Self-proclaimed criminal mastermind Gru and his lovable Minions took the world by storm when “Despicable Me” premiered in 2010. They continued to gain a following when the film’s sequel, “Despicable Me 2,” came out last summer.

This spring, movie fans everywhere can enjoy all things Minion-related thru Universal Studios Hollywood’s “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem,” a 3D ultra-HD adventure and the accompanying “Super Silly Fun Land,” an interactive play zone for kids and families.

In “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem,” guests will enjoy a fully immersive motion-simulator ride featuring characters from the film, including Gru and his three girls, Margo, Edith and Agnes; Dr. Nefario; and, of course, an entourage of entertaining Minions. From the entrance of the ride to the ride itself, guests will be transported to the neighborhood where Gru lives. The entire area is complete with details from the “Despicable Me” movies, such as the lack of living shrubs and plants in front of Gru’s home.

While a “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” ride exists in Universal Studios Orlando, the one featured in Universal Studios Hollywood contains some differences, according to Jon Corfino, project director and producer.

“The idea for this ride is that Minions have taken over the place,” he explains. “This is the first ride that’s focused for children eight years and under. Our ride is different from the one in Orlando [in that] it has the entire neighborhood, including ‘Miss Hattie’s Home for Girls,’ and we have two theatres so it’s a larger area. Also, Universal Studios Orlando does not have a ‘Super Silly Fun Land.’”

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The front of the ride and queue area includes interactive features to entertain guests while they wait for the ride. For example, each doorbell to the homes in Gru’s neighborhood features different sounds (Minion babblings, etc.) and flat-screen TVs in the queue area show a variety of scenes with Gru and his girls. Themes and elements from the movie are strong (“bomb” speakers; 3D glasses renamed as “Minion goggles”), and guests also get to experience “being” in Gru’s living room before entering the ride itself.

“In the movie, we first get to know Gru in his living room,” Corfino says. “This ride features a completely unique storyline — basically, the story takes place on the one-year anniversary of the girls being adopted, and you see the animated transformation of yourselves becoming minions.”

When the ride is finished, guests enter a “Celebration Room,” which is like an interactive, Minion-inspired dance party. Exiting the “Celebration Room” will take guests to a retail area and a large, kid-friendly play zone called “Super Silly Fun Land.”

“‘Super Silly Fun Land’ is where Gru fell in love with his daughters in the movie, so we wanted to include that,” Corfino says.

This outdoor venue was inspired by the carnival from the “Despicable Me” film. A colorful mural and the boardwalk constructed to look like wood will help guests feel as if they are at an actual carnival. There’s a fun play area with water activities for those who love to get wet—featuring water canons and spray guns—as well as a dry climbing area modeled after animals and creatures for kids who prefer to stay dry. Meanwhile, a midway section with games is also available—including the infamous “Space Killer” game from the movie—and “Gru’s Lab Café” features a concoction of delicious and unique treats (all made by the Minions, of course).

“The blueprints on the walls of Gru’s Lab Café depict food creations by the Minions,” Corfino says. “The idea is that the Minions are coming up with food and all of them have unique names.”

The launch for “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and “Super Silly Fun Land” is especially notable because this is the first time Universal Studios Hollywood created a themed land, according to Corfino.

“This is the first area that targets younger kids,” he confirms. “Construction on the area started a little more than a year ago. ”

“As project director and producer, my job is to ensure the creative intent and integrity of the experience working with Illumination and the creative talent at Universal,” Corfino adds. “This ride is all about the experience, not about just building a building.”

Interested in checking out the soon-to-launch "Despicable Me Minion Mayhem"? University of Southern California students and faculty can buy Universal Studios discounted tickets ($15 off, get 12 months free). These tickets are available through the USC Ticket Office.

Get a sneak peek at “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and “Super Silly Fun Land” below (Photography by Gaston Souza).


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