I have read that you can... And what were your thoughts about the dance party???

For me, it is a waste... I'd never participate... But for kids, I'm sure they will love it...

Sure, you can skip it. No one is going to make you stop and dance. But, you do have to walk through the area and you will be on the screen as you walk through.

[Tink1]

Just a note on height requirements, because it can get kind of tricky on this attraction - a child must be 40 inches to ride alone. I believe (although haven't been able to confirm, especially since it doesn't say on the measuring stick) a child must be 48 inches to ride with an adult

Is this backwards?



Nanc

[DizneyFreak2002]

Sure, you can skip it. No one is going to make you stop and dance. But, you do have to walk through the area and you will be on the screen as you walk through.

Blah... They could have done something else with this area... Oh well...

[John]

Blah... They could have done something else with this area... Oh well...

Man you are full of negativity sometimes - it gets a little tiring...

[White Rose]

Thanks so much for the review Mel! The Minion Dance Party sounds really cute. I was the one bugging you on Twitter and was anxiously waiting for this review.

[NJGIRL]

The new ride sounds like it is very close to the Jimmy Neutron ride before it, and Jimmy was alot like the Hanna Barbara ride before that.

I have always liked the former versions so I am sure I will like this new version also! Can't wait to ride it!

[MizMissy]

Blah... They could have done something else with this area... Oh well...

It takes place AFTER the ride ... what would you expect to happen AFTER the ride besides exiting through a gift shop (yes, I realize that comes after the dance party)? Video games?

If it's an area to let kids play and blow off steam, then I think it's great.

[DizneyFreak2002]

Official opening date is July 2...

[DizneyFreak2002]

It takes place AFTER the ride ... what would you expect to happen AFTER the ride besides exiting through a gift shop (yes, I realize that comes after the dance party)? Video games?

If it's an area to let kids play and blow off steam, then I think it's great.

I know it takes place after the ride... So does the Norway movie... Doesn't mean I can't feel it is a waste of space, just like the theater aftr Maelstrom...

I'm glad you can walk through and not have to stand around, trapped in a room until the dance party is over...

[joanna71985]

I got to ride a couple of days ago. I loved it! I think the ride is really cute

[Mom on a Mission]

Thanks so much for the review. We are SOOOO looking forward to this. DD is a huge fan, even at the age of 16! We loved the JN ride that used to be there, so I'm sure this will be fun too. Thanks for the FB pics -- I'm sure we'll be spending some time and $$ in the gift shop Anyone been there recently? what are the lines like? This will obviously have to be done after WWoHP and Spiderman...