Universal Studios Canada

Universal Studios Canada is a Canadian movie-based amusement park and entertainment resort at Universal Vancouver Resort in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Opening on May 20, 1992, originally known as DreamWorks Studios Canada Touring Park until 2004, the park was initially a theme park attached to the production studio DreamWorks Studios Canada, (known as DW Studios in Canada until 1986) which was founded in 1982, 10 years before the park's opening. From 2004 to 2023, it was later renamed to DreamWorks Movie Adventure Park, and lastly DreamWorks MAP (shortly known as MAP) from 2023 to 2024, when it was once again changed and rebranded into Universal Studios Canada.

The park is an equivalent to other movie-based theme parks, such as other Universal Studios' theme parks and as well as Disney Parks, being based around primarily film and television productions by the American entertainment companies DreamWorks Studios and Universal Studios and occasional licensed properties.

Since its opening, the park started off as a touring destination for guests to take on a behind-the-scenes touring experience over films and television programs, much like other movie studio-theme parks. Today, the park had expanded into a whole-theme park, after the DreamWorks Studios Canada's main studio had permanently shut its doors in 2001.

Initially, the park was a joint venture owned by DreamWorks Studios and Landmark Entertainment Group. Since 2016, the park is owned and operated by Universal Destinations and Experiences (being Canada's first Universal Studios theme park), along with a joint venture with the Government of Canada, under Universal Parks Canada, Inc (UPC) (formerly DreamWorks Canada Entertainment.

Despite Universal Studios Canada is opened and operated year-around, due to cold weather in Canada, outdoor rides open seasonally every eight months from May to December.

Opening, attendance and reception

TBD

TBD

In 2001, after the critical and box-office blockbuster of the 2001 computer-animated film Shrek, the park became into Canada's must-go theme park destination.

TBD

In November 2014, a park-wide power outage occurred during filming of the universally panned 2015 film The Filany Family and the Lost City of Christmas, which involved a scene where Garrett Filany went crazy at the park and caused a power outage there.

In December 2022, it was been announcement for the name change for the theme park. Later, Movie Adventure Park was renamed into "DreamWorks MAP" on February 2023.

Areas

Current

• DW Studio Street - Opened on May 20, 1992. The main entrance section of the park themed around production studio lots.
• DreamWorks Animation Acres - Opened in 2004, it is devoted to DreamWorks Animation films.
• Dreamtoons Universe - Opened in 2004.
  • Joey's Fun Fair - Opened in 2004.
• Hollywood – Golden Street - Opened on May 20, 1992, this area is themed around the Golden Age of Hollywood.
• Epic Zone - Opened on May 20, 1992, this area is themed around adventure, action and science fiction.
• VeggieTales Playhouse - Opened in 2019, TBD
• TV Central - Opened on July, 2003, it is themed to DreamWorks Television productions.
• Transformers Metrobase - Opened on May 13th, 2022.

Future

In 2018, the park's owner NBCUniversal (Comcast) announced for the park's future expansion with six phases for three new lands replacing the DreamWorks Studios Canada main studio in the opening of 2024 to 2029.

• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Open in summer 2024)
• Minion Land (open in fall 2024; replacing Dreamtoons Universe)
• Super Nintendo World (Open in fall 2024)
  • Nintendo Plaza
  • Super Mario Bros. — Mushroom Kingdom
  • Splatoon — Inkopolis
  • Pokemon Center
• Jurassic World (Open in 2026)
• DreamWorks Land (Open in 2026; remerging Dreamtoons Universe and DreamWorks Animation Acres)
• Hollywood North (Open in 2029; replacing DW Studio Street and Hollywood - Golden Street)

Former

• Animation Lot (1992-2004) - themed to DreamWorks animated productions such as Dreamtoons, DreamWorks Animation Television, and DreamWorks Animation's feature films. It was separated into two areas (Dreamtoons Universe and DreamWorks Animation Acres) in 2004.
• Jim Henson's Muppetland (1997-2005) - a land themed to the Jim Henson Company properties, such as The Muppets, Fraggle Rock, The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss, Muppet Babies and Bear and the Big Blue House. Replaced by TBD
• Humongous Entertainment's KidZone (2006-2009) - a section based on TBD
• NickZone (2010-2019) - TBD
• Western World (1992-1999) - a western-themed area, focuses on western films.

Events

• Faithful Night Concert
• DreamWorks Food Festival
• St. Patrick’s Day at DreamWorks MAP
• DreamWorks Easter Fun!
• The May Night Concert - a nightly music concert event occurring from throughout May.
• Otaku Night - a fan festival aimed at fans of Japanese culture (mainly Japanese anime). Similar to ScreamWorks Nights, but consisting of attractions based on non-hentai anime/manga, as well as Jpop, Japanese software brands and kaiju. It occurs every summer from June 1 to August 23.
• Culture of the Native Canadians Festival
• Halloween events
  • DreamWorks Halloween Family Fun - Formerly known as Kids' Halloween! TBD. Occurring every weekend from Saturday to Sunday throughout October.
  • ScreamWorks Nights - TBD. Occurring weeknights from Monday and Friday, from September - October.
  • Godzilla vs. Joey - a live stage show that occurs every week from Monday to Thursday throughout October.
• DreamWorks Christmas Wonderland - TBD. Occurring from November 19 to January 2.
• DreamWorks Holiday Parade - TBD.

Temporary events

• DreaMillennium (2000) - a new year celebration commemorating the 21st century. Occurring from September 1, 1999 to January 1, 2000.
• DreamWorks 70th Anniversary Celebration (2004) - TBD. Occurring June - August.
• Shrek's 20th Ogre-versary Fest! (2021) - an anniversary event commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 2001 film Shrek. Occurring May - early July.
• DreamWorks Movie Adventure Park: A 30th Anniversary Celebration

Daily entertainment

Parades

• The Parade of Christmas Lights (2007-present)
• The Modifyers on Parade (2011-2012) - a parade promoting the 2011 film The Modifyers Movie, showcasing floats and costumed character performances of both DreamWorks Animation Television and Nickelodeon characters (including the characters from the show), as well as mixing music from The Modifyers and other Nicktoons and DreamWorks TV shows.

Fireworks

• Movie Dreams of the Sky (1992-present)
• Once Upon an Ogre: Shrek's Firework Festival (2001) - a firework show promoting the 2001 film Shrek.
• Canada Day Fireworks Celebration (2006-2017) - a Canada Day-themed fireworks show, celebrates the culture of Canada, showcasing Canadian music.

Slogan

• Hollywood of the North (1992-2001)
• Dream of Movies (2002-2004)
• Rides, Thrills, ACTION! (2005-2008)
• Dream of Entertainment and Excitement (2009-2012)
• Let's Go! (2013-2017)
• YEAH!! (2018-2022)
• Where Else? (2022-present)

DreamWorks Surf Island

Main article: DreamWorks Surf Island

DreamWorks DashWalk (DWDW)

Established in 2005, DreamWorks DashWalk, or shortly either DashWalk or DWDW, was a virtual queue system created for DreamWorks Movie Adventure Park, which is a clone to Disney's FastPass and Universal Express, created to allow guest to purchase the card to skip lines in any attraction in the park. In 2017, DreamWorks DashWalk was incorporated into Universal Express following NBCUniversal's acquisition with DreamWorks Studios in 2016.

Resorts

DreamWalk

Located nearby the park, it is a downtown district consisting of dinning, retailing facilities and entertainment experiences.

Eatery and dinning

• DreamWorks Food Court (e.g. Wendy's, McDonald's, Burger King, A&W, Burger Baron, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Bell, Arby's, Dairy Queen, Harvey's, Coffee Time, Jollibee, New York Fries, Panda Express, Subway, Pizza Hut, Tim Hortons, Taco Time, and TBD)
• BeaverTails
• Rainforest Café
• NFB Café & Experience - a themed restaurant and interactive experience dedicated to works of National Film Board of Canada.
• Joey's Family Center and Pizzeria
• Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville
• Worldwide Sport Zone (WSZ)
• TBD

Retail

• M&M's World
• TBD

Entertainment

• M&M's World
• A carousel

• Midway games
• CTV Comedy Network: Night of Laughs!
• Club Caillou
• DreamWorks Cinema Dome: An AMC Theater Complex

Former

• DisneyQuest Canada (2000-2002) - an interactive indoor amusement center owned and operated by Disney Regional Entertainment. Replaced by M&M's World.
• Club Disney (1998-1999) - a children's play center owned and operated by Disney Regional Entertainment, built next door to DisneyQuest Canada. Replaced by Club Caillou.

DreamWorks Hotel

Opened in 2009, DreamWorks Hotel is a hospitality resort theming to DreamWorks films.

Trivia

• DreamWorks Movie Adventure Park is considered by several to be the first DreamWorks-branded theme park.
• TBD

See also

• DreamWorks Movie Adventure Park/Incidents
• DreamWorks Movie Adventure Park/Height restriction in attractions