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Universal Orlando launches new movie-themed parade, nighttime shows and more for the summer

June 19, 2024
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5 min read
01_Hogwarts Always at Universal Islands of Adventure
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As if Universal Orlando doesn’t have enough excitement on the horizon with an entirely new theme park opening in 2025, it is planning a blockbuster summer of entertainment.

On Friday, Universal debuted a nighttime lagoon show and a projection show in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and opened the all-new DreamWorks Land. There is also a new parade starting in July. Here’s the “mega” movie fun you can experience this summer.

'Cinesational: A Symphonic Spectacular'

Universal Studios Florida debuted an all-new nighttime show Friday that brings the park’s lagoon to life with music, fountains, projection mapping and drones. The show leans into Universal’s legacy of blockbuster films that have inspired past, present and brand-new theme park attractions.

Cinesational: A Symphonic Spectacular. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY

You'll experience music from iconic films like “Jurassic World,” “Jaws,” “Ghostbusters,” “Back to the Future,” “Harry Potter,” “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” “Minions” and more. Favorite scenes and characters will be projected onto fountains over the lagoon. Meanwhile, more than 600 drones will fly overhead, making the show even more spectacular. If you have a favorite scene from one of the films mentioned above, you'll probably find it in this show.

"Cinesational: A Symphonic Spectacular" is scheduled to run through Aug. 25, but we are hopeful it will return after Halloween Horror Nights.

Universal Mega Movie Parade

Jaws parade float
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UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT
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In sticking with the theme of bringing cinematic masterpieces off the big screen and into its parks, the Universal Mega Movie Parade will debut July 3 at Universal Studios Florida. The parade will celebrate classic films like “E.T.,” “Back to the Future,” “Jaws” and “Ghostbusters,” as well as recent blockbusters like “Jurassic World,” “Minions,” “Sing,” “Trolls” and “Kung Fu Panda.”

Universal Mega Movie Parade will feature 13 new floats, special effects and nearly 100 dancers, skaters, stilt walkers and other performers. You’ll have to see it in person to see how “mega” this parade really is. However, Universal did share that there will be a 16-foot Stay Puft Marshmallow Man on the “Ghostbusters” float, a Caterbus and rainbows on the “Trolls” float, and more than one massive dinosaur atop the “Jurassic World” float.

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT

To celebrate the new parade, the park recently opened a limited-time Summer Tribute Store with themed rooms, merchandise and photo ops inspired by the films featured in the parade.

The Universal Mega Movie Parade is scheduled to run through Nov. 14, likely to make way for Universal's Holiday Parade featuring Macy's.

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'Hogwarts Always'

"Hogwarts Always." TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY

"Hogwarts Always" debuted Friday at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Hogsmeade in Universal Islands of Adventure. On select nights, guests can watch scenes from a school year at Hogwarts. Clips of characters shopping for supplies in Diagon Alley, riding the Hogwarts Express and participating in the sorting ceremony are projected onto the facade of Hogwarts Castle.

As an extra surprise, the show will have four different endings. Each one honors a different Hogwarts house, and you never know which house will come out on top. The show plays periodically throughout the evening, so you can stick around until your favorite wins the House Cup.

"Hogwarts Always" is scheduled to run through Aug. 25.

DreamWorks Land opening

Trollercoaster at DreamWorks Land. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY

Universal Orlando’s newest land also opened Friday. DreamWorks Land at Universal Studios Florida features attractions, play areas, meet-and-greets, snack kiosks and retail locations themed to popular DreamWorks films like “Shrek,” “Trolls” and “Kung Fu Panda.”

Related: Universal Orlando’s new DreamWorks Land opening this June

DreamWorks Land. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY

In addition to fun-filled experiences — like taking a ride on the Trollercoaster and playing in Shrek’s Swamp — guests can attend a multisensory live show called "DreamWorks Imagination Celebration" that brings these beloved films to life in all-new ways.

Bottom line

If you don’t have your summer visit planned, now is the time to choose your favorite Universal hotel, read up on our favorite restaurants and scope out the best rides. Book your trip now because this summer will be a big hit at Universal Orlando.

Related reading:

Featured image by UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American ExpressÂŽ Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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