Universal Studios Orlando plans ‘Despicable Me’ attraction and digital upgrade to Spider-Man ride in 2012

Universal Studios Orlando on Thursday announced plans to retheme its Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast attraction with a new “Despicable Me” story line, and to digitally refresh the Amazing Adventures ofSpider-Man motion-simulator ride for 2012.

With no new attractions set for 2011, Universal continues to ride the “Wizarding World” wave of Pottermania, which has helped drive up attendance at the tandemFlorida theme parks by an astonishing 68% so far this year.

Photos: Universal Studios Florida | Islands of Adventure | Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Using high-definition digital technology, the new 3-D “Despicable Me” motion-simulator attraction at the Universal Studios Florida theme park -- which along with Islands of Adventure makes up Universal Studios Orlando -- will borrow elements from the animated movie and several film shorts to create a new story line featuring the supervillain Gru, his adoptive daughters and the little yellow minions.

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FOR THE RECORD

June 6, 2016, 8:50 a.m.: A quote in this article by Universal’s Thierry Coup lacked proper attribution. The quotation was from a prepared statement.

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“First you’ll be taken into Gru’s house,” said Thierry Coup, head of Universal’s Creative Studio. “And then you’ll get to see his lab.”

Along the way, the audience is turned into minions, trained by the evil Gru, and eventually takes part in a post-show dance-party finale.

Coup said it was too early to confirm if any of the film’s voice cast, including Steve Carell as Gru, will take part in the theme-park attraction.

The long-rumored “Despicable Me” attraction is the first theme-park ride based on a Universal animated film. A sequel to the movie is expected in 2013.

Next door at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park, the Amazing Adventures ofSpider-Man motion-simulator ride will keep the same story line but get a complete digital makeover with 13 reanimated 3-D scenes.

Testing has already begun on the Electro and Hydro scenes, Coup said, with the ride expected to go down for only a few weeks just before the 2012 relaunch.